The experimental days were gone from television in 1946 as far as ABC was concerned.
In September the company created a policy that if a show didn’t have a sponsor after two episodes, off the air it went.
You have to wonder where it got a backlog of new programme ideas to spring on audiences.
One area where sponsors jumped in was sports. Ford picked up some football broadcasts; with the war over, people wanted cars and there were plenty of brands to choose from. Gillette had pretty much sewed up boxing. There was baseball, tennis, even air races, brought to you by U.S. Rubber.
Dennis James was now calling pro football, and Mel Allen the college game.
There were few other developments in TV in September 1946. CBS made yet another push for colour. It was still too early. And DuMont's WTTG was now on the air with a regular schedule of shows fed from WNBT.
There were nine stations on the air, including DuMont’s outlet in Washington, D.C. Papers were using its commercial call-letters, though it seems to have still been using its experimental license. If you’re wondering how many TV sets were in use, there’s a table to the left. The war-time ban on manufacturing sets was still having an effect; the big manufacturers still didn’t have new models on the market yet. You’ll see Detroit and St. Louis on the list. Neither had TV stations yet, but the Motor City was getting very, very close. Its DuMont-made transmitter had been delivered to the newspaper that owned WWJ radio and it was anxious to start testing it as soon as possible.
Below are the New York listings, news and reviews. From one review we learn of a live screw-up involving comedian Jerry Colonna. If anyone could ad-lib around a situation, it was Colonna. And he did.
Sunday, September 1
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 News with Tom O’Connor.
8:30 “Judge For Yourself”: “The Case of the Hijacked Jewels.”
8:50-9:10 Ballet.
2:00 Baseball at the Polo Grounds. Dodgers vs. Giants.
8:00 “Face to Face,” with cartoonist Bob Dunn, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea.
8:15 “Geographically Speaking” with Mrs. Carveth Wells, sponsored by Minit-Rub/Trushay.
8:30 Television Theater: “Lights Out” starring John Loder.
"NBC TELE-SCOPE"
With Larry Semon, narrator
Producer: Edwin S. Mills
15 Mins.; Sun. (1), 8:35 p.m.
Sustaining
WNBT-NBC, N. Y. NBC television has added another sock feature to its fine news coverage with a new type of documentary newsreel titled "NBC Tele-Scope." Compiled, edited and produced by Edwin S. Mills, the film can be compared favorably with the "March of Time," which it resembles in format and, judging from the first issue last Sunday (1), would be welcomed by any commercial film exhibitor.
Preem edition, titled "Pall over Palestine," dealt with the question of the Arab-Jewish conflict in that country. Rather than attempting to get in a bunch of spot news clips, which can be covered in the regular NBC video news shows. Mills confined his efforts to backgrounding the current trouble. Film pointed up in excellent detail the basic reasons for the controversy, quoting the Balfour declaration, alluding to the rich oil deposits (and the British interest in them) and referring to the Arab effendis' reluctance to see the growth of western civilization, as brought in by the Jews, call a halt to their static, feudalistic economy.
By using care in selecting his film shots. Mills was able to maintain some semblance of movement throughout the picture, which is a must for television. Entire production was backed up by a deeply-moving score, which included the Jewish national anthem, a cantor reading from the prayer-book and a muezzin calling the Mohammedans to pray. Excellent commentary was read in good fashion by Larry Semon. Apparently not too familiar with the script, Semon fluffed in one or two places but this was more than compensated for by the gripping, dramatic way he handled his lines. Stal. (Variety, Sept. 11)
NBC television producer Fred Coe turned out another sock murder mystery as the third of his "Lights Out" series over WNBT Sunday (1) night. This one, titled "De Mortuis," was adapted by Coe from a short story of the same name written by John Collier and was as gripping a video show as the first in the series. Latter's still receiving kudos in the industry.
Cast, topped by film star John Loder, was excellent but it was Coe's masterful manipulation of his cameras that really put the show across. Reasons for the sudden interruption of the story by narrator Larry Semon to transport the audience via flashback to the beginnings of the plot were difficult to understand at the time, but the rest of the show justified the move as a new and interesting experiment in story-telling.
With new receiving sets promised by most manufacturers for the coming months, it's shows like this that will sell television to the public. (Variety, Sept. 4)
Chicago—Remote video pickups, suspended by WBKB three weeks ago pending the arrival of new camera equipment, were resumed last week when two Image Orthicon cameras were delivered to the Balaban & Katz station. Orthicons were loaned to WBKB by RCA until station's new cameras, now on order, arrive."
Cameras enabled WBKB to resume telecasts of wrestling and boxing matches from the local Rainbow Arena, as well as baseball games from Wrigley Field.
Highlight of the station's expanding remote program was the telecast of the Chicago Bears-N. Y. Giants pro football game Sunday (1), first football game to be televised in Chi. (Variety, Sept. 4)
Monday, September 2
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 National Singles Tennis from Forest Hills.
7:50 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley.
8:00 Televues.
8:15 Feature film.
Tuesday, September 3
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 National Singles Tennis from Forest Hills.
WABD Channel 5
8:00 Ida Bailey Allen and “The Chief.”
8:30 Film short.
9:00 “Serving Through Science,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
Wednesday, September 4
WABD Channel 5
8:00 “The Magic Carpet” by Bud Gamble, sponsored by Alexander Smith Carpets.
8:15 Variety and Comedy.
8:45 Film short.
9:00 “Stories in One Camera.”
9:30 Boxing from Ebbets Field. Pete Read vs. Herb Kronowitz, middleweight, 10 rounds.
In a move to consolidate all its call letters in New York and to eliminate confusion, CBS is changing WABC, its flagship station, to WCBS. The same call letters will also apply to the web's FM (WCBS-FM) television (WCBS-TV) operations. Network has already gotten an FCC okay, and the switchover will take place around Nov. 1.
Move had been contemplated for some time, in fact since the old Blue network changed its name to ABC, which created considerable confusion in the minds of listeners, stripping WABC of its CBS affiliation and tending to link it with Ed Noble's operation. (Variety, Sept. 4)
Chicago, Sept. 3.—ABC, in an effort to establish itself as the top television web in Chi, has inked a deal with WBKB here to sponsor four and a half hours over the local television outlet weekly. In addition to its three hours of wrestling and boxing on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, which it has been sponsoring for the past three months, ABC will foot the bill for a half hour of films on Tuesday evenings and a half hour live show Friday nights.
Live show will be the network's popular quiz program, "Stump the Authors," which is the first in a series of ABC shows skedded for telecasts over WBKB in coming months. (Variety, Sept. 4)
Washington, Sept. 3.—The FCC hypoed television operation here last week with a new station grant, to WJAC, Inc., Johnstown, Pa, Company won video slot No. 13 for its station.
Move is looked on as significant here since Johnstown, with approximately 67,000 population, is one of the few second-string markets which has gone all-out for high-cost video. Albuquerque Broadcasting Co., licensee of KOB at Albuquerque, is taking the same risks in another small market. KOB won a video permit in July. (Variety, Sept. 4)
Thursday, September 5
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 “CBS Television News” with Milo Boulton, sponsored by Gulf.
8:30 “Draw Me Another” with Gurney Williams and guest cartoonists Whitney Darrow Jr, Bill King.
8:45 “See What You Know,” quiz with John Reed King.
WNBT Channel 4
7:50 Esso Television Reporter, newsreel compiled by Paul Alley.
8:00 “Hour Glass,” variety with Helen Parrish sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea/Chase and Sanborn Coffee.
9:00 “American Business on Parade”—“An American Success Story—Synthetic Rubber,” Goodyear Tires, (Wilding, 1943).
9:30 Famous Fight film.
WABD Channel 5
8:00 Ireene Wicker, the Singing Lady and “Teletips on Loveliness.:
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Cash and Carry,” game show with Dennis James.
WNBT Channel 4
8:00 “For You and Yours,” variety show.
8:40 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
9:00 Boxing from Madison Square Garden. Bernard Docusen vs. Norman Rubio, welterweight.
Stump the Authors
Reviewed Friday (6), 9-9:15 p.m. Presented by ABC on WBKB, Chicago.
This first live, studio video program presented by ABC on WBKB had plenty of entertainment content, but it still was far from top television programing. It suffered principally from a lack of visual material. It had a format that still lent itself best to radio. This does not mean that the program could not in the future be top television. But it has to be changed before it achieves that goal.
Radio parent of the video version of Stump the Authors has been heard on WENR-ABC for a few months. The format calls for Sidney Mason, emsee, to have placed before a guest panel of authors boxes containing various props. Using the props, which they have not seen before, as important parts of a plot, the authors have 30 seconds in which to think up an original tale and then four minutes in which to tell the tale. Video version of the show used the same format. Guest authors on the WBKB program were Louis Zara, Jack Payne and Dorothy Day.
Each of the three did a good job of constructing and telling a story based on the props they received. Payne, for example, told a humorous football story based on a string of hotdogs. Miss Day told a romantic story inspired by a pair of baby shoes and a telephone. Zara told a mystery story in which a skull, a gun and a bunch of bananas were important. Miss Day did the best job for a video audience because she not only narrated her story, she just about acted it out, too.
Her work was a key to what the program could use—more acting. As the show was presented tonight, except for the view of the props, there was little the audience would have missed if they had closed their eyes and merely listened. This proved that the video version of Stump the Authors is still primarily a radio program. (Billboard, Sept. 14)
Saturday, September 7
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 “Feature Edition” news with Bob Edge.
8:45 “King’s Party Line” with John Reed King.
WNBT Channel 42:00 Baseball at Ebbets Field. Dodgers vs. Giants.
Sunday, September 8
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 News with Tom O’Connor.
8:30 “Shorty,” cartoon show with Syd Hoff, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste.
8:45 “Sports Almanac” with Bob Edge, sponsored by Vitalis.
9:00 Ballet show.
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 Tennis at Forest Hills.
8:00 “Face to Face,” with cartoonist Bob Dunn, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea.
