“MAY”day Needed For Radio

Back in the dark ages of radio broadcasting there was a code of conduct that was considered gospel for all who worked in the industry.  It was incorporated into the Radio Act of 1927 and became the operational standard for all broadcast licensees.  It was very simple, very straight forward; “To operate in the best public interest, convenience and necessity of the community.”  

This requirement not only guided regulations surrounding technical standards but program and licensing requirements as well.  It was implemented to act as a safeguard against greed and selfish motivations from infecting the industry.  It worked beautifully from its inception until deregulation in the 1980’s and when squeamish Supreme Court rulings destroyed its effectiveness as a golden rule. 

Over that fifty-year period there were endless examples of broadcasters sacrificing to serve “in the best public interest, convenience and necessity of the community.” The effort that best exemplified that commitment could be found in tiny Shenandoah, Iowa. 

Henry Field – KFNF Radio

In the 192o’s two extraordinary radio pioneers owned and operated radio stations in Shenandoah.  In 1924 Henry Field founded KFNF operating on the top of his seed house business.  In 1925 seed salesman Earl May put KMA on the air.  Both started their radio stations to increase the sales of their seed products.  

The fierce completion brought out the very best in them.  They were decades ahead of their time in establishing radio as a very personal medium for the listener.  Such an approach to programing didn’t become predominate until the end of the golden age of radio.  It went from a very structured format of one radio program after another (like contemporary television) to personality radio.  Field and May could talk for hours telling tales about family and friends, sharing anecdotal stories of interest to the farming community and providing a steady source of information and ideas on how to increase farm profits. 

While they were at it, they established the format for a morning show that is still employed to this day.  It included news, weather, farm reports and other key pieces of information that became crucially important to the listener. 

They also used their stations to create wildly popular community gatherings and events.  Today almost all radio stations have a promotional department whose sole function is do exactly what Field and May were doing. 

All these efforts attracted listeners throughout the Mid-West and drew thousands of visitors to tiny Shenandoah for years.  All definitely serving “the best public interest, convenience and necessity of the community.”  Yet the most prolific example of commitment to this operational standard did not occur until the 1930’s. 

At the depths of the depression, Earl May took to the air with an offer the farmers couldn’t refuse.  He pointed out that he had the seed the farmers needed but couldn’t buy.  May said he was confident that the banks would reopen.  He told the farmers to go ahead and pick up their seed.  He said he would accept all checks and hold those checks until the banks reopened.  He received $50,000 in orders…more than enough to bankrupt his company.  

When the banks reopened 98% of the money was paid. 

Deregulation from the Carter Administration through the Obama administration has yet to demonstrate it has served “the best public interest, convenience and necessity of the community.”   It has demonstrated that it indeed serves the best interest of big money concerns.  No better evidence exists than the reality that no broadcast entity today would ever risk what May risked in the service of “the best public interest, convenience and necessity of the community.”  
Today most radio stations are owned by large corporate concerns whose apparent mission statement is to the secure the largest profits possible through devoting more air time to commercials than anything else, using technology to substantially reduce employees, and turning this marvelous medium into a jukebox. 

But rather than lamenting the loss of personality radio and a code of conduct clearly designed to serve the best public interest, it may be wise for us to simply focus on gratitude for the fifty years of greatness that once was radio.  It will diminish the tears.

Dino’s Next to Bailey and Spencer

One of the most popular television dramas from the late 1950’s and early 1960’s was “77 Sunset Strip.”  Its popularity was derived from all the usual attributes of a successful program but it also contained one very unique aspect that previously had never captured audience imagination as this one did.   

While the address was fictitious, the setting for the address was an actual location.  Every episode spotlighted Dino’s Lodge, a restaurant named after entertainer Dean Martin.  “77 Sunset Strip” was the fictional office address of the private detective firm “Bailey and Spencer.” It was located immediately next door to Dino’s Lodge.  

