February 1944

One thing television managed to accomplish during the war years was to out the sports people who were a little too casual with their play-by-play calls.

If you were watching TV, you could see the play. The announcer couldn’t make up plays to correct himself if he got it wrong. The viewer would know. This reminds me of the famous incident involving NBC radio’s racing specialist Clem McCarthy and announcer Bill Stern, who invented fake lateral passes in football games whenever he had the wrong player with the ball. After Stern clucked at McCarthy for blowing a race call, the track announcer simply said “You can’t lateral a horse, Bill.”

At least one print writer gleefully seized on this as NBC’s WNBT carried more on-location sports events as World War Two progressed. You can find it in a trade paper review as we examine what happened in television in February 1944. There wasn’t a lot, actually. WCBW, the lone CBS station, broadcast no live programming. WNBT was on Mondays and Saturdays, DuMont’s W2XWV took up Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Bill Still's W2XJT in Jamaica, Long Island applied again for an okay to go on the air. The station did, but never went commercial. The owners of W6XYZ in Hollywood got approval to continue work on a relay transmitter.

Schedules below for the New York stations (papers in other US cities didn’t publish any) are from the Herald Tribune. We’ve also found a reference to television in a serial comic.

Tuesday, February 1
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 to 9:15 p.m. “WOR Television Party.”

Wednesday, February 2
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 p.m. Studio varieties.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “The Face of the War,” analysis by Sam Cuff.
9:30 Film
9:45 Glorianne Lehr, fashions.
10:00 Film short.
10:15 “Interesting People.”
DuMont Television
Reviewed Wednesday, 8:15-10:15 p.m. Style—Variety and films. Sustaining on W2XWV (New York).
The Charles M. Storm Agency presented two commercials and variety entertainment in a crowded half-hour show. A magnet-manipulated figure waltzed before a Tintex sign to the strains of Viennese music. Off -screen voice unobtrusively plugged the dye in a romantic monolog announced by a sign thrown on the screen reading "Thoughts While Dancing." Commercial could be intensified by shortening, but was other-wise most effective.
Ingenuity was displayed in an exploitation of Real Story magazine which had actors posing before a blow-up of the current issue's cover and walking out to enact portions from the wag's feature story.
Phyllis Jean, George Spelvin, Warren Morton and Bruce Travis capably handled their parts, but direction was a little careless. No attempt was made to solve the problem of transmission. In the one-set drama, wine bottle and glasses remained in their same positions on a table despite a two-year time elapse. Condensation and adaptation of the story was nicely handled in this, the best Storm offering to date.
A singer and a mime appeared between the commercials. Thrush Nancy Goodman's novelty numbers might have had a chance if a suspended mike had been used. Instead, true to radio technique, she sang to an upright. Bernie George's impressions were interesting when he appeared on the show a couple of weeks ago, but the performance didn't hold up in a repeat.
S. O. S., a Tida film, and pix, Dangerous Conversation, released by the British Ministry of Information, and Earthquake served to break the agency show schedule.
Ruthrauff & Ryan, which has consistently improved the Lever Bros.' half hour, came up tonight with an excellent presentation. Charming Pat Murray demonstrated to another girl how much laundry a box of Rinso will wash by the highly illustrative device of pulling it out of a box of the product. A switch to entertainment was made before the proving palled. Later a brief glimpse of the two fems showed them with a huge pile of garments. Tightening of script and modulation of plugs make the show progressively more entertaining and effective.

Roberta Hollywood seems to be permanently slated for the program. This lovely singer, who accompanies her own chantings, is a most welcome fixture.
Sam Cuff was on hand with his informative map talk, The Face of the War. Boxes of Rinso rotating to the accompaniment of musical ditties were slowly faded out at end of show.
Glorianne Lehr's Style Program for Abbott-Kimball Agency exhibited dresses and suits from William Bass, and Roy Lycie Hats. Miss Lehr has toned her patter down, cut the description of items of dress considerably, and emerged a lady of streamlined clothes conversation.
Interesting People, produced by Irwin Shane, and with Dick Bradley as emsee, debbed as a short but well-paced variety show. Marie Howard, I. J. Fox model and singer, and John Sebastian, harmonica virtuoso of Cafe Society Uptown, proved interesting video people. Program introduced two new songs by Flight Surgeon Leon Greene and Grace Whistler, Hero of My Heart and A Dime a Dozen. They won't make the all-time Hit Parade right away but are clever and catchy.
Shane's show, based on the idea of bringing in interesting personalities for interview and performance, is definitely good. Bradley, armed with well-rehearsed script as tonight, should be kept on. His poise and easy way with people make him a natural for the job. Wanda Marvin. (Billboard, Feb. 12)

