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Show STAGESCREEN&ADIO Released by Western Newspaper Union. I By VIRGINIA VALE j CELEBRATING' 15 years on the air and all that time on CBS Kate Smith; might well say "Let who will make the nation's laws; I'll j sing its songs and help with its crusades." During her years in radio she's made more than 6,300 personal appearances ap-pearances to help worthv : n ? ; . x i KATE SMITH causes, and the success of many a song has been linked with her name. They say she's probably launched more hits than any other popular singer, but she won't help launch just any song; it must be a good tune to begin with. If she feels that it's right for her, she studies it, and her flair for phrasing Is likely like-ly to make the composer feel that she sings it exactly the way he wants it done. Culminating on August 6, Warner War-ner Bros, plans a four months' celebration of the 20th anniversary of talking pictures. A series of special spe-cial programs will continue on an international scale, honoring the scientists who pioneered in the field and highlighting the scientific development de-velopment and cultural contribution of the talking picture. It was on August 6, 1926, at the Warner theater the-ater In New York, that the publio first saw a complete program of motion mo-tion pictures in which opera stars and concert artists sang and played. "It Pays to Be Ignorant" returns to the air waves, and there's rejoicing re-joicing among its many enthusiastic followers. This is one of the few times that a program's been dropped for another one and then brought back to the air when its successor was dropped. Ever play a Screecherboot? Or a Moontassle? You've heard them if you listen to the Korn Kobblers, on Mutual four nights a week. Like the band's other instruments, they're made from salvaged tubings, brass piping, etc. Stan Fritts and the other oth-er five Korn Kobblers get together In his basement workshop in Elizabeth, Eliza-beth, N. J., and construct those fantastic instruments they play. When radio producers need a 3 year old or an 83 year old voice, a talking crow, or any other unusual un-usual sound, they call on Miss Cecil Roy. She's also heard regularly on the leading mystery programs, playing anything from a snarling gun-moll to a murdered man's last gurgle. And on "Daily Dilemma," Dilem-ma," on Mutual, every weekday afternoon, she climaxes her career by enacting all the roles! i When Nan Merriam won the $1,000 prize offered by the National Nation-al Federation of Music clubs in 1943, the radio program on which she was to sing was the same evening eve-ning as the big dinner where she'd receive the award. It was the party that interested her most, but she dashed to NBC, did her singing stint, and a few days later was handed a five-year-contract to sing over their stations. If you ever meet Evelyn Knight, (now on the Lanny Ross program,) make her happy by asking for an ; aspirin. She carries the tablets in a locket made of a huge uncut j amethyst she got In Brazil, which was used by an ancient Indian j chief as a container for poison, j If you heard the very moving broadcast in which Ralph Edwards chatted with Buster Roos, the eight-I eight-I year-old suffering from cancer, you'll be delighted to know that I Ralph's appeal for funds for the American Cancer society's drive has been tremendously successful. I ODDS AND ENDS Columbia Pic I tures advertised for eight ftnrgeoui girls to portray goddesses in "DtMrn tc Earth" and 200 beauties answered. . . 3 Gene Kelly, still in uniform, nearly dit i rupted life behind the scenes at tin I circus in New York when he took hi small daughter backstage to visit tht famous clown, Emmcil Kelly (no rela tion). . . . An item on the bill fox Metro's cocktail party for Van Jnhnnn when Van visited New York was i2.il for milk drunk by the guest of honor of course. . . . That dress made o black glass beads which anis I'aigt wears in "Her Kind of Man" wcighec 30 pounds. |