In the confusing television world of late 1946, a new commercial station was given the okay to operate, even though it was already operating, while some media treated a second station as if it were on the air, but it wasn’t.
Both were in Washington, D.C.
At the end of November, the FCC gave DuMont permission to change its station from an experimental one (W3XWT) to a commercial operation (WTTG). It was supposed to temporary but the station is still commercial to this day. At the time, it was on the air three days a week.
Meanwhile, there were stories about television programming and WRC. The station wasn’t actually on the air, and wouldn’t be until the following June. What actually happened is programming from WNBT New York was pumped down the coaxial cable to Washington and viewed on sets installed in the studios of WRC radio.
CBS’ station got new call-letters. WCBW became WCBS-TV on November 2nd.
Other TV developments in November 1946: Edgar Bergen and Edward Everett Horton made their debuts on the small screen as guest stars, Bob Hope showed up on an interview show from New York, the venerable school-challenge-school quiz format made its first appearance, as did the televised version of the Macy’s Parade. Singer Vera Massey returned after being forced off the air several years earlier due to the ban on live music imposed by Petrillo (she mimed). In a play, we note the names of Eva Marie Saint and Martin Balsam in what must have been the start of their careers. And there's a squib about the modest founding of a group that would later hand out the Emmys.
Assembly lines were making new TV sets as fast as they could, even though stations were restricted to six cities, with no more signing on until a few months into the new year.
The usual news, New York schedules and reviews below. We’ve mentioned on occasion some of the ridiculous things critics have written about the broadcasts. This month must feature a topper: a reviewer lashed out at an announcer’s performance when he wasn’t even on the broadcast. And two reviewers disagree about whether a show’s host actually appeared on it. You'd think if they watched the programme, they would know.
WNBT Channel 4
8:00 “Television Quarterback” with Lou Little/Grantland Rice, sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
8:35 “I Love to Eat” with James Beard, sponsored by Borden’s (debut).
8:45 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
9:00 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing from Madison Square Garden. Tony Pellone vs. Johnny Greco.
WABD Channel 5
3:00-5:00 Continuous News, music.
8:00 “The Magic Carpet” by Bud Gamble, sponsored by Alexander Smith Carpets.
8:15 Western Film: “Swifty” with Hoot Gibson (Diversion, 1935).
9:00 Wrestling from Jamaica Arena.
POETRY AND MUSIC
With Vera Massey, Doris Faye
Producer-director: Bobbie Henry
30 Mins.; Friday (1), 8 p. m.
Sustaining
WPTZ-ABC, Philadelphia
Newest show produced by ABC television on its Philly outlet, "Poetry and Music," impresses with its simplicity. Evidently a low-budgeter with its two-member cast and single set, it's nonetheless highly entertaining and a welcome relief from the raft of audience participation programs on which Paul Mowrey and his tele staff seem to have put their emphasis in the last couple of months.
Format of the piece can probably best be called variety, with Vera Massey singing and carrying on a couple of monologs, and ventriloquist Doris Faye making with her dummy, "Tyrone." Script was apparently one of those things cooked up just to fill a half-hour, and certainly didn't show anything in the way of brilliance or originality. It had Miss Massey as a young gal spending a quiet evening at home with her boy friend, "Tyrone." Miss Faye called on her and was introduced to the dummy, which gave her a chance to demonstrate her ventriloquistic powers.
A competent singer, Miss Massey is a good video personality, getting her ingratiating mannerisms over to the audience in good fashion. She did three songs, all of which she sang over a background of recorded music. Platters she selected were a bit too high for her voice, but she carried them off okay. Miss Faye is one of the most clever young ventriloquists seen in many a day, and, judging from her work in this show, should be a good bet for many top nitery spots. She has a wide voice range, and. despite the fact that the camera kept her in a closeup for most of the time, viewers could never spot her lips moving.
Bobbie Henry's production was excellent in most cases, but she also chalked up a couple of errors in her camera manipulation. Show opened with a shot taken through the window of Miss Masseys' room, for which there was no apparent reason. It's okay to try to be clever with camera shots, but there has to be some purpose for the cleverness. In another instance, Miss Henry kept her camera focused entirely on Miss Faye at a time when Miss Massey was doing all the talking. Stal. (Variety, Nov. 6)
W-G-N yesterday [1] was granted a construction permit for a television station by the federal communications commission in Washington, D. C., Frank P. Schreiber, general manager of the station, announced. W-G-N was assigned television channel No. 9, operating on a frequency of 186-192 megacycles. Construction of the station is to begin immediately, and it is expected to be in operation next May or June.
