The initial guiding principle was simple: "Buy the rights to a fine play, hire the biggest names available, and hope the public will listen." But competition for big names was fierce in New York. When film stars came east-usually on a train between movies, en route to Europe-they were mobbed by agents seeking their appearances on the big variety shows. An appearance on The Rudy Vallee Hour or Shell Chateau paid more and was less demanding-a bit of fluff between musical selections, which an actor could learn in a single rehearsal. The demand for top stars was so desperate that Lux scouts created devious ways of snaring them. One "bright young fellow," as described by Radio Guide, simply grabbed up Leslie Howard's suitcases and led him through a gauntlet of competing agents to a waiting cab. Only when they were settled in the car did it occur to Howard to ask who he was. "I'm from The Lux Radio Theater, and you're going to act for us tomorrow night," said the brash young fellow. He had caught {and subsequently booked} a hot young star by knowing that "a man will always follow his suitcases."
( John Dunning )
[ On the Air: The Encyclopedia ]
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