They scraped the rust off the equipment, but the staff at CBS television were a little rusty themselves. When live programming resumed in mid-1944 on WCBW, critics complained it wasn’t really broadcast quality.
The studio cameras’ return to action on May 5 was one of several notable TV developments in mid-1944. On May 9, DuMont finally had a commercial TV station when W2XWV became WABD. And what should have been a highlight on May 25 turned into bad publicity for NBC. Much like the company did to Fred Allen on radio several years later, it faded out Eddie Cantor during a show (not in the TV listings) that marked a hard-line link between WNBT New York and WPTZ in Philadelphia.
A coaxial cable now linked New York with stations in other cities. While that sounds dull, it marked the start of, eventual, coast-to-coast television as cable was slowly laid across the U.S.
Here’s a somewhat exhaustive review of what was happening on the tube (mainly on the east coast) in May 1944. Even that far back, Bennett Cerf was on a panel game show. CBS’ newscaster was, at first, Ned Calder, who did the 8:55 p.m. radio news on weeknights. He was replaced by Everett Holles.
We have linked to some of the low-budget films on the broadcast schedules (from the New York Times and Herald Tribune). There are shorts with Bing Crosby and Shirley Temple, Monogram Westerns and Van Beuren cartoons with animals singing.
Monday, May 1
WNBT Channel 1
7:30 p.m. Test Pattern.
8:00 p.m. Film: “Swampland” (Van Beuren, 1936).
8:10 p.m. The War as It Happens, No. 11.
8:25 p.m. Feature Film: “Top Sergeant Mulligan,” with Nat Pendleton and Sterling Holloway (Monogram, 1941).
9:35 p.m. Televues: “Freedom Rides on Rubber,” Part 2.
Tuesday, May 2
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 p.m. WOR Video Varieties.
Wednesday, May 3
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 Televisual specialties.
8:45 Film Short.
9:00 Face of the War, news and analysis by Sam Cuff.
9:30 Film Short.
9:45 Interesting People.
DuMont Television
Reviewed Wednesday (3), 8:15-10:30 p.m. Style—Variety and film. Sustaining on W2XWV (New York). Wednesdays at Nine, the Ruthrauff & Ryan show for Lever Bros., is still the best of these agency shows. Interesting People, the Ben Pulitzer Tie production by Joseph Reiss, and Westward Whoa, title for tonight's Charles M. Storm offering, have yet to acquire the smoothness and pace of the Lever program. The R&R commercials outrank the others by far. They do a selling job for Lever products because they are never repetitious, never hammering, but are brief, pointed and cleverly worked into a sparkling, animated script.
While the original program format remains, it's elastic enough to permit experimenting with various entertainment mediums. The Storm show, always a variety offering, brings a number of good performers to the screen, but script is usually weak, and Tintex plugs are dragged in awkwardly.
The Reiss program, while retaining its pattern of presenting outstanding personalities in interview and performance, is weakened by unconvincing product plugs. Commercials should he entirely revamped and perhaps worked into the entertainment portion instead of corning as an afterthought.
Tonight Storm had the Denver Darling Trio, Jan Bart, Saundra Roe, the Lola Bravo Dancers, Pat Waters and June Miles in a rural setting. An Indian chief, surrounded by a bevy of scantily clad American Indian princesses, grunted mumbo-jumbo which was translated into Tintex plugs. Then Chief Jan Bart removed his feathered headdress and burst into Oh, What a Beautiful morning.
George Foster and Warren Morton, the fore and aft of a horse, cavorted thru the program, while an off-stage voice made corny remarks credited to the beast.
Interesting People were Antonio De La Cruz, Eleanor Dennis, Canada Lee, Barbara Leeds and Edward C. Stone. Highlight of the show was Lee's reading of a letter from a serviceman friend in the South Pacific.
Lever Bros.' products, turning on a disk, backgrounded by musical ditties, always hit the eye and ear at the show's opening and closing. Tonight it was Lifebuoy Soap. A lovely girl waiting for a bus is approached by an old acquaintance who makes a terrific play for her attention. She politely dusts him off, while the words "B.O.", "Get Wise to B.O." flash above her head, indicating what she's thinking.
Paul Wing's spelling bee, Words On the Wing, with six war plant workers as contestants, had the audience betting on whether the words would be spelled right. Bit is fine to create audience participation and is a real interest-holder. Flashes of Pat Murray calling off the score, and ad libbing on the contest built a feeling of friendly informality. The show manages to hit a happy medium in entertainment, appealing to a broad watcher group. And it sells. Wanda Marvin. (Billboard, May 13)
Rapidly mounting in number with requests for outlets piling up to the point where the Federal Communications Commission is expected to be swamped by the end of the year, television station applications have already reached 79, it is understood in tele circles. However the FCC is in no great rush to act on these applications since peace and, with it, the use of this new medium of entertainment may still be a distance away.
Meantime, in and out of the trade, the interest in television is growing with leaps and bounds, with its possibilities regarded as great, though no one at the moment, in the opinion of the experts, has any accurate means of judging either its limitations or its potentialities, nor to what extent it may form competition for other mediums of entertainment.
While neither the general public nor many in engineering circles understand the mechanics of television, the interest in so-called video entertainment is amazing, according to Paul C. Raibourn, Paramount exec who is treasurer, of DuMont. Raibourn, economist-analyst for Par, which is heavily invested in DuMont, states that the interest in television us pretty well countrywide rather than confined to larger centers. (Variety, May 3)
Thursday, May 4
WCBW Channel 2
8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Films.
G. E. Television
Reviewed Thursday (4). "The Mikado." WRGB (Schenectady, N. Y).
