Mutual was the one major radio network that decided not to get into television, but its flagship station was serious about the idea in 1943. And it teamed up with the TV company that didn’t have a radio network.
DuMont’s non-commercial station W2XWV offered time to anyone who wanted to experiment with the medium. And WOR did. The two hooked up and, as a result, W2XWV offered a third night of TV to people around the New York area. By contrast, WNBT (NBC) and WCBW (CBS) were only broadcasting four hours of films every week, though plans were afoot to bring live sports back to the small screen.
There was some expense to bear. Unionised musicians weren’t about to offer their services for nothing like the on-camera talent was. That included bandleader Vincent Lopez, morning chatterer Pegeen Fitzgerald (her husband Ed stayed away from TV) and children’s host Uncle Don. The WOR contingent took over what had been dead air on Tuesday nights. Eventually, WOR got a TV license and broadcast on Channel 9.
Here’s a look at how TV programming stood on the U.S. East Coast in mid-1943. “Billboard” magazine reviewed a number of evenings of programming, praising the slick work of host Dennis James on DuMont. It’s odd seeing the “comedian” adjective next to Charles Stark’s name; he was a network announcer on shows such as “Can You Top This?” and “Kraft Television Theatre.”
JULY
Thursday, July 1; Friday, July 2
WCBW—65.75mc
8 to 10 p.m. Films.
Sunday, July 4
W2XWV—78.84mc
8:30 p.m. Fourth of July salute.
8:35 Sports, Dennis James.
8:50 Film: “Men and the Sea” (OWI, 1942)
9:00 “What Do You Know?” quiz.
ALLEN B. DuMONT Laboratories Inc., Passaic, has petitioned FCC for reinstatement of their application for a license for a commercial television station in Washington, D.C. to operate on Channel 1, 50-56 mc. DuMont already operates W2XWV, New York television station, broadcasting two evenings weekly, a variety program on Sunday and an experimental series, with advertisers cooperating, on Wednesdays. A Tuesday evening series, produced by program staff at WOR, New York, will begin shortly. (Broadcasting, July 5).
Tuesday, July 6 (postponed from Monday)
WNBT—55.75 mc
4 and 7:30 p.m. Air-raid Warden’s course.
8:30 Film subjects.
Wednesday, July 7
W2XWV—78.84mc
George Lowther (as if he didn’t have anything else to do) will present “Café Society Television” on W2XWV a week from tonight . . . And if we didn’t mention his “guest artist” our secretary would toss a typewriter at us . . . Because the guy, a feller who looks like Raymond Massey, and who is a pianist as well as George’s press agent, happens to be Millie’s pet, Carl Post. (William Juengst, Brooklyn Eagle, June 30). [Note: The Eagle mentioned the following day that raconteur Peter Donald also appeared on the show.]
Thursday, July 8; Friday, July 9
WCBW—65.75mc
8 to 10 p.m. Films
WOR will enter the television field next Tuesday at 8:30 o’clock when it begins a series of telecasts over the Du Mont station W2XWV. Weekly variety shows are planned by WOR production men, including Roger Bower, Ray Nelson and Jock McGregor. (Home News, July 9)
NEW YORK, July 10.—Following the notice sent last week by Local 802, AFM here, to the DuMont television outlet, W2XWV, that regular broadcasting scales must be paid to musicians, the union's trial board started an investigation Thursday (8) to secure back pay for men paid under scale in the past. Trial Board questioned six members who have been employed by the station, and found that salaries ranged from nothing to $5 per program. Scale which the union plans to enforce is $12 per program and $6 per -hour for rehearsal with a minimum of one hour required. It is understood that the union will summon officials of DuMont, with the possibility, that the firm will be placed on AFM's unfair list it back pay is not collected. No. 802's investigation caused the station to cancel broadcasts of the Cafe Television show for clans were used. (Billboard, July 17)
Sunday, July 11
W2XWV—78.84mc
8:30 p.m. Doug Allan’s “Thrills and Chills from Everywhere.”
9:00 Sports, Dennis James.
9:15 Film: “Colleges at War” (OWI/Metro, 1942)
9:30 “Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
Monday, July 12
WNBT—55.75 mc
4 and 7:30 p.m. Air-warden instructions.
8:30 Films.
LOS ANGELES SOCIETY of Magicians presented an hour and a half magic show for a television audience July 12. The program, first all-magic show sent over the sight and ether circuit, was broadcast from Don Lee's Television Station W6XAO, located on a mountain top in Hollywood. Those participating in the epocal event were Neil and Rodger Doren, Melvin Eichar, Frank Fewins, Marvin the Silk Merchant, and Gene Owen, who promoted the show. Jack Gardner was emsee. About 1,100 television receiving sets are located in Los Angeles County and it is estimated that about 20,000 see and listen to Station W6XAO programs. Bill Sachs. (Billboard, July 24)
Tuesday, July 13
W2XWV—78.84mc
Dumont-WOR Telecast.
Reviewed Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 p.m, Style—Variety. Broadcast over W2XWV, New York.
WOR'S first crack at an actual telecast is important as a measuring stick in its trial-and-error workshop series new being conducted with the co-operation and facilities of Dumont's W2XWV. If the glaring mistakes of first take—some of them the fault of performers; others, of technicians and continuity writers—are on their way to being remedied by the end of the series, then no one need worry too much.
A bevy of WOR regulars, including Vincent Lopez, Sonny Schuyler, Gerry Larson, Maxine Keith, Pegeen Fitzgerald and Uncle Don made their television debut on this broadcast—and their nervousness was quite apparent. For the most part their sufferings stemmed from the lack of knowledge that regular mike, night club or vaude technique was n.g. for television. Technique which most closely resembles it, and with which most of these performers are totally unfamiliar, is that of motion pictures.
