Evening star., 1938-09-11

N1AANO AAANoS A0AAAO RAO8A 0AkO a. e Z
follow week after week, the insertion
Of guest talent in many productions
is designed to add spice to the proceed
ings and prevent any semblance Of mo-
notony. The basic talent may be un-
changed, but the appearance Of fresh
faces from week to week Is deemed
necessary by many sponsors.
In fact, many of the most popular
programs on the air rely heavily on
visiting talent for their entertainment.
Among such programs are those of
Rudy Vallee. Bing Crosby, Good News,
Robert Ripley and Magic Key, al
though these popular shows could
stand on their own legs without the aid
Of outsiders.
The honey-voiced- Rudy, who runs
his own show from start to finish, is
considered one Of the most talented
talent pickers In the business, and his
followers are treated every week with
an array Of well-known and skilled
performers. Although Rudy uses many
acts based on novelty or musical pro-
ficiency. q glance at the list of art
lists whohave appeared for him during
the recent summer period shows that
he specializes in comedians.
His register for the summer con-
tAined such distinguished members
Of the hilarity profession as Edward
Everett Horton, Jimmy Durante, Sheila
Barrett, Ruth Fair, Block and Sully,
Zazu Pitts. Joe E. Lewis, Swor and
Lubine. Franklin P. Adams and Willie
Howard. On the more serious side,
Rudy offered an array of dramatic
and musical highlights, but his pro-
gram amounts almost to q radio haven
for employed and unemployed CO.
medians-many OF them. like Edgar
Bergen and Charlie Mccarthy, later
destined to win great fame on their
own.
Many Of radios outstanding artists
have risen to fame on the basis OF
guesting for Vallee, who is quick to see
the possibilities OF unknown talent as
we'll as to take advantage Of the
proven ability Of those already in the
limelight.
Bing Crosby and Bob Burns are al
ways abetted by outsiders on their
Music Hall program. and they 90 in
heavily for big names. During recent
months. with the chanting Bing on
leave OF absence, the Music Hall has
listed such well-known personalities
As Joseph Bentonelli. Kristen F1agstad,
Crete Stueckgold and Jose 1turbi Of
the concert world, and Walter Huston,
Olivia De Haviland and Lou Holtz
Of the stage and screen. BY way
Of novelty, the Music Hall offered a
poet,~ Ogden Nash. in a midsummer
production. but the literary guest
proved more effective as an arranger
OF words than as a microphone person.
ality.
Robert L. Ripley sticks mainly to
novelty and surprise guests on his
Believe It or Not program. although
he uses recognized artists and public
figures from time to time. Among
his recent guests have been such
widely varied persons As Juda Bux,
. Hindu mystic: Sir Hubert Wilkins,
explorer; Jessica Dragonette. pioneer
radio soprano, and Roy w. Post, GRIM
inologist
| The Magic Key on Sunday after
noon uses a variety of guests, but
generally they lean toward the serious
side Of entertainment. Both we'll
known and unrecognized musical tai
ent are employed. Among the summer
guests were Gladys Swarthout. concert
singer: Vic and Sade. radio serial
personalities; Nat Shilkret, orchestra
conductor: Jane Froman, popular
singer, and Sara Allgood and Whit
ford Kane Of the stage.
The new Good News of 1899, which
got under way September l, continues
to use guest artists, but they are
drawn from the pay roll OF Metro
Goldwyn- Mayors movie studio. II /
Had a Chance, Blue network in
spirational feature, uses many guests,
As do Hollywood Review, on the N.
B. c.-Blue; Hollywood Showcase, on
c. B. s.; Eliza Schallertz program, on
the Blue: the c. B. 8. Americans at
Work: the c. B. s. Monday Night