The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-07-05
WAVELE ITS
By ED LEAMY

NBO Announcer Jim Doyle of the Melody Round Up" show is getS ting together Q list of Star Andy Devine's favorite program gags. He'll have them printed in pamphlet form and sent overseas.
 Ted Osborne developed a knack for cooking through nc 1ault of his own-as Q motherleSs kid-and his fellow cast members in CBS' Joyce Jordan, M. D." are now reaping the benefits of his early experience. Ted is now an expert chef and in- vites his radio sidekicks over for many a tasty dinner prepared by himself.
 Mary Rolfe, who plays the role of Henry Aldrich's sister Mary in '"Ths Aldrich Family" is one of Broad ways most accomplished young act- resses. Mary currently fills 6 lead- ing role in the popular stage comedy "Wallflower."
 The 20 per cent luxury tax is tough on girls who like nice per- fumes, according to Phil Baker, the Take It Or Leave It" comic-quiz- master. 'They really have to pay through the nose," says Phil.
 That graceful figure on horseback silhouetted against the horizon each Sunday is Joan Alexander, star of CBS' Bright Horizon" Horseback riding is her favorite sport, and Joan adds, is an excellent way of keeping in good wartime health.
 Polished personally each day, an ordinary appearing baton holds the place of honor in @ Greenwich Village apartment.
 It is the home of Eleanor Steber, vocal star on the Sunday afternoon CBS '"The Pause That Refreshes on the Air" 'o
 "The little stick really brought me luck," she says. Tt is the baton with which Erich Leinsdorf, famous conductor, led the orchestra at my Metropolitan Opera debut in 'Rosen. kavalier.'"
 Every time orchestra leader John ny Long is heard on a radio pro- gram, its like touching the electric button that sends the mammoth IVA dam into action.
 Johnny, who will be guest on "The Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands" WATR, Friday night, July 10th, on the Blue network, at 9:30, went to Duke University. He was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and liked their song. When the ASCAP trouble started . couple of years ago, Johnny got permission from Sigma Nu to use the number White Star of Sigma Nu" for his theme song. Now, not only is 1t a house. hold refrain, but every time Long airs the theme, it's the cue for Sigma Nus everywhere to join in, and sing.
 Does the public really want better daytime broadcasts? This burning question seems to have been ali- swered in the affirmative bu the en- thusiastic response of radio fans, who are turning their dials in in- creaSing numbers to the Star Play house." Radio editors, who have long expressed the need for better daytime fare, are pointing to "Star Playhouse" as Exhibit "A" of what can be done to improve 1t. Agree ing with the editors are the shows sponsors, who backed their opinion with hard cash to test-on limited number of west coast stations-the soundness of their belief that bet- ter broadcasts will pay high divi. dends. With the trend of rising audience approval, Star Playhouse" has extended its network, and is now airing from coast to coast over NEG at a new time, Mondays through Fridays at 80 a. m. The series dramatizeS hit motion pic- lures, with Gale Page, lovely screen and radio star, as permanent hostess and narrator.
 It looks as colorful as it sounds-- and the CBS Stage Door CantecA" program is the most colorfully ccs- tuned series in radio today.
 The only cast member who does not wear the traditional "Cantccn Apron is Bert Lytell, officer of -th-- day. His costume merely consists of red arnband around the sleeve fhis business suit. The bac.:- drop used in the studio is decorated with brilliant murals by noted artists, and with hand-painted flags of the United Nations. On both sides of the stage are several table3 covered with red and white checked cloths. Seated at these tables are the extras" who supply the gay. exuberant huI'abaloo, and the guest stars. The musicians, under tho baton of Raymond Paige, are attired in blue aprons and during the hot summer months they are probe ably the most comfortable mus sicians in radio because they are able to play in their shirtsleeves. The girl extras wear white organdJ dresses with red. white and blue striped taffeta aprons, the men weat extras wear soldiers and sailors uniforms the year round. The guest stars are also costumed. The glamour gals wear the red, white and blue striped aprons. and the men, the same blue aprons as the musicians.
 The entire stage is a riot of color and the Canteen atmosphere is maintained both visually and aur- ally in each Friday broadcast.
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