Of good amateur quality, this production of The Mikado, the old Gilbert and Sullivan favorite, was sufficiently well paced, acted and sung to hold interest for two solid hours of playing time. This doesn't mean that you couldn't find spots where the singing was a bit lagged, particularly in one or two of the trios and quartets. Nor does it mean that the production didn't have its occasionally non-professional lapses when one or another member of the cast forgot lines or got iris words mixed up.
The Operatic Society of the music department of State Teachers' College, aided by some outside talent in key male roles cause over to Schenectady from Albany to televise the operetta.
Best work was that of Dave Kroman, of Schenectady, who built up his Pooh-Bah role knowingly and with a full measure of humor. But the Rev. T. Howard Akland, of Troy; Charles Turcotte, Joan Chapman Snow, Mary Dorothy Alden and James Arthur Dorn, in the other principal parts, were quite acceptable. In fact, Turcotte, as the executioner, and Miss Alden, as the homely and unwanted Katisha, in their comic courtship toward the end of the final act gave the production one of its liveliest scenes.
It was here that the cameramen took full advantage of the opportunity to provide some really striking close-ups. Camera work generally was smooth. altho there were occasions when a singer was left momentarily out of the frame or caught only partially in it.
Characters were fixed in viewers' minds before the start of the show thru humorous introductions by Helen Rhodes, of the WRGB staff, which permitted them to speak briefly, quoting typical lines from the libretto.
Dr. Charles P. Stokes, of the faculty State Teachers' College, directed. Everett L. Finch. (Billboard, May 13)
Friday, May 5
WCBW Channel 2
8:00 P.M. World News, Ned Calmer.
8:15 Variety; Cappy Barra Boys, Betty Jane Smith.
8:30 “They Were There,” Interviews With Servicemen by Gregory Abbott.
9:00-10:00 “Visual Quiz,” Denton Walker, Richard Rodgers, Mrs. Rodgers, Mrs. Peter Goldmark, Bennett A. Cerf, Frank Norris.
CBS Television
Reviewed Friday (5), 8-10 p.m. EWT. Return of live CBS television after two years off the air. Style—News, variety, quiz. WCBW (New York).
The smart ideas come in with a presentation of a live quiz show that tried to combine the features of Information Please, Truth or Consequences and straight question and answer. Too bad it didn't. Headed by quizmaster Ben Feiner, with songwriter Richard Rodgers, the Rodgers frau; Mrs. Peter Goldmark, wife of CBS chief tele engineer; Time mag's Frank Norris and book pub Bennett Cerf, the show was a swell idea, and collection of talent gone wrong at the hands of savvy-less technicians.
Many sections of the seg suffered because of bad mike boom handling that threw shadows, a much too stationary camera and lack of movement. When contestants moved over to a drawing board on a clever trick question, camera's failure to move back threw bodies and faces momentarily out of focus. Personalities and voices registered well, particularly omniscient Time's omniscient Mr. Norris.
Preceding the quiz, a fast, informal interview with three servicemen just missed fire because of the same technical errors. In this one, called They Were There, biggest fault was fact that mike didn't follow men around. Result, spotty volume. Timing caught interviewer Gregory Abbott with slop-over material that was cut in the middle. Lack of floor and side lights ruined many swell shots. Introduction of cameraman and a televisor into the screen may register with audiences as informality, but looked to this corner like just bad production.
Coast Guard Coxwains' Mate George Secrist; Sgt. Dana Babcock, USMC, and Navy Seaman George McLaughlin all had okay voices and swell stories well told. Abbott led them competently. Particularly good were close-ups, shots of pix taken at the scenes of the heroes' battles and the large diagram Sergeant Babcock strew of the Solomon action in which he was wounded. It all contributed to an entertaining, informative half hour.
Variety show emseed by Frances Buss, with the Four Cappy Barra boys, harmonica quartet, and dancer Betty Jane Smith, was a fizzle because of the camera's inability to move around, bad lighting and a forced informality that made this reviewer decidedly uncomfortable.
Maps in Ned Calmer's 15-minute news review didn't contribute anything to greater understanding because of lack of pointer and detail. Scanning, that gave Calmer the old "beard" look, made the shots the worst of the evening. The maps looked as if they were there just to pretty up the place.
Announcer at start of broadcast made it clear that CBS is not trying to sell receivers, another round in its war against the other companies.
Sum total of the seg shows that CBS has a lot to learn and a lot more practicing to do. Marty Schrader. (Billboard, May 13)
"CBS STUDIO SHOW"
With Ben Feiner, Ned Calmer, Cappy Barra Boys, Betty Jane Smith, Gregory Abbott, Frances Buss, guests
Writers: Leo Hurwitz, Paul Belanger
Prodcuers: Tony Miner, Ben Feiner
Cameras: Howard Hayes, Harold Doane, Rudy Bretz
120 Mins.; Fri., 8 p.m.
Sustaining
WCBW-CBS, New York
Columbia's tele studios swung back into action last week (5) using live talent for the first time since December, 1942. Telecast reflected a lot of the things that are wrong with available transmitters and receivers but had it's [sic] moments of genuine viewer interest as well.
Musical stanza that followed with four Cappy Barra harmonica tooters and terper Betty Jane Smith was only go-so. Gal was shapely and a good stepper but acoustics for her taps were terrible and harmonica music didn't fare to well over the mike. Makeup problem interfered here also.
Program highlight was next half-hour session with Par newsreel gabber Greg Abbott interviewing Sgt. Dana Babcock, USMC; Cox, George McLaughlin, USN, and Signalman George Sigerist, USCG, on living room set. All the G.I.'s had plenty to tell about ranging from adventures on the dangerous Murmansk run to action on Guadalcanal.