Consequently, when the cue came, they were left to stare self-consciously for a while, then go into their act, reminding themselves every now and then to smile and make a few stock gestures. Much of the responsibility for the failure falls upon directors Roger Bower and Sherman "Jock" MacGregor, who staged the show for the car rather than for sight. Actors must learn what to do in those split seconds after the camera is turned on and in the moment before it clicks off. About the most at-ease guy on the show was Uncle Don, which is an evil portent for television.
Acts were separate entities rather than a smooth-flowing, informal gathering of talented people. The old KMH [Kraft Music Hall, a radio show starring Bing Crosby] technique would have done much to iron out the awkwardness.
One of the chief technical bugaboos was thy lack of camera fluidity. Transitions were sudden, choppy and inadequate. When Pegeen Fitzgerald described a pair of shoes, it seemed eons before the cameras arrived at the foot-wear. Under the present WOR set-up only two shots are possible of the artist, the long-shot which is agonizingly useless in giving the audience any idea of what the performer looks like, and the close-up, which soon becomes monotonous because of the static position. Gradual panning to and from the performer would at least create an illusion of movement. Make-up and lighting are other mechanical problems. Poor Sunny Schuyler looked more like the Black Prince and the girls' make-up was in the good old Theda Bara tradition, with deep black circles under the eyes. A little soft lighting please.
One of the interesting possibilities opened up on the program was the prospect of a new type of commercial in the future the powder-one-side-of-your- face and Sudsies-has-more-suds boys can prove their claims with more than sound effects. The type of entertainer who guesses things behind a screen will also come into his own. On this show, a Dr. Victor attempted to guess people's ages by hearing them. Granted it's hard to get enthusiastic about a guy who guesses your age by listening, etc. Dr. Victor, at least, suggested video potentialities.
For the rest of the talent, Arres and Schuyler sang pleasantly in their respective fashions, but encouraged the temptation to close one's eyes and listen, which, of course, negates completely the value of the medium. Vincent Lopez's fingers, moving deftly and swiftly over the keyboard, were the something new added to his Nola, and a treat to watch. Gerry Larson was naturally vivacious and energetic so she didn't come off too badly. Miss Keith and Miss Fitzgerald, women commentators, have little to gain or lose in the new form, their effectiveness resting on how graphically, in the literal sense, they can illustrate their fashion spiels. As for Uncle Don, next time he is televised, we hope some parent hides him behind the piano.
At any rate, the thing to be remembered is that the purpose of the series is to acquaint the station's staff with the mysteries of an entertainment form of the future. Their initial offering could have been much worse.
Others in the behind-the-scenes group are Ray Nelson, director of daytime programs; Robert A. Simon, director of continuity, and Ann Honeycutt, executive producer. Theodore O. Strelbert, vice-president and general manager of WOR, spoke briefly of WOR's aims. Frank Knight announced. Shirley Frohlich. (Billboard, July 24).
Wednesday, July 14
W2XWV—78.84mc
DuMont Television.
Reviewed Wednesday, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Style—Variety and films. Sustaining on W2WXV (New York).
Once known as Cafe Television, DuMont's weekly Wednesday show was re-named Television Roof last week. Program as caught a few weeks ago was a hodgepodge of amateurish, self-conscious attempts at entertainment, but with revamping and the addition of experienced personnel, the rough edges have disappeared almost completely. From the growing pains, show has emerged as a lusty adolescent. Dennis James, WNEW announcer, is a welcome addition as the emcee. He has an easy-to-take line of patter and presentation. Did a good job of co-ordinating the live portion of show and is obviously as much at home before a camera as a mike.
After eight minutes of a Ted Fio Rito short, Television Roof was cleverly introduced via a gadget which gives effect of film, but is actually a line drawing of the studio building, photographed in the projection room with camera panning upward to create the effect of an elevator rising to a penthouse.
Paula Laurence, recently of Something for the Boys, slapsticked through several chatter-chortle songs that might be rated terrific in an intimate club by baldies, but were definitely too risque for television. Her Marquita (ditty lauding marihuana) was just a little too rough for wide airing. She has a lot to learn about the technique, too.
In direct contrast, Vera Sarnoff, of the Imperial Theater's Rosalinda, sang innocuous classical ballads and put them over by perfectly timed and carefully restrained gestures. She photographs nicely, and trick of tossing her head back registered exceptionally well.
Three-quarter camera angles exploit her beauty, serving her much better than full front shots. She seemed to step into the roam and fill it with beauty and magnificent voice, thus proving the importance of mastering and making the most of the new technique.
Sam Taub, radio sports newscaster, did a five-minute sports resume, then 10 minutes with his guest, Jack Lavelle, former Notre Dame athletic star. Duo provided a breezy and entertaining setto that added just the right amount of Variety to the program, which would have been top-heavy with song without their punchy presentation.
A 10-minute film, Britain's Paratroops rounded out the hour—undoubtedly the best Wednesday DuMont offering to date.
Ad people who were scheduled to participate didn't show up, but are expected on forthcoming shows. Wanda Marvin. (Billboard, July 24)
Thursday, July 15; Friday, July 16
WCBW—65.75mc
8 to 10 p.m. Films
Sunday, July 18W2XWV—78.84mc
8:30 p.m. “Ham ‘n Eggs,” farce.
9:15 Film cartoon: “The Haunted Ship,” (Van Beuren, 1930).
9:30 “Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
Grace Morgan, popular radio vocalist, heard daily at 9:55 p.m. over WJZ, will make her television debut over the Du Mont station, W2XWV, tonight at 8:30 o’clock. Miss Morgan will be featured in a gay sketch, “Ham ‘n’ Eggs,” produced by Jay Strong. The telecast will be supervised by Will Baltin, Sunday Times theatre editor, and program manager of the television station. (Home News, July 18)
Monday, July 19
WNBT—55.75 mc
4 and 7:30 p.m. Air-raid Warden’s course.
8:30 Film: “Canning the Victory Crop,” (US Ag Dept, 1943).