8:15 “Geographically Speaking” with Mrs. Carveth Wells, sponsored by Minit-Rub/Trushay.
8:30 Song and dance.
8:40 Television Theater: “The Clod.”
"SPORTS ALMANAC"
With Bob Edge, narrator
Director: Phil Booth
15 Mins.; Sun., 8:40 p.m.
BRISTOL-MYERS
WCBW-CBS, N. Y. (Doherty, Clifford & Shenfield)
As the second part of its new two-shows a week contract with CBS television for Bristol-Myers, the Doherty, Clifford and Shenfield agency has wrapped up a tight little sports package in this one that should prove of interest to the majority of sports fans. Interest outside that category is limited but, as commentator Bob Edge pointed out in the preem show (8), there's hardly a person in the country who's not addicted to one type of physical endeavor or another, either as a participant or spectator.
Entire show is composed of film, compiled from old stock shots by Edge, CBS tele's sports director. For the teeoff program, Edge rounded up shots of every sport he could think of, from skiing to table tennis. Narration tied the film together neatly and Edge, using his flair for sports parlance, read his lines with nice aplomb.
Format of the show is a good tele gimmick, opening to the front cover of a sports scrapbook. As the cover leafed open, Edge's head was framed inside the book, with the cameras then dissolving into the film shots. Despite the age of some of the pictures, majority were clearly visible and the audience should be glad to bear with Edge for those shots that must have been taken 15 or 20 years ago.
Two commercials for Vitalis, also on film, followed through on the sports motif, but could be sliced down a little—for better results. Stal. (Variety, Sept. 11)
"SHORTY"
With Syd Hoff, Patty Foster
Director: Phil Booth
10 Mins.; Sun., 8:30 p.m.
BRISTOL-MYERS
WCBW-CBS, N. Y.
(Doherty, Clifford & Shenfield)
Here's another example of a show that's slated for good returns when it can be fitted into a suitable slot sometime in the late afternoon. It's slanted strictly at the moppets and the Doherty, Clifford and Shenfield agency has taken that into account with the commercials. Since no tele station is currently programming during daylight hours, however, the agency was forced to make its pitch after dinner and the show suffers accordingly.
Latest tele venture by Bristol-Myers, which has taken a decided interest in the new medium during recent weeks, the program preemed Sunday (8) night with good results. Format is a carry-over of a similar show featuring cartoonist Syd Hoff that had formerly been aired as a sustainer over WCBW. It's based on a cartoon character, "Shorty," which Hoff draws as the show progresses, all the while telling the story of Shorty's shenanigans to little Patty Foster, who watches over the cartoonist's shoulder with suitable wide-eyed interest.
Hoff sometimes gives in to traces of a Brooklyn accent but otherwise does a competent job of both drawing and story-telling. Preem show, which featured the return of Shorty into school, would hit the listening moppets right where it hurt them most and Hoff keeps his patter on a plane that's easily understandable to even the youngest. For the benefit of the grown-ups listening in, he also gets across some snide cracks at his agency and the CBS execs, but all in good, clean fun. Miss Foster, already noted as an ice-skating star and for her roles in commercial films, makes a competent audience, chattering away with Hoff in good fashion.
Phil Booth does well with his cameras, keeping them trained on Hoff's skillful charcoal for most of the show but moving them to the cartoonist's face and to Miss Foster from time to time, to keep things moving. Two plugs for Ipana are blended skillfully by Hoff into his tale and make good sense as the kids are urged to use the dentifrice for healthy teeth. Stal. (Variety, Sept. 11)
Monday, September 9
WNBT Channel 4
7:50 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley.
8:00 Televues.
8:15 Short subject.
8:30 Feature film.
Reviewed Monday (9), 3:30-4:30 p.m. Style—Man on the street. Sustaining over W6XAO (Don Lee), Hollywood.
Considering this was W6XAO's first remote since 1941, its pick-up from Lockheed Air Terminal came up on the plus side. Don Lee is to be commended for a step in the right direction. In taking its cameras away from home, outlet showed viewers another air pix program possibility and demonstrated to itself what's still to be learned.
Tele version of radio's "man on the Street" proved it can find lensworthy material at an airport when notables wing their way into town. For example, DL's cameras focused on Paul Mantz (recent winner of Bendix air races trophy) and also scanned Pan-American} Airways arrivals from Mexico City and Honolulu. To round out the seg, the two announcers (Stu Wilson and John Coursier) interviewed pilots, stewardesses and weather bureau men. Tele eyes close-upped on food trays being loaded into plane, with gabbers explaining airlines' dinner-in-the-air policy.
Outlet's crew learned (or should have) that in doing tele interviews, gabber should avoid turning his back on the cameras and do his level best to get each victim to face the lens boxes. Above all, sight and sound should be devoted to the same subject. (There were instances when cameramen took general airport atmosphere shots while interview was going on with an unseen party on a subject entirely foreign from scenes being scanned who otherwise did well.)
These flaws can only be eliminated with more experience. All in all, scanning proved interesting. Lens lads, on the alert for the unexpected, did well for the most part. Best shot: Landing plane moving toward a camera. Top honors go to Stu Wilson for his informal patter and his ability to smooth over difficult situations. (Billboard, Sept. 21)
New York.—The Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers has reached agreement with the American Federation of Musicians on a majority of terms for a contract covering studio music, it was reported here last night. Donald Nelson and James Petrillo conferred on the pact several days last week and over the weekend.
The agreement, when signed, will provide for employment of musicians on an annual guaranteed basis by certain indies. The independents will also agree to withhold pictures from television. (Hollywood Reporter, Sep. 9)
Tuesday, September 10
WABD Channel 5
8:00 “Play the Game,” audience participation with Harvey Zorbaugh, sponsored by Alexander Stores.
8:30 Film short.
9:00 “Serving Through Science,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
Wednesday, September 11
WNBT Channel 4
2:30 Baseball at Ebbets Field, Dodgers vs. Reds.
WABD Channel 5
8:00 “The Road to Color Harmony.”
8:30 Film short.
9:00 “Stories in One Camera.”
Ford Motors has completed its sports coverage package via television in New York by signing up the telecast of the All-American Conference football games of the New York Yankees. Deal, including seven Yankee home games and one in Brooklyn, was made through J. Walter Thompson agency.
Telecasts will start Saturday night (14), when the Yanks meet Buffalo in New York. Broadcasts will be over WABD (DuMont).
Ford also has the Columbia Univ. football games, over WCBW (CBS, N. Y.), and the Madison Square Garden sports (except boxing) over the same station. (Variety, Sept. 11)
The show, titled “Sears Visiquiz,” will allow bother the home audience and the studio spectators to participate for prizes. A recent survey revealed that more than 60 per cent of the television set owners were interested in this type of show, E. B. Loveman, vice president of the Philco Broadcasting Corporation, has revealed. (Radio Daily, Sept. 12)
Mel Allen, radio sports announcer and occasional commentator for Fox Movietone News, has signed to announce all CBS television broadcasts of Columbia University's home football games this fall, starting with the Rutgers game from Baker Field on Sept. 28. Games will be sponsored by Ford, under a deal arranged through the J. Walter Thompson agency.
Allen was under contract to CBS until his entry into the Army in 1942. While in the service, he broadcast sports events to troops in Europe for the Armed Forces Radio Service. Since his discharge, he's broadcast all N. Y. Yankee baseball games over WINS, N. Y. indie. (Variety, Sept. 11)
Gradual increase in entertainment value of musical shows produced over television is proof positive, according to several tele broadcasters, that they're learning to get along without live musicians. Latter are banned from video shows under an edict of James C. Petrillo. American Federation of Musicians' prexy, who's gone on record as saying that he wants to study all the possible nuances of television before negotiating with the broadcasters for wage scales. In the meantime, he refuses even to discuss the question.
Broadcasters, consequently, are forced to rely on recordings for all their music. Usual procedure is to obtain a recording of the singer, who then merely moves his lips in synchronization with the platter much the same as is done in recording a sound track for motion pictures. As one broadcaster put it, this system is almost sure-fire, since the record is known to be perfect and a fluff would be virtually impossible. Only thing that could go wrong would be for the performer to mess up the lip work and, since he's gone through so much rehearsal before waxing the original disk, such errors occur very rarely.
Through use of such a system, NBC has been able to present on its Standard Brands-sponsored "Hour Glass" show such name talent as Gertrude Niesen, Peggy Lee, Jerry Colonna, etc. (Latter, incidentally, did pull a fluff several weeks ago by breaking into a recording of his famous "Casey at the Bat" routine at a time when a femme trio was singing. Colonna covered up, however, by opening his eyes wide in a surprise look and declaring, "Isn't television wonderful?")
Dancers Too
CBS also has made good use of recordings on its Sunday night dance shows, which have featured in the past such w.k. terpers as Katherine Dunham, Valerie Bettis, Pauline Koner, etc. By fitting the choreography to the music, the web's producers have a guarantee that the tempo won't be hypoed or slowed down, which might occur if a conductor were handling a live orchestra. (Variety, Sept. 11)
Television's steady expansion into a top-coin advertising medium spread westward from New York to Chicago this week as Marshall Field 3d announced his decision to bankroll the "Don McNeill Dinner Club", and Ford Motors stepped in to sponsor all home football games of Northwestern University. All telecasts under both companies' aegis will be carried over WBKB, Balaban & Katz tele outlet in Chi. ...
It'll be a variety show, with McNeill describing Field fashions on models. Kickoff, slated to start next Wednesday (25) in the 8-8:30 p.m. slot, will be from WBKB studios, but subsequent shows are expected to be telecast from spots like the Ambassador Hotel's Pump Room. ...
Telecasts of the Wildcat games are slated to tee off with the Iowa State tilt on Sept. 28. Bill Morris of the J. Walter Thompson agency, which handles the Ford account, is due to go to Chi to handle the games in cooperation with WBKB director Bill Eddy. Announcer Joe Wilson will handle the play-by-plays. (Variety, Sept. 11)
Thursday, September 12
WCBW Channel 2
2:30 Baseball at Ebbets Field, Dodgers vs. Cardinals.