Thursday, February 3; Friday, February 4
WCBW Channel 2
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Films

Saturday, February 5
WNBT Channel 1
8:30 to 11 p.m. Millrose A. A. Track Meet from Madison Square Garden.
The one and two-mile relays of the Millrose A. A. Games, taking place at Madison Square Garden tonight will be described by Ted Husing and Jimmy Dolan over ABC at 11:15 o’clock . . . Television station WNBT will transmit all the events from the Garden tonight beginning at 8:15 o’clock. The station may be tuned in on television channel No. 1. (Home News, Feb. 5).

Sunday, February 6
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 p.m. “Plays on Parade.”
8:35 Film: “Chief Neeley Reports to the Nation.”
8:45 “Theatre House,” serial.
9:15 Film Cartoon: “Gypped in Egypt” (Van Beuren, 1930)
9:25 Bureau of Missing Persons.
9:30 Sketch: “Matrimony Bound.”

CHICAGO, Feb. 6.—WGN has filed an application for a television wave length and a construction permit with the FCC, and has placed an order for a 40,000-watt transmitter.
GE will build the transmitter and studio equipment as soon as priorities permit. WGN's new building, to be constructed after the war, will be designed to take full advantage of television, FM and facsimile reproduction, as well as the standard AM system now in use. (Billboard, Feb. 12)

Monday, February 7
WNBT Channel 1
8:00 p.m. Films: Eyes on Russia; Exotic Egypt; Wrestling, Detton vs. Raines.
8:30 Feature Film: “Roar of the Press” with Jean Parker and Wallace Ford. (Monogram, 1941)
9:40 Televues: Film, Jose Iturbi, Pianist.

NBC and RCA, with cooperation of General Electric Co., have begun installation of 45 additional television sets in hospitals in and around New York, through which wounded service men can watch the telecasts of WNBT, NBC's video station, and other television transmitters in the area. General Electric Co. is supplying 25 of these receivers, which are in addition to the 10 installed by NBC last fall. As part of this program of serving the wounded veterans, NBC, in cooperation with Army and Navy officials, secured permission to televise boxing bouts, hockey matches and other sporting events from Madison Square Garden. (Broadcasting, Feb. 7)

Tuesday, February 8
WNBT Channel 1
8:12 p.m. Basketball: N. Y. U. vs. Rochester; L. I. U. vs. Canisius, at Madison Square Garden.
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 to 9:15 p.m. “WOR Television Party.”
WOR-DuMont Television
Reviewed Tuesday, 8:15-9:15 p.m. Style—Variety and films. Sustaining on W2XWV (New York).
WOR, while retaining the original format of its weekly show, has made revisions and additions in the talent line-up which have improved its television party. Bob Emery, new emsee, contributes professionalism and pace. An entertainer, Magician Count Artel, who gave an excellent performance on tonight's program, relieves the home talent atmosphere.
The producers apparently still feel that experimentation excuses the use of amateur entertainers. It would be fairer, however, to the new ideas to have them tried out by pros. Of the five vocalists heard tonight, only one, Mary Burnett, had ability and personality to rate a tele appearance. Miss Burnett is a singer of versatility whose brunette beauty projects but well.
One of radio's moldly mechanics, the telephone gag, was dragged into the script at intervals. The "audience," who had made the repeated calls commenting on the program, finally showed up to do a bit of drama. It was an inane skit. Paul Killiam was on hand again for news commentary, this time sans script. His "new" tele technique added spice to his stint.
An animated cartoon pic filled in for 10 minutes while studio equipment was undergoing repair. On the whole, the WOR technicians did a much better job than on previous programs. Focus and transmission from close-ups to other shots showed improvement. Despite the acting up of one camera, the boys in the back room held up their end of the production.
Emsee Emery's piano-accompanied monolog was an enjoyable bit of variety, but his facial expressions didn't register because of his glasses. Until they wear contact lenses that won't pick up and reflect studio lights, performers should leave them home.
Innovation at program close was the announcement by Emery of the tele shows available during the week to set owners in this area. Listing included not only DuMont's, but those of competitive stations ... sort of an exchange no doubt for RCA's ad bow. Wanda Marvin. (Billboard, Feb. 19)