Interest which most certainly would have lagged on similar straight sound session of this length remained alive throughout spurred by sight of the quartet and the manner in which personality projections of the uniformed trio and Abbott carried the thing along. Device by which official photos of scenes of action in which the G.I.'s took part was crudely worked out with long shot camera picking up the other televiser as it was wheeled into position for closeups of the still pictures.
Quiz session 60 minutes long rounded out the preem with Ben Feiner doing a combination Fadiman-Ralph Edwards for a panel including composer Dick Rodgers and Mrs. Rodgers, Mrs. Peter Goldmark, wife of CBS's tele engineer. Bennett A. Cerf, Random House publisher, and Frank Norris of Time, Inc.'s radio department. Personable Frances Buss assisted Feiner at the scoreboard and in setting up stunts used in the contest. All concerned conducted themselves with unfailing good humor and the session produced more than a few laughs.
Quiz, though, ran about 30 minutes too long. And what the studio lights did to the femmes was just too bad—makeup again, or rather lack of same.
Despite inexperience of staff two-hour show went off with comparatively few hitches and on direct wire control room screens came through okay. Set at CBS tele hdqs, which picked up show from the air, however, ghosted and distorted throughout the broadcast and only in the G.I. interview biz did the calibre of the entertainment rise above these defects.
Pre-broadcast announcement stressed that program was strictly experimental and not to be considered as an inducement to purchase television receiving sets. This in line with recent CBS policy statement holding that current standards are not high enough for satisfactory commercial tele operations. Donn. (Variety, May 10).
MARSHALL FIELD & Co., Chicago department store, on May 5 sponsored a test television program, claimed to be the first in the Midwest. Don McNeill was m.c. of the variety program, broadcast from 8 -8:30 p.m. (CWT) on W9XBK Chicago. The video show featured a fashion review and a talk by L. B. Sizer, Marshall Field executive. Agency is Ruthrauff & Ryan, Chicago. (Broadcasting, May 15).
Saturday, May 6
WNBT Channel 1
7:30 p.m. Test Pattern
8:00 Film Feature: “The Lost Ranch,” with Tom Tyler, Jeanne Martel (Katzman, 1938).
9:00 Film Feature: “Up in the Air,” with Frankie Darro, Marjorie Reynolds, Carleton Young (Monogram 1940).
NEW YORK, May 6—Predictions that night club acts would be used in television were borne out in at least one instance this week when Barbara Leeds, club warbler, was signed to a 13-week paper by Pulitzer Creations, a tie concern, for its video stanza, Interesting People, telecast weekly over the local DuMont outlet, Station W2XWV.
Miss Leeds is skedded to start her tel stint two weeks hence under the handle of the Television Girl.
Jerry Rosen, of Frederick Bros., is taking the bows for booking. (Billboard, May 13)
Sunday, May 7
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 p.m. Memo to Heaven.
8:45 Cartoon.
9:00 Your World Tomorrow.
9:30 Film.
9:40 Meg of the Megacycles."
9:45 “Thrills and Chills,” Burton Holmes, guest.
"THRILLS AND CHILLS"
With Doug Allan and Burton Holmes
Producer: Doug Allan
Director: Walter Swenson
30 Mins., Sunday. May 7, 9:30 p.m.
Sustaining
W2XWV-DuMont, New York
Despite fact there were few thrills and chills on this television show, interest was sustained throughout by the informative chatter of traveller Burton Holmes, who described sequences in an instructive film of his journey on the island of Bali several years ago.
Even thought it was Holmes' initial appearance before the television cameras, the veteran lecturer conducted himself in authoritative style. Doug Allan, producer of "Thrills and Chills," was along just for the ride on this stanza. Holmes taking over when the reel starter) unwinding. Film was exceptionally clear with sound track of genuine Balinese music, toned down so as not to interfere with Holmes' comments. Sten. (Variety, May 17)
Monday, May 8
WNBT Channel No. 1
7:30 P. M. Test Pattern.
8:00 Film: “Battle of the Harvests” (NFB Canada, 1942).
8:20 Film: The War As It Happens, No. 12.
8:45 Feature Film: “Klondike Fury,” with Edmund Lowe, Lucille Fairbanks and Ralph Morgan (Monogram, 1942).
9:50 Televue: “Second Hungarian Rhapsody.”
A commercial television station for St. Louis has been applied for by Alfco Co., a partnership composed of Michael Alfend, Truman L. Brown, Samuel I. Berger and Sidney J. Heinman, each holding a quarter interest. Technical aid relating to the proposed outlet is to be handled by engineers and representatives of the Allen B. DuMont Labs., Passaic, N. J., the application states.
Other applications: Jam Handy Organization Inc., Detroit.—CP new commercial television station, Channel 1 (Incomplete); International Detrola Corp., Detroit, Mich.—CP new commercial television station, Channel 2. (Broadcasting, May 8)
Tuesday, May 9
WABD Channel 4
8:15 p.m. WOR Video Varieties.
9:15 Film.
9:30 Fashion Revue.
WOR-DuMont Television
Reviewed Tuesday (9), 1:15-9:30 p.m. Style—Variety. Sustaining on WABD (New York).
Perhaps in celebration of W2XWV becoming WABD by virtue of its new commercial status, Bob Emery came up with his best WOR show. Two ad-experiments, an accordionist, singer, impersonator, magician, organist and a forum rounded out an interest-holding hour and a quarter. No portion of show required complicated sets, so films were eliminated—an improvement.