Tuesday, July 20
W2XWV—78.84mc
Wednesday, July 21
W2XWV—78.84mc
Thursday, July 22; Friday, July 23
WCBW—65.75mc
8 to 10 p.m. Films
NEW YORK, July 24.—Despite sharp man-power pains, lack of new equipment and the absence of sponsors, television will move ahead this fall. Experiments will improve program technique, accelerate mechanical advancement and test medium's commercial possibilities. They're going to keep Video before the public and the advertiser, with the result that the industry's post-war plunge will not be too icy.
In the minority are television companies that are sitting pat and just using advertising to keep their names alive at victory time. Some have in the past carried on extensive experimentation, and because of difficulties involved are idle now. Others cannot do anything about it at the moment. For example, Farnsworth Television, which states that its "entire facilities, research, development and production are now devoted to the needs of our armed forces."
General Electric, however, despite its great wartime production has WRGB, Schenectady, adding operettas to its musical programs and continues to present string music and vocal programs. They're developing a Video-musical technique.
GE is organizing a "Little Theater" group which will, within the next few weeks, regularly give plays. Just as they were the first to present the theater on the air over WGY, they're going to pioneer the Video drama.
The GE station will conduct make-up experiments in an attempt to eradicate major bugaboo that haunts every television studio. In addition to organizing and experimenting with a variety of short commercials, they will try out methods of presenting news-analysis, spot news and map talks with topographical maps.
Video audience participation programs, quiz and game shows will be undertaken, and they plan to scan boxing, archery, rifle target shooting and gymnastics.
Philco Video Studioless
Naturally, Philco's entire plant is converted to war work, but WPTZ will, in the coming months, expand its program schedule and will televise the University of Pennsylvania football games. Philco sponsored the broadcast of the games for the first time last season with WPTZ televising the pigskin action. They used the regular broadcasts for voice and made no attempt to synchronize the pictures.
Philco hopes to be able to re-broadcast, as in the past, Monday evening programs from WNBT, NBC's tele station in New York. Since the new transmitter was erected WPTZ has been experimenting with re-broadcasts and has now ironed out the problem of the New York station being too close to Philco's transmitter. No relay station will be used for the re-broadcasts. The NBC program will be picked up on the one long hop of 82 miles and then fed thru the Philadelphia transmitter.
Because of the absence of a studio, live programs are out for the duration. Regardless of this, Philco hopes to give set owners better program service, and maintains a large crew of engineers for technical experimentation.
CBS Plans Nil
CBS states frankly they have no plans for programs that deviate from the set pattern of four hours of movies per week. That schedule is maintained in compliance with the Federal Communications Commission ruling in order to retain their license. They point out that their's was probably the youngest staff in the business, and their boys were taken en masse in the first draft. Present staff consists of Stage Director Worthington Minor and his secretary. Mr. Minor looks forward to making the most of color technique invented and experimented with by their engineer, Peter Goldmark.
NBC Keeps Going
Altho NBC plans no expansion in the immediate future, it keeps an administrative and program staff of four on full time and has nine men in television engineering, one day a week. At present, two of its four air hours are devoted to air raid warden lectures, which will be continued. Its film policy will be altered, however, by the dropping of a number of commercial films and the addition of strictly entertainment feature films.
Spot News Televising Expected
Radio engineers, intrigued and challenged by post-war television's potentialities, are, in many instances, experimenting on their own. Others in radio are deeply interested in the new medium. For example, Bernard Estes, WHN's special events man, believes that the televising of spot events is a logical post-war step. Mobile units, costing around $7,000, trucked to the site of action, can effectively exploit Video this way, he states.
Dumont Takes Lead
Station W2XWV, local outlet of the Allen B. Dumont Laboratories, which has taken the lead for the past year in program experimentation, has, since the first of 1943, enlarged its activities by branching out into the testing of commercial ideas. It now plans to enlarge on that phase.
Tuesday night shows are called commercial research programs and are presented in co-operation with advertising agencies that want to make use of the television facilities to experiment with the new medium.
WOR Ties In
Wednesday [sic] evenings, 8:30-10 p.m., WOR and the Dumont outlet pool talent and technical forces for the purpose of developing experienced personnel and exploring untried Video entertainment ideas.
Dumont station's regular Sunday night show will not change its format which consists of variety and films.
Radio station owners from all parts of the country have been invited to visit W2XWV to study television programs, equipment and operations. Allen B. Dumont, president of the firm, having pioneered television since the days of the mechanical scanning disc, believes that the medium will come into its own as a great entertainment, educational and commercial force shortly after peace is restored.
Wash. Station Soon?
Dumont intends to continue expanding and plans the erection and operation of a television station in Washington. His firm formerly held a license for Washington telecasting. Intention now is to obtain renewal so that equipment can be installed and broadcasting begun at the first possible moment.
Television set owners are at present faced with a very real possibility that repairs cannot be made because lack of tele-trained mechanics and engineers, as well as new parts for the sets. After the war, however, they can expect to enjoy the benefits of this trial-and-error period thru which television is now passing.
Sets will sell from $200 up, according to Radio Corporation of America which foresees a landslide of set buying as soon as they are made available to the general public. Television's fall '43 isn't the brightest in the world, but it could be a whole lot worse. (Billboard, July 31).
Sunday, July 25
W2XWV—78.84mc
8:30 p.m. “There’s Always Tomorrow,” one-act comedy.
8:15 “Message to Malta.”
9:00 Dennis James, sports.
9:15 “Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
9:30 “What Do You Know?” quiz.
Monday, July 26
WNBT—55.75mc
4 and 7:30 p.m. Air-raid Warden’s course.
8:30 Film subjects.
Tuesday, July 27
W2XWV—78.84mc
Wednesday, July 28
W2XWV—78.84mc
Dumont Television.
Reviewed Wednesday, 8:30-10 p.m. Style—Variety and film. Sustaining on W2XWV.
Television's roof is attracting stellar talent to its experimental airings if Wednesday's shot is a criterion. Both Natalie Bandanya, Met soprano, and Monica Moore, musical comedy thrush, were featured and turned in exceptional performances.