First tele application of the new year was filed by Jamaica (N. Y.) Radio & Television Corp., which put in for channel three, previously unassigned, it was learned. Applicant, a set-servicing outfit and pre-war studio equipment manufacturer in an outlying part of New York City, had filed once before with the FCC, but the papers were returned for additional data and were put through a second time Dec. 31.
Plans of the prospective Jamaica telecasters call for a 250-watt audeo [sic] and a 1,000-watt video transmitter, it was stated by William B. Still, president of the company. When questioned about a possible tie-up with Philco, which has had considerable experience broadcasting over channel three in Philadelphia, Still promptly denied any affiliation. However, there may be a hook-up with a New York radio outlet, he indicated.
Equipment for the new sight-and-sound station, if approved, will be built by the Jamaica applicant, Still stated, except for frequency modulation equipment. Studios and transmitter are contemplated in Jamaica, a center of business and residential development in Gotham’s Queens County. (Radio Daily, Feb. 8)

Wednesday, February 9
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 p.m. Television Play House
8:45 Film short.
9:00 “Face of the War,” analysis by Sam Cuff.
9:30 Film
9:45 Glorianne Lehr, fashions.

Thursday, February 10; Friday, February 11
WCBW Channel 2
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Films

AN EXPERIMENTAL television show featuring a new type of puppet will be presented Feb. 11 on WRGB Schenectady, General Electric Co., station, and repeated Feb. 16 on W2XWV New York, the Allen B. Du Mont Labs., station. Program is a project of Compton Adv., New York, and may be the forerunner of a regular series for the agency's clients.
Duz, a product of Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, will be highlighted, the commercial blended with the entertainment. A puppet show has been chosen in the belief that the dolls can do foolish and amusing things which human actors cannot do successfully. Guest artists will also participate.
A new type of wooden puppet, created for television by Rem Buffano, famous puppeteer, will make its appearance. Alexander King, playright, [sic] has written the script. Program is under the di- rection of James Manilla, formerly with GE. (Broadcasting, Feb. 7)

FCC Application, Feb. 11
W6XLA Los Angeles—Granted modified Construction Permit for extension completion date new experimental television station to Mar. 1. (Broadcasting, Feb. 14)

Saturday, February 12
The 18th annual mid-winter figure skating carnival, to be held at the Lake Placid Olympic arena Saturday and Sunday evenings, Feb. 10 [19] and 20. will be presented over General Electric's television station WRGB at 7:30 o'clock Sunday night. Feb. 20. This half-hour show will not only feature some of America's and Canada's ice champions but exhibition ski jumping from the high Olympic run and horse racing on Mirror lake. To present this television feature General Electric will send a crew of motion picture operators to Lake Placid to film the Saturday night show. This will be rushed to Schenectady on Sunday and the films with a commentator describing the event, will be telecast simultaneously with the second show being presented at Lake Placid Sunday night. (Schenectady Gazette, Feb. 12, 1944)

Sunday, February 13
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 p.m. Television Canteen
8:45 Film: “Brothers in Blood.”
9:00 “Theatre House,” serial.
9:15 Film Cartoon: “Jungle Jazz” (Van Beuren, 1930)
9:40 “The Pixie Pipers,” songs.
9:50 “Thrills and Chills” with Doug Allan, Armand Denis.

To the Radio Editor:
In your radio news column of Jan. 30 I happened upon an item that I think should be corrected. You credit the new program “Theatre House” of W2XWV as starting a new era with television’s first serial. This is wrong. Back in 1941-42, WPTZ, Philco’s station in Philadelphia, under about the same experimental conditions as I understand the Dumont people are working under at present, did a weekly show called “Last Year’s Nest.” It was frankly soap without the suds or a sponsor—but it did get fain mail. It ran for ten weeks until WPTZ finally had to drop all its live shows in June, 1942.
Looking back on what will go down as the custard-pie days of television, I remember it as a hazardous but exhilarating undertaking because the cast had to be made up from what could practically be called volunteer talent. Ernest Walling was directed the serial was lucky, however, in finding among the little theatre groups and college societies some nuggets of pure gold which is find handling beat into the shape of skilled television actors—something else again from stage, screen and radio actors, as anyone in the game can tell you.
How do I know all about this? I wrote the darn stuff.
Claire Wallis, New York City (New York Times, Feb. 13).