Maurice Dreicer conducted Try and Sell the Object, with different trios of girls vying for sales-spiel honors on hats, purses and other accessories. Judges told how they picked the winners in each instance, basing decisions on poise, conviction, appearance, sales ability and voice. Jay Thorpe came in for modulated plugs when a saleslady from the store competed in each part of the contest. Emery commented on the girls' tele projection, which seems unsound, as personalities can be judged by screen reproduction rather than from the studio.
Madalena Belfiore, young accordionist with lots of vitality, gave with two unusual arrangements of pop tunes. Impersonator Josie Thorpe had the boys in the studio applauding her antics as a prima donna and Barnacle Bill, the Sailor. Her record-backed mimicry is hilarious.
Paul Killiam and Conover girl-actress, Marian Sable, attempted commercials such as his demonstrating the height-raising qualities of Adler Elevator Shoes. Miss Sable thumbed thru Look mag to point out interesting features. Latter was dull as the Fleetwood cig plug and a Dentyne chewing gum blurb. The two smoked, chewed, smiled and agreed the products were good. Recording of Dentyne's musical radio ditty helped.
Tho the Killiam portion wasn't a howling success, it was a welcome bit of experimentation; much more is learned from such tries than from variety shows.
A trio of "Stork Club devotees" sat at a table with Emery, who led a discussion of the 30 per cent tax, reading from The Billboard on the subject. The short, lively forum is an excellent vehicle for bringing watchers up to date on topical matters.
Magician Larry Klepper entertained with rope tricks. The hand may be quicker than the eye, but men of magic must be doubly sure to guard every motion. The camera picks up little movements that go unobserved on the stage.
Emsee Emery showed great restraint when Sgt. Oscar Brandi went into what at first appeared to be the rougher version of Bell-Bottom Trousers. The guitar-strumming Brandi pulled his punches, however, but the rendition was still a little racy.
The show's accompanist, Bill Wirges, proved his versatility with a medley of semi-classics on the Hammond organ. Instead of offering "a pack of cards" to every serviceman who writes the station, Emery has upped the ante and will now send two packs. Response to the mail-getter has been excellent—according to the emsee. Wanda Marvin. (Billboard, May 20).
Issuance last week (9) by the FCC of a commercial television broadcasting license to DuMont labs for their station atop 515 Madison ave., N. Y., changes call letters of outlet to WABD, incorporating initials of Allen B. DuMont, prez of the outfit. Heretofore, station has been operating under experimental permit as W2XWV.
Change in status will have no immediate effect on DuMont operations, and no time charges will be assessed agencies or advertisers using the station. Outlet feels that setting rates now for time segments, with less than 3,000 receivers in the N. Y. area, would serve to put the station is a "class" circulation bracket which would set no comparative value in setting future rates when tele home receivers become commonplace.
Interesting "shadowcast" in connection with DuMont's commercial license is prediction by execs that programming from the N, Y. outlet this summer (when new studios are completed) will consist of live shows exclusively. At present time, working in only one studio, it's necessary to insert film shorts while set changes are being made. Films, for the most part, supply sustainers for DuMont. (Variety, May 17)
Hollywood, May 9.—Demands by the Screen Cartoonists Guild for 20% of the b.o. takes on reissues and television have been nixed by film producers who want to extend no cut at all. However, the SCG plans to make demands on a broader scale, with coin to be given to former employees in the armed forces.
Negotiations were recessed with the understanding that counter-proposals will be submitted by the majors. (Variety, May 10)
Wednesday, May 10
WABD Channel 4
8:15 Televisual Specialties.
8:45 Film Short.
9:00 Face of the War, news and analysis by Sam Cuff.
Thursday, May 11
WCBS Channel 2
8 to 10 p.m. Films.
Friday, May 12
WCBW Channel 2
8:00 World News, Ned Calmer.
8:15 Marion Inclam, songs.
8:30 Discussion: “Should We Have Compulsory Military Service After the War?” with Gilbert Seldes, Roger Baldwin, Gill Robb Wilson, others.
9:00 “They Were There,” interview with Servicemen by Gregory Abbott.
9:15 to 10 “Visual Quiz,” with Ben Feiner, Lyn Murray, Tony Kraber, Mrs. John Tillman, Harry Ommerle, Mrs. Ommerle.
CBS got better lighting and, as a consequence, a better picture on its second weekly two-hour live video session Friday night (12) but program was woefully weak from showmanship angle and contained little, if anything, calculated to keep average viewer glued to his receiver. Quiz finale conducted by Ben Feiner, was cut from 60 to 45 minutes, which helped, but rest of telecast was way short on lively entertainment.
Ned Calmer, on for 15-minute news gab to open, fared better under improved lighting and handled his assignment okay. Only theatrical concession was 15 minutes of comely Marion Inclam, guitarist-chirper from Cuba. And from 8:30 to 10 o'clock the WCBW show consisted of Gilbert Seldes moderating a post-war military education forum, followed by a Greg Abbott interview with an official combat zone photog and then the quiz. CBS wouldn't be guilty of such tired programming on AM or FM because the audiences wouldn't stand for it. Tele audiences, come post-war, won't stand for it, either. Donn. (Variety, May 17)
The Feagin School of Dramatic Art, New York, will do the one-acter, “When You Marry the Navy,” on WRGB (GE), television station, May 12. Play, by John Kirkpatrick, will be a return date for students of the school.
Susan Glaspell’s one-act mystery, “Trifles,” will be televised on the May 11 show by drama students from Mount Pleasant high school, Schenectady. (Variety, May 3)
Saturday, May 13
WNBT Channel 1
7:30 Test Pattern.