Benton & Bowles took over the latter part of the show and their offering proved the need for much study and experiment before commercial Video is ready for long pants.
Dennis James, who emseed the Dumont portion of the program, worked out interesting deviations from straight patter and co-ordinated the jumps from one performer to another with informality.
As James was about to introduce his first act, an attractive little girl popped into camera range wanting to sing. She was shooed away. When she came for the third time, denying that she'd been there before, she was told to go ahead and sing. She turned out to be a trio—the McAuliff Sisters, Eileen, Laverne and Charlotte.
Met luminary Natalie Bandanya's introduction and entrance were carefully planned to sustain the atmosphere of stars guesting in a night club. James lifted her to the piano and from where she Helen Morganed a medley from Oklahoma, Embraceable You and Paris in the Spring.
At the beginning, quality was lost in the extremely high registery, but the technicians quickly adjusted their equipment to catch and project everything she had. Miss Bandanya's operatic gesticulations were subdued. She was a charming picture, The McAuliff Sisters added variety with good arrangements of Maria Lopez and Hawaiian War Chant.
Comedian Charlie Stark appeared long enough to tell a moron story that didn't stack up.
Monica Moore, beauteous singing star of the Paris Follies Bergere, the London Picadilly and Trocadero, gave with Everything I've Got Belongs to You and signed off with See You Again. James, in turning the rest of the program over to Benton & Bowles's emcee, Jimmy Coy, faded out via the camera; an improvement over an entertainer's walking out of range with the audience left staring at a blank screen.
Camera work on the agency's skit, Back From North Africa, was smooth and without bad focus in transitions from two-shots to close-ups, indicating a rehearsal.
The product exploitation test was not too effective. Without introduction or fanfare, a group of General Foods cereal box fronts strung on a wire were projected. The exhibit lacked depth that could have been obtained by using the actual boxes.
While the box fronts remained suspended, a male and female voice discussed the products and urged their purchase. A 10-rninuto break in the program was filled by a travelogue film, entirely unrelated to anything which went before or after.
B & B's second skit, titled You Give What You've Got, written by Esther Hawley, and directed by Lillian Steinfeld, agency staffer, was presented. Drama was public-service type offering and urged the public to give blood to the Red Cross.
Meaty script was killed by amateurish acting and production, due, no doubt, to staff's lack of knowledge of Video technique.
Since the purpose of these Wednesday night programs is experimentation, anything goes and does. W. M. (Billboard, Aug. 7, 1943)
Thursday, July 29; Friday, July 30
WCBW—65.75mc
8 to 10 p.m. Films
HOLLYWOOD, July 30—Manchester Boddy, editor and publisher of the Daily News, will appear tonight in his second “television edition” of world news commentary.
The broadcast will be at 8:30 o'clock on the facilities of station W6XYZ, Hollywood.
Through the medium of television Boddy is able to supplement his radio interpretation of important happenings abroad with maps and pictures illustrating the discussion.
W6XYZ, under direction of Klaus Landsberg, presents television programs twice a week. (Los Angeles Daily News, July 30)
AUGUST
Sunday, August 1W2XWV—78.84mc
8:30 p.m. Doug Allan’s “Thrills and Chills.”
9:00 “A Boy and a Girl,” with Lillian MacLellan and Bobby Hastings.
9:15 O. W. I. Film: “Dover” narrated by Edward R. Murrow.
9:30 “Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
Monday, August 2
WNBT—55.75mc
4 and 7:30 p.m. Air-raid Warden’s Course.
8:30 Film subjects.
Tuesday, August 3
W2XWV—78.84mc
8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Variety
Wednesday, August 4
W2XWV—78.84mc
DuMont Television.
Reviewed Wednesday, 8:30-10 p.m. Style—Variety and film. Sustaining on W2XWV.
Altho no advertising agency participated in this edition of Television Roof, an innovation highlighted the evening just the same. Kerby Cushing, assistant program director of WNEW, introduced a 20-minute experiment in book exploitation. He conducted and wrote the portion of the program which combined book analysis, film pertinent to the book and an interview with a person associated with the events and country depicted in the literary composition.
Trudy Wentz, winner of the recent DuMont employee contest for an announcer, made the station announcements and introduced Dennis James. Emsee James, who's been doing a splendid job ironing out program's rough spots, continued with the iron.
A Ted Fio Rito film helped create night club atmosphere and was followed by live entertainment. First on was McAuliff trio, 14, 15 and 16-year-old sisters, who appeared last week. The talented threesome gave with Gobs of Love, turning out some good close rhythm vocalizing.
Ann Francine, sophisticated songbird of the Versailles and other New York niteries, torched This Can’t Be Love. For her benefit, and for others who will appear before television cameras. It might be well to remember to nix two-tone costumes. Miss Francine's white topped and black skirted gown cut her in half and broadened her shoulders. Her sultry swinging of I See You and I Want to Sleep So I Can Dream helped you forget the impression created by the camera distortion of her dress.
Bob Flamm accompanied all the performers at the piano and deserves kudos for backing most of the acts sans rehearsal.
Kenny John, 18-year-old drum discovery, made his big town debut on Television Roof. In appearance he's younger than his 10 years, but in action a mature musician—a Krupa carbon. His Sheik of Araby and Nobody's Sweetheart Now were solid sending of professional caliber. He has a flexible body and wrists limber as seal nippers. Camera work on close-ups of his hands was exceptionally good.
The drummer boy and McAuliff trio combined in a terrific rendition of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.
The Dumont Televised Book Forum, an innovation in experimental book plugging, was devised by Mr. Cushing. Starting out with Cushing sitting at a table discussing Resistance and Reconstruction, by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, the camera panned to a copy of the book for a close-up. Unfortunately, volume's paper cover with the Generalissiono's picture in dark tones not project. A blow-up of book might have worked better.