Monday, February 14
WNBT Channel 1
8:00 p.m. Films: Land of the Cree; Wrestling, Rayburn vs. Hagen.
8:30 Feature Film: “Dancing Pirate” with Charles Collins, Steffi Duna and Frank Morgan (Pioneer, 1936.
9:40 Televues: Film, Mildred Dilling, Harpist.

WPTZ, Philco television station in Philadelphia, has inaugurated a new series of remote pickups from the Philadelphia Arena. Each Friday evening, the television cameras pick up the wrestling bouts and other sporting events staged at the Arena. During the course of the season, WPTZ also hopes to be able to televise the circuses, rodeos and ice shows presented at the local sports centre. (Broadcasting, Feb. 14)
FCC Application, Feb. 14
Gus Zaharis, South Charleston, W. Va.—CP new experimental television station 50,000 -56,000 kc, A 5 and special emission, 110 w aural, 50 w visual.(Broadcasting, Feb. 21)

Tuesday, February 15
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 to 9:15 p.m. “Rainbow House.” [WOR children’s programme].

Wednesday, February 16
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 p.m. Demonstration, War Equipment by U.S. Army Ordnance Dept.
8:30 Puppet show.
8:45 Film short.
9:00 “Face of the War,” analysis by Sam Cuff.
9:30 Film short.
9:45 Buffano, Puppeteer.
10:15 “Claudia.”
"COMPTON TELE SHOW"
With Yvette, Stan McGovern, Will Geer, Jim Bowles, Roger DeKoven. Gertrude Flynn, Steve Chase, Rupert LaBelle
Director: James Manilla
Writer: Alexander King
60 Mins., Wed., 10-10:30 p. m.
COMPTON ADV. AGENCY
DuMont, W2XWV. New York
Last Wednesday's (16) tele session emphasized the lack of showmanship current in the sight and sound medium. The skedded highlight, a puppet show, put on by the Compton agency and sponsored by them, missed the boat by a wide margin. It was neither juvenile nor adult, which made a sort of disorganized, hybrid out of it. The script was poorly written and completely lost all the clever effects that the intelligent use of puppetry permits. "The Saga of Steve Cranberry." as this puppet portion was tabbed, turned out to be just so much sauce. Only noteworthy feature of the whole thing was the introduction of commercial copy in the action of the skit and the fact that this was the first time that puppets had ever been televised.
The live portions of the evening's presentation fared much better with Yvette registering via sight as well as hearing. Stan McGovern, staff cartoonist on the New York Post, provided good entertainment for the eye, but was radically silent while drawing a strip of his "Billy Milly" drawings.
Intervals between prepared, parts of the program were filled by public service films provided by the British Information Service. Tura. (Variety, Feb. 23).

TECHNIQUES for television commercials were demonstrated by Compton Adv., Ruthrauff & Ryan and Charles M. Storm Co. last Wednesday on the DuMont sight-and-sound station W2XWV New York, when the three agencies produced programs advertising Duz, Ivory, Mobiloil, Spry and the Fats Salvage Campaign as part of a 22-hour variety telecast.
The first Compton television show, a three -part production, opened with Yvette, popular songstress, who handled the commercial herself by singing a specially written song "That Ivory Look". Stan McGovern, cartoonist of the New York Post, followed up the announcer's statement that automobiles are disappearing at the rate of one every 30 seconds by drawing a four-part strip cartoon in which Silly Milly tried unsuccessfully to grab one within that time, giving the announcer the chance to explain that Socony-Vacuum service will help keep your car from disappearing like that.
Duz Drama
For Duz, Compton presented a burlesque western drama "The Saga of Steve Cranberry," whose characters were a set of puppets specially made for the production. Commercials were an integral part of the script, with a magician using the magical properties of Duz to clean up the drama's characters, landscape and plot problems.
The use of Spry in biscuits and shortcake was both recommended and demonstrated in the telecast for this product put on by Ruthrauff & Ryan. Show opened with a closeup of a revolving display case of jars of Spry and a jingle, fading to a kitchen scene.
Charles M. Storm Co. gave up its regular commercial period to produce a program in the interest of the Fat Salvage Campaign, in which Army Ordnance experts demonstrated their duties. (Broadcasting, Jan. 21)