8:15 “CBS Television News” with Milo Boulton, sponsored by Gulf.
8:30 “Children’s World.”
8:45 “Stop, Look and Listen,” game show with Gil Fates.
WNBT Channel 4
2:30 Baseball at Ebbets Field, Dodgers vs. Cardinals.
7:30 “In Town Today,” interviews by substitute host Radcliffe Hall for Ben Grauer. Guests: Leo Durocher, members of the Dodgers and Cardinals baseball teams.
7:50 Esso Television Reporter, newsreel compiled by Paul Alley.
8:00 “Hour Glass,” variety with Helen Parrish sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea/Chase and Sanborn Coffee.
9:00 Famous Fight film.
WABD Channel 5
8:00 Ireene Wicker, the Singing Lady and “Teletips on Loveliness.”
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Cash and Carry,” game show with Dennis James.
Tremendous possibilities of a commercial video newscast were well demonstrated by CBS with Gulf News, Thursday (12), 8:15-30 p.m. Show is not only handled well, but is timely, interesting and humerous. Altho there were some minor flaws, both camera and direction-wise, they can easily be overlooked. Mile [sic] Boulton does a swell job as newscaster and has a voice that really sings out.
Newscast is illustrated with appropriate pictures—slides and film-strips. For example, in describing the highlights of the Dodgers-St. Louis game, there were shots of the scoreboard and of baseball stars who made the news on that particular day. Highlight of Boulton's newscast was the guest appearance of Miss New York, sixth in the Miss America finals in Atlantic City.
There were some clever pitches for the sponsor. One was a film-strip of a car pulling up to a Gulf station with the driver calling out, "Fill 'er up!" The entire newscast is well-planned, makes good viewing and the commercials are in the groove. Director was Henry Cassirer. (Billboard, Sept. 21)
The Children's World, Thursday (12), 8:30-50 over WCBW (CBS), New York, had a good line-up of entertaining kids who made with the jokes (unintentionally), were cute and knew their lines (the older ones who could talk), but poor planning and bad direction pulled the show down time and again. Program could have been carried thru and handled all the way by the kids alone without any interference from adults, including directors. Phil Booth, as director, may have had his heart in the right place in trying to put emsee Lillian Okun's excellent idea across, but lie hasn't quite hit the nail on the head in presenting this particular kind of show in a nighttime seg.
Several of the kids were screamingly funny and yanked the show out of some dull spots. But just as they warmed up there would be a camera switch to another group of youngsters and the procedure of warming up a new spot in the show would begin all over again. As per a previous review (August 24), viewers never really met the kids—never felt them as individuals. Camera shots called by Booth did little or no good for the kids and the show—and much less for the viewers. Program consists of shots supposedly showing kids at work and play with Miss Okun as emsee and prompter. It's obvious that altho kids around four or five years old can be terrificly cute, their shyness and inability to speak up makes poor video fare. Kids on stage shouldn't be under six or seven—depending upon kid and talent.
Featured in this show was a group of youngsters from a local library who had their paintings telecast. Kids were merely standing alongside their handiwork instead of being shown actually at work with the brush and paints. Also in the show were some Girl Scouts who sang Scout songs. Cute tail-end of program had the mayor, police commissioner and health commissioner of the Children's Aid Society's Totstown. Only drawback, again, was that the kids were too young to do anything but sit and grin shyly at the camera and Miss Okun. They were followed by a kiddie circus routine which was okay. (Billboard, Sept. 21)
Title of Stop, Look & Listen, Thursday (12), 8:50-9:15 p.m. over WCBW (CBS), New York, should have been Stop, Look, Listen & Twist Your Dial to Another Station. Entire show recalls to one the Sunday afternoon programs the ladies' aid dramatic society used to put on at the church suppers back in Ohio. Looked as tho the whole show had been slapped together about 10 minutes before going on. Show sagged, hemmed and hawed, and was badly knit, tho some of the camera shots were okay.
Format consists of actors playing scenes loaded with errors (such as pouring coffee from a teapot and going to bed with shoes on). Three judges, not in camera range, yell "stop" whenever they spot errors—which confuses the viewer no end since he has no idea who is talking. Emsee Gilbert Fates does a swell job of steering the show, even tho he is only heard and not seen except at the beginning and tail end of the show when he is showy with the three judges.
Program could have been jacked up considerably if director Ralph Warren had trained his cameras on the judges as they spotted and called out the mistakes enacted, and on Fates as he made some of his comments. But as it was, Warren missed out completely by playing his cameras only on the actors. Feeling thruout the production was that the actors were having a terrific struggle to maintain a pace and keep the ball rolling. It's loosely worked shows such as this that scare potential video advertisers away from the front office. (Billboard, Sept. 21)
Friday, September 13WCBW Channel 2
2:30 Baseball at Ebbets Field, Dodgers vs. St. Louis.
WNBT Channel 4
8:00 “For You and Yours,” variety show.
8:40 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
9:00 Boxing from Madison Square Garden. Tippy Larkin vs. Willie Joyce, junior welterweight, 12 rounds.
CBS, unwrapping its new live color television camera at a series of press demonstrations last Friday (13), proved conclusively that it can produce clear, fullcolor pictures of high definition on the ultra-high frequencies. Mechanical system employed, however, involves the same synchronized rotating disks in the camera and receiver that were used in the web's color film demonstrations last spring. Problem of whether the system is commercially feasible remains for the FCC to decide. ...
As with the film demonstrations, the definition could probably be compared favorably to Technicolor motion pictures. Images still are not as good comparatively, however, as the low-frequency black-and-white pictures presently produced.
Closeups Best
Images came through best on closeup shots, but lost some of their clarity when the actors moved back from the camera. Fringes of the screen were also blurred. Scene showing two boxers was intended to demonstrate that there's no color breakup in fast action shots, making the system feasible for all remote sports events. Breakup was visible, however, if the viewer blinked his eyes or looked away from the screen for an instant.
Images were to have been carried by coaxial cable from the CBS labs to the transmitter atop the Chrysler Tower, and then flashed back to the receiver. Coax, however, reportedly sprung a leak sometime during the day, so that the pictures were carried via straight line from the labs to the viewing room, only two floors above. Film images were transmitted successfully over the air last spring, and the live pictures would supposedly be just as clear under the same conditions. (Variety, Sept. 18)
"STUMP THE AUTHORS"
With Sydney Mason, emcee; Jack Payne, Dorothy Day, Louis Zara
Producer: Richard Goggin
Director: Helen Carson
30 Mins., Friday [13]. 8 p.m. (CDST)
Sustaining
WBKB, Chicago
This package show owned by Ed Skotch is a new type of quiz-expert show requiring the experts to weave a plot around props that have been suggested by the public. The authors do not know their assignments or props until a minute before they tell their stories and their assignments may be a comedy, romance, murder mystery or adventure.
A good program when first heard on the air over WENR a couple of months ago, the audappeal is enhanced by television. Sydney Mason ably handles the emcee chores heckling the experts and jumping the conversation over the hurdles. Jack Payne, short story writer, developed first story, a comedy, with a string of hot-dogs for a prop. Dorothy Day, radio scripter, produced a touching love story from a pair of baby shoes and a telephone and Louis Zara, best seller, dreamed up a mystery from a skull, a gun and a bunch of bananas. The whole thing has a lot of good chuckles especially from some of the histrionics the authors affect to dramatize their stories.
The direction was good with excellent cooperation from the camera in a combination of close and far shots to catch the expressions of the experts. This was one spontaneous program that planning and a good emcee developed. (Variety, Sept. 18)
Saturday, September 14
WCBW Channel 2
2:30 Baseball at Ebbets Field, Dodgers vs. St. Louis.
8:15 “Feature Edition” news with Bob Edge.
8:45 “King’s Party Line” with John Reed King.
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 Baseball at Ebbets Field. Dodgers vs. Giants.
8:00 Western films.
WABD Channel 5
8:00 Football at Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. Bisons, sponsored by Ford.
YANKS VS. BISONS (FOOTBALL)
With Dennis James, Tom Carr, announcers
Producer: Jack Murphy
180 Mins.; Sat. (14), 8 p.m.
FORD MOTORS
WABD-DuMONT, N. Y.
(J. Walter Thompson)
DuMont television, stymied in its remote pickup plans heretofore by an equipment shortage, has apparently had the necessary know-how all along to scan a good football game. This show marked the first WABD telecast of a game and, as such, first in the series of local pro games to be sponsored over the station by Ford, through J. Walter Thompson. Teeoff performance was a thoroughly workman-like job, with announcers Dennis James and Tom Carr lining up with producer Jack Murphy to bring viewers in N. Y. and Washington a picture that, for at least the final quarter, was better than could be seen from the 50-yard line at Yankee Stadium.
Using three new DuMont-built cameras with RCA Image Orthicon tubes, Murphy was able to transmit a long-shot, a medium closeup and a highly effective closeup of the game's action. Apparently experimenting during the early part of the fracas, the producer missed the boat several times by using one of his longer-range lenses on a running play, when the closeup would have given a much better picture.
Scanning got progressively better, though, as the game progressed until Murphy was almost second-guessing the quarterbacks during the final quarter. Closeup lens used for the rushing plays brought the players almost within touching distance. As soon as it looked as though a pass play were in the works, Murphy switched immediately to one of his other cameras to get a wider view of the action.
James, doing the play-by-play, showed a tendency to second-guess but, for the most part, handled the commentary well. During the first 10 minutes or so, transmitter trouble in N. Y. prevented the images from going out over the air and James filled in capably with a radio-like detailed account. Carr, working from the studio, introed the players before the game and did a nice reprise of the action at half-time and during several time-outs.
