Building A Yolande Langworthy Research Collection

Yolande Langworthy (center), director of Columbia Broadcasting System's children's programs c. 1928 - 1930.  She is picured 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, from Media History Digital Library

Yolande Langworthy was the earliest known director of children's programs for the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). She held this role from 1928 until 1930 as creator.  , writer and producer of three children's series: "The Adventures of Helen and Mary" (1929-1934) "Littmann's Mountainville True Life Sketches" (1929-1930), and "Land O'Make Believe" (1929 - 1932). "Helen and Mary", a fantasy series with two little girls as the protagonist, was the foundational series for "Let's Pretend" (1929- 1954) the Peabody award winning program that dramatized fairy tales under the direction of Nila Mack.

Langworthy was the nom de plume of Frances Lawson Reade (1882 - 1976) a Canadian singer and writer. As far as is known none of her original scripts for children have survived. Therefore it is hard to judge or research her work as the first children's programming director.

(above) A slowly growing Yolande Langworthy Collection, with original signed book, articles and photos. 

However, it is possible to trace and explore Yolande Langworthy's career from newspapers, auctions of rare items, and radio magazines. From these sources I built a "Yolande Langworthy" collection.

To date I have a signed copy of “Poems from Arabesque”, a collection of writings from her acclaimed primetime CBS radio drama. Also in this collection is an original photo of actor Artells Dickson who was the Captain of the Ship O’ Dreams in “Land O’ Make Believe”. Original images from her career at CBS are rare, but online auctions are have made some of them accessible.

Summary of an episode of "Land O' Make Believe" for Sunday, December 01, 1929. 
From Chattanooga Times, Dec. 01, 1929. Newspapers.com

Online newspapers are full of listings for Langworthy’s programs. There are brief snippets of episode plots for her series. Since radio broadcasts could be interrupted or changed at the last minute, the snippet may not 100% reflect what audience heard, but could give a summary of what was planned for the broadcast. 

With a carefully curated collection of information about Langworthy, I hope to learn more about her career in children's radio and renew appreciation for her impact as the first children's program director for CBS. 

Finding Dorothy Gregory’s First Star Portrait

In the May-June 2023 edition of the Old Radio Times, I shared the story of how a thrift store purchase of old photos led to the story of a forgotten teen radio star.

Dorothy Gregory (1923 -1942) was a promising actress of Chicago radio who co-starred in three soap operas and a community affairs series for teens during the last 2 two years of her life. She succumbed to tuberculosis at the age of 18. 

Rare white dress photo of Dorothy Gregory, found in a thrift store lot. Compare to the newspaper clipping above for image quality. From the blogger's collection

The photo of Dorothy that led to this research was used to promote her in one of her first soap opera roles, as the new “Jill Jones” in the detective daytime drama "Kitty Keene, Inc". In the months that I did research on Gregory, I found multiple images of her, but not a copy of this photo. Not until I had access to more newspapers did I finally find it. I was also hoping that there may be more than one photo of her in the white dress, similar to a fashion shoot she did for her role on the "Scattergood Baines" radio program. 

Even more elusive than images of Dorothy Gregory is her voice. To date I have not found any surviving recordings from her time on "Kitty Keene", "Scattergood Baines", or WGN's "Citizens of Tomorrow" a public affairs program for teenagers. However, if an episode of 'Og, Son of Fire' can turn up, than anything is possible. 

Further Reading:

Stewart Jr., James R. "A Promosing Citizen of Tommorrow: The Story of Actress Dorothy Gregory". Old Radio Times. May-June 2023. https://otrr.org/FILES/Times_Archive_pdf/2023_03%20May-June.pdf 

Please Bring Me My Papa: A Christmas Cartoon of the Great War

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Sunday, December 19, 1915. By Nelson Harding.
From Newspapers.com and the Brooklyn Public Library. https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/57516191/

The Junior Eagle section of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle has treasures of vintage poems, children's illustrations, comics and stories. While searching the text of the Christmas editions, I could not help but share this drawing from 1915. This was certainly on the Christmas wish list of many children of The Great War. 