Thursday, February 17
WCBW Channel 2
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Films
WNBT Channel 1
8:10 p.m. Basketball: St. John’s vs. Temple; C.C.N.Y vs. St. Joseph’s, Madison Square Garden.
BASKETBALL, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
Producer: Ira Avery
Announcer: Charles F. McCarthy
Camera: Edward Wade
Technical Director: Edwin C. Wilbur
165 Mins.; Thursday, 8:10 p. m.
Sustaining
WNBT-NBC. New York
Sporting events need lose none of their appeal when seen at home while sitting in front of a television set. This was proven conclusively last Thursday night (17) when NBC's video outlet. WNBT, took its audience to N.Y.'s Madison Square Garden to view a collegiate basketball double-header. True, the features of the players on the floor were not clear at any time; true, on several occasions, because of the angle at which the camera was slanted, one could not tell whether the ball went through the hoop for a score or not, but aside from these two factors, the thrill entailed in any sporting event was definitely caught via the television medium.
Entire screening was even more pointed because the first of the two court tussles was a see-saw affair, close from beginning to end. First St. John's, of Brooklyn, was ahead, then Temple, of Philadelphia, forged into the lead. The camera followed play closely, and despite the fact that the screen is necessarily small, it did a surprisingly good job of nabbing all the essentials. Crowd noises added to the excitement, and the house announcer who spieled the scare after each point was made, was heard clearly despite the roar of the crowd.
Charles F. McCarthy, the NBC sportscaster, is not an amateur at announcing sporting events. But he certainly seemed lost when it came to saying something in relation to what was occurring on the court. Following some slick ball handling by several of the players. McCarthy would make the obvious observation, "Slick ball handling." When one of the hoopsters dribbled down the floor and made a try at scoring a basket. McCarthy would make some other inane remark.
There is still plenty of room for improvement in synchronizing chatter on what is taking place. As far as basketball is concerned, less said during the actual contest the more enjoyable the viewing. But when a score is made, especially a foul shot when play is not resumed immediately afterward, the announcer should state whether the play was a score or not. He also should personalize the game more, pointing out who is handling the ball, and who is playing opposite the ball-handler. These things would add to the enjoyment and excitement. When caught, the only times McCarthy would mention players, in the main, were when they were being put out of the game because they committed too many fouls, or when substitutions were being made.
Between halves and the two games an intermission sign was screened and college songs were sung from the studios in Radio City.
Montage and technical angels of the entire screening improved as the evening wore on. The second contest, between City College of N. Y. and St. Josephs. Philadelphia, also was a nip and tuck affair. With the heat of the tussle captured by the video cameras. Sten. (Variety, Feb. 23)

Friday, February 18
WCBW Channel 2
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Films.

Saturday, February 19
Response from the editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer to a letter:
The only television station in this vicinity is the Philco Corporation’s WPTZ at Wyndmoor which broadcasts every Wednesday and Friday evening at 7:45 P. M. programs from 1½ to 2½ hours long. Generally the station averages about four hours of broadcasting a week. Although WPTZ has a studio for “live” production, that is, entertainment by actual people in the studio, it is not in operation at the present time. Television programs now consist of motion pictures or direct pick-up from remote points by means of remote pick-up equipment. In this way wrestling matches, ice hockey games and other sports are televised. (Inquirer, Feb. 19)

Sunday, February 20
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 p.m. “Plays on Parade.”
8:40 Film: “Destination Island X.”
8:50 “Theatre House,” serial.
9:20 Film Cartoon: “The Mill Pond,” (Van Beuren, 1929)
9:30 Forum: “Pattern For Peace,” Dr. John McDermott, Dr. David De Sola Poole, Dr. Henry Atkinson.

Monday, February 21
WNBT Channel 1
8:00 p.m. Films: Grand Manan; Day in Venice; Wrestling.
8:30 Feature Film: “Son of the Navy” with Jean Parker and James Dunn (Monogram, 1940).
9:40 Televues: Film, Coolidge Quartet.
War newsreels made by the United States Army Signal Corps and the Army Air Forces over WBNT [sic], the National Broadcasting Company station, beginning at 8 o’clock tonight, it was announced yesterday. Tonight’s program will present official films taken at the Anzio beachhead in Italy, air views of the bombing of German cities and troops in the India theater. Other war newsreel programs will be presented later.

Tuesday, February 22
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 to 9:15 p.m. “WOR Television Party with Bob Emery” and film cartoon.