Camera then switched to a film composed of extracts from Western Front, United China Front's recently finished movie. For eight minutes cameras were kept busy switching from film to Cushing, who continued his talk over the picture showing. Result achieved was a comprehensive outline of the book highlighted by ideal video material. Presentation was climaxed by appearance of China's first aviatrix, Lee-ya-Ching, who was interviewed and who commented on the book. The lady who has taught most of the young Chinese fliers, spoke briefly and eloquently. She concluded with a powerful polemic for American understanding of China's fight.
Plan is to continue the Book Forum in coming weeks. Mother Russia will be next volume used if author Hindus is available for an appearance.
Credit is due the numerous members of the DuMont technical and program the staff for the steadily improving Wednesday programs. Recently added new talent has helped, including Miss Joan Dillon, assistant manager of WNEW, who acts in a co-ordinating capacity.
Chief Engineer Walter J. Swenson, inventer of many technical doodads at the station, realizes the programs aren't perfect. "They ain't neat, but they're imaginative," is his comment. Wanda Marvin (Billboard, Aug. 7, 1943).
Thursday, August 5; Friday, August 6
WCBW—65.75mc
8 to 10 p.m. Films.
THE FIRST regularly scheduled commercial television program over WGRB, General Electric’s station, Schenectady, will be handled through Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn. Arrangements have been made for the period between 9 and 10 P.M. for two Fridays each month, following the test made for Royal Crown Cola on July 16. On August 6 the first broadcast in the series lasted a full hour. The first half of that time was devoted to a demonstration of the products of B. F. Goodrich Co., and a brief talk by John L. Collyer, its president. Twenty-five minutes in the last half were devoted to a comedy which included a dramatized commercial. The Hamilton Watch Company utilized the time break with a slide. Other clients of the agency will participate in later programs, which will last half an hour. B. B. D. & O. announces these will be arranged by its television board, in cooperation with the radio copy group. (Printer’s Ink, Aug. 13, 1943).
Sunday, August 8
W2XWV—78.84mc
8:30 p.m. Sports, Dennis James.
8:45 O. W. I. Film: “Wing Up[s],” narrated by Capt. Clark Gable (1943).
9:30 “Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
Monday, August 9
WNBT—55.75mc
4 and 7:30 p.m. Air-raid Warden’s Course.
8:30 Film subjects.
Tuesday, August 10
W2XWV—78.84mc
8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Variety
DuMont Television.
Reviewed Tuesday, 8:30-10 p.m. Style—Variety. Sustaining on W2WXV (New York).
Telephones worked overtime on this WOR-DuMont offering, which used tried-and-true video introduction of a girl telling a friend what to expect next on the program. Shirley Grayson, freelance radio actress did a competent “Mazie—wait till you see this one . . .” routine to bring on each performer.
On the bill was warbler Marian Maya whose Embraceable You and Sunny Side of the Street projected better than she did. Make-up may have been responsible, but she just wasn't veddy video in this shot.
Royal Heath, master of mathematical manipulation came on to add and subtract with spectacular speed. He used a blackboard for illustration and camera followed his movements closely, permitting the audience an excellent view of board and figures.
Harold Reilly, of the Reilly Gymnasium, described reducing methods and a pretty model followed instructions. This type of thing should be a natural for future television, either as a plug for a gym or as a public service.
The workout was followed by Jean Claire, Rogers' Corner vocalist, and accordionist. She's a youngster with a surprisingly mature voice, which reproduction deepens.
The Norton Sisters, vocal trio formerly with the McFarland Twins, Carl Hoff and Tony Pastor, sang Put Your Arms Around Me, Thinking Tonight of My Blue Byes, Melancholy Baby and Tiger Rag. Their arrangements were exceptionally good; they photograph well. Their performance was a high spot on program.
Ventriloquist Jay Marshall and his dummy supplied needed comedy with the dummy singing and Marshall stooging. The versatile Marshall doubled as a magician but magic camera work was not up to snuff. Audiences naturally distrust a magician and unless they see his hands at all times feel they're being gypped. When Marshall's hands left camera range and returned with a rabbit it detracted from his act.
Greek War Relief was represented by Mrs. Barney Girden who spoke briefly, appealing for 20,000,000 used garments. A trio of Greek dancers in native costume performed two numbers and Evelyn Koutras sang a group of Greek folk songs.
Altho show was not outstanding, it ran smoothly with all involved operating on cue. It was a definite improvement over previous offerings in that there were no awkward breaks or untimely entrances and exits. The WOR staff will have to find a new means of bringing talent on. The telephone gag, if repeated, will pall. Wanda Marvin. (Billboard, Aug. 21).
Wednesday, August 11
W2XWV—78.84mc
DuMont Television.
Reviewed Wednesday, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Style—Variety and films. Sustaining on W2WXV (New York).
DuMont's Television Roof this week introduced a slightly altered format. Instead of guest stars taking bows, the Roof now presents a floorshow of its own. Revision lends professional punch and permits emsee Dennis James more room on the range.
Show opened with a bang when singer Ginger Dulo, who is more energetic than entertaining, literally romped thru I Wanna Be a G Man and I Can't Find a Man, and did a violent take-off on Martha Raye with Solitude. She's an attractive girl, but an ill-advised choice of material and a roughhouse treatment added up to too much Ginger.
In striking contrast was the restrained, perfectly timed performance of the Golden Gate Quartet who spellbound the audience with Gospel Train, Dapper Dan and Noah's Ark. The foursome, always tops, was at the peak of its form in this tele take. Cameras enhanced the act, so that they literally seemed to sway to the swinging of their spiritual.
Television will undoubtedly be an excellent medium for the Negro. While features of white actors and singers are often distorted, colored performers, without the make-up with which their lighter brothers must plaster themselves, project to much better effect.
Vaudeville team of Lynn Russell and Mirian Fararr, just returned from a long tour for USO-Camp Shows, did an effective take-off on soap operas and closed with a comic medley of well-known Russian songs. The gals are good.
