Allen Is Favorite For '73 Class Day

The Class of 1973 has selected comedian Woody Allen as its top choice for Class Day speaker.

Allen has not yet said if he will attend, Michael D. Dake '73, the Senior Class's First Marshall, said yesterday. Dake said he sent Allen an invitation Saturday and expects a response before March 9. Class Day will be June 13, the day before Commencement.

Allen could not be reached yesterday for comment.

If Allen does not accept the invitation, the Senior Class is also considering for the post, in order of preference, newscaster Walter Cronkite, comedian Bill Cosby, talk show moderator Dick Cavett and film director Alfred Hitchcock. The class selected 35 people through a poll conducted in the Houses three weeks ago.

If Allen accepts the invitation, he will be the first comedian to speak at a Harvard-Radcliffe Class Day. Other speakers in recent years have been columnists Tom Wicker and Jimmy Breslin and former N.Y. Rep. Allard K. Lowenstein.