8:00 Film Cartoon: “Cubby Bear’s Stratosphere Flight,” (Van Beuren, 1934).
8:10 Film: “Terrors of the Amazon.”
8:30 Film Feature: “The Deadly Game,” with June Lang, Charles Farrell (Monogram, 1941).
Unannounced tele show was broaadcast [sic] Saturday (13) afternoon, 3-3:30. for members of the interstate and foreign commerce committees of Congress. Most tele receiver owners missed the unpublished show put on by RCA and NBC to show the legislators, who were visiting the RCA laboratories at Princeton, N. J., the efficiency, of the RCA tele transmission system.
Unannounced program featured Zero Mostel and Nan Merriman. (Variety, May 17)
Sunday, May 14
WABD Channel 4
8:15 p.m. Video Vistas.
8:45 Cartoon.
9:00 “Your World Tomorrow,” with Jessica Dragonette.
9:30 Film.
9:40 Meg of the Megacycles.
9:45 Bureau of Missing Persons.
9:50 “Thrills and Chills,” with Doug Allan.
Monday, May 15
WNBT Channel 1
7:30 P. M. Test Pattern
8:00 Films: “Along Came a Duck,” (Van Beuren, 1934); “Bugles From the Blue Grass,” “The War as It Happens.”
8:35 Feature Film: “Borrowed Hero,” with Florence Rice and Alan Easter (Monogram, 1941).
8:45 Televues: “Zampa.”
W2XWV, Du Mont television station in New York, last week went on the air with its new call letters WABD, signifying that it is now out of the experimental class and licensed as a full fledged commercial station.
"It is a change in name only for the present," Sam Cuff, commercial program director, explained. Until the manufacture and sale of television receivers is resumed and there is an audience large enough to interest advertisers, WABD will continue its present policy of co-operating with advertisers and agencies by making its facilities available for their experiments, without charge.
Work on WABD's new studios is well along, Mr. Cuff reported. They will be dedicated with a series of special telecasts during the week of July 10-15. An agency programming service under the direction of Eleanor Balz, formerly of WRGB Schenectady, has been set up. (Broadcasting, May 15)
Sue Robin of “Meet the People will sing “Besame Mucho and “I Love You” on W6XAO’s television program [tonight] at 8. (Hollywood Citizen-News, May 15)
CONSTRUCTION PERMITS for six new FM stations, four standard stations, a commercial television outlet and an experimental video station were sought in applications filed with the FCC last week.
Licensee of WPDQ Jacksonville, Fla., Jacksonville Broadcasting Corp., has applied for a Channel 1 commercial television station. The experimental video outlet is sought by RCA Camden, N. J., which requests reinstatement of W3XEP. (Broadcasting, May 15)
Tuesday, May 16
WABD Channel 4
8:15 p.m. WOR Video Varieties.
9:15 Film.
9:30 Fashion Revue.
Television is well adapted to religious services. So say officials of General Electric Co., on the basis of experiments which have been under way at WRGB for some time. The station opens each Sunday night program with a 15-minute "Evensong," presented in cooperation with the Schenectady Council of Protestant Churches. Schedule of participating churches is arranged by the Council and by Nan Nelson, of WRGB's program staff. To date, local Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Reformed and Unitarian churches have participated. Salvation Army also did a program, while others by Catholic and Jewish groups are planned for the future.
Each church has its pastor and choir, or selected members of the choir, in the studio for hymns, scripture readings, sermons, etc. Church window background set has been constucted, with steps on which the choir can stand for varied camera shots. (Variety, May 17)
Wednesday, May 17
WABD Channel 4
8:15 Televisual Specialties.
8:45 Film Short.
9:00 Face of the War, news and analysis by Sam Cuff.
9:30 Film Short.
9:45 Interesting People.
DuMont Television
Reviewed Wednesday (17), 8:15-10:15 p.m. Style—Variety and films. Sustaining on WABD (New York).
Perchance to Dream, half-hour Grand Hotel-type conversation piece with moving train locale was the Charles M. Storm offering this evening. Film shots of a speeding express wore flashed on the screen at intervals to lend authenticity. Unfortunately, clips didn't match. First it was summer, then the ground was snow covered, and the trains weren't always the same. And care should have been used to either choose a pic with an observation car or omit mention of it from the script.
Had producers-directors, Jonathan Edwards and Ray Nelson, consulted at more length with the studio's technical head, they would probably have given a better show. Camera angles were unimaginative, close-ups almost completely ignored, and actors so placed that attention was focused on a panel separating facing seats, and their features distorted by the curving tele tube.
Transition from live drama to pic shots was accomplished with rapidity, and use of the medium was highly successful from a technical point of view. Most of the actors came thru with convincing performances in the show from which all commercials were omitted.
Paul Wing's Words On the Wing lacked spirit of some video Lever Bros.’ spelling bees. Six servicemen and women competed, but there wasn't a speller in uniform. Ruthrauff & Ryan, producers for Lever Bros., frankly concentrate on commercials, taking full advantage of this experimental period. Man struggling with tough beard before bathroom mirror, talking to his reflection about whisker woes, had a nice twist, with the reflection handing out shaving advice. Shaver had his back to screen. Reflection followed his motions perfectly, and Lifebuoy Cream plugs were smoothly worked into the conversation. An okay product-selling shot.
Interesting People, Pulitzer Tie show, produced by Television Workshop thru Joseph Reiss Agency, revamped its commercials by presenting cravats to each of the show's participants. Killing of a tie rack over which saleslady and emsee gushed is smart. Message gets across with more subtlety and holds program together rather than cutting it sharply into variety and driving plugs.