 The art work is credited to a Nelson Harding (1879 - 1944) the Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. This cartoon could be seen an ancestor of his winning 1928 cartoon "May His Shadow Never Grow Less". 

May His Shadow Never Grow Less - By Nelson Harding - The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, December 15, 1927, via Newspapers.com, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86219798

 

 

From the Archives: Book Store Find Signed By Shari Lewis!

"One-Minute Bedtime Stories" by Shari Lewis with Lan O'Kun

I am constantly on the lookout for rare and unique materials that represent vintage children's radio and TV programs. Recently at a local bookstore, I came across something that I never thought I would find for just $1.50; a signed children's book by Shari Lewis.

Lewis was an award winning ventriloquist who entertained children across various TV programs for over 35 years. As a millennial, I remember watching "Lamb Chops's Play-Along!" (1992-1995) on my local PBS station. Looking back, I adored Shari Lewis and found her and her puppet characters Lamb Chop, Charley Horse, and Hush Puppy to be very engaging. At the time, I did not realize I was watching a veteran who was in her fifth decade on TV (winning multiple Emmys for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Program too). Neither could I have known I was among the last generation of kids who grew up with her.

I was stunned when she succumbed to cancer in 1998 at the age of 65. Over the years, I have come to know a generation since that do not know of her. Today, Mr. Rogers has a 24 hour channel on Pluto TV and a biography starring Tom Hanks, unlike many other children's TV legends. 

As an adult I am also amazed by how many books, games, and other merchandise Shari and Friends appeared on including this children's book. Lewis was the author of over 50 books. Signed copies of her books go fro $20.00 to $60.00 and even more on eBay. For me, I am not putting on a price on the uniqueness of finding something signed by someone that the eight year old me looked forward to seeing every Saturday morning in a time gone by. 

Winifred Toomey - OTR Child Star of the Month April 2024

Winifred Toomey in Radio Digest December 1930, with her reported 28 brown curls.

Winifred Toomey (1919 – 2005), Radio's First Contracted Child Star?

Known Radio Programs. 
Winifred Toomey and Betty Manshardt (WBBC), 1928

The Lady Next Door 

Bon Ami Program as Bonnie c. 1931

Main Street Sketchers WOR

Mystery House

True Story Hour
Tom Mix Adventures c, 1933 - c.1937 as Jane
The Country Doctor 1935
Irene Rich Lady Counselor 1936

Winifred Eileen Toomey Dargan  March 22, 1919 – September 20, 2005, 

Winifred Toomey was an active child star in the late 1920s and throughout the 1930s. She is probably best known to OTR fans today as the first Jane on the "Tom Mix Adventures" radio program. Her name pops enough along with better known child actors of the era like Elizabeth "Betty" Wragge, Jimmy McCallion, Patricia Ryan and Franklin Adams. However, I am unaware of a fully published biography of her until now. It took a bit of genealogical research to learn more about Toomey's life. 

Winifred Eileen Toomey was born March 22, 1919 in Brooklyn, NY a middle daughter of Thomas Toomey a Wall Street clerk and the former Mary Bogart. Her sisters were Mary and Kathleen. As a child and well into her teens, her age was reported differently from source to source suggesting her age was reduced so she would seem younger. 

From the "Who's Who In Radio" 1930, Winifred began dancing in the Agnes Vernon Studios for Dramatic Arts at the age of 2. She reportedly began singing on radio by the age of 4.  According to an NPR article, she was one of several featured singers on a December 30, 1924 radio celebration with the Marx Brothers. Toomey was also listed on a program to benefit crippled children with children's book author David Cory broadcast on Sunday April 25, 1927 for WNYC, New York. In an interview Toomey gave at age 17, she claimed that it was not long after her debut in radio at 4 1/2 that she was offered a commercial radio contract for WJZ, -- the first child to have such a contract. 

Toomey was one of several children, if not the first under the direction of Madge Tucker on "The Children's Hour" after NBC acquired the station. When asked in an interview what she would want to be as an adult, Winifred answered "Oh, I just want to be one thing. Just like Miss Tucker." In 1928, her name was billed with another child performer Betty Manshardt for a singing program over WBBC (Brooklyn Broadcasting Company). 