Ford commercials, also handled from the studio via slides, looked more like a plug for kids' animal picture books than for Ford cars. Idea is something new, though, which is all to the good and the sales pitch never interfered with scanning of the game. Stal. (Variety, Sept. 18)
Sunday, September 15
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 News with Tom O’Connor.
8:30 “Shorty,” cartoon show with Syd Hoff, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste.
8:45 “Sports Almanac” with Bob Edge, sponsored by Vitalis.
9:00 Federico Rey dancers.
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 Baseball at Ebbets Field, Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs.
8:00 “Face to Face,” with cartoonist Bob Dunn, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea.
8:15 “Geographically Speaking” with Mrs. Carveth Wells, sponsored by Minit-Rub/Trushay.
8:30 Song and dance.
8:40 “Television Theater,” play.
Spanish Dances
Reviewed Sunday (15), 9 to 9:30 p.m. Style—Dance. Sustaining over WCBW (CBS), New York.
Colorful Spanish dance program by dancer Federico Rey and his troupe was a four-star presentation with plenty of zing. Choregraphy, especially arranged for video, was tops; camera work was unusually good and there was enough variation thru-out to make the show well worth seeing. Dancers really knew their stuff and kept well within camera range.
Director Paul Belanger, who knocked it off with only a few hours of camera rehearsals, used superimposed shots—fade-ins and fade-outs—of the dancers feet, which added plenty to entertainment values.
Jim McNaughton, station art director, did a good job in designing an attractive Spanish motif setting. A specially designed floor covering added to attractiveness of setting.
Program was adapted to the music of Manuel De Falla's Three-Cornered Hat and Nights in Gardens of Spain. Maria Teresa Acuna was featured with Rey. He was assisted by Hilda Garcia and Mánola Rivas. With video sets due on the market soon, it will be good programs like this that will easily land a sponsor as well pull a good viewing audience. (Billboard, Sept. 28)
"SONG AND DANCE"
With Ronnie and Ray, Diane Courtney, Corsairs (4)
Producer: Ed Sobol
15 Mins.; Sunday, 8:40 p.m.
Sustaining
WNBT-NBC, N. Y.
This program was the first of a series to be aired under the same title and unless Ed Sobol expects his baby to stay in the one-to-fill category indefinitely he's going to have to perk up production and mountings considerably. When caught Sunday (15) show offered little more than its cryptic title suggests; simply song and dance without embellishment and certainly without much selling.
That the performers were professionals was undeniable, but any semblance of video experience or direction was absent with few exceptions. Diane Courtney, a nice-looking chirp, came through some close-ups well during her stints, while the male quartet Corsairs were completely deadpan throughout their vocals. At one point the camera switched to Miss Courtney and the quartet tenor before they caught their cues for a short but embarrassing interim of silence.
Dance duo Ronnie and Ray emerged from the program as best of any in the cast, and even then could be found wanting in a couple of instances. Youngsters showed good terp training in their routines, although gal was inclined to overdo hip-wiggling and mugging to the point where it was neither interesting nor cute. Their insert provided what little life the program could boast. Tomm. (Variety, Sept. 18)
Motorcycle Races
Reviewed Sunday (15), 2-2:45 p.m. Style—Motorcycle race, remote pick-up. Sustaining over W6XYZ (Paramount), Hollywood.
Paramount comes thru with another remote pick-up (its second in three weeks), packing plenty of set-buying urge into the scanning. For this away -from -home stint, outlet packed its len boxes off to Pomona (30 miles from here) to pull in a polio benefit motorcycle race. Telewise, this type of outdoor event is far from ideal. Dust cloud raised by the lead man envelops followers. One of the fastest sports, motorbike racing is done at breakneck speed, making it difficult for both viewer and lensmen to follow. Add to these problems the fact that big track makes for tough camera coverage.
However, displaying some of the finest and fastest camera wielding seen in a long time, lensers picked up the speed riders and kept them centered on the screen. Tele director, Klaus Landsberg, showed good judgment in placing his two cameras side by side at the center point of the field. One box would pick up the racers as they rounded the curve, following them to the center at which point the other would take over for the second half of the track. This proved to be more than adequate coverage. When the camera-to-camera switch routine grew tiresome, process was altered for a couple of laps with the tele-eye remaining stationary. Image quality was good enough to allow lookers to distinguish racers all the way around even to the far side of the track.
Motorbike fans viewing this from their homes were undoubtedly confused as to who was leading. This is due to the fact that racers have to be watched as a group thruout so that changes in relationship between each contestant can be observed at all times. This cannot be easily accomplished via tele, so such events do not lend themselves to the air-pix medium. (Billboard, Sept. 28)
Reid's Ice Cream has signed to sponsor the weather reports over CBS television. One-minute forecasts will be spotted on WCBW three times weekly — Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays — starting next Sunday (15). Doherty, Clifford and Shenfield is the agency.
Weather reports will be given via film, with more than 60 different possibilities already filmed and ready for use. Reports and the commercials are in the form of animated cartoons. (Variety, Sept. 11)
Monday, September 16
WNBT Channel 4
2:30 Baseball at Ebbets Field, Dodgers vs. Cubs.
7:50 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley.
8:00 Televues.
8:15 Feature film.
Tuesday, September 17
WBCW Channel 2
2:30 Baseball at Ebbets Field, Dodgers vs. Cubs.
WABD Channel 5
8:00 “Play the Game,” audience participation with Harvey Zorbaugh, sponsored by Alexander Stores.
8:30 Film short.
9:00 “Serving Through Science,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
Pigskin Primer
Reviewed Monday (16), 9-9:15 p.m. Style—Variety. Sustaining over W6XAO, Hollywood.
Over-all achievement of this teleseg was definitely on the plus side, with production, lensing and continuity showing healthy progress. Credit writer-director, Elbert Walker, with using ingenuity and imagination in bringing the spirit of the coming gridiron season to home viewers.
Seg opened with football film inserts from sportsreels, seguing smoothly to studio scene with camera focused on simulated grandstands. Lensers traveled thru stands closing in on various types of game viewers, including the silly gal, drunk alumni and hot-dog eating types. Camera then shifts to different set showing same fans the "morning after" with usual after-game headaches, gripes and "post-mortem" arguments.
To settle squabble between man and wife, camera shifts to mock gridiron where lensers pick up first string team of Los Angeles City College being put thru their paces by Coach Paul Schissler.
To pick up team's demonstration of various plays and formations, second camera was mounted atop 15-foot platform shooting downward. Despite lack of suitable wide-angle lens on mounted camera, lenslads caught most of the playing field action with ease and clarity.
Dialog was adequate and well-handled by cast which included film actor Douglas Blackly, Merry Walkter, Bob Bench, Virginia Johnson and Wesley Steadman. Bob Turnbull gave producer Walker valuable assistance. (Billboard, Sept. 28)
WNBT Channel 4
8:00 Film shorts.
8:45-11:00 Boxing at Yankee Stadium, Joe Louis vs. Tami Mauriello, and preliminary bouts.
WABD Channel 5
8:00 “The Magic Carpet” by Bud Gamble, sponsored by Armstrong Stores.
8:15 “Home Is What You Make It.”
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 Drama: “Stories in One Camera.”
LOUIS-MAURIELLO FIGHT
With Bob Stanton, announcer
Producer: Burke Crotty
2:09 Mins.; Wed. (18), 10 p.m.
GILLETTE SAFETY RAZOR
WNBT-NBC, N. Y.
(Maxon)
Joe Louis pulled an unintentional switch on Gillette for this fight. Dough-guys who paid $100 for a ringside seat at last June's Louis-Conn bout complained they didn't get their money's worth, whereas Gillette had a chance to get in several commercials for more than its money's worth in that eight-rounder. With Louis polishing off Tami Mauriello in a fast and furious first round in this one, the people paying only $30 for a ringside tab saw plenty of action but Gillette had a chance to get in only one pitch—and that came at the end of the fight when a large number of viewers had probably already turned off their sets.
Video-wise, the fight was up to NBC's usual top standard. Because of the dearth of interest evidenced in the fracas, the web decided to handle the fight like any other affair, without the fanfare attendant on the Conn-Louis bout. This meant cutting out the between-rounds byplay used for the June event, when Ben Grauer introduced personalities at the ringside. With only the ring itself to concentrate on, consequently, NBC used only two cameras instead of the five used for Conn-Louis, but the scanning this time was even better.
Each of the two cameras was equipped with an RCA Image Orthicon tube, making possible clear, highly-defined images. Producer Burke Crotty kept his closeup lens on the two boxers during the entire round, which was all to the good. Mauriello's first blow, which staggered Louis across the ring, was easily discernible and the cameras didn't miss one of the resulting Louis punches which brought Mauriello to his knees for the kayo.
Setup this time also included a mike directly above the ring, which clearly picked up all the referee's instructions to the boxers, as well as the sounds of the blows landing, the boxer's shoes scraping across the canvas, etc. Sounds from the crowd also came in clearly and the mike picked up the classic introduction of announcer Harry Balogh: "May the better contestant emerge triumphantly." About all that was missed was Mauriello's slightly profane statement after the fight, which has already gone down in the annals of radio as a classic.
Bob Stanton handled the blow-by. blow well. Announcer for the first time in his video career became excited during that terrific round. He wouldn't have been human if he hadn't. Despite his exuberance, however, he kept his head and still outlined the fight in a detailed fashion.
Gillette commercial—the one and only—was much better than the amateurish slides used, last time. This one featured still cartoons drawn to the Gillette pitch of "Look sharp, feel sharp, be sharp," and should have been well-received by anyone watching at that time. Stal. (Variety, Sept. 25)
Indications of a closer and more amicable relationship between television and the film industry were seen this week as Columbia Pictures took advantage of the supposedly large audience tuned into the Louis-Mauriello fight telecast to run a trailer on "The Jolson Story" over WNBT (NBC, N. Y.), and NBC announced it would televise the ceremonies at the Broadway world preem of 20th-Fox's "Razor's Edge." slated for the Roxy theatre on Nov. 19. (Variety, Sept. 25)
Music for You
Reviewed Wednesday (18), 3:30-3:45 p.m. Presented sustaining on WBKB (Balaban & Katz), Chicago.