The Warner Bros. sound stage replica of the outward appearance of the business residing next to Dino’s was precisely as it looked.  In reality, “77 Sunset Strip” was the Mary Webb Davis Modeling Agency located at 8532 West Sunset Boulevard in then west Los Angeles and now West Hollywood.  Dino’s was located at 8524 West Sunset Blvd. This location may have been the best known location of its time.  Those who had no idea of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue were keenly aware of “77 Sunset Strip.”   

In January of 1961 our family enjoyed the second of two family auto trips from Minneapolis to California in our 1959 Chrysler Imperial.  While in Los Angeles, the family had dinner at Dino's.  There were some stark realities that were so very much fun to observe. 

As in the television show, Dino’s naturally had valet parking.  However, the parking lot itself was NOT just a flat parcel of land that sat behind Dino’s.  It was rather located down a steep embankment far below and behind the restaurant. The parking attendants had to be in good shape to climb that hill several times a night after parking patron’s cars and returning to their station at Dino’s front door.  This naturally led to the awaking that Dino’s was built on a hill.  This afforded the patrons with a magnificent view of the Los Angeles basin from the restaurants beautiful picture window.  

The meal was outstanding.  It was served by male waiters in tuxes and yes, the scantily clad cigarette girl was ever present.  The coat check room, resplendent with the alluring coat check girl, could be found in the exact location as depicted on the program.  The bar motif and the dark wood walls along with the wall plaque designs were also an exact match on the show. You naturally paid for all of this.  It was the only time I ever heard the old-man complain about the price of a meal. 

After dinner we decided to pay a visit to Bailey and Spencer next door.  We were hoping to have a pleasant chat with Stuart Bailey and Jeff Spencer.  We assumed that Suzanne had probably gone home for the evening and that Roscoe would, in all likelihood, be at the horse track.  

What we discover as we walked under the white awning and opened the door to the Mary Webb Davis Modeling Agency was only a long stairway to the offices above street level. There was nothing more than the entryway and stairway at street level.  No Bailey and Spencer offices.                      

We retreated back to Dino’s to retrieve our ’59 Imperial.  

One of the most charming characters from the television program was “Kookie,” a valet parking attendant that worked at Dino’s.  He was played by Edd Byrnes.  During the run of the show, Byrnes appeared on more magazines covers than any other entertainment personality in the history of show biz.  Connie Stevens enjoyed a hit record entitled "Kookie, Kookie -- Lend Me Your Comb" “spoofing Kookie” for constantly combing his ducktail haircut.  In 2005 TV Guide named Byrnes and “Kookie” number 5 on their list of “TV’s Greatest Teen Idols.”  Seems everyone in America knew of “Kookie.”  

With no mention of the show, the parking valet who presented us with our ’59 Imperial was asked how much money it would take to buy his comb.  He took a comb out of his pocket, swished it through his hair a couple times and said; “Nothin’ doin’ daddio.  It ain’t for sale.”

It was not only a wonderful era for marvelous music, fabulous cars and women of exceptional beauty, but it also provided very special memories that each and every one of us from that era have neatly tucked away in a very special place.  

Notes:  “The Alpine Lodge” preceded “Dino’s Lodge.” 

               It remained Dino’s Lodge from 1958 to 1978

“Chez Denis” (Shay-Da-Knee) restaurant succeeded Dino’s (1978 to 1983)
“Chez Denis” maintained the same exterior and interior look of Dino’s
              The building was torn down in 1985

             “77 Sunset Strip” ended its run in 1964 
Mary Webb Davis was succeeded by the Tiffany Theater in November 1966 

Today both locations are part of a city redevelopment program that is currently
in progress, so they are tantamount to nothing more than empty lots.   
Before construction began, all that remained to commemorate these original sites was a sidewalk plaque.  It has been carefully removed, intact, with the assurance that it will be, once again, placed in front of the new building at 8524 as part of the completed construction in 2017.