Thanks to James the videocast ended at 9 o'clock as per schedule. Since neither performers nor producers can spare time from their regular work for rehearsals, the curtain has not always dropped on the nose. Not only did the emsee get the show off on time, he kept the pot boiling for a potent entertainment brew despite the varied acts he had to work with.
Press-On Tape Company presented its product with a drama that fell short of its first effort two weeks ago. Scene opened with a spirited view of an electric iron resting on an ironing board. Off- screen voice, speaking for the iron, regretted that its days of usefulness were almost over. Most people think irons are here to stay, but script said they were not. After this uninspired shot, a dramatization was presented. Mother and daughter, played by Anna Karen and Barbara Joyce, competently introduced Press-On and demonstrated its use as a mending agent. Another stimulating view of the iron completed the experiment.
Pitch was well acted, but script was weak. Last shot of the pressing mechanism was just too much iron and too little mettle. Wanda Marvin. (Billboard, Aug. 28)
As part of its two-fold campaign to keep alive the public's interest in television and stimulate a desire for the acquisition of television sets after the war, RCA is arranging to have NBC broadcast from time to time television programs of major news and feature events connected with the war. These programs will deal with returning heros, important speeches, pickups from service hospitals and outstanding achievements on the home front.
Both NBC television portable transmitters and established coaxial cables, will be used to relay the events. Present plans call for doing at least one of these programs a month.
As time goes on, these war-associated shows may be increased to as many as four a month. It will all depend on both the newsworthiness of the event and the convenience of the relay. Understood that RCA contemplates distributing what tele sets there remain in the warehouses among the service hospitals so that the soldiers, sailors and others will find a source of diversion from such programs.
DuMont Television station W2XWV N. Y. will launch a series of dramatic television shows this fall. Will Baltin, program director for the station since 1940, said the first year's preparatory programming had been finished, and that the station now is set to start a more advanced phase.
Dramatic shows are to supplement the regular Sunday variety televised programs which have been aired by W2XWZ since it began operations in June, 1942. (Variety, Aug. 11)
Thursday, August 12; Friday, August 13
WCBW—65.75mc
8 to 10 p.m. Films.
Sunday, August 15
W2XWV—78.84mc
8:30 p.m. Claire Kennedy in “A Letter from Home.”
8:40 Sports, Dennis James.
8:50 Film: “Wing Up[s],” with Capt. Clark Gable.
9:10 “Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
9:20 “What Do You Know” quiz.
Monday, August 16
WNBT—55.75mc
4 and 7:30 p.m. Air-raid Warden’s Course.
8:30 Film subjects.
Tuesday, August 17
W2XWV—78.84mc
8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Variety
Wednesday, August 18
W2XWV—78.84mc
DuMont Television.
Reviewed Wednesday, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Style—Variety. Sustaining on W2WXV [sic] (New York).
The pie made from nine and twenty blackbirds had nothing on Television Roof. DuMont's weekly experimental show. At least that many persons of varied talent and experience have their fingers in the pie that they hope will some day be fit to set before a sponsor king.
As a result of pooling time, talent and technical skill on these programs, a satisfactory blend should evolve. Already improvements are evident and each week's previous mistake is eradicated. Not only are performers benefiting by their appearances before the cameras, but directors are being developed from the ranks to aid in the shaping of future video shows.
On past shows ad agencies have made slight contributions to a tele method of merchandise exploitation, but no group has gone into the matter as thoroly as Reiss Advertising Agency on this show. In a short dramatic skit they put across Press-On, a mending product, in a most Interesting and watchable way.
Variety acts, emseed by Dennis James, included Connie Haines, former Tommy Dorsey songstress, doing You'll Never Know and You'll Never Go to Heaven, and Larry Douglas, vocalist with Carmen Cavallaro's ork, giving with It’s Always You and Night and Day.
Miss Haines, due either to expert make-up or natural beauty, came thru beautifully. The, camera caught and projected her piquant personality, and her voice registered perfectly, Douglas, on the other hand, fared badly. His facial expression remained static thru-out, detracting from his competent song rendition.
Pianist Frankie Froeba, of WNEW and Club 18, soloed Body and Soul and a weak boogie-woogie number. Camera work on Froeba was not up to standard of rest of program. When attempting to focus on his hands and the keyboard, lens was open too wide and took in a shoulder which threw picture off balance.
Sports commentator Sam Taub conducted an interview with prize-fighter Mauriello. During this give-and-take, Nick Quaranti managed to insert a Jimmy Durante imitation. Mimicry was ably done but out of place in this spot.
Kerby Cushing analysed What Does Ghandi Want? by T. A. Raman, After revealing Cushing seated at a desk discussing and explaining the volume, camera swept to a close-up of the book and back to Cushing before shifting to a showing of excerpts from the British War Information film, The Changing Face of India. Cushing has worked out a most effective means of book selling. It stimulates interest in the literary Item without the listener's awareness of anything but informative entertainment.
Co-operative effort of Reiss ad agency and "Press-On Tape" people in a carefully planned presentation of mending tape topped all DuMont commercial experimentation to date.
Opening with a take of a lovely woman singing and accompanying herself on the piano in her living room, the little drama brought in daughter who was in tears because her party dress was badly ripped. Pretty mama comes to her rescue by the application of "Press-On Tape" to the tear. Product works, daughter is happy, mother goes back to the piano, and a lusty commercial is born.
Anna Karen and Barbara Joyce, freelance radio actresses, played mother and daughter, respectively. Both rate kudos for convincing and restrained performances. W.M. (Billboard, Aug. 28).
Thursday, August 19; Friday, August 20
WCBW—65.75mc
8 to 10 p.m. Films.
NEW YORK, Aug. 21.—Taking cognizance of the strides being taken by the DuMont and General Electric television outlets NBC yesterday moved to protect its stake in Video by setting up a post- war television planning committee. They will survey, study and plan and be set to swing into action when the war ends.