Altho this program was only 15 minutes long, it had in it many examples of how video can be top entertainment if it is produced and directed with imagination, ingenuity and an ability to use all the medium's techniques. Co-arrangers of the program were Jenya, WBKB staff pianist, who also displayed her top piano ability during the show, and Beulah Zachary. Miss Zachary also directed.
Foundation of the program was Jenya's playing of music by Grieg and commentary about the music by Wallace Owen. What made the show tops, however, was the way in which the co-producers had figured out ways in which to combine movies depicting Norwegian scenes, shots of the narrator, Jenya, an impressionistic dancer and scenic paintings. Tops, too, was the direction of Miss Zachary, who called for double dissolves, montages of the piano keys superimposed over the painting and dancer, and movie fade-ins at just the right time. Over-all result was a show that had top music and the added value of visual effects which contributed much to the enjoyment of the music. (Billboard, Sept. 28)
DuMont television, keeping close step with other N. Y. tele broadcasters in lining up remote sports events for the coming fall and winter season, has signed to handle thrice-weekly boxing and wrestling matches from Jamaica Arena for the coming year. Deal gives DuMont exclusive video rights to amateur boxing on Monday nights, pro boxing on Wednesdays and wrestling on Fridays.
Pact was negotiated by Leonard F. Cramer, DuMont exec veepee, through the William Morris agency, representing the arena. Samuel Weiss, arena owner, and promoter Bill Johnston also signed the contract.
Bouts will be picked up by WABD, DuMont's N. Y. tele outlet, and transmitted to viewers in the N. Y. area and, via coaxial cable, to WTTG, DuMont station in Washington. Initial telecast is scheduled for Sept. 30. (Variety, Sept. 18)
Frederick W. Ziv, the transcription outfit, has begun long-range planning prior to stepping into television as a producer of packaged film-programs for video. While no actual program plans have begun as yet, Ziv Coast reps are currently studying motion picture production and techniques as background for video programming. [Note: Ziv later produced and syndicated “Highway Patrol” with Broderick Crawford and “Sea Hunt” with Lloyd Bridges] (Variety, Sept. 18)
Thursday, September 19
2:30 Baseball at Ebbets Field, Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh.
8:15 “CBS Television News” with Milo Boulton, sponsored by Gulf.
8:30 “Case of the Backseat Driver” trial.
8:50 Country Square Dance.
WNBT Channel 4
7:50 Esso Television Reporter, newsreel compiled by Paul Alley.
8:00 “Hour Glass,” variety with Helen Parrish sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea/Chase and Sanborn Coffee.
9:00 Famous Fight film.
WABD Channel 5
8:00 “Ladies Be Seated,” game show with Johnny Olson, sponsored by Bab-O.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Cash and Carry,” game show with Dennis James.
"Ladies Be Seated," a recurrent audience participation show on television, was revived last Thursday (19) night by ABC over WABD (DuMont, N. Y.). This time, however, the program was sponsored with B. T. Babbitt paying the tab to plug Bab-O.
Show inaugurated the premium giveaway plan on video, with home viewers invited to send in the Bab-O tag from a can of the stuff in order to receive one genuine Egyptian scarab pin. Number of returns should be a good indication of the number of viewers watching the show, but the results have not been disclosed yet.
Price paid by the sponsor was also kept under wraps, but whatever it was. he certainly got his money's worth, to the detriment of the show. Besides an opening and closing spot, almost 10-minutes of the half-hour program was devoted to describing the scarab pin. modeling it via live pin-uppers and making with the spiel on the premium plan. That's much too long for a commercial.
Video-wise, the show followed the usual "Ladies" format, with Johnny Olsen handling the emcee chores in okay fashion. Producer-director Harvey Marlowe again demonstrated his prowess with dissolve shots that come in the wrong places. Reason why Marlowe won't make a clean cut from one camera to another remains a mystery, but he could certainly perk up his shows if he did. (Variety, Sept. 25)
"OVER SHOEMAKER'S SHOULDER"
With Vaughn Shoemaker, Don Faust
Producer-director: Loraine Larson
11 Mins.; Thurs., 7:30 p.m.
WBKB, Chicago
Running commentary and ad libs between Chicago Daily News cartoonist Vaughn Shoemaker at the drawing board and Don Faust as an interested questioner-listener was smooth and the camera follow was excellent. Closeups of Shoemaker sketching a political cartoon about the Truman-Wallace brawl and explaining it as he went along was also an audience pleaser. Shoemaker drew his sketches on a cardboard treated with a hypo solution to bring out contrast between India-inked lines and white space, enabling video enthusiasts to see clearly.
Camera pan of previously sketched cartoons wasn't clear enough for an A-grade pic. In the main, however, pix were well defined, and the outside interference was negligible. Stal. (Variety, Sept. 25)
Marking the first time in television that an ad agency has taken over sponsorship of a show, with the clients coming in later on a participating basis, the Chernow Co., Inc., has signed with ABC television to bankroll the "John Robert Powers Charm School" for 13 weeks, starting Oct. 3. Shows will be produced by ABC over WABD (DuMont, N. Y.). ...
Under terms of the deal, three of the agency's clients will take over on a participating basis each week. Show, with Powers and some of his models in the cast, has been on a sustaining basis over WABD for the last two weeks. Format follows the same lines as the "Powers Charm School" radio program, with the model agency chief and his mannequins demonstrating tips on grooming, cosmetic application, etc., for the benefit of women listeners. (Variety, Sept. 25)
Friday, September 20
WNBT Channel 4
8:00 “For You and Yours,” variety show.
8:40 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
9:00 Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund Football game from the Polo Grounds, Giants vs. Green Bay Packers.
Arthur Daley, featured sports columnist of the N. Y. Times, returned to the video waves last Friday (20) night as an alternate announcer with Bob Stanton of the Giants-Green Bay Packers football game, broadcast by WNBT (NBC, N. Y.). Just as good as he was last year when he handled most of the pro games for WNBT, Daley dressed up his play-by-play reporting with the kind of inside stuff and knowledge of the game that's required of a top announcer. Daley has a solid, well-pitched voice that injects enough interest into the proceedings without overdoing it. With Stanton signed to do the Army football games over WNBT, Daley will probably concentrate on the Sunday afternoon pro games and should be welcomed by the fans.
Scanning of the game, under the supervision of producer Burke Crotty, was not up to NBC's usual par. Crotty depended too much on a medium shot when a closeup of a running play would have been better. Most of the passes in the first half, which saw seven touchdowns scored, were brought within good range of the lenses, but the cameras were never able to follow the ball in flight on either a pass or punt. (Variety, Sept. 25)
Saturday, September 21
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 “Feature Edition” news with Bob Edge.
8:45 “King’s Party Line” with John Reed King.
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 Baseball at Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. Philadelphia A’s. [Note: game was postponed due to rain.]
8:00 Film shorts.
8:30 Feature film.
Sunday, September 22
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 News with Tom O’Connor.
8:30 “Shorty,” cartoon show with Syd Hoff, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste.
8:45 “Sports Almanac” with Bob Edge, sponsored by Vitalis.
9:00 Dance program.
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 Baseball at the Polo Grounds, Giants vs. Phillies.
8:00 “Face to Face,” with cartoonist Bob Dunn, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea.
8:15 “Geographically Speaking” with Mrs. Carveth Wells, sponsored by Minit-Rub/Trushay.
8:30 “Broadway Pre-View: Mr. Mergenthwirker’s Lobblies.”
"MR. MERGENTHWIRKER'S LOBBLIES"
With Vaughn Taylor, Vinton Hayworth, John McQuade, Patricia Shay, Maurice Manson, Philip Robinson, Jack Sloane, Ed Mannery, Everett Gammon, Frank Harris, Bob Lieb
Writers: Nelson Bond, David Kent
Producer: Fred Coe
Asst. Prod.: Howard Cordery
Sets: Bob Wade
75 Mins.; Sun. (22), 8:35 p.m.
Sustaining:
WNBT-NBC, N. Y.
As video dramatics go, "Lobblies" undoubtedly received the best treatment of any play yet staged in a tele studio. With video's close affinity to motion pictures, authors Nelson Bond and David Kent have a sure bet on their hands for a film offer. As a legit production, however, the play would need concentrated tightening around the seams to build up interest that drags at times, especially in the first act. Three-act whodunit, revolving around a group of invisible pixies who hang around a newspaper office, has something of the better qualities of both "Front Page" and "Harvey" but lacks the punch of both these hits in its present form.
Tale has Mr. Mergenthwirker, a strange little guy who can see and hear the lobblies because he's "pure in heart," trying to interest the managing editor of a smalltown daily in his pixies for the betterment of the community. Editor, thinking the guy's off his nut, naturally gives him the brushoff.
When the lobblies, through Mergenthwirker, predict a murder to the goriest detail and give the paper a clean scoop on a jewel robbery, however, the editor finally believes in them. Father of the editor's girlfriend, a mayorality candidate, is accused of the murder and, to save him, the editor makes a false confession. This makes him "pure in heart" also and, in a sock finish, the lobblies reveal the murderer to him and help capture the culprit.
Vaughn Taylor packed solid comedy throughout in the lead role of the whimsical Mr. Mergenthwirker. (Part, incidentally, would be a natural for Danny Kaye, in case Sam Goldwyn is interested). Vinton Hayworth, as the editor, fitted the part like a glove and John McQuade backed him nicely as his pal who was still a legman. Maurice Manson, as the paper's big boss, and Philip Robinson, as a press photographer, were capitat". Only drawback to the cast was Patricia Shay, the lone distaffer, who apparently couldn't quite follow the rapid pace built up by the male members.
