Hello World!
A Summary
Logline: An obscure Southern industrialist becomes infatuated with radio and obsessed with his own voice as he rises to become the voice of the people with profane attacks against the failing government and the proliferation of chain stores and Wall Street charlatans as the Roaring Twenties dissolve into the Great Depression.
One of the greatest stories still untold is the rise and fall of iron magnate and radio broadcaster William Kennon Henderson, Jr. Born in northwest Louisiana in 1880, Henderson first rose to prominence in the early 1900's as the owner of the world's largest automobile garage, then made his chief fortune in the timber and iron industries before becoming obsessed with the power and glory of the newfound radio broadcast industry and eventually falling victim to the Great Depression. The Federal Radio Commission (forerunner of today's FCC) was formed in part to regulate the language and range of this broadcast pioneer who dominated the airwaves of the 1920s as this nation's first "shock jock" and whose colorful storytelling and rambling political diatribes made his sign on catchphrase "Hello world, doggone you!" known far and wide throughout the land.
Henderson’s favorite topics for his nightly discourse were Prohibition ("It sure is hot tonight and [rattling his glass] this ain't iced tea I'm drinking!"); the Federal Radio Commission ("They give the northern stations all the power they want but expect US to go in the basement and whisper"); and the anti-chain store movement ("As a boy, I peeked out from behind the barn once and saw Papa unload a stallion who proceeded to give our mare the same treatment you folks are getting from the chain stores!"). He regularly challenged his detractors to kiss his ass and then added for the FRC's benefit that "it's tied up out back and waitin' for ya."
“Hello World” offers a glimpse into the life of this great unsung hero of the 1920s from the modest beginnings of the station that still bears his name, KWKH, to his legendary battles against the onslaught of chain stores. A true visionary, Will K. Henderson feared these industry giants, if allowed to grow unchecked, would spell the end of small business in America and destroy the unique flavor they lent to their neighborhoods. Seventy-five years later, with the proliferation of McDonald's restaurants, retailers like Wal-Mart, and broadcasting giants like Clear Channel Communications, we are beginning to understand the effects of the system he foretold in his nightly broadcasts.
“Hello World” introduces us to a railroad commissioner named Huey Long who, through the gift of unlimited airtime on KWKH soon would become governor of Louisiana. Along the way we meet a high school history professor named Jimmie Davis who has his own political aspirations. Peppered with a colorful cast of Eskimo pianists, tenor Indians, singing firemen and more, “Hello World” offers a unique glimpse into the formative years of broadcasting, and Henderson’s legendary battles with Washington bureaucrats adds to the colorful journey.
After losing it all in the Great Depression, William Kennon Henderson, Jr. died in 1945, in true dramatic fashion, from complications from a wasp sting to the face. He had little money, and a series of strokes had left him virtually helpless. In a final interview shortly before his death he recalled his earlier years of glory: "I was right, you know...about the chain stores.... I can't even feed or bathe myself now but I still have my radio..."
Were it not for the efforts of Will Henderson, his station KWKH might not have survived and their showcase talent show “Louisiana Hayride” might never have introduced the world to Hank Williams, Jim Reeves, Webb Pierce, Slim Whitman, Johnny Cash, George Jones, and a kid named Elvis Presley.
Hmmm. Something to think about…and something to share onscreen. Told from the perspective of a reporter sent to cover Elvis Presley’s final Louisiana Hayride show in 1956, Henderson’s story is linked to the show that launched the careers of so many music superstars from KWKH, the radio station he fought so hard to develop and retain. Retro songs are all the rage these days, and the Louisiana Hayride audio archives features over 2200 such recordings - rare, often unique songs from future superstars that are available to enhance “Hello World” and other project offerings.
“Hello World” is a full length movie script by Louisiana author (and Henderson relative) Joey Kent. In Hollywood terms, it’s “Tucker meets Citizen Kane” - a look back at a rich and powerful man’s tireless fight against discrimination in the early days of radio.