Summer Flash

Couple of months ago political-gossip Columnists Pearson & Allen were tapped by Williams Shaving Cream to serve as a summer fill-in for the True or False quiz program on NBC's blue network. Moderately successful in previous radio appearances (1935-36,1939-40), Pearson & Allen have this time gone to town. Although neither the amicable Pearson nor the pugnacious Allen has much of a voice, they have made their new show as lively as their news copy, have persuaded many a bigwig to appear with them on the air. Among their famous foils to date: William S. Knudsen, Mrs. Roosevelt, Robert Jackson, Lord Lothian, and last week famed French Commentator Pertinax (Andre Geraud), who described the reasons behind the collapse of France in his first public pronouncement since he arrived in the U. S. in July.

A fine test of Pearson & Allen's persuasive powers was getting Defense Commissioner Knudsen to join them on the air a few weeks back. Interviewing Knudsen, Pearson & Allen found him willing. But the National Defense Advisory Commission insisted that no one member of the Commission should make his views known before a joint report had been issued. Forthwith Pearson & Allen pulled potent strings, presently from the White House came word that Knudsen was free to face a mike.

By no means dull are Pearson & Allen's trained seals. Outspoken about wealthy industrial fifth columnists was Attorney General Jackson; blunt Lord Lothian adlibbed his eight-minute spot to eleven minutes in discussing Great Britain and the war. Pearson & Allen wind up each show with a rataplan of predictions and inside tips, which they are careful to make different from those in their column. Sample scoops: that Roy Howard was "the one exception" mentioned by the President in speaking of those who agreed to serve in National Defense; that Aluminum Co. of America would sign with the U. S. to produce aluminum at Bonneville Dam in Oregon. During Eleanor Roosevelt's appearance on their show, they predicted the President would run again. Quietly passed from Allen to Mrs. Roosevelt after the prognostication was a note that read: "I hope we're not talking through our hats."

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