Evening star., 1937-02-07

Canada by the New York World-Tele-
gram and the other among the score
or so of Hearst radio editors, the latter
being confined to members of that
publishing organization only.
Surprisingly enough, the two polls
show a striking uniformity and the
same names appear in each, although
programs and artists are grouped in
different classifications. Unfortunate
ly the polls have not been OF any help
in clearing up the mist that surrounds
the ratings and performances of Jack
Benny and Fred Allen.
WHERE the Worid-Telegram poll
w shows Benny for the fourth time
to be the No. / comedian, with Allen
as runner-up, the Hearst poll puts
them in the reverse position. To make
it worse, the two performers have
started one of these fictional air en-
mites, a you-and-me type Of mutual
promotion that smacks of the Ben
Bernie Walter Winchell 'feud," now
built up to the point where they are
making a movie together! Just as
the latter two are old cronies. Allen
and Benny are quite cordial off the
air and their wives are known to feel
the same way about each other. So
when Fred slips in few doubts as
to the veracity of Jacks claim that
he played 1.-The Bee" on the violin
at the age Of 6, no hard feelings are
involved. It's good comedy-now, at
any rate, although it may get bit
boring Ike the Winchell-Bernie thing
after it has been worn threadbare.
Bazooka Bob, who Burns up the
relatives from Ar-kin-saw way, is
ranked third among the comedians by
both the radio editor polls. The
drawing hillbilly got his radio start
on Rudy vallee's program and soon
was picked up for the then projected
Bing Crosby program.
THE World-Telegram poll listed
= outstanding programs generally,
covering the gamut of radio offerings
according to thei- popularity regard
less of type, but the Hearst poll had
no such general classification, pre-
venting a parallel listing. Selected
from all types in the World-Telegram
poll were these programs in this order:
Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Rudy Vallee
Hour. Bing Crosby Hour, Radio Thea
ter. New York Philharmonic SYM
phony, Detroit Symphony, Emo Rapee
Symphony, Andre Kostelanetz, One
Mans Family and Eddie Cantor (tie),
Hollywood Hotel, Magic Key. George
Burns and Oracle Allen, Fred Astaire
Hour, Metropolitan Opera. Flbber NC
Gee and Molly, Nelson Eddy and Amos
m Andy (tie). March of Time.
The Hearst poll listed "best variety
programs" as Rudy Vallee, Bing Crosby,
Hollywood Hotel. A. best drama
programs" it selected Radio Theater,
Hollywood Hotel, First Nighter. Fa-
vorite programs of classical music"
were Sunday Evening Hour Detroit
Symphony, Sunday Night Concert
(Erno Rapee), New York Phlhar-
monic.
Following Bing Crosby as the No. l
popular male vocalist in both polls, a
rank he has held for some time. Is
Frank Parker, with Lanny Ross and
Kenny Baker next in favor among
the radio editors. Among the feminine
instigators of light lyrics are Frances
I.angford (first on one and second on
the other polD; Kate Smith (tlrst on
one, third on the other); Kay Thomp-
son Fourth on one polD, and Gertrude
Niessen (third on one polD.
A MoNG male concert singers Mel
"A son Eddy Is the unanimous choice
for first place. Others high in popu-
hrity are Nino Martini, John Charles
Thomas, Lawrence Tibbett and Rich
ard Crooks. Lily Pons Is favored
among feminine concert singers,
others In the top rank including Jes-
sica Dragonette, Rosa Ponselle and
Gladys Swarthout.
Missing from top-flight ranking Is
Mai. Edward Bowes, who rode to the
heights aboard his amateurs just
year ago. One poll ignores him, but
the other lists him second among mas
ters of ceremonies without giving his
program any rank. Guy Lombardo
still tops with his throbbing saxa-
phones, passing all the swing bands in
popularity, with Andre KostelanetZ,
Wayne King, Benny Goodman and
6hep Fields dividing high honors.
Irene Wicker still heads the list OF
children's programs, remaining hon.
ors going to Popeye, Orphan Annie
and Dorothy Gordon. Among sports
commentators, Ted Husing has the
field to. himself, the few remaining
crumbs going to Clem Mccarthy, Bill
Slater, Ernie Smith, Hal Totten and
Don Wilson.
A MONG studio announcers, Don
Wilson and Harry Won Zell split
honors, followed by Milton Cross, Da-
vid Ross, Graham McNamee, Jean
Paul King, Paul Douglas and Ken Car
penter. Edwin c. Hill and Boake
Carter share the spotlight among news
commentators, with Lowell Thomas,
H. ". Kaltenborn and Gabriel Hunter
retaining their hold.
Deanna Durdbin was picked by both
pOlLo dS GliC 4NO. OUTSTANDING ocoA W.
veloped recently. Heifetz seems the
most popular classical musician, al
though Rubinoff and his trenchant
tremolos burst into the high hat
ranks Of one poll as third choice. a
selection some of the concert artists
are likely to resent privately.
A NY one twirling the dials of his
- radio during the more anxious
moments Of the Ohio River rampage
must inevitably have halted from
time to time on one or the other Of
two "clear" wave lengths carrying
identical broadcasts "a hours a day
without cease during the first six or
seven days of that great disaster.
Even II you were not tuning for
distance, you must have heard either
or both Of the powerful stations on
the wave lengths Of 800 and $50 kilo-