With a couple of excellent sets by Bob Wade, Fred Coe did a masterful production-direction job. Several whimsical touches, such as including the names of the lobblies in the cast credits, were good gimmicks. Three acts alternated between the two sets, with a clean cut from one set to another, keeping the tempo high throughout. Special effects, including a newspaper and telephone being moved by invisible hands, came off well. Production debits, such as the overplaying of the musical intro after the curtain raiser, were few and far between. (Variety, Sept. 25)
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
With Keith Heatherington, Michael Roy, announcer and interviewer
Producer: Klaus Landsberg
1 to 5 p.m., Sunday (22)
W6XYZ, Hollywood, Cal.
Paramount's video subsidiary, Television Productions, Inc., set a heroic schedule of 40 hours coverage of three colorful nine-day matches, doing a technically good job of the assignment in the initial stages. The 400-odd sets hereabout received their first taste of tennis on television, and the result should do much to stimulate interest in the medium, particularly in view of the tie-ins and attendant promotion that reached both those financially equipped to buy sets, as well as plain old Joe Public.
Using two DuMont cameras, producers were able to cover virtually the entire court diagonally from one corner, and got close-ups of the play in the half of the court nearest to the position of the cameras. The latter, lower placed scanner, also handled the interviews worked into intermissions.
While coverage of the court and game was near perfect, camera position requiring only slight panning for extremes, there was a noticeable lack of camera-consciousness during intermissions. Poorly-chosen waltzy music took up immediately when the play ceased to help fill the lull, but too often the mugbox was forgotten and a sport still picture, except for strollers or audience movement, resulted. In action coverage newsreels were closely paralleled, however the excellence didn't hold when televisors were on their own.
Event was relayed from Los Angeles Tennis Club to Mt. Wilson, 20 miles distant, to transmitting towers. On air pick-up the glaring California sun, coupled with preponderance of white figures on the court and in the stands, caused a slight glare that in turn caused eye strain. But in the piped version, from court to the latest DuMont receiver in the club via coaxial, the result was near perfect under present day standards. Another, older set was on view in the lobby of the Paramount Hollywood theatre where airplane interferences and other flutters occasionally fluffed. Contrast, generally, was good, however, as the came and play was fairly easily followed.
Event was highlighted with celebrity interviews, as well as chats with the star contestants. Michael Roy handled the chit-chat without much color, while Keith Heatherington miked the game in a more competent manner that was in keeping with his sportscaster background. Film stars and other celebs were worked into the nine-day program from both ends. Some were set for exhibition games prior to tele deal, while Par assisted with grandstand appearances of contractees. All were brought to stationary position of chatter mike directly below close-up camera which, incidently, wasn't handled as well as game box. Latter was always perfectly focused and fully coped with its problem. Switchovers from lens to lens were zippo. (Variety, Oct. 2)
Monday, September 23
WNBT Channel 4
2:30 Baseball at Ebbets Field, Dodgers vs. Phillies.
7:50 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley.
8:00 Televues.
8:15 Feature film.
WABD Channel 5
8:00 “Play the Game,” charades with Harvey Zorbaugh, sponsored by Alexander Stores.
8:30 Film short.
9:00 “Serving Through Science,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
Playing the Game
Reviewed Tuesday (24), 8-8:30 p.m. Style—Charades with listener participation. Sponsored by Alexander's Department Store and produced by the American Broadcasting Company over WABD (DuMont), New York.
Scanningly speaking, the production was off-the-beam. Program needs a lot of greasing to hold the viewers' attention for 30 minutes. At the beginning, show looked like a carriage-trade gin-mill at 3 a.m., with everybody wanting to get "into the act "—everybody talking and trying to be the life of the party. There was just too much going on. Guest-star participants seemed to have a yen for getting out of camera-range and making with the ad -lib puns, which couldn't be picked up by the mike-boom fast enough.
Format, altho not clear at first, consists of guest stars pantomiming well-known names and phrases sent in by viewers. Scanners were asked to phone studio as soon as they guessed what was being enacted and if they guessed correctly, won money or cigarettes. The pantomimed charades were so tough, however, that it was next to impossible to even make a fair guess.
Emsee Allan Chidsey did a good job in trying to hold the show together and maintain some sort of pace. Sponsor's commercial didn't particularly fit in with the program. Since it was a show sponsored by a department store, bank-roller could have received a good commercial boost by having gifts from his store instead of just cigarettes or money given to winners.
Show was directed by ABC's Richard Goggin. (Billboard, Oct. 5)
Cleveland Air Races
Reviewed Tuesday (24), 9-9:30 p.m. Style—Film. Sponsored by U. S. Rubber Company. Produced by American Broadcasting Company over WABD (DuMont), New York.
Outside of a few unusual good shots, film was bad video and fell flat. Film wasn't timely as a news feature either, since it was shown long after the event. For the money which U. S. Rubber dished out to ABC for sponsorship, more than $5,000, sponsor should have been presented with a film that was on a professional basis and worth scanning. Air races are exciting events, but this job was muffed completely.
Show could have been jacked up considerably if the right kind of narrator had been used. Altho Walter Kieran, narrator in film, is among the top boys in his field, air races are not his meat. His voice washed out the film completely since it lacked pitch and punch. In this case, Kieran was "miscast." A narrator with a voice in keeping with the excitement of the races could have carried the film.
To add to the bad make-up of the film, there was bad splicing, too many insignificant shots, too many shots and scenes of planes against a white sky, and not enough cutaways to build up audience interest. Compared to this show, film made by Bob Loewi at the Omaha Air Races is tops. Film was shown only three days after the races—which made it a good news-event story—and at a cost of only $820 to the sponsor, National Foam System. Loewi's 16-minute film had plenty of exciting shots with appropriate background music. Narrator was Byron McKinney who sounded as tho he were really describing an air race and not an Irish wake.
Dick Goggin, of ABC, directed the Cleveland Air Race film. (Billboard, Oct. 5)
Variety Under the Stars
Reviewed Tuesday (24), 8:15-9:30 p.m. Style—Vaude remote pick-up. Sustaining over W6XYZ (Paramount), Hollywood.
Tele Director Klaus Landsberg threw a couple of new twists into tonight's vaude scanner. Usually running less than 30 minutes, seg was blown up to more than hour. Instead of staging it in the studio, acts were pulled out to the Los Angeles Tennis Club grounds to perform before audience in grandstands. (Paramount is currently covering the Pacific Southwest Tennis Championships here.) Bucking the difficulties of an outdoor nighttime remote, outlet rang the entertainment bell. Considering it was working without image orthicons, show went over better than was expected.
Bill, headlined by Paramount pix lovely Olga San Juan, proved well-balanced fare. Opened with singing by Palais Sisters (3), followed by comedy-acro antics of Roberts and Conn. Dance team of Rita Lupino (Ida's sister) and Rickey made for good looking. Francis Abello put his talking bird, John Tio, thru its paces to steal the show. Palais Sisters returned for another song session followed by Joe Mole's cycle routines. Miss San Juan rounded out seg with South America, Take It Away and Cumbra Chero. Lush lass packs plenty of eye-ear appeal to make her ideal for airpix medium.
Camera work was handled smoothly. Show was not without technical troubles creeping into night-time outdoor remote. Subject matter was easily distinguishable, tho more light would have helped image quality. Poor power line and uneven voltage occasionally threw pic out of syncho. Dick Lane was outstanding as emsee, keeping high pace thruout. His easy, informal line of patter is ideal for show of this type. (Billboard, Oct. 5)
Washington, Sept. 24—NBC-owned WRC here has a new stunt to publicize video and whet the public’s appetite for tele receivers well in advance of debut of WRC’s own video operation—scheduled around Christmas time. Idea is that each Friday and Monday night, NBC studios here are thrown open for “Televiewing Parties” of 50 or more people. Video fare is provided by NBC’s New York station WNBT, with shows fed to Washington via coaxial cable.
In another part of town, Dumont’s video outlet WTTG has inaugurated policy of sending out program logs, with New York shows regularly fed to Washington on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights of each week. However, Dumont to date has no space for studio audience. (Variety, Sept. 25)
Wednesday, September 25
WNBT Channel 4
2:30 Baseball at Ebbets Field, Dodgers vs. Phillies.
WABD Channel 5
8:00 “Meet the Champ,” Koroseal.
8:45 Film shorts.
9:00 Drama: “Stories in One Camera.”
"DON MCNEILLS DINNER CLUB"
With Don McNeill, Sam Cowling, Marshall Field Models (8), George Sotos
Announcer: Bob Murphy
Producer-Director: Helen Carson
30 Mins.; Wed., 8 p.m. [25]
MARSHALL FIELD CO.
WBKB, Chicago
Don McNeill, emcee for ABC's "Breakfast Club," kept the video audience in laughing mood as he brought his warm personality and crack adlibbing to "Dinner Club," his new tele show. Spur-of-the-moment cracks made while describing dresses modeled by lookers from Field's dept. store were for the most part rib-ticklers, although a few were strictly from the corn belt.
Show opened well with film shot showing, car pulling up in front of a club run by McNeill, who said he couldn't conceive of anyone's using television as an advertising medium. Throughout his discourse, Sam Cowling, the "silliuter" on "Breakfast Club," walked behind McNeill with a placard bearing the name of show's sponsor. This stint received bangup applause.
Another laugh rouser was McNeill's reading of the list of notables at the club, including Chi's Mayor Kelly, Illinois' Gov. Green, etc. "Of course, they aren't here," McNeill quipped, "but it's a good list, anyway."
Package progressed nicely, as models made appearances wearing sponsor's wares. McNeill pulled fair gags about each girl's accoutrements (sample: "This is the barbed wire fence model—it protects the property but doesn't obstruct the view").
Cowling was still the same fall guy for McNeill that he is on the air show, with McNeill referring to one dress as "one that'll slip, but a little jerk can pull it up." As McNeill spoke, camera panned to Cowling in the act of tugging at the gown.
Telecast was an okay deal, except in spots where too much flare in pix was prevalent. This factor was attributed to lack of contrast in models' getups, and because television cameras have not as yet been technically developed to the point where they can pick up contrast as regular photographic cameras do.