Wednesday, February 23
WNBT Channel 1
8:00 p.m. Basketball: N.Y.U. vs St. John’s; C.C.N.Y vs. West Michigan, Madison Square Garden.
NBC Television
Reviewed Wednesday, 10 to 11 p.m. Sustaining, Sports-Special Events. Telecast by WNBT, New York.
Television still has a long way to go before it will be able to hold audience-attention during a basketball game. This show, a telecast of match between St. John's College and NYU at Madison Square Garden, couldn't hold the viewers' attention for more than 10 consecutive minutes.
Responsibility for the poor video quality could not be laid in the laps of the technicians, who did the best they could with a medium that is still limited by technical deficiencies.
Principal fault of the show was the lack of good lighting. The corners of the floor were dark, and each time play went on in these sections the viewer at home must have wanted to raid the icebox for another bottle of beer—perhaps four or five, so he could give his eyes a long rest. Altho cameraman Ed Wade followed the play with great skill and seemed to know in advance where the best action was to [take] place place, his skill was wasted. When the ball was tossed around the middle of the floor it appeared to be a blurred disk. And when the play passed down to areas under the baskets the ball couldn't be seen at all. Never once was it possible to see the ball after it left the hands of a player shooting for a basket. Wade followed the flight of the ball each time it went toward the basket, but his quick eyework was wasted because poor lighting made it impossible for the viewer to see the ball in flight. This gave the entire show a ghost-like quality that was disturbing and disappointing.
Altho this show did not please its audience, it definitely hinted at the potentialities of tele. If receivers were equipped with larger screens—as they will be after the war—shadows would have been dissipated. If the game had been played for the television audience and not for the auditorium crowd--as they will be some day—arrangements could have been made to flood the entire floor with lights too strong for eyes of any paying customer present. And, of course, with the use of new-type iconoscope, which will be able to pick up even minute details without the use of powerful lights, most of the problems encountered in this telecast will be solved.
Given all these technical improvements television could do an interest-holding job viewing a basketball game, or any other sporting event. Until that happens America is going to prefer the Quiz Kids.
Cy Wagner. (Billboard, March 4)
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 p.m. Variety
8:45 Film short.
9:00 “Face of the War,” analysis by Sam Cuff.
9:30 Film.
9:45 Sketch: “Interesting People.”
DuMont Television
Reviewed Wednesday, 8:15-10:30 p.m. Style—Variety and films. Sustaining on W1XWV [sic] (New York).
Without diversity of entertainment a variety show is misnamed. Producers of tonight's (23) programs evidenced a singular lack of imagination, spotting eight warblers, one after the other.
Shuttling the singers under the mike failed to weave a colorful entertainment pattern. Instead, a monotonous vocal parade resulted. Of the throaty group, only two registered; the remaining six ranged from so-so to bad.
Two excellent performances highlighted the evening. For one, the emseeing of the Charles M. Storm show, Key-Bored Televisual Presentation, by pianist Sam Medoff brought a lift to that agency's offering. Medoff, with amazing assurance in his first audi-video stint, carried off his task with zest. After bringing on a male and three femme singers and accompanying them brilliantly, Medoff put over a song of his own, saluting, gesturing and pounding out a terrific boogie-woogie.
Margaret Spencer, of Rosalinda, sang a portion of her role. Her presentation was a delightful example of how an attractive, talented performer comes thru on the tele screen. She'd probably give a good performance anywhere, but she's a video cinch. Most of the singers tonight looked straight into the camera with glassy stares or frozen smiles, while Miss Spencer moved with grace and sang with authority.
Storm's Tintex exploitation was long and lame. For five minutes a magnet-manipulated figure moved slowly in a tiny circle on half the screen. The other half was taken up by a printed legend about the use of the dye. An off-screen voice talked at great length about the product. Cutting the plugs by 50 per cent would up their effectiveness.
British pic, Song of the Islands, was thrown at the audience without benefit of intro or beginning. The movie seemed to be hexed. Thruout its showing it would suddenly flicker with eye-torturing irregularity like a Penny Arcade movie out of sine and then revert to normal. The same imperfection marred three other one-reelers, Spring on the Farm, Richard Himber's Tempo of Tomorrow and an Artie Shaw pic.
The Lever Bros.' show wasn't quite up to form either. Commercials on Rinso lacked the sparkle they've attained other nights. From a mag ad of the soap, a freckled -faced kid emerged to sing the jingles associated with the product's radio plugging.
Devy Edwards, back from a USO tour, told of his experiences and sang a medley of sentimental songs that had appealed to the servicemen. Her warm personality came thru nicely, and judging from her performance, the unassuming and attractive girl must have made a lot of uniformed boys a little happier.
Ben Pulitzer presented Interesting People, introduced by a newsreel of milling throngs of people. Dick Bradley interviewed NBC's Marian Loverage, tagged the "Betsy Ross of Radio." The youngster sang pops in a strong, rich voice. Knowing that her hands would loom up to enormous white shadows if flayed about, she intelligently kept them quietly at her sides.
Bradley and a playwright discussed the construction of a play, and two young actors, using excerpts from Ibsen's Doll's House, illustrated the various elements in a work for the stage. Script cutting would have been welcome, but the idea was an admirable experiment and has excellent possibilities for further development.
Commercials for Ben Pulitzer ties were windy and need polishing to make them click. Cravats on display in a shop were examined by Bradley, but camera failed to permit a close-up of their patterns. Marie Howard, pretty brunette, exhibited poise and restraint when she sang pops.
Two and a quarter hours of vocalizing and bad films is too much. These programs could be improved immeasurably by eliminating the pix, cutting station breaks to a minimum and by a general tightening of productions. Audiences, used to split-second radio timing, won't sit to watch time drag by. Wanda Marvin. (Billboard, March 4, 1944)