These reviews usually merely list the pix presented. Tonight's, however, must come in for more than passing mention. A British Information film and a short of bear cubs at play were innocuous enough. But Cupid Takes a Holiday, Danny Kaye short of 1938 vintage, was so incredibly had it should not have been shown. If films must be a part of the evening's fare, they should be chosen with some consideration for the audience's mentality. Wanda Marvin. (Billboard, May 27)
Friday, May 19
WCBW Channel 2
8:00 World News, Ned Calmer.
8:10 Tana, Songs.
8:30 Discussion: “Shall We Change Our Propaganda Line to the German People?” Samuel Grafton, Lisa Sergio, Hans Jacob, Paul Haagen.
9:00 They Were There: Interview.
9:15-10:00 “Visual Quiz.”
Saturday, May 20
WNBT Channel 1
7:30 p.m. Test Pattern
8:00 Film: “Hurricane Island,” (Van Beuren ‘Vagabond Adventure,” 1931).
8:10 Film: “Gaspe Fishermen.”
8:30 to 10:00 Film Feature: “Tomboy,” with Jackie Moran, Grant Withers (Monogram, 1940).
WASHINGTON, May 20.—The multiple ownership regulation applying to video stations was this week modified by FCC, which substituted "five" for "three" as the number of stations constituting a concentration "of control of television broadcasting facilities in a manner inconsistent with public interest." ...
The new ruling will mean that NBC will be forced to drop one of its television applications. Already operating one station in New York, NBC also has applications pending at FCC for stations at Cleveland, Los Angeles, Denver, San Francisco and Washington. These add up to six, one more than FCC will permit. (Billboard, May 27)
NEW YORK, May 20.—Starting Sunday, July 1, Irwin Shane's Television Workshop will produce a half-hour show every Sunday night over DuMont (WABD) for the L. M. Humphrey Agency, Boston. Humphrey represents the Employers' Liability Assurance Company, American Employers' Insurance Company and the Employers' Fire Insurance Company. The shows will be either all dramatic, all variety or all musical. Prexy got a sample of video by guesting on Interesting People, the men's tie opus. First dramatic production will be a 30-minute version of The Petrified Forest. (Billboard, May 27)
Sunday, May 21
W2XWV Channel 4
8:15 p.m. Video Vistas.
8:45 Film.
9:00 “Your World Tomorrow,” starring Marjorie Lawrence.
9:30 Film.
9:45 The Sketchbook.
“DESIGNS FOR TOMORROW”
With Elizabeth Wysor, Montgomery Ferar, Carl Sundberg and Dick Bradley
Producer: Erwin Shane
30 Mins., Sun., 9 p.m.
DUREZ PLASTIC CORP.
WABD-DuMONT, New York
(Addison Vars)
Industrial designers Montgomery Ferar and Carl Sundberg described kitchen, bathroom, bus and train layouts of the future during the Durez Plastics program on DuMont last Sunday (21). Elizabeth Wysor, opera contralto, sang two classical tunes and Dick Bradley, as m.c. and newscaster, did his best to keep the proceedings moving along.
What was wrong with this program is probably the common fault of most television shows today. It lacked cohesion, production finesse and sight ease.
For instance, in endeavoring to describe the appearance of the bus of the future, Sundberg pointed to several things on a picture of a bus, screened for the audience, which were not visible at all. The same was true of his description of a train of the future, a picture of which was flashed on the screen.
It was also true of Ferar's combined kitchen and bathroom plastics set, a unit of which was visible and taken apart during his talk. But in the process of his spiel, much of the value of what he was trying to get over was lost becapse of the poor technical aspects of video.
During this particular program, it is true, the cameras were leas out of focus than usual, but there is plenty of room for improvement, both in the producing and technical departments. Sten. (Variety, May 24)
Monday, May 22
WNBT Channel 1
7:30 P. M. Test Pattern.
8:00 Films: “Fly Frolic,” (Van Beuren, 1932); “Flying Leather,” (RKO ‘Sportlight,’ 1932); The War As It Happens.
8:35 Feature Film: “Meet the Mob,” with Zasu Pitts, Roger Pryor and Others (aka “So’s Your Aunt Emma, Monogram, 1942).
9:40 Televue: “1812 Overture.”
THREE new commercial television stations were sought in applications filed with the FCC last week. United Detroit Theatre Corp., Detroit, which is 74.35% owned by Paramount Pictures Inc., seeks a Channel 4 outlet. Remaining interest is held by Balaban & Katz, which operates WBKB, Chicago commercial video station. Licensee of WXYZ Detroit, King Trendle Broadcasting Corp., has applied for a Channel 2 outlet and WOW Omaha requests a Channel 1 station. (Broadcasting, May 22)
Tuesday, May 23
WABD Channel 4
8:15 p.m. Helena Rubinstein.
8:45 Film.
9:00 WOR Video Varieties.
9:30 Film Short.
9:45 Eleanor Lambert Show.
WOR-DuMont Television
Reviewed Tuesday (23), 8:15-10 p.m, Style—Variety and films. Sustaining on WABD (New York).
WOR’s show has been cut from an hour to 30 minutes, and two commercials, Helena Rubinstein and Gotham Hosiery Company, added, that stretches the Tuesday airing to an hour and three-quarters.
Producer-Director Henry Humphrey utilized the cosmetic firm's time by putting luscious lassies thru reducing and corrective exercises, appealing both to women wishful of beauty and men appreciative of same. Emsee Fred Keating and Vergel Cook constructed a sparkling word bridge to bring Miss Rubinstein, Hairdresser Michel and the gorgeous guinea pigs to the screen. Make-up and coiffeurs were discussed and demonstrated on the girls, and clothes advice givers.
