The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-04-13


when your mind is blank as an
empty glass, and the foggy mists of
yesternight cloud heavily around
your ears, to find that some one
has written and sent you one Of
those provocative press releases to
challenge the remnants of your In
telligence.
The challenge is just what you
need, at 6:45 a. M, when you've
taken the first clips from the UP
telegraph machine-for your job
really, the one that buys the bacon
and beans-is Telegraph Editor OF
the Waterbury Democrat. But the
other pastures are always sweeter.
And so my countrymen, in
all humility give you what came
to me from G. D. Wagner, News
Bureau, General Electric Company,
Schenectady, New York. Gree ADD
G. D. Wagner sends in this.
don't expect you to believe 1t all;
under tree, with quizzical look
In my eyes while trout fisherman
but I enjoyed it, as enjoy sitting
casts a fly and attempts to land
1.-The big 'un" ne Dragged about
in a bar the night before :. Ladeez
and Gentleman - Mr.. Wagner:
Girls, who found few positions IN
radio other than secretartal work
until the war brought about an
emergency in man power in many
of the broadcasting studios, will
have their day. with the advent
of television. Perfect diction and
a pleasing voice, always first re-
uuirement In broadcasting's selec-
ton of announcers, will receive sec
ondary consideration when sight Is
whirled through the ether waves.
First requisite of the person to in
troduce or emsee television pro-
grams will be beauty, charming
smile and an attractive personality.
The eye Is far more critical than
the ear. A word can be mispro-
nounced and it will slip by the ear
but a homely or unattractive face
will never escape the eye. And add
ed to this, people, both men ana
women, are attracted far more by q
pretty girl than Beau Brummel OF
the masculine sex. This has been
proven time and again when an at
tractive girl passes on the street.
Men will turn for q second glance
and often women will do the same.
But q good looking man will pass
practically unnoticed. The fair sex
might glance his way but never have
they been seen to turn for that ex-
ira look.
Television studios are aware Of
this and among the first to employ
pretty girl for chief announcer
was General Elertric for its station
in Schenectady. Smart, cookbook
ing Helen Rhodes has been ASSOCIATE
ed with television station WRGB
for more than a year. Now, IN add1-
ton to doing all announcing. she
spends much of her til4.2 In program
planning and in the production OF
shows. It is her Job to create, re-
hearse and direct wartime picture
and sound programs transmitted to
the Albany Troy Schenectady up
state area. Her work involves all
the problems of radio, stage and
movie production.
writing script, finding actors,
mostly amateurs to take part, as
sembling properties and even paint
ing scenery, rehearsing and finally
. presenting the program, which may
range from a Gilbert and Sullivan
operetta to drill demonstration by
members of the Women's Army
Auxiliary Corps, all fall IN the line
of duty for Helen.
After the program Is whipped In
to shape she watches the rehearsal
from the control room for birds
eve view Of how 1t will look wher
sent out on the air. From here. the
men operating the cameras can be
directed by means Of earphones-
told how to move so as to get the
best angles, close-ups. long shots
etc.
Combining beauty with brains
Helen was graduated from the Uni
versity of Michigan in 1912 with ar
A. B. degree in speech, and ha.
completed one semesters work to-
ward her masters degree. A busy
girl then, as now, for three years
she sang with college orchestra or
week ends and was also graduate
assistant to the director OF Pla!
Production in the Speech Depart
ment. Now she commutes daily from
her home in Howe's Cave, Is mile!
from Schenectady, to her job. SnT
is a member Of Gamma Phi Beta
Sorority and Zeta Phi Eta, nationa
honorary women's speech society.
AS part Of the Job Of producing
television programs, Helen Is alst
make up "man" for her shows. II
this respect she has found 1.-THE less
the better, except for character
roles" Makeup is still one of thu
television problems. 'TelevisioI
makeup cannot be exaggerated a
necessary on the stage. nor subduet
as worn on the street. Because O
the powerful lights and Gamers
close-ups, television makeup prob
lens are somewhat similar to thos'
Of the motion pictures and require
a definite technique" she believes.
Helen got into television quite b!
accident. She was interested in rad1'
and came to Schenectady LOOKING
for an announcer's Job at WGY, ON
Of the country's oldest and hes
known broadcasting stations. Blu
that was before there was a short
age Of men. She was turned down
even though she offered to start q
most any studio job. She wanted u
work near home, so she was told b.
WGY, "Why not try television. Gen
eral Electric has recently opened
! station here in Schenectady. Mayb
they can use you"
That was the first she ha
thought Of television. Her Who'll
mind. had been set on broadcastinl
4owever. she felt nothing would