Committee is staffed by John Royal, v. p. in charge of International, shortwave and television, as chairman; Bill Hedges, v. p. in charge of stations; O. B. Hanson, v. p. and chief engineer, and C. L. Menser, v. p. and manager of the program department. Noran Kersta, ex-manager of the television department, now in the Marine Corps, is represented by his assistant, John Williams.
Currently NBC, pioneer in television programing, is televising four hours a week. Henceforth the television staff will report to O. L. Menser. Patently NBC feels that altho they cannot continue their experimental work with live Video shows, due to lack of trained personnel, they can at least keep their minds working and be ready to pick up where they left off when the war started. (Billboard, Aug. 28)
Sunday, August 22
W2XWV—78.84mc
8:30 p.m. “Folks Out Our Way,” one act play.
8:45 Pauline Alpert, piano.
9:00 Sports, Dennis James; Gunder Hagg, guest.
9:15 O. W. I. film: “War Town” (1943).
9:30 “Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
Monday, August 23
WNBT—55.75mc
4 and 7:30 p.m. Air-raid Warden’s Course.
8:30 Film subjects.
Tuesday, August 24
W2XWV—78.84mc
8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Variety
DuMont Television. Reviewed Tuesday, 8:30-10 p.m. Style—Variety and film, Sustaining on W2WXV [sic] (New York).
The WOR group who produced this week's television show (24) are trying to discover an ingredient to jell their various offerings into an acceptable mold. So far they have not succeeded, and unfortunately they are further from the formula than they were a couple of weeks ago.
Camera lenses opened on three girls lined up against a curtain backdrop. Why they were there, who they were, or what they were supposed to do remained a mystery for the first 10 minutes of the program, tho they appeared again and again in the same position, smiling self-consciously and obviously ill at ease. During each exposure of the girls a voice was heard offstage and occasionally the back of a man's head was visible—on the lower right of the screen. When it was possible to hear the man it became apparent that he was talking to the three girls, telling them what would appear next. They turned out to be Conover models being inducted into the tele swim and being told what to watch for in the new medium.
Before the models' appearances were accounted for, three acts had come and gone. Lanny and Ginger, WOR's daily 1:15 p.m. duo, sang two numbers, with Lanny at the piano. The two looked handsome and their songs registered pleasantly.
Beatrice Howell followed with a dopey ditty and impersonations of Betty Davis [sic], Barbara Stanwyck and Jimmy Durante. Your reviewer thinks an interesting switch might be one of the aped doing a take-off on Miss Howell imitating him or her. Might be a Howell.
When Lorna Byron, a tele-vision in white, appeared on the screen she would have stopped the show if the studio audience could have made their applause heard. When she sang she was the show. In addition to the popular It Can't Be Wrong she did semi-classical numbers in French and Spanish. She has a magnificent voice, photographs like a white sail against a too-blue sky and possesses exceptional charm and poise. Miss Byron is television's most valid excuse for existence to date.
The Di Marco Sisters, five youngsters with good voices, entertainingly sang to the accompaniment of a guitar bigger than the littlest girl. They are a clever quintet with a good repertoire and ability to put their songs over. Camera had difficulty keeping the group lively in frame.
Dell O'Dell, lady magician, who just finished an 18-month Park Central engagement, literally brought out her bag of tricks, accomplished her feats of fast-finger fumbling while carrying on a continuous patter set to rhyme.
Cameramen were on their toes in this date, and not once did they fail to keep her in focus. An eight-minute film corvetts, released by the British Ministry of Information, served as intermission for the acts.
The hard-working WOR crew will undoubtedly solve the problem of how to properly present and tie together the loose ends of entertainment. The obvious answer would be an emsee, but they are experimenting with gimmicks. Wanda Marvin. (Billboard, Sept. 4)
Wednesday, August 25
W2XWV—78.84mc
DuMont Television.
Reviewed Wednesday, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Style—Variety. Sustaining on W2WXV [sic] (New York).
As usual Trudy Wentz made the opening announcements, but the usual order of the show was upset when Stan Taub, sports commentator, came on first. His guest was not a sports personality, but Chit Chilvers, circus performer. Interview became a monolog when the Chilvers' child took over and expressed her views on everything in general in a completely unrepressed fashion. Her studied naivete was a far cry from the inhibited sports personalities with whom Taub usually wrestles.
Televised Book Forum was next on the program with Kerby Cushing, its writer and producer, acting as commentator and annotator. Book chosen for exploitation was Allan Chase's Falange, and the author guested the shot. Cover of book projected splendidly, as did a series of maps and photographs used to explain sections of the book. Discussion between Chase and Cushing was lively and the program would stimulate reader and buyer interest in the published work.
Reiss advertising on Press-On Mending Tape Company again presented the mending product via drama, description and demonstration. Camera came into focus on a heap of spools of thread, needles, scissors, etc., then a voice declared them passe and a hand swept them from view. Next picture showed the tape and an off-screen voice described its usefulness, Domestic drama, involving mother (Anna Karen), daughter (Barbara Joyce) and neighbor (Lois Sheen) praising and demonstrating the product's use, was effectively presented. Miss Karen is an able and charming actress, but too much stress is placed on her spiritual singing and self-accompaniment at the piano. Miss Sheen, in her initial tele appearance, photographed exceedingly well and carried thru like a audi-video vet. Final take on the tape and the announcer's spiel were shorter than on previous shows and a decided improvement. Charles Stark manned the mike.
A criticism that must be made of this, as well as other Wednesday night airings, is the unconnected jumps from one portion of the program to another without advice to the audience. For instance, immediately after the Press-On tap show a long break filled only with music and the DuMont Television trade-mark on the screen was disconcerting. Miss Wentz might be brought on again to tell the folks there's more to come.
Variety part of the show brought Television Roof on last. The same old Ted Fio Rito film set the scene, and emsee Dennis James set the stage for the nightery offering. Russell and Ferran, femme vaude team, gave with intelligent nonsense and presented a song and patter routine entitled Making an Honest Dollar.