Michel either had no script or forgot his lines. Miss Rubinstein's clearly audible off-screen prompting seemed to further befuddle the hair stylist. His deft fingers, nevertheless, accomplished slick hairdos with remarkable speed. His future appearances might be more effective if he smiled and pinned while someone else handled the audio end. Miss Cook took care of plugs for the salon, listing services and quoting prices.
Glorianne Lehr introduced three leggy gals in a dither about the wonders of Gotham hosiery. Ineptitudes almost as rough as "Aren't we lucky to have lovely limbs to glorify these gorgeous Gothams" were sprinkled thru the script. Pictures of bowed and knock-kneed legs were flashed on the screen, while Miss Lehr gave hints on minimizing deformities with proper stockings correctly worn. Her tips on creating illusion of shortening or lengthening legs seemed sound and helpful. Her well-modulated delivery contrasted sharply with the models, who finally joined arms and cakewalked out of view.
An ancient Andy Clyde pic and a Czechoslovakian short gave the studio crew 20 minutes to set the stage for The Valiant, WOR offering. Bob Emery introed the Harvey Marlowe Players-Leonard Shores, Robert Morse, Kaye Kodima, Jimmy Carew and Marlowe. He and Marlowe are responsible for the excellent stage effects of which the superimposition of barred windows on flats was truly ingenuous.
Group turned in a fine presentation of the Holworthy Hall-Robert Middle-mass drama. Close collaboration with the studio's technicians and 12 hours of rehearsal paid off in a well-paced, interest-holding production. Clever camera work helped immensely by variation of shots, and good lighting contributed much. A show such as this is encouraging. The group's success points up the fact that all of tele's elements must be understood and exploited if its potentialities are to be developed. Wanda Marvin. (Billboard, June 3)
Wednesday, May 24
WABD Channel 4
8:15 Televisual specialties.
8:45 Film Short.
9:00 Face of the War, news and analysis by Sam Cuff.
9:30 Film Short.
9:45 Fashion Parade.
Thursday, May 25
WCBS Channel 2 8 to 10 p.m. Films.
The first inter-city system of telecasting on a regular weekly commercial basis, via a relay link, was inaugurated last night at NBC's station in Radio City, WNBT (9:40), with a gala show starring Eddie Cantor. By means of the transmitter relay situated at Mount Rose. N. J., the images were transmitted to the Philco station, WPTZ in Philadelphia. There, the famous Poor Richard Club, assembled in the historic Franklin Institute, observed the program. And a proper place it was, too, as on that very spot, a hundred years ago, another assemblage watched history being made as the wonders of the telegraph were demonstrated.
* * *
With the opening commercial chain transmission last night, a national television hookup became a post-war certainty. It will be made possible through similar relays situated 60 miles apart and costing $15,000 each. Coaxial cables may also be used, as formerly, between New York and Phila delphia. The Philco station went on the air in 1932, operating until 1941 as an experimental transmitter. In the latter year, it was granted a commercial license. It was via coaxial cable, by the way, that NBC telecast to New York from Philadelphia the 1940 Republican convention. (Ben Gross, Daily News, May 26).
The odd thing about the matter was that Cantor has sung the same song, "We're Having a Baby, My Baby and Me," on his radio program more than once and never heard a squawk from anyone. It is one of the best songs in the vast Cantor repertoire, but it didn't make the television grade.
The song is from Cantor's last Broadway musical how, "Banjo Eyes," and is a two-part affair in which a married couple sing about their prospective parenthood. Eddie and Nora got through the first part of it all right and then those watching the television screening here and in Philadelphia suddenly discovered that the two were going through the motions without any sound coming out.
The singers were blacked out vocally to the end of the song. The part that the audience didn’t hear deal with the fact it was a downright pleasure to achieve a prospective parenthood, that Nora insisted “The next one’s on me,” and Cantor’s defense that “if Jessel could do it, why couldn’t I?”
Cantor was a bit bitter about the affair when he was filled in after the performance.
''Here I am just a young fellow getting started and a thing like this happens," he moaned, "Why, it might blight my whole career."
And more seriously: “Tomorrow you'll tune in the radio and you'll hear a 10 or 15-minute talk about venereal diseases. But they won't televize a cute little song like this. Where's the sense in that?"
Eddie explained that before the show began the NBC monitor cast a jaundiced eye on the lines in question and asked that they be left out. Without that second part, the song, which tells a story wouldn’t have made much sense, so Cantor replied that he'd do the whole thing or none of it. He said he didn't get a positive "no" and went ahead and sang the whole thing. There was no immediate statement from NBC.
The telecast marked the inauguration of commercially practicable chain television between NBC's WNBT station here and the Philco Corporation's WPTZ in Philadelphia. (Jack Gaver, May 26).
Schenectady.—Roi Cooper Megrue's "The Same Old Thing" will be televised on WRGB Thursday night (25). Local cast, including Ed Flynn, program manager of WSNY, will perform. (Variety, May 24)
Friday, May 26
WCBS Channel 2 8 to 10 p.m. Variety Show
CBS Television
Reviewed Friday (26), 8-10 p.m. Style—News, music, beauty show, interview, quiz. Sustaining on WCBW (New York).
Two weeks ago, CBS video suffered from opening night labor pains, Friday (26), the baby showed some signs of life but its legitimacy is still in doubt. Seventy-five minutes of the two hours was bad, very bad tele, and the other 45 was very good.