FCC Applications, Feb. 23
WKY Oklahoma City—CP new commercial television station, Channel 1.
(Broadcasting, Feb. 28)

Thursday, February 24
WCBW Channel 2
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Films

Friday, February 25
WCBW Channel 2
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Films

FCC Applications, Feb. 25
N. B. C., Cleveland—CP new commercial television station, Channel 1
N. B. C., Chicago—CP new commercial television station, Channel 1.
N. B. C., Los Angeles—CP new commercial television station, Channel 3.
N. B. C., San Francisco—CP new commercial television station, Channel 4.
N. B. C., Denver—CP new commercial television station, Channel 2. (Broadcasting, Feb. 28)
WGN, Chicago—CP new commercial television station.
Philco, New York—CP new commercial television station.
Philco, Washington—CP new commercial television station.Radio Daily, Feb. 28

Sunday, February 27
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 p.m. “Eddie Dowling Presents.”
8:45 Film: “No Exception.”
9:00 Television Canteen.
9:30 Film cartoon: The Office Boy (Van Beuren, 1930).
9:40 “Theatre House,” serial.
10:00 Forum: “Swing vs. Sweet.”
First network airshow with a repeat television performance bows in next Sunday (27) when Eddie Dowling preems "Wide Horizons" on the Mutual web at 4 p. m. and brings the entire cast into the DuMont studios, N. Y., for a video presentation of the half-hour program at 8:15 p. m. Repeat policy holds throughout life of MBS show which goes in for the customary 13-weeks.
“Horizons” is sponsored by the Boots Aircraft Nut Co. Decision to televize the series is considered one of biggest boosts tele has received since war caused postponement of skedded large scale expansion of the new medium. Industry observers point to fact Boots show not only brings bigtime network show to tele for first time but also provides real star in Dowling. Lack of big names in tele on permanent basis has been one of chief drawbacks in attracting advertisers to new field, it's pointed out and opinion is that acceptance of the electronic screen by Dowling will do much to attract other top-notchers to tele.
Separate scripts for MBS and DuMont shows are in final stages of preparation under supervision of Thomas G. Sabin, radio exec of Cecil and Pumphrey agency which handles Boots account. Several writers are collabing on scripts with Sabin handling transformation and production details in adapting straight radio performance for repeat tele screening.
“Horizons,” in addition to Dowling, will have Casey Jones, aviation expert, as a permanent member of cast and plans to intro talent finds spotted by Dowling in war plants throughout the country. Two such newcomers will be on each show, it's planned, with one name guest from the amusement field also showcased each week. Outstanding industrialists, engineers and other figures from aviation also will appear during Boots-Dowling series.
Glenn L. Martin, plane builder, will be show's guest on preem and remote hookup with Baltimore will be used for an interview with his aged mother in that city. Interview with Mrs. Martin will have to be scratched from tele performance.
Auditions for guest artists from ranks of warplant workers are under Dowling's supervision with most performers likely to be picked from casts of morale-building shows staged at the various factories. (Variety, Feb. 23).

