Evening Star Newspaper, October 5, 1930, Page 67

‘Behind the Microphone BY THE RADIO EDITOR. ROSPECTS of bflnfing "e{e appeal” to the audible in home entertainment have ' reached the point where several radio and camera manu- facturers, apparently unwilling to await the emergence of television Lyfrom the experimental stage, are ing into the production of home king motion picture equip- ment. Both cameras and projectors with sound synchronizing appa- ratus—some of ‘the projectors being incorporated in radio- phom‘)lfnph combinations — are scheduled for appearance on the market this Fall and Winter. :rlce:, it is said, will run “under 200.” Since home movies now lack the audible element and radio lacks the visual, the makers of these new sets expect to open up a big new market for their prod- uct among the present devctees of amateur photography as well as among prospective buyers of [/ radio sets. The fact that owners of the sound cameras can make jtheir own talking pictures adds an undeniable appeal to this new product. Although their plans are sup- posed to be a deep-dyed trade sectét, enough fragments of in- formation have come from re liable sources to indicate that th manufacturers are seriously in tent on developing this new form of home entertainment on a large scale. Announcements of their products may be expected to come from them, one by one, ¥ within the next few weeks. “Film the antics and record the lispings of your baby” and “Take your own volce and screen tests” will some of the slogans they will employ when they are ready to market the cameras and pro- jectors. Like home _recording, which also is being offered this Fall and which enables radio listeners to record their favorite radio programs or their own voices and playing, the aim will be to engage the amateur show- manship instinct as well as to create desire for something new in home entertainment. The largest market is expected to be for home projectors, es- pecially those that are combined | tory with radio and phonograph sets. The honom%h gm will have a switchover ~ which will connect the amplifying system with the film projector. Disks will be ob- tained along with synchronized films under a rental system like that which now prevails for silent home movies. The film will be similar to the silent film of today, being 16 millimeters in width and 400 feet in length per reel. Whether the rented talking pic- tures will be specially produced or adaptations of regular talkie successes is a detail that has not been divulged, although it is ex- pected that the latter will be the case, as it is in the field of silent movies for the home. One lead- ing camera maker and several of the “electrics” affiliated with the motion picture industry are un- derstood to be the ones preparing to exploit this newest wrinkle in home entertainment. * K Xk X THE inside story of America’s part in the World War, pre- pared from the confidential files of Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War in the Wilson cabinet, will be presented to listeners throughout the country by Frederick Palmer, famous war correspondent and author, in a series of 12 programs which will be broadcast by the National Broadcasting Co. Baker, the only man in the country familiar, by reason of his position, with all the aspects of the conduct of the war, has turned over to Palmer 20 loose-leaf vol- umes of his private papers, giv-|ing ing Palmer a free hand in pre- paring from them the narrative of his administration. Baker will not see the manuscript until it ap- pears in 3 Highlights of this story will be brought before the microphone once each month, beginning Sun- day, October 26. Palmer will present them through a coast-to- coast network. The National Broadcasting Co. and the Ameri- can Legion Monthly, in which ex- : THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, OCTOBER_ 5, cerfts from the forthcoming book will appear, are co-operating in this series. Becretary Baker was the key- stone of the arch of the whole American Army effort, and his files are said to contain the great- est piece of modern history yet untold. Palmer’s broadcasts will mark the first time important his- has ever been presented to the radio audience before ap- pearing in book form. Much of the story is colorful in the extreme, and presents such flashes as Baker’s trying to per- suade the President that he was totally unsuited for the post of War Secretary, for he knew noth- ing whatever about war, and then being told the post was his. After the war Palmer joined others in urging that Baker write his memoirs, but the former secre- tary always refused. Now, in turn- ing over his material to Palmer to be prepared for publication, he has refused any remuneration, because he said he could not