Occasionally pix were blurred, and camera scan of models was not up to par. Models, at times, were enmeshed in the black border of the pix.
Audience reaction to show was above average. If it goes over as well in the next 25 weeks as it did in its premiere, it will be a socko setup for television, the sponsor and McNeill. Lee. (Variety, Oct. 2)
Thursday, September 26
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 “CBS Television News” with Milo Boulton, sponsored by Gulf.
8:30 Country Dance Party.
8:50 High School Forum: Athletic Scholarships.WNBT Channel 4
7:50 Esso Television Reporter, newsreel compiled by Paul Alley.
8:00 “Hour Glass,” variety with Helen Parrish sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea/Chase and Sanborn Coffee.
9:00 Famous Fight film.
WABD Channel 5
8:00 Powers Charm School.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Cash and Carry,” game show with Dennis James.
"DETECT AND COLLECT"
With Lew Lehr, emcee
Producer-Director: Harvey Marlowe
30 Mins.; Thurs. (26), 8 p.m.
Sustaining
WABD-ABC, N. Y.
One of the most favored audience participation shows on radio for the last several years, "Detect and Collect," a Mildred Fenton agency package, made its television bow as an ABC presentation over WABD (DuMont, N. Y.) last Thursday (26) night. Despite the plenitude of similar gimmick shows on video, many of which will undoubtedly fall by the wayside, this one stacks up as a potential comer, with plenty of viewing appeal. Unless a sponsor picks up the tab, show will run only one more week.
Chief attributes of this show, setting it above other audience participation programs, are the entertaining emcee work of Lew Lehr and the fact that the show doesn't go in for the sadistic treatment of the participants that have killed off other entries in the division. In addition, producer-director Harvey Marlowe, working with Miss Fenton, has taken full advantage of the visual aspects of television, lining up a group of stunts that have to be seen for best results.
The rotund Lehr proved a slow starter, with his work in the early part of the show getting poor reception. He picked up rapidly, however, and had the studio audience belly-laughing at the finish. He handles the participants in nice fashion and, with a little more video experience, could become a good personality on the new medium.
Format follows the same lines as the radio version. Lehr asks the participants three questions, each more simple than its predecessor, with the cash prize decreasing for each one accordingly. Participant is then blindfolded and asked to take his choice of two articles hidden behind a curtain. These naturally include puns, such as a "hand-painted dish" being revealed as a glamorous gal, and the curtain-pulling evokes the sought-for laughs from the audience.
A little more imagination in the sets could add plenty to the show's production values. For a starter, however, this one came off okay. (Variety, Oct. 2)
Championship Tennis
Reviewed Thursday (26), 3-4:15. Style—Tennis matches, remote pick–up. Sustaining over W6XYZ (Paramount), Hollywood.
If seg caught is a sample of Para mount's nine-day (5 hours per day) coverage of Pacific Southwest Tennis Championship matches, outlet is matching topflight tennis with championship tele. Paramount's remote coverage of one of town's important sports events of the year is enough to put any tennis enthusiast on a set-buying spree.
Two cameras were perched atop a specially built stand at one end of the court. One lens handled close-ups of near side of the court, other covered entire playing area. When racket-wielder served from near-end, close-up shot brought unusually clear image of player and ball in flight. When the ball was about to fly out of camera's range, switch was made to long-shot camera. Cutting for the most part was very smooth, so that viewer could keep track of the ball. By having cameras located at one end of the court, long-shot box took in grounds from an angle, bringing panning down to a painless minimum. Had cameras been placed on a line with the center of the court, excessive panning would soon have become exceedingly monotonous.
Adding to the general interest of scanner, both players and celebs were brought before tele -eyes for interview. Announcer Keith Hetherington capably called shots, kept home lookers up on the score, and was wise to avoid over-describing of the event. (Billboard, Oct. 5)
Friday, September 27
WNBT Channel 4
8:00 “Television Quarterback,” Talk with Lou Little, sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
8:15 “For You and Yours,” variety.
8:45 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
9:00 “Cavalcade of Sports”: Boxing from Yankee Stadium.
10:00 Middleweight Championship Bout: Rocky Graziano vs. Tony Zale.
ZALE VS. GRAZIANO FIGHT
With Bob Stanton, Bill Corum
30 Mins.; Friday, 10 p.m.
GILLETTE
WNBT-NBC, N. Y.
(Maxon)
More so than in the highly-touted Louis-Conn bubble, more than in the brief Mauriello follow-up, far more than in the Brooklyn games of a flame-hot National League race, Friday night's telecast of the middleweight championship fight offered final conclusive evidence that video is the outstanding medium for sporting event coverage.
Even television's most outspoken proponents were brought up short by the realization that sitting before a screen in a viewing room, far removed from Yankee Stadium, there had been wrung from them the last drop of excitement and enthusiasm. An ordinarily reserved and genteel group, gathered in DuMont's teletheatre, wildly applauded the end of each round, shouting encouragement to electronic images of two fighters, then sheepishly chuckled when they became conscious of the fact that, in body, they were not at the ringside.
NBC's Image Orthicon camera seldom strayed from the brilliantly-lighted canvas square where, in contrast to previous headline bouts, the savage action of one of the best championship fights in recent years had tele spectators orry-eyed with excitement. Granted the fact that the battle provided all the show, nevertheless, it was the medium which brought high fulfillment practically to televiewers' laps.
Commentary, smartly relegated to secondary position by Bob Stanton, was befogged in the main by excitement attendant upon the picture. Bill Corum's 30-second analyses were faintly, if ever, discernible in the hurried chatter which mushroomed between rounds, each man his own expert because he could see as well as anyone at the Stadium and better than most.
Video's instantaneous reproduction of the fight was perfectly detailed, even to Graziano's wince every time Zale's glove thumped into the left kidney and Zale's phlegmatic reaction to the terrific righthanding he took in return. There was just as much a question on the video screen as at the stadium whether Graziano's flailing right arm and reckless daring could beat down the courage and craftsmanship of the champ. And Zale's short, sharp punches that set the challenger on his pants were just as much too fast for video as for the ringside crowd.
Little more could be asked of a medium. Tomm. (Variety, Oct. 2)
Writer's Cramps
Show should prove once and for all that radio actors are not for television unless they have enough training and consistent stock background to carry themselves thru a dramatic video production. Actors were on the hammy side, playing their parts melodramatically.
Director A. Vance Hallack's original story was good and offered many possibilities. Had the acting been at least 50 per cent better, the show would have been strictly in the groove as good video fare. Story concerns an author who suddenly finds the characters in his novels stepping into the room and accusing him of stealing plots and lines from Shakespeare. Hallack had worked some good lines into the script but as previously said, bad acting muffed the production.
According to Hallack, he was concentrating more on camera technique than actual production. If so, he did well for there were some excellent camera shots, including superimposed pix of author walking thru "ghost" characters. (Billboard, Oct. 5)
Personality Previews
Reviewed Friday (27), 8:15-8:45 p.m. Style—Variety. Produced by Video Associates and presented by General Electric over WRGB (G. E.), Schenectady, N.Y.
Video Associates' first showing of their new packaged show for G. E., Personality Previews, had its ups and downs, both technical and program-wise. Show consists of up and coming talent and artists in various fields with emphasis on the amusement world. Featured in the show were Eva Desca, modern dance interpreter; Lorenzo Fuller, Negro pianist-singer, and model of a pre-fabricated post-war home—the latter which didn't seem to tie in with the format of show namely featuring talent.
Series of pop-up cards on tables were used to introduce acts. Cards were strictly on the amateurish side, but the idea's clever and eventually should be worked up into a good act-introduction. As it was, handling of the pop-ups was slip-shod and only tended to annoy and distract the viewer.
Miss Desca's dance in pantomime with a narrator accompaniment in the background was interesting if not particularly entertaining. Tops in the half-hour show was Fuller who accompanied himself on the piano singing several ditties and a spiritual. He looks like good video stuff and with a few more video shows under the belt should develop into a first-class television entertainer.
Model prefabricated home was dull scanning. As narrator explained the conveniences of the house, camera focused on model but since model was at the wrong angle, viewer was unable to really look into the house. Had the model been tilted, camera could have caught not only the layout of the rooms but the furnishings as well. Meaningless blueprints, too small and technical for the average man to read, also were shown.
General Electric paid $200 for the packaged production and at that price, for what they got, they didn't get stung—much. Program idea is good, however, and with a little more planning, experience, and perhaps more cooperation from station, outfit should be able to put out the "for sale" sign on some good shows.
Miriam Tulin is director of the agency. (Billboard, Oct. 5)
Saturday, September 28
WCBW Channel 2
2:00 Football at Baker Field, Columbia vs. Rutgers, sponsored by Ford.
8:15 “Feature Edition” news with Bob Edge.
8:30 Films. 8:45 “King’s Party Line” with Win Elliot.
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 Baseball at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Boston Braves.
8:00 Feature film.
COLUMBIA-RUTGERS FOOTBALL
With Mel Allen, announcer
Producer: Herbert Bayard Swope, Jr.
130 Mins.; Sat. (28), 2 p.m.
FORD MOTORS
WCBW-CBS, N. Y.
CBS television rounded out the list of N. Y. tele broadcasters returning to the football scene this year with its coverage of the Columbia-Rutgers game. Like NBC and DuMont, both of which teed off the new season several weeks ago, the CBS show demonstrated that the broadcasters have worked out most of the kinks in grid telecasts. Sugar-baby fans, afraid of fall weather, can now stay home in the comfort of their own living rooms almost every Saturday and Sunday afternoon of the season and be assured of complete coverage of the best collegiate and pro games.
Last Saturday's game marked the television debut of Mel Allen, sports commentator on WINS, N. Y., indie, and the first time CBS used its two new Image Orthicon cameras, which it's been impatiently awaiting for RCA to deliver since last spring. Image orths, technically near perfect, made a much more auspicious bow than did Allen.