In announcing W-G-N’s television plans, Schreiber said “W-G-N has been a pioneer in AM (amplitude moderation, or standard) broadcasting for 25 years; one of the pioneers in FM (frequency modulation) broadcasting, begun in October, 1941, and a pioneer in facsimile broadcasting, resumed last July, after experimental transmissions in 1939.
Equipment Already Ordered
“W-G-N now enters the television field. As in all previous radio operations, we will be a leader in television. We will be in the television programming field as soon as necessary equipment, which is now on order, can be obtained.”
The granting of a license to W-G-N assures the Chicago area of a third commercial television station. Seven channels are available for Chicago commercial stations. WBKB, the Balaban and Katz television station, operates on channel No. 4 from 66-72 megacycles, and the Zenith Radio corporation three months ago was granted a construction permit for station WTRZ, which was assigned to 51-60 megacycles. Zenith also operates an experimental station and has a permit for an experimental ultra high frequency color station. Columbia Broadcasting system also will build a color television station here.
Get Desirable Frequency
Carl J. Meyers, director of engineering for W-G-N, said that a television transmitter and other equipment have been ordered from the Radio Corporation of America. Some equipment already has been received. The television station’s antenna will be placed atop Tribune Tower, rising 505 feet above street level. Meyers said the frequency of 186-192 megacycles is a “desirable one” from the standpoint of the televiewer. He added that the transmitter would radiate power of 18.4 kilowatts for video (sight) and 11 kilowatts for audio (sound).
The first post-war television receiving sets are beginning to reach Chicago, and will be on display at 75 R. C. A. deniers next week. Several thousand sets are expected to be in homes by Christmas. These will be mainly table models, with larger receivers scheduled to make their appearance after the first of the year. (Chicago Tribune, Nov. 2)
Saturday, November 2
WCBS-TV Channel 2
2:00 Football from Baker Field: Columbia vs. Cornell, sponsored by Ford.
7:30 “King’s Party Line” with John Reed King.
8:00 “Saturday Revue” with Paul Douglas and Maxine Sullivan.
8:30 Feature Film.
WNBT Channel 4
1:45 Football at West Point: Army vs. West Virginia, sponsored by Goodyear.
NORFOLK—Ella Fitzgerald, the “First Lady of Song.” who is scheduled to appear this Friday night at the Palais Royale Casino, has started something which may cause consternation among motor car manufacturers.
The popular “Tisket-Tasket” gal is an ardent television fan, scanning every program broadcast from the New York area.
INSTALL SET IN CAR
In order to provide Miss Ella Fitzgerald with television entertainment while traveling on her cross-country tour of theatres and ballrooms, television technicians have installed a specially constructed set in the swing star’s car, enabling her to “catch” programs from experimental stations in each of the large cities. (Norfolk Journal, Nov. 2)
NEW YORK, Nov. 2—Walt Disney Studios has created Dr. Stork, a special character for use in the video film, Bathing Time for Baby, to be sponsored November 12 over WBKB, Chicago, by Johnson & Johnson, baby products manufacturers. Stork is expected to be followed by a flock of such characters created for specific use in video. (Billboard, Nov. 9)
Sunday, November 3
WCBS-TV Channel 2
8:15 News with Tom O’Connor.8:30 “Shorty,” cartoon show with Syd Hoff and guest Patty Foster, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste.
8:45 “Sports Almanac” with Bob Edge, sponsored by Vitalis.
WNBT Channel 4
2:15 Football from Philadelphia. N.Y. Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles.
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 “In Town Today.”
9:00 “The Television Screen Magazine” with Jinx Falkenburg, Robert Merrill.
WABD Channel 5
2:15 Football at Yankee Stadium. N.Y. Yankees vs. Miami Seahawks.
5:45 Political program.
Dons Vs. Browns
Reviewed Sunday (3), 2-4:30 p.m. Style—Football Remote. Sustained over W6XYZ (Paramount), Hollywood.
Sharp, clear picture and fine camera work marked this pickup of Los Angeles Dons and Cleveland Browns grid clash. With Old Sol lending a hand, scanner was quite a contrast to last week's coverage when heavily overcast skies forced outlet to black-out. Plays today could be easily followed. Working without telephoto lenses, however, handicaps the tele eye since neither players' numbers nor the ball in motion could be detected. This didn't detract too much from game's enjoyment since home viewers could see as well (if not better) as tho they had been in average coliseum seats, with pic clarity allowing one to follow plays.
Kieth [sic] Heatherington took over the gab chores, resulting in a definite improvement over last week's announcing as handled by Michael Roy. This time, there was a little more "football" injected, with Heatherington naming tactics, plays and players. For his first crack at tele football spieling, guy did well. Considerable room for improvement remains in going into pigskin strategy. Above all, he should whip himself into a more enthusiastic approach. Altho game was nip and tuck (final score 17-14), quiet gab chilled, rather than excited, the set watcher. Crowd mike would help get some spirit across to the tele on-lookers.