take money for material which was the result of public service. Palmer himself began his ca- reer as a war correspondent in the Greco-Turkish War in 1897, when he was 24 years old. He was with the troops of the allied pow- ers when they marched to the re- lief of the legations in Peiping in 1900, and has covered, among others, the Philippine Rebellion, the Russo-Japanese War, the Turkish Revolution and the Bal- kan War. In the first two years of the World War he was the only Ameri- can correspondent attached to the British Army in France, and when -the United States entered the war he went into uniform. Later he became a lieutenant col- onel, serving on Gen. Pershing'’s staff. When Secretary Baker made his first visit to France dur- the war, Palmer wag assigned to conduct him on a tour of the trenches. In addition to communications from and to generals in the fleld, Baker's flles also contain letters to and from President Wilson. Palmer has supplemented this material with extensive research in the War Department files and with diarles and correspondence turned over by other important figures of war days. Palmer has never broadcast, but The Most Popular Radios on the Market AT THE HUB Interest Philco—Radiola—Majestic—You'll find them all here at The Hub—backed Easy to buy because of the Convenient payment and No Charge for Credit Service! by a supreme service. he has made arrangements to study microphone technique be- fore he goes on the air. * Xk ¥ * "THINKERS and writers t;-l’e bel- ing to recognize the cul- turmmm of radio and use the microphone as they used the pen to transmit their ideas to their public. There is something picturesque about this renaissance; the stu- dios of the Columbia Broadcast- ing System have become a new salon—meeting place for the au- thor and journalist. Here they assemble, chatter informally, harangue, refine their theories; then disseminate them through the ether. Men that New York admires, and whom the entire Na- tion knows and delights in are from time to time an integral part of Columbia programs. The very greatest of the col- umnists have confined their ra- dio activities largely to Columbia —Heywood Broun, Walter Win- chell, Mark Hellinger, Alexander Woollcott. ) Mr. Broun presents his own ra- dio column. It is characteristic of the man and his abilities, fearless, cogent and wide In its appeal. Alexander Woolleott gives his program the pawky title, “The Early Bookworm”—an ether con- tinuation of his brilliant pieces in the New Yorker—observant, sa- tirical, informative. Walter Win- chell’s rrogram, entitled “Walter Winchell’s Scoopee,” connotes his chief claim to glory—gathering gossip and dispensing it in per- sonalized verhacular. Adroit Mark Hellinger, purveyor of hu- man interest en bloc, made his ethereal debut during “Bill| Schudt’s Going to Press” and has since talked three times on Ted Husing's “Sportslants” program, a record unrivalled for fan popular- 30—PART_FOUR. LTHOUGH specialists in broadcasting r before the microphone once or twice re still some of the old-timers left who think nothing of going on the air three or four times a day. There's George Shackley, for instance. Network listeners have heard some of the quartets Shackley conducts in re- ligious programs, but that's only part of his work. He's on several programs on_local New York stations, too. _He is a thin, nervous young man, with a long, inquisitive nose, very light hair, and a taste for green shirts. He rehearses his singers within an inch of their lives—a very demon for work, they say—but away from the microphone he raises chickens. The other night he walked from the studio into the reception room of a local station. With a sigh of relief and a ity. Harry Hansen, noted liter- ary critic, has presented “The Book Parade” regularly over the Columbia network. Many other famous speakers have appeared on Bill Schudt’s riginal “Going to Press.” This program is the oldest and most widely broadeast newspaper fea- ture on the air. It was originated by Mr. Schudt early in Decem- ber, 1028, and has continued un- interruptedly since. It began as a one station (WABC) feature and grew steadily. By May, 1930, the feature was routed over Colum- bia’s coast-to-coast network. Mr. Schudt is a former news- aper man himself, and at his be- est, writers and editors partici- pate on his ether programs, d! tributing wit, wisdom and news. handkerchief to mop his brow, he into & chair. “That was swell music,” sald a lis- tener. ““Yes?” sald Shackley. “Just what program was it?" “Why, that'program of Scandinavian musicl” “Good heavens,” cried Shackley, “I thought it was the Irish program! I've still got one more to go tonight!” And with that he grabbed his music and his baton, and away he went. t's & rare picture these