The Radio Parade – News and Gossip of Stars By George Lilley

The Milwaukee Journal – Jan 14, 1945

The Radio Parade – News and Gossip of Stars

By George Lilley

NEW YORK, N. Y.—Radio comedians (on the networks) average $2,000 to $5,000 a wekk, the fellows who write their stuff, $200 to $500.

Youthful ( mid thirties) collegiate looking Don Prindle, who writes for Abbott and Costello, this year decided to do something about the financial disparity. Getting together with AnnouncerWendell Niles, who announces for Bob Hope, the two will become funnymen themselves with a soft drink sponsor beginning Jan. 24, 9 p. m., on the Blue network. Prindle has written wit into the mouths of the best, including Hope and Jack Benny. Niles, from Twin Valley, Minn., ex-band-leader and flier, was in 1934 one of the 80 government licensed ground school flying instructors in the United States. Out of military zones, he sometimes flies the planes taking the Bob Hope crew around the country.

* * *

Six foot one Art Linkletter was Southern California intercollegiate backstroke swim champion when he attended San Diego college in ’32. Linkletter now has learned to acquire his fame without working so hard. He’s a radio quizmaster. On a new afternoon show of nighttime caliber (“House Party,” Monday through Fridays, CBS, 3 p. m.), 210 pound Saskatchewan born Linkletter has adults imitating cows, rabbits, dive bombers; 6 years olds on the show discuss polities, marriage and big business. Everyone has a good time and the contestants look a little foolish. That the audience—and the contestants—seem to love.

                                                                             * * *

Perry Ronald Como: 32 year old former Canonsburg (Pa.) barber, today one of radio’s top swoon singers. Perhaps the huskiest of the crooning lot, Como, star of the new NBC (Monday through Friday, 6 p. m., WTMJ) “Supper Club,” is 5-10, weighs 168. People think he sounds like Crosby; actually he patterned after the late Russ Columbo, a long time friend. Como’s married to a childhood sweetheart, has a son, 5, Ronald Perry ( a reverse of Perry Ronald—so the youngster won’t be afflicted with “Junior”). Loves baggy tweeds and hates ties. But like most all crooners, Como goes in for the long tip shirt collars, likes two pieces of pie. Ideal mead: orange juice, spaghetti, corned beef and a cup of coffee. He cuts little Ronald Perry’s hair

* * *

House Jameson, Sam Aldrich of the Friday night “Aldrich Family,” has purchased another farm in Connecticut. He has a passion for remodeling old houses. This is his fifth, Jackie Kelk, Homer of the same show, has bought himself a farm at Pound Ridge, Conn. Homer is 22.

Many of Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians, heard Thursday nights, are from New York—12; eight each from California and Pennsylvania. There are 69 people in that band. . . Kate Smith used to be a nurse.