By the age of 10, Toomey was a frequently cited example of radio's wonder children; those child stars who had salaries that could support families like Baby Rose Marie. In the press she was usually singled out for her blonde brown curls and Irish features. She occasionally gave candid quotes, like how different she was from her red-headed sisters who had no creative talents. While appearing on NBC children's programs like Our Barn and the Lady Next Door, Toomey was cast the daughter "Bonnie" in the Bon Ami radio program, Lorraine on the Toddy program, and Alice Derby on the Mystery House stories program. 

Cast of Tom Mix, with Winifred Toomey 2nd from left holding the microphone. 

From the Joe Hehn Memorial Collection. Old Time Radio Researchers Group. https://archive.org/details/photosJHMC

The role that she is most referenced for in radio histories was as the first Jane, young female ward on the popular Tom Mix radio series. Tom Mix debuted in New York in 1933 with Artells Dickson as Tom, Andy Donnelly as Jim brother of Jane. Very popular in its radio run that lasted until 1950, the production would move to Chicago in 1937, but not most of the cast. The role of Jane was recast with Jane Webb. 1937 is also the same year many references to Winifred's career end. 

NBC Radio portrait of Winifred Toomey. From the Joe Hehn Memorial Collection. Old Time Radio Researchers Group. https://archive.org/details/photosJHMC

Image from Buffalo Evening News, June 15, 1936. From Fultonhistory.com

Very little has been found to date about Toomey's life after her marriage to Robert Travis Dargan. In the 1940 census, Winifred Dargan is listed as a radio actress for an occupation. No roles or cast listings have been found for "Winifred Toomey" or Winifred Dargan" after 1937. The couple were married until his death in 2004. Winifred Eileen Toomey Dargan passed away a year later on September 20, 2005 at the age of 86. The couple had a daughter Barbara who predeceased them in 1994. 

If you have more information about Winifred Toomey, please leave a comment, or email - archivebuilder@gmail.com with "Winifred Toomey" as the subject.

Additional Sources:

Scarberry, Alma Sioux. "Just Nine Years Old". Plattsburgh Daily Republican, 4 April 1930. Pg. 6. https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=pdr19300404-01.1.6&srpos=3&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-%22winifred+toomey%22---------

Winifred Eileen (Toomey) Dargan. Find-A-Grave profile: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176658519/winifred-e-dargan

 

Barbara Jean Wong 100th Birthday Part I: OTR Child Star of the Month - March 2024

Barbara Jean Wong around age 9, from Radio Mirror July 1936. From Media History Digital Library

It was hard to decide on the Old Time Radio (OTR) Child Star of the Month, until I realized a very special star was born 100 years ago this month. 

Born 100 years ago today was Barbara Jean Wong (March 3, 1924- November 13, 1999) talented dancer, actress, singer drum majorette, acrobat, and later a public school teacher. She was known as "The Chinese Shirley Temple" and radio's "Chinese Wonder" as a child. Her specialty was as a voice chameleon who portrayed children of all races on the radio well into her adulthood.

Of all her roles from the Golden Age of Radio the most enduring today was the voice of Judy, one of the Barton Twins, on The Cinnamon Bear (1937), a captivating Christmas serial that is still broadcast on many stations today, and on The Amos 'n' Andy Show as Amos’ daughter Arbadella. She memorably played Arbadella Jones on the Annual Christmas annually from 1940 to 1960. 

Barbara Jean Wong was born in Los Angeles on March 3, 1924, to parents Thomas and Maye Wong. In the early 1930s for station KFAC she was a cast member of the “Whoa Bill” Club and acted in the radio skit “Billy and Betty” with actor Dorian Thompson. From these early broadcasts Wong is believed to have been the first Asian American to act in an American radio comedy or drama. 