days. ‘There's no reason why a conductor can't do one big program a day without any trouble, for that leaves him plenty of time for rehearsal, ‘and for building pro- grams ahead—made possible, of course, b‘ the exceptionally fine quality’ of or- chestra musicians and ensemble singers you find in broadcasting today. Most of the musicians can play great gobs of the standard repertoire from memory, and few singers get regular jobs nowa- days unless they can read almost any- thing at sight. That takes a big load o :({Ie ’condulftc;m' shoulders, ut after all, it wouldn't be possible without the- remarkable ene; - lows like Shackley, heaec s * K kX A PERFECTLY good violinist wés .dll'\et:ly ct;:ke%.;he other day by a radio star, who cl jed hi laughed instead. . ey ‘The choker would have been Frank Crumit and the chokee Lou Raderman. The fomer musical comedy tenor was all set to go on the air with one of his programs. During it, Crumit was sup- posed to sing that whiskery old ballad, “The Gay Caballero,” and as a back- ground Raderman was to bow Ay al the “Toreador Song” from “Carmen Just as the number was about to be- gin, Raderman was sitting in a chair, with his music rack before him. The studio engineer, however, motioned to 9 him 16 stafid, for if ke sat he'd be so fat away from the mike his fiddle ob- bligato would hardly be heard. derman stood, but he didn't have | The time to raise his music rack before he had to begin playing. * And he discov- ered, too late to do anything about it, that he couldn't read the s ; m had to Be done at once. For the moment Raderman couldn't think of anything else remotely Span- ish in theme, and in desperation he “Ach, Du Lieber Au- gustine.” For a moment Crumit was purple | and then he and every one else in the studios went into fits of suppressed hysterics. Meanwhile, Raderman “vamped till ready,” and Crumit stifled his gurglings long enough to break into the opening lines. “The Gay Caballero” got sung to its bitter end and Crumit swears he never got Off key once. But if the reaction of the listeners was anything like the scene in the studio that night, I'm sure nobody cared if Crumit went flatter than does regularly’ a certain grand opera star, At the end of the number Raderman fell to his knees in a mock plea for forgiveness, which, in pantomime, was granted him. McNAMEE'S QUESTION BOX. Q. What has happened to Frank Knight? Doesn't he announce any more?—E. M. Evans, Lincoln, Nebr. A. He is still with the Columbia Broadcasting System. Look for him on their ms. | Q you please tell me Olive Pal- | mer’s real name and birthplace?—D. A, | Washington, D. C. | A. Louisville, Ky., is her native town and her real name is Virginia Earle Murphy. She appeared previously un- der the concert name of Virginia Rea. Q. Would it be possible to have Seth Parker's program remain at the same time (standard time) after daylight | saving time is over? Many of us old | people can't stay up late enough to hear ' Introducing NEW DISTINCTION in Period Radio Cabinet D&rqqn With the new General Mctors Radio has come genuine distinction in radio. Here at last are cabinets with the true appeal of authentic period design—worthy additions to the furnishings of the finest homes. @ And the new General Motors Radio is as distinctive in performance as in appearance. Come in for a demonstration of the Tone Selector—a remarkable new feature which enables you to emphasize bass or treble at will. Five distinctive period models, available on the GMAC plan. | ([ it then.—Mrs. H. C. Rockwell, Rocke wells Mills, N. Y. X ; A. I'm afrald ‘that cad't be done, schedules, when the s s e program 3 of local stations are considered as those of the 'l.‘l.lml. are music while | try to kept on standard time, as they light saving time. Q. I have written the g, naturally a chance it might be lost. I'd suggest, however, that you submit your song to a professional music pube lishing house, and accept their verdict as to its value. Q. Will you kindly tell me if Phil- lips Carlin s still announcing over the radio and, if so, where and when?— R. B. Bannister, Ashland, Va. A. Phil is announcing only the Palmolive program on Wednesday night, which you hear at 9:30 o'clock. (Copyright, 1930.) Fo The Late Italian—An uousually The He A beautiful walout- hhhm A very attractive low-priced radio of exceptionally sttractivemodel of butt walout with Peatine froot; Prics, §172, less tabess : : - high qualitys Price, $136, less tubes; Bosch Radio |4 R A $ l 4 4 5 0 outstanding value in a fine combination instrument. Price, $198, less tubes: Less Tubes Model A. Eight tubes—4 screen grid; single station selector; push-pull amplifi- cation. Hear this Bosch model demonstrated here to- morrow. 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