The Radio Adventures of Jean Derby

"The Adventures of Helen and Mary" (1929-1934) was the CBS children's radio series that eventually became the Peabody award winning "Let's Pretend" (1934-1954) under the direction of Nila Mack. The program depicted the two little girls as they had fantasy adventures with characters enacted by adults. 

Estelle Levy (later Gwen Davies) and Jean Derby from "What's On The Air" magazine, 1930.

In most published histories Helen was Estelle Levy (later "Gwen Davies", the late Gwen Greenhaus d. 2022). Mary is usually listed as Patricia "Pat " Ryan (1921-1949), often called CBS's first child star. Both actresses would crossover when the series became "Let's Pretend", with an all juvenile cast. However, in some of the early publicity articles for "Helen and Mary", the first Mary was a little girl named Jean Derby. In one article Ryan was Helen and Derby was Mary. Not much is printed about Jean except that she was 9 years old in 1930 and starred in other radio programs directed by Yolande Langworthy (real name Frances Reade, 1892-1976) the head of CBS children's programs (1928-1930) who proceeded Nila Mack.

Jean Derby from Radio Revue, February 1930.

Jean Derby was also in the cast of the CBS Sunday morning series "The Land O' Make Believe" (often confused for "Let's Pretend") also starring Langworthy, child actress Winifred Toomey, and Pat Ryan. She also acted in "Littmann's Mountainville True Life Sketches", a dramatic small town series with a mostly child cast also directed by Langworhty, and sponsored by Littman's clothing stores. In the premiere broadcast of October 14, 1929, she was cast as "Fatty Jinks" a "little darky girl". It is unknown if this was a recurring character, and if Derby played other parts. 

In 1927 - 1928 New York radio listings Langworthy was also a contralto singer on station WSGH. Also in the listings for that station in 1928 was a program called "Jean Derby, reader". While it could be a coincidence, it would be interesting if Derby had her own program at about 7 or 8 years of age. There are accounts of children as young as 2 reading and singing on local radio stations in the 1920s. 

In New York census records, there was a Jean Derby born in 1921 with a father named John and a mother named Rita. From genealogical research, I believe Derby married in her 20s, and passed away in 1995. It is still unconfirmed if I have absolutely found the right person, so I am not publicly sharing what I believe her name was at the time of death. All references to Derby in radio end after 1930. I hope to find more sources referencing her brief career in radio.

If you have more information about Jean Derby, please leave a comment, or email archivebuilder@gmail.com with "Jean Derby" as a subject heading.

The Many Faces and Voices of Yolande Langworthy

An overlooked figure in the history of American children's radio is Canadian born singer, writer and poet Yolande Langworthy (1892 - 1976). For nearly 2 short years from 1928 to 1930 she wrote, directed and sometimes acted in children's radio series for the young Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS).

Langworthty was a contralto singer who performed on American radio stations as early as 1922 under her married name Frances Reade. For still unknown reasons she adapted the nom de plume "Yolande Langworthty" and became a famed and notable director, writer and producer for CBS. 

Her most acclaimed series was "Arabesque", (1928-1930) a prime time drama series that modernized the 1001 Arabian Nights saga with poetic readings and acting. Langworthy also portrayed "Lizzie Twitch" on one of the networks earliest comedy-variety series "The Nit-Wits" which was CBS' rival series to NBC's "The Cuckoo Hour".

Yolande Langworthy dressed in Arabian/gypsy garb for "Arabesque" on CBS radio, c. 1929.

Langworthy (Second from Left) as "Lizzie Twitch" on "The Nit Wit Hour" or "The Nit Wits"., From Radio Digest, March 1931.

Her contributions to children's media include the public recognition as "director of Columbia's children's programs". While acting, writing and directing Arabesque, Langworthy was in charge of at least 3 children's radio programs for CBS. "Mountainville Sketches" or "Littmann's Mountainville Sketches" was a series about a small town with a child and adult cast. The series was created with the intent to foster understanding between parents and children. Langworthy portrayed a teacher's wife. 

Yolande Langworthy (center) with Artells Dickson captain of the "Ship of Dreams" on "Land O' Make Believe", and Patricia "Pat" Ryan possibly the first child star on CBS.  From "What's On The Air, August 1930.

There was also a Sunday morning fantasy series called "Land O' Make Believe". The program with her most lasting legacy was the "Adventures of Helen and Mary" a Saturday morning fantasy series about two little girls Helen (Jean Derby and Patricia "Pat" Ryan) and Mary (Estelle Levy**), whose storybook fantasies were enacted by adult performers. Levy and Ryan were featured in all the other children's programing on CBS. This series was the cornerstone for the acclaimed children's series Let's Pretend.

In "Let's Pretender" Arthur Anderson's (1922-2016) wonderful book "Let's Pretend and the Golden Age of Radio", it is claimed that either CBS executives or founder William S. Paley wasn't pleased with her scripts, and felt that another writer/director was needed for the children's program. However, Langworthy's departure from CBS coincides with a lawsuit that she filed in New York Supreme Court against the network to retain rights to her "Arabesque" stories. So, for whatever reason, two years of creative writing and directing by Miss Langworthy came to an end. 

She was replaced by Nila Mack (1891-1953) "The Fairy Godmother of Radio" and the rest is history. Mack does deserves credit for turning "Helen and Mary" into the Peabody award winning "Let's Pretend". However Langworthy's tenure on the series is worth more investigating after 92 years.

This blogger is not aware of surviving scripts or recordings for the children's series directed by Langworthy so it is impossible to objectively judge the quality of content that she created for children. Without revealing too much personal information for now, Langworthy returned to Canada, where she passed away at the age of 84.

If you have additional information about Yolande Langworhty, please leave a comment or write to archivebuilder@gmail.com with "Yolande Langworthy" as the subject header. 

**In 1941 Estelle Levy began singing and professionally acting as "Gwen Davies". As of 2004 she is believed to still be living. If anyone has more information about her please leave a comment.