"WIDE HORIZONS" (TELEVISION)
With Eddie Dowling, Marie Mendoza, Bill Leach, Ben Harrod, Jean Parker, Alice Hatton, Jay Westey, John Farrell, Ruth Gates
Writer-Producer: Thomas G. Sabin
30 Mins., Sun., 8:15 p.m.
BOOTS AIRCRAFT NUT CO.
W2XWV-DuMont, N. Y.
(Cecil & Presbrey)
Repeat television performance of Boots Nut Co.'s Mutual preem Sunday (27) was a praiseworthy idea and undoubtedly is a signpost pointing way to future advertising policy to be pursued by many major accounts. Unfortunately, however, half-hour video production was rough, not only around the edges but in the middle as well. It seemed apparent that producer Thomas G. Sabin, with his hands full on the straight air shot, failed to give sufficient time and preparation efforts to the DuMont chapter.
The tele camera wasn't too kind to Eddie Dowling, aging him far beyond his every day appearance, and although he displayed his usual deftness and confident bearing, the star’s engaging personality failed to come through on the screen as in the flesh.
Unflattering camera lines marred rest of the cast as well, with Alice Hatton, songstress-pianist, normally of much better than average attractiveness, emerging far from that in the video version. Show followed pattern of afternoon MBS show closely with song specialties by Marie Mendoza, Jean Parker, Miss Batten and Bill Leach. Dramatic bit from life of plane builder Glenn L. Martin was also repeated but manufacturer himself did not duplicate his earlier network appearance.
Producer-writer Sabin made a brief appearance on show before turning things over to Dowling. It's planned to continue tele repeat policy during life of the Mutual series but for punchy effectiveness video version must be smoothed considerably with more time given to prepping working script and rehearsing before shows hit the screen. Donn. (Variety, Mar. 1)

Monday, February 28
WNBT Channel 1
7:55- 11:00 p.m. New York City Finals, Daily News Golden Gloves Tournament, Madison Square Garden, relayed to WRGB, Schenectady.

FCC Applications, Feb. 28
News Syndicate Company, New York—CP new commercial television station.
Loyola University, New Orleans—CP new commercial television station. (Radio Daily, Feb. 29)

Tuesday, February 29
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 “WOR Television Revue.”
8:40 Forum: “Should Women Propose on Leap Year.”
8:50 Film short.
9:00 WOR Television Revue.
WOR-DuMont Television
Reviewed Tuesday (February 29), 8:15-9:15 p.m. Style—Variety and films. Sustaining on W2XWV (New York).
Helped by new cameras and a new 12-inch tube, WOR launched Here's Looking at You with a brother team at the helm. Keith Thompson, producer, and Hugh Thompson, emsee and singer, presented the program. It differed little from other variety offerings on the sick Tuesday-night hours.
The pic was clearer and in better focus than heretofore, but too little light often caused patches of white to block out the lower portion of the screen. Dark objects tend to absorb the light, and the faded appearance was more evident when the black piano was in the frame. With the exception of one or two instances of people walking between camera and performers and an occasional split-second disconnection when a studio wire was tramped on, the technical work was an improvement over previous weeks.
From a programing point of view, WOR has learned little. One singer, then another and another appeared, bowed on and off in the usual vaude manner. There must be some novel way of presenting a variety show. Dorothy Barton and Walter Stoker Jr. and Hugh Thompson and Mary Burnett were a double duo for duets. The latter couple sang Bess, You Is My Woman Now, while Stoker and Miss Barton delved into the semi-classics for an interesting medley.
Rosemae Lindau had pops on her sked. She's been better on other nights. Obviously nervous, the gal couldn't control her vocal chords and her face showed signs of strain.
Mary Burnett, charming and in fine voice, did a swell job of Mighty Lak a Rose and two other ballads.
A timely forum on the subject of leap year was a good idea, but Dorothy Barton, Walter Stoker Jr, and moderator Maurice Dreicer lacked the script and enough rehearsal.
Lucky Field cavorted thru a short and mildly amusing comedy skit, and Magician Weisbecker came on for five minutes. Bunny Harris sang Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, after being introduced by Cigaret-Puffing Emsee Thompson. Very subtle.
On With the Dance, a 35mm. pic, and more songs by Thompson rounded out the 60-minute offering.
Switching from the old electrostatic tube has added clarity and depth to the DuMont pictures. With constantly technical developments, programing looks weaker and more amateurish. Until time and talent is expended, until performers of top-flight caliber are introduced to the medium apparently little more than half-hearted attempts at entertainment can be expected.
It would seem that set manufacturers should start spending soon dough to improve programs as they do their equipment. Consumers won't buy an instrument, no matter how perfect, if it can't get programs on a par with stage, pix, niteries and radio. Wanda Marvin. (Billboard, Mar. 11)