Seg started out with a well-turned news slot by Ned Calmer. Lights were better, Calmer had lost his beard, the mike threw no shadows, volume was consistently good and maps were in greater detail. Calmer seemed to know where he was pointing to when he moved the maps, they were easy to understand and, placed on sliding and revolving panels, they didn't involve too much legwork by the commentator. This seg gave the impression that news video probably involve the least amount of concentration by the listener. It makes sense even if you don't look and if you look even so often you know what it's all about. Calmer needed to have his suit pressed. Video performers, even newscasters, should learn that wardrobe is important and how.
From there, CBS went to a musical act with the Barry Sisters, competent singers. It's too bad their show was ruined by a hard try for "sensational" effects. Cameras were moved in so close on close-ups that part of the gals' faces were cut off and they came thru at times as half faces. Long shots were fine, but lighting on the close-ups threw grotesque shadows. Lights under the camera dollies would help. Volume was spotty because of slow reactions on the part of mike boom man. He needs either more practice or Vitamin B1.
The next sequence was a beauty show featuring copy-girls who will try out for queen of the Newspaper Guild's front-page ball June 10. Cliff Evans, Brooklyn Eagle, interviewed far too many girls. Attempt was made to get sharp close-ups with black background. But, with dark-haired gals effect became one of a white death-mask sticking out of black velvet drapery. Too much light was thrown on Evans. Whole seg was too static.
Attempt was made to liven this portion with two variety interludes. First had sepia singer-dancer, Beau Jenkins, in a nice routine that had one fault. He danced right out of the screen in several places and his taps sounded like the crack of doom. The other spot, a skating set by the Olympics, needed a good producer to show assistant emsee Frances Buss how to open and close an act.
They Were There, regular feature interview with war heroes came off well, with two merchant seamen getting the going-over. Only bad fault here was poor timing that cut the interview off in the middle.
Last half-hour was another quiz. Here the whole thing broke down and technicians pulled every boner in the book. Lights very bad, camera handling slow, focusing way off, sound spotty, production amateurish and general lack of interest on the part of the contestants. All from Look mag. Foreshortening made Emsee Ben Feiner look like humpty-dumpty sans the wall. All this reviewer can do is express profound appreciation to Feiner for not tearing large sheets of paper as he has before. Sounds like thunder and pounds the ears.
Summing up this show brings to mind an old tennis bromide: Nice try, old man! Marty Schrader. (Billboard, June 3)
Saturday, May 27
WNBT Channel 1
7:30 Test Pattern.
8:00 Film Shorts.
8:40 Film Feature: “Great Guy,” with James Cagney, Mae Clarke (Grand National, 1936).
Sunday, May 28
WABD Channel 1
8:15 p.m. Video Vistas.
8:45 Film.
9:00 “Designs for Tomorrow,” starring Jessica Dragonette.
9:30 Film.
9:40 Meg of the Megacycles.
9:50 “Thrills and Chills,” with Doug Allan.
Monday, May 29
WNBT Channel 1
7:30 P. M. Test Pattern
8:00 Films: “Here Comes Malicious,” (Turf O’Grams, 1939) War As It Happens.
8:30 Feature Film: “Spooks Run Wild,” with Bela Lugosi (Monogram, 1941).
9:40 Televues: Overture to Oberon.
Tuesday, May 30
WABD Channel 4
8:15 P. M. WOR Variety Show.
9:15 Film Short.
9:30 Fashion Review.
Wednesday, May 31
WABD Channel 4
8:15 Televisual specialties.
8:45 Film Short.
9:00 “Words on the Wing,” with Paul Wing.
9:30 Film Short.
9:45 Interesting People.
DuMont Television
Reviewed Wednesday (28) [sic], 8:15-9:45 p.m. Style—Variety and Film. Sustaining on WABD (New York).
About the best that can be said of tonight's show is that it was cut by 30 minutes. Lever Bros. and Tintex programs failed to hit high entertainment or commercial standards. The soap firm's spelling bee was dull and the dye people's Tintex Carnival too rough and fast paced.
Ruthrauff & Ryan has produced much better shows for Lever Bros. in which a feeling of friendly visiting has been created. Paul Wing's spelling bee Iimped along for a goodly part of the half hour, with Pat Murray obliged to handle heavy commercials. The spell session should be cut by half and a singer or other performer worked into the script . . . or something.
When a participant spelled a word correctly, the Rinse White whistle, identified with the company's radio program, sounded. Idea was okay for awhile but palled in repetition. Line of wash was pulled across the screen while Miss Murray plugged Rinso. Bad lighting prevented garments from sparkling as was intended. End of line carried enormous letters spelling Rinso.
Charles M. Storm brought variety talent to perform against a sea-of-faces backdrop. A spieler, a heckler and sound effects of a distant calliope established carnival atmosphere. Singers, a strong men and a line of can-can girls were the "entertainment." Tintex plugs were given by gal who turned wheel of chance on which dye shades were painted. Commercial was overlong and failed to register well because of hammering quality and delivery in barker style.
An old Bing Crosby pic, I Surrender, Dear, rounded out the evening, with Dottie Wooton skipping the usual announcement listing tele shows on other stations. Wanda Marvin. (Billboard, June 10).
The gal who regularly appears on the back cover of "Vague" magazine extolling the virtues of "Zilch's" soap will be transplanted to the television screen beginning May 31 when Harry Conover presents a group of his models in a series of dramatic sketches over DuMont's WABD, N. Y. Idea of session is to showcase the Conover Coverettes particularly for their selling potentialities in video commercials.
Gals will take roles in original dramatic sketches written expressly for the stanzas by Jay Strong and Bob Williams. Ersatz commercials spotted at beginning and end featuring "X" suds and "Z" corn flakes will exploit gals and present possibilities in tele commercial technique. (Variety, May 24)
