The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-04-03

10CO the next room WIN LnlS 1au
and have your talk in private.
Did the audience roar and ap-
plaud? Did theyI / thought the roof
would come down, and when the
sailor returned, and Ralph told him
that in addition to winning a
twenty five dollar prize, the Spon-
sors Of the program were adding
another hundred dollars for the
baby, I thought everyone would go
wild including myself, and 1.-THE best
gal" beside me who seemed on the
verge of tearS-women being queer
animileS.
While I'm on the subject OF
Truth or Consequences" heres
some more dope on it, which I
obtained from the usual reliable
source" that estimable gentleman
who seems always to pop up when
I need him.
-Four years ago when the program
started experts said it wouldn't
last two weeks, because 1t was too
visual. Now with one of the most
consistently high popularity ratings
Of any show in radio, Ralph Ed
wards Screwy quiz has never once
been seriously threatened by COM
petition from any other audience
participation. Q'm sticking my neck
out on that one) But anyway, it
jumped to top place within three
months Of its debut, and has stayed
there.
There is, of course, a reason for
the tenacious hold the program has
on its listening audience. And that
reason lies in Ralph's determination
at the very beginning to make
Truth or Consequences" radio
audience participation program.
Every consequence which is done on
the air has been tested, and dis
cussed for aural appeal-the prime
consideration.
Ralph Edwards, originator and
conductor of the program, has been
at the helm throughout the four
years the program has been on the
air. Since he Is Army-bound, 1t Is
doubtful whether he will be around
on the air to celebrate the fifth
anniversary Of 1T or c." in March
1945 unless, as 1t Is hoped, the
World War will have been won by
then. In any event the programs
formula is we'll established, I've
been told, and whoever succeeds to
the emceeing chores will have the
trail cleared and the road estab-
liShed.
That may be so, and for the
Sponsors sake as well as the listen
ers I hope SO. But as for NELL
miss Ralph Edwards.
Last week I mentioned some
Easter programs with a religious
slant, Here's another, which StrikSe
me as being somewhat exceptional.
It Is 1.-THE Seven Words Of Christ"
an oratorio by Francois Clement
Theodore Dubois, and will be feat
ured on the Great Moments In
Music" program this coming We'd
nesday, April 5 at 10 p. m. over
the Columbia Broadcasting system.
Jean Tennyson, soprano; Charles
Kullman, tenor, and Robert Weede,
baritone, will be supported by the
symphony orchestra and the chorus
under the directino Of George
Sebastian.
Du Bots was a professor at the
Paris ConservatoirS In 1871, later
director. He composed many sym
phonic and religious works OF
which his Seven Last Words. :"
is best known. 1t was first per-
formed in 1868 at ste. Clotilde IN
France where Du Bots was ma1tre
de chapelle.
The oratoria captures all the
drama of Calvary from the time the
executioners drag Jesus to the spot
where the Cross is lying on the
ground. until He utters His seventh
and last Word, or statement. ms
musical picture Of the Three HotHs
Agony has become standard 1or tne
Lenten season.
Miriam Day, Of Florence, 8. c.
will add her lyric soprano voice TO
the Hour OF Charm" when she
appears on that program on Sun
dav, April 8, at 10 p. M, over
station WEAF, as a contestant IN
the shows quest for Singing Cln-
cerella."
Miss Day, one Of ten girls Sc
1ected from among nearly 10000
soloists from all parts Of the coun-
trv who competed, will sing Albert
Hay Malotte's 1.-The Lords Prayer"
as part Of program OF Easter
music presented by Phil Spitalny
and his all-girl orchestra.
An attractive blonde who Is await
ing reports on a screen test she
made recently for Paramount. the
singer is the daughter Of DR.. L. g.
Day of Spruce Pine, s. G. Only 81,
Miss Day began her singing career
ten years ago, as the youngest mem
Der of her church choir in Spruce
Pine. At IA, she was soloist at the
First Baptist church in Jackson
vile, Fla, and had begun the study
Of theory and harmony.
Throughout high school and col
lege. she was active In music IN
high school, she was Soloist with
the band, as we'll as drum major
cite and tympanist. At the Woman's
college of the University Of North
Carolina, where she majored IN
singing. she was soloist in the choir
and glee club, and made FREQUENT
radio solo appearances over WBlG
Greensboro. and WING. ASheville
Following her graduation with a
Bachelor of Science degree in music.
Miss Day enrolled at the Juiliard
Foundation In New York and began
voice study with Bernard Taylor.
| Last fall. she Joined the chorus
Of the New York City Center Opera
Company and 1t was during one OF
that companv's productions that
Paramount talent scouts noticed her
and arranged for a screen test.
Should Miss Dav be selected as the
| - ~ Cha FH1