Sixteen-year-old Janet Medlin was built up as a film discovery, it's quite understandable why she has not yet been discovered. With an unsmiling, wooden expression she faced the camera and sang with the same lack of give. Utterly lacking poise or personality, the lady's singing of You'll Never Know, Serenade From Carmen and Zigourney registered as coldly as her deadpan expression. Kay Read accompanied all the acts and took a bow just before James announced that he could not let this be an all-femme program. He recited Over the Hill to the Poorhouse, an oldie that met with tremendous response. There seems to be a grain of corn in the craw of all of us, or maybe it's just that the fellow is good, but whatever the reason, the take was terrific. W.M. (Billboard, Sept. 4)
Thursday, August 26; Friday, August 27
WCBW—65.75mc
8 to 10 p.m. Films.
The recent upbeat in television activity is proving a boon to play brokers. It is reported that Dumont Television and General Electric, two of the most active television outlets, have lately been swapping one-actors [sic], preferably comedies. G.E. from time to time produces full-length plays.
Operating on limited budgets, the studios nevertheless manager to put on a play a week, at a royalty cost of $25 per play per broadcast for one-acters, and $50 for the full-length production. The G.E. practice is to scout the Schenectady area for stock companies and put them on the air with whatever material the studio has at hand. On the other hand, Dumont’s W2XWV, New York, has a greater pool of talent to drawn on. (Variety, Aug. 28)
Sunday, August 29
W2XWV—78.84mc
8:30 p.m. “Operatic Gems.”
8:50 Doug Allan’s “Thrills and Chills.”
9:15 “Little Old Lady,” one act play.
9:30 “Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
Monday, August 30
WNBT—55.75mc
4 and 7:30 p.m. Air-raid Warden’s Course.
8:30 Film subjects.
Tuesday, August 31
W2XWV—78.84mc
8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Variety
DuMont Television. Reviewed Tuesday, 8:30-10 p.m. Style—Variety and film. Sustaining on W2WXV [sic] (New York).
WOR'S invasion of the DuMont studios last week featured a new and obviously unrehearsed task force. Show got off 10 minutes late, thus setting the pace for one of the clumsiest productions to date.
Stan Lomax and Troman Harper, WOR sustaining program personalities, back-boned the offering with a super flashback technique. They first projected themselves into the year 1966 and then, with the help of no time machines whatever, right back into 1943. Jumps from one era to another were repeated with monotonous regularity thruout entire show, resulting in a dizzying but not entertaining round trip to nowhere. After a lengthy discussion of the good old days of long-wave broadcasting—this from the 1966 end of the swing—Harper started the night's ethereal wanderings by popping back to 1943 to do a newscast. In shirtsleeves, loose tie and with hat perched on the back of his head, he ignored the camera in an effort to portray a present-day announcer at work with no bogey of television. What should have boon a humorous scene lost its comedy value to the important news content of the broadcast.
Returning to 1966, Harper and Lomax gossiped awhile before turning the calendar back to the next scene. They reminisced about WOR's '43 pageboy staff and the tricks the boys played on one another. So it was back to today in the WOR pageboy room, where a pretty girl gave forth with song. She turned out to be Mrs. Gene Clark, who in a pleasant little voice crooned You'll Never Know and Happy-Go-Lucky.
Cameras shifted to pageboys, who muddled thru a skit portraying a typical trick being played. Joke was to have one of the boys ordered to set up a studio for a meeting, said studio at that time being occupied by a soap opera company. Swinging to this studio, the lens picked up the soapers in the middle of a tender scene. Neatly presented, this act scored a laugh by showing the lovers as a completely misfit couple. The hero was a short elderly little fellow and the heroine a six-footer. With the actors sloppily dressed and punctuating their added dialog with yawns, plus the attraction of pageboys trotting back and forth between them and the camera, skit hit the comedy high spot of the evening.
Lomax announced the movie intermission. This is an improvement. In previous programs the shift from flesh to film has been done without explanation. Film shown was the much used (by DuMont) short, British Paratroopers.
Last half of the show featured the same flashback, but got off to a better start with an extremely interesting and informative screening put on by men from the U. S. Deep Sea Diving School. With Harper as emsee and Lieut. Wm. Mahan answering questions, Chief Petty Officer Andy Boig donned a complete diving outfit. CPO Boig, who worked on the Normandie salvage job, gave a brief description of the hazards of working under water. Lieut. Commander Chandler, head of the diving school, topped off the scene with a talk on the training set-up, its membership and responsibilities.
Lomax, who should have left his pipe at home (he looked as tho he was trying to hide behind it), brought Mrs. Clark back for two more numbers. This time, in her sugar-plum fashion, she thru Hip, Hip, Hurray and Put Your Arms Around Me.
A program break was seized upon by Henry Gladstone, who gave a short commercial for Edelbrau Beer. Despite the advantage of being able to demonstrate the product by drinking it, Gladstone's effort didn't convince.
Next scene replayed the soap opera—this time for tele 1966. Acting was adequate, but it seems that by 1966 a director would have learned that when props are mentioned the audience would expect to see them. Without such props, the actors were handicapped and their effort signified little to the wave watchers.
John D. Whitmore, WOR special events man, to whom goes credit for scripting the entire show, brought offering to an end with his introduction of five Conover models. Supposedly wearing five different types of make-up which they were to demonstrate, the girls were unrehearsed and unrelaxed before the camera, and despite a mighty effort by Whitmore, the scene was ineffectual. A more satisfactory method might have been to bring two girls on at one time, thereby permitting a visible contrast and comparison of make-up technique.
In general the program, filled with awkward breaks, did not rate too high. Camera work was consistently bad and make-up strictly markdown. It is natural that experimental work must be done and that trial and error will determine future program plans. However, with a possible tele audience of around 15,000 it is moot if the policy of presenting programs without rehearsals is sound. Wanda Marvin. (Billboard, Sept. 11)
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