She was cast was Asian, White, and Black children, girls and boys on many programs for the next 2 decades On Strange as it Seems, a radio program based on John Hix' comic strip which was similar to Ripley's Believe It of Not, she portrayed Alice (of Wonderland), even once portrayed George Washington as a boy which made national headlines

Radio was the theater of the imagination, and for Barbara Jean Wong there was no color or race, nor age. In the new medium of television, a 30-year-old Wong once commented that she found herself typecast as Asian women. She had appeared in several movies in the 1930s and 1940s always as Asian girls or women. One of her last film roles was in The Man From Button Willow (1965), an animated tale in which she played a little Asian girl, and a possible first introduction to Wong for those unfamiliar with radio's golden age,

Barbara Jean Wong Lee passed away November 13, 1999 at the age of 75. Today via radio and film collections on the internet her talented voice performances can easily be rediscovered. 

To Be Continued........For the month of March, I want to follow up this post with highlight for her childhood performances, and her performances as children. 

Patricia Ryan - Part II

Ad for Pat Ryan promoting her work on "Let's Pretend" and the "March of Games" series from the Buffalo Courier Express August 2, 1938

To recap, Patricia "Pat" Ryan (February 21, 1921 - February 15, 1949 was a versatile child, teen and young adult actress from Radio's Golden Age. She began with children's series like "Let's Pretend" but began to have more roles in primetime programs with age. 

Some confusion in researching Patricia Ryan in press articles 

In reviewing radio listings and contemporary events from 1937-1940, there were a number of women named "Patricia Ryan" who were grabbing headlines. Here is some helpful information to help other researchers avoid some of these hassles. 

In 1937 while CBS aired “Let’s Pretend” on Saturday mornings, the NBC-Blue network had an adult singer 30 minutes later named Patricia Ryan. 

Actress Betty Winkler as another "Patricia Ryan" in Girl Alone on NBC Radio.
From Radio Guide October 1, 1938

The radio drama “Girl Alone” starred Betty Winkler as a character named “Patricia Ryan”. In some sources her character was "Patricia Rogers"

There was some alarm when another New York woman named Patricia Ryan was accused of murdering her husband in 1938. There are claims that the NBC switchboard was lit up with calls concerned that the adult singer was the same person. Patricia Ryan is even said to be the name used by Pat Nixon when attending college. “Pat Ryan” was also the name of a character in comic strip “Terry and the Pirates”. 

And now back to our Patricia "Pat" Ryan.

A press photo of Nila Mack (left), Estelle Levy [Gwen Davies] and Pat Ryan, for the 10th anniversay of "Let's Pretend", or more accurately 10 years as Mack as Director. The inner photo shows how Levy and Ryan looked c. 1930. The blogger would like to know if this that image of Levy and Ryan exists in higher quality.

In 1941, she co-starred with Richard Kollmar in the summer series “Claudia and David” based on the popular stories by about a young newlywed maturing into life. A highly coveted part, Ryan won the part over hundreds of actresses. Unfortunately none of the broadcasts with her in the role are available today, but an episode of "Treasury Star Parade" with Ryan and Kollman in their roles has survived.

Praised for her beauty even as a child, Ryan was featured in numerous articles, fashion photoshoots, and advertisements for cosmetics, fashion, and beauty tips. Even in 1941 just as CBS was re-entering television, Ryan was considered ideal and photogenic for the new medium. Metro Goldwyn Meyer screen tested her as reported in a 1942 edition of Variety. 

Patricia Ryan in her nursing aid uniform on the cover of "Radio Mirror" August 1943. 

Along with radio acting Patricia also trained and served as a nurse’s aide for 2 years during World War II. If a 1943 account in Radio Mirror is accurate, her peers at the Misericordia Hospital in Manhattan unaware that she was a radio star until some commotion started during the diploma ceremony. In a strange foreshadowing, this article also gives an account by Pat stating that nothing really exciting happened to her radio except for a incident when a microphone struck her in the head knocking her unconscious when she was 12. After she was revived, she continue to perform, "Although" she said" I had a slight headache". 

.................To Be Continued With Part III

Additional Writings by Patricia Ryan:

"We'll Never Give Enough". Radio Romances formerly Radio Mirror, April 1945. https://archive.org/details/radiomirro00mac/page/n377/mode/1up?view=theater