Birmingham High School - Piper Yearbook (Birmingham, MI)

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Interview with EY 'Epson Clyde Bennett '35 'Here we are at Navin Field---.' Have you ever wondered what the man behind that voice was like? Have you wondered why he can make you Useen the took it upon ourselves to answer these In the reception room of WWJ our broken down. The very courteous person questions. game through the radio? The other day we theories on secretaries were completely even remembered our names from a previous phone call. After a short wait in extremely comfortable surroundings, we were ushered into Mr. Tyson's office. It is typical of a showmang its walls are lined with pictures of various stage and radio stars. One wall is composed entirely of windows looking onto a long, shallow light shaft. The opposite wall is a partition dividing his office from the rest. Standing against the back wall is a radio upon which can be found books and a picture of Mrs. Tyson and daughter. Three chairs and a desk fill the rest of the office. During the next half hour we learned a great deal about a remarkable sports career. Mr.Tyson went to a high school where there were no school-sponsored ath- leticsg due to the death of a town-boy, football was taboo for about ten years. Despite this handicap, however,WTyN played quarter-back on a football team and first-base on a baseball team. After he graduated from high school, he went to Pennsylvania State College to study Forestry. After his college days were over, he tried professional football and base- ball for two years. Then in 1922 he got a chance shot at radio. The manager of HHJ,a friend of Tyson's,asked 'Ty' to help him with a broadcast. 'Tyn had heard but few programs, let alone put one on. The program was a success. So another real sports announcer was made. Mr. Tyson modestly attributes his success to his knowledge of the players, a few wisecracks with a bit of players' Wlingon sprinkled in, and his ability to pst himself in the listeners' position. It may interest you to know that Mr. Ty- son denied being a success. As for his choice of games to announce, nTy' chooses baseball by all means. He thinks that football is better to watch, but baseball is his choice. M . Tyson He declines to be 'put on a limb,W but he is pulling for them just the same thinks that the Tiger's chances this year are better than ever. He said that the handicap of being a second division team won't hamper them this year but that it may be counter-balanced by a degree of cockiness. He added that the further experience of the last year regulars gave Micky's team a very good be a chance for the coveted ribbon. He further stated that the 'BabeN wou1dn't loss to the Yanks as a team, but the 'gate' would suffer. As a 'closer' we asked the gentleman what he did between seasons.His finger pointed to a program schedule which stood as mute testimony as to the reason for his graying temples. As we left we offered him our hands. He took them. In the swift journey down we felt a warmer feeling in our breasts for one, E 'V fun 'Station WWJ Detroit NEWS' 22

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interview with Walter Huston Mary E. Staley Amid thundering applause the curtain falls upon the last act of nDodsworth1 only totrise again as Fay Bainter, nMrs. Dodsworthn, calmly and smilingly takes her bow. How it discloses Walter Huston, star of the sparkling Sinclair Lewis play,and stately, golden Nan Sunderland, who in real life is Mrs. Walter Huston. The curtain falls for the last time,and Once outside the theatre we hasten lt, and breathlessly dash up the stairs men outside M . Huston's dressing room, to seek other favor ' but Mr. Hu t ' reluctantly we join the departing crowd. around the corner to the stage door,open . Already there is a line of men and wo- waiting to have programs autographed or s, s on s agen firmly blocks the doorway. As he raises questioning eyebrows at us,we eagerly remind him of our appointment.Trem- bling with excitement, we are ushered into the dressing room. 'Only five minutes, girls,-- Mr. Huston's tired,' he admonishes us, closing the door. It is s small, neat white room: and before the little corner table sits a middle-aged man. Obviously we have interrupted his dressingg but he rises quick- ly and says in his most gallant manner, 'How do you do, girls. What can I do for youi' He seems genuinely pleas- plsy. Charmed and fascinated, ly eyes and reflect that he raham Lincolnn in his screen 'Hoi did you happen to be- ask. He smiles and runs his his hair. ed because we have enjoyed the we gaze into those deep, kind- must have been a splendid 'Ab- success'of that name. come an actor, Mr. Huston7' we fingers thoughtfully through 'I never wanted to do any- thing e1se,' he returns. nIt was always my ambition to become an actorgmy first part was in a school theatri- ll cal. 'What kind of parts do you prefer to playi' WO, any kind--just as long as they're 1nterest1ng.W '!es've had experience on both stage and screeng which do you preferfn 'The stage--1t's a lot more fun. I like to see and feel my audience.' 'Do you find that acting a certain part over and over again influences your H own life! 'O, no--I step onto the stage,and I am 'Dodswcrthg' but I drop the role the minute I leave the stage.' .'How do you prepare yourself for a particular role?' fcontinued on page 62 I 21

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Interview with English Boys' Ciboit Mary E. Staley '35 One evening in March, St.James Church was filled to capacity with men, wo- men, and children who had flocked from all parts of Birmingham,eager to hear the sweet voices of the English Boy Choristers. The choir had had large audiences at every performance during its good will tour of America,and that night was no ex- ceptiong for the little church was so full that many stood throughout the entire service, or sat on the steps just inside the street door. They were like twelve young angels standing there before the altar, with their little faces so bright and earnest as they sang, and with silver crosses flashing against snowy robes in the soft candle-glow. There was a simplicity and sincerity about their singing that was particularly beautiful, and went straight to the listeners hearts. Then the young choristers blended their voices into lovely chords and closed the service with Stainer's WSevenfo1d Amen.n Afterwards when they had exchanged their vestmente for street clothes, they were twelve little boys once more, all talking at once and noisily comparing im- pressions. 'I like this church,H said one. WIt'e so nice and homelike.u NI'm glad we had oranges for dessert tonight,n sighed another. NEvery place we've been, they've given us ice cream, and I'm so tired of it.N He was asked if the boys had a special diet. nDiet!N he snorted indignantly. HI should say not! I wou1dn't be here if we had a dietln Asked what type of songs he preferred to sing, onefcontinued on page 635 23