Apparently too accustomed to the strictly audio announcing required by radio, Allen overtalked through much of the game. Forsaking almost all color and anecdotal descriptions—about all that's needed for play-byplay announcing on television, along with identification of the players—Allen went into a rapid-fire, detailed description of each play. Fact that the camera eye was quicker than his resulted several times in his calling a play after the viewer had already digested it. With his good voice and knowledge of sports, he should be okay for video once he lets up on the spiel.
Producer Herbert Bayard Swope, Jr., had his two I.O.'s set up overlooking the 50-yard line and did a good job following the play. He brought the action into sharp focus on running plays via a closeup lens, switching over to a medium shot for passes and punts. Long shot, which he tried to use several times during the game, was almost worthless except for pictures of the crowd.
Ford commercials were the same used in the DuMont telecasts of the All-American pro games, featuring still-life animal pictures to which the Ford was likened. This time, however, viewers could at least see a picture at the car, which is something new in these commercials. Stat. (Variety, Oct. 2)
Sunday, September 29
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 News with Tom O’Connor.
8:30 “Shorty,” cartoon show with Syd Hoff, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste.
8:45 “Sports Almanac” with Bob Edge, sponsored by Vitalis.
9:00 Ballet: “Crime and Punishment.”
WNBT Channel 4
2:30 Baseball at Ebbets Field, Dodgers vs. Boston Braves.
8:00 “Face to Face,” with cartoonist Bob Dunn, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea.
8:15 “Geographically Speaking” with Mrs. Carveth Wells, sponsored by Minit-Rub/Trushay.
8:30 Play: “The Walrus and the Carpenter.”
CBS television turned to Dostoevsky for its ballet show last Sunday (29) night. WCBW staffers came up with a very free adaptation of the Russian novelist's "Crime and Punishment" that was notable more for the set than for the story or the dancing.
Jim McNaughton, who's been getting some fine three-dimensional effects in the sets he designs for these shows, tried something new this time. Set consisted of two separate rooms, supposedly in the garret apartment in which Raskolnikov lived, which were separated by a corridor. Entire front of the set was open so that the cameras could pan from one room to another as the terpers carried the action, thus giving the show virtually two sets in one. It was a good idea that can do much for tele producers who are forced right now to confine an entire show to the limits of one studio.
Choreography of the show was set to Chopin music, as played by Rachmaninoff. Music for the most part was too slow in tempo for dancing, which left the show dragging. Interesting camera effects devised by director Paul Belanger were good, but he's still cutting the dancers off above the ankles. (Variety, Oct. 2)
Monday, September 30
7:50 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley.
8:00 Televues.
8:30-11:00 Boxing at St. Nicholas Arena, Phil Terranova vs. Johnny Dell.
WABD Channel 5
3:00 News, music and Test Pattern
8:30-11:00 Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
Community Fund Show
Reviewed Monday (30), 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sustaining on WBKB, Chicago.
This show had more good talent than has ever been presented on one video program here. But it was a flop because the top talent was mishandled, because production planning was lacking, direction hit and miss, and lighting and camera direction poor.
Show was intended to be an ambitious promotional plan to sell the value of the Community Fund via video. In addition to such talent as Gracie Fields, Phil Regan, Arthur Lee Simpkins, Tim Herbert and Bloomer Girl's Peggy Campbell, the program also had Barnett Hodes, Chi corporation counsel; the heads of the Community Fund here; John Balaban, B&K chief, and various WBKB sponsors who helped promote the show. Over 300 members of the press and civic and commercial leaders were present at WBKB as part of the promotion behind the show, and a large-screen video receiver was set up in the window of the Fair's department store on State Street to show the program to passing crowds. Most of these must have received a poor impression of television as a result of this program.
The various talent on the program did top-notch work—the best that could be expected under such adverse production conditions. Example of lack of planning was the way in which Miss Fields had to push emsee Harry Elders off the set before she could go into her routine. Other bad production examples were misses of cues a couple of times by the emsee, telecasting of out-of-date film intended to depict Community Fund activities, and boring, long interviews in which pleas for the fund were made.
The program would have been much more effective if it had been one-half its aired length. The high-grade talent should have been allowed to do its stuff to capture and retain an audience. The Fund appeals should have been short, but gripping with human interest. That would have been enough. (Billboard, Oct. 2)
Exhibition Tennis Matches
Reviewed Monday (30), 9:15-10:30 p.m. Style—Interview-sports contest. Sustaining over W6XAO (Don Lee), Hollywood.
Don Lee's ambitious attempt to recreate championship tennis matches in its indoor video studio fell flat, primarily because camera work was slow and scanners poorly set up for such an event. Home viewers saw little of the excitement or thrills that make for good tennis simply because lensers didn't scan the right places at the proper time. Over-all result was dull and lacked the sparkle one would expect of such a special event tele presentation.
Seg opened rough, with cameras picking up a gal in 1890 dress fanning the wind with a racket. Idea was to show tennis of old as compared with today's fast game. Camera then brought in several interviews, one with Eleanor Tennant, noted tennis teacher, discusing [sic] some of the fine points of the game, and another with former national champ Gene Mako, who demonstrated his favorite grips, strokes, etc. For some unexplained reason, cameramen remained completely static during 25 minutes which interviews lasted. Lensers didn't dolly or tilt their cameras once during entire session. Result was merely yawn-provoking, and entire effect of such demonstration was completely lost.
To pick up actual matches (indoor studio was converted into regulation size court), one camera was posted behind the foul line on a 20 -foot platform and other lens box on a line with the net. Because camera set-up was faulty (platform camera too high, floor camera too low) court was never entirely in camera range. Viewers were, therefore, never able to follow thru on fast action.
Running commentary during matches was totally ineffective because of gabber's obvious unfamiliarity with the game. More than once, announcer had to stop players to ask current score. Lighing [sic], which presented a difficult problem, was fairly successful, altho 100,000 watts expended still left dark spots in playing court. Perhaps best indication of audience reaction was the fact that viewers in studio's receiver room slowly filtered out, preferring to view actual game rather than telecast. Fundamentally, this videocast should never have been attempted, coming on the heels of Paramount Television, Inc.'s nine-day, five-hours-a-day remote telecast of last week's Pacific Southwest Tennis Championship from Los An- geles Tennis Club (The Billboard, October 5). At best, Don Lee's "exhibition" match would have been anti-climactic. (Billboard, Oct. 2)
NBC television, paying what's probably the highest tab to date for single events on a sustaining basis, has signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers for exclusive video rights to the playoff series for the National League pennant between the Dodgers and the St. Louis Cards. Although NBC execs refused to release terms of the deal, it's reported the web is paying $6,500 for the game at Ebbets Field tomorrow (Thursday) [3] and another $15,000 for Friday's game, if a third one is necessary. First game in the series was played in St. Louis yesterday (Tuesday).
Speed with which NBC wrapped up the deal and the prices paid caused considerable discussion among other N. Y. tele broadcasters, who'd been aiming for the video plum themselves. Deal was signed Monday (30) morning, less than 24 hours after the results of Sunday's ball games made the playoff series necessary. Other broadcasters, it's reported, had expected the deal to be set up on a bidding basis and claimed that NBC, through paying so much, was setting too high a potential price on future top sports and special events.
Under terms of the deal signed by Branch Rickey, Dodgers prexy, and Noran E. Kersta, NBC television manager, the games will be fed to WPTZ (Philco, Philadelphia) via radio relay. WNBT, NBC's N. Y. tele outlet, will go on the air at 1:15 p.m. both days. Bob Stanton, who's handled most of the ball games covered by NBC during the past season, is slated to do the play-by-play description. Web will use its RCA Image Orthicon cameras and the micro-wave relay link between Ebbets Field and Radio City. (Variety, Oct. 2)
Schenectady—The new relay schedule between WNBT, NBC video outlet in York, and WRGB, General Electric Co. station in Schenectady, will go into effect Sept. 30. WRGB will then approximately double its air time. Instead of the present three-night-a-week plan, WRGB will be sending out images six evenings, Saturdays excepted.
Telecasts from New York will be handled through the powerful new relay station at Hillsdale, near Hudson. That city is about 45 miles from Schenectady, on the west bank of the Hudson River. New setup calls for 20-minute local telecasts via WRGB on Mondays and Thursdays; 90 minutes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 30 minutes on Fridays. The Sunday offerings will be two hours of relay.
There will be an hour of relay Tuesday and Wednesday; 130 minutes on Monday and Thursday, and two hours on Friday. (Variety, Sept. 25)
New York.—An agreement providing for the exchange of commercial and sustaining television programs between WPTZ in Philadelphia and WNBT in New York, first of its kind in the history of television, has been signed between the Philco Corp. and the National Broadcasting Co., it was announced yesterday [30] by E. B. Loveman, vice president in charge of television broadcasting for Philco, and John Royal, NBC vice president in charge of television.
“This agreement will make it possible for Philco and NBC to bring many of the nation’s outstanding television programs to Philadelphia,” Loveman and Royal said in a joint state ment. “In turn, programs of general interest originating in Philadelphia will be relayed to New York and broadcast to the large television audience there.”
“This will be the first regular two-way television relay service in the history of the industry, and will be an important landmark an the development of the television art. Signing of this agreement is a fitting climax to the five years’ preliminary work that Philco and NBC have done in the field of television relaying, and the perfecting of New York to Philadelphia telecasts.” (Hollywood Reporter, Oct. 1)
Chicago, Oct. 1.—WBKB set a new time running record for television in Chi last week when video shows ran for eight hours and 13 minutes. Starting at 1 p.m. with a telecast of the Cubs-Pirates baseball game, which ended at 5:19 p.m., shows resumed at 7:15, running till 10:55 p.m. (Variety, Oct. 9)
Vaughn Shoemaker's show would be something I wish I could see. He'd won one Pulitzer Prize by this time, and 1946 saw the last of a series of annual collections of his work that had started in the late 30s. He was a superb draughtsman -- arguably better even that some of the top-notchers the rival Tribune had.
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