Outlet could also boost interest by asking members of either or both pro-clubs to come on between halves for their opinion on game's outcome. A tele interview with a member of the winning team (maybe guy who made winning run, etc.) at the end of the game might also do the trick.
Southern California Ford dealers got a free plug when a 1946 Ford (to be given away to a lucky number holder) was driven around the stadium, and followed by cameras. (Billboard, Nov. 16)
Television network programming went commercial for the first time this week as Standard Oil, Firestone and Bristol-Myers signed to have their tele shows presently produced over WNBT (NBC, N. Y.) transmitted via coaxial cable to WPTZ (Philco, Philadelphia). Present plans call for the three advertisers to pay only the added cost of relaying their shows, with the price expected to be boosted as soon as enough sets are out in Philly to make the shows worthwhile from an increased product sale viewpoint.
Under a deal recently signed between WNBT and WPTZ, the Philly station had already been on the receiving end of the two Standard Brands' sponsored shows ("Hour Glass" on Thursday nights and "Face to Face" on Sundays), plus all fights on Monday and Friday nights bankrolled by Gillette.,
S-B and Gillette, however, have not paid any more for their two-station outlet, probably because Philco at the time was willing to pay the freight merely to pad out its own programming schedule. With the Esso newsreel on Thursday night now going to Philly, it's believed probable that S-B's "Hour Glass" will also go on a network cost basis in the immediate future.
Indications of the importance network programming will mean to tele in the future, meanwhile, were seen in the advantage both WNBT and WPTZ took of the two-city relay. In addition to the shows transmitted from N. Y. to Philly, WNBT carried the N. Y. Giants-Philly Eagles pro football game played in Philly last Sunday (3) and is also slated to pick up the Sears-Roebuck "Visi-Quiz" show from WPTZ tomorrow (Thursday) night at 9 p. m. Stal. (Variety, Nov. 6)
Monday, November 4
WCBS-TV Channel 2
8:15 National Horse Show from Madison Square Garden, sponsored by Ford. Pete Mead vs. Tony Riccio, middleweight, ten tounds.
7:50 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley.
8:00 “Televues.”
8:30 Boxing at St. Nicholas Arena.
WABD Channel 5
3:00 News, music and Test Pattern
8:00 Film: “Duke of the Navy” with Ralph Byrd, Veda Ann Borg (PRC, 1942).
9:00-11:00 Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
IN TOWN TODAY
With Bob Hope, Edgar Bergen, Jinx Falkenburg, Tex McCrary, Peter Donald, Robert Merrill, Cathy O'Donnell, Bob & Eddie Dunn, Lillian Cornell, Earl and Mrs. Wilson; Ben Grauer, Radcliffe Hall, announcers.
Producer: Ed Sobol.
30 Mins.; Sunday (3), 9 p.m.
RCA-VICTOR
WNBT-NBC, N. Y.
RCA-Victor set aside Monday (4) as T-Day (Television Day), marking the first appearance of the company's postwar tele receivers in N. Y. stores. As part of its special ballyhoo on the event, RCA rounded up all the top name radio and film stars it could find in N. Y. at the time and staged a special video show Sunday (3) night, with the guestars acting merely as background for showcasing the new receivers. Show was tagged "In Town Today," the series in which NBC's camermen rove the N. Y. streets, niteries and restaurants to bring viewers interviews with visiting celebs.
Program emerged as a highly-informal chit-chat affair, indicating that producer Ed Sobol was confident the lure of the name stars would keep viewers glued to their sets. Any semblance of production values was missing, with the show resembling more than anything else the annual NBC radio parade of stars, with which the web tees off its fall broadcasting schedule.
Sobol, however, was probably correct in his surmise. With such w.k. entertainers as Bob Hope, Edgar Bergen, Peter Donald, Earl Wilson and his B. W.. etc., batting the ad libs back and forth with emcees Ben Grauer and Radcliffe Hall, there was no need for sinking any money into glamorous sets, or dressing up the show with trick camera effects. Nice continuity was present with such ruses as having Grauer appear as an NBC page boy. conducting the stars on a studio tour. Once they got before the cameras, it was every man for himself and the whole thing turned out well.
After having been forced to limit their viewing pleasure to the competent but unglamorous work of talent lesser-lights for the last few years, viewers must have received a terrific kick from watching the talent toppers. It all added up to a nice bit of cooperation between radio and tele and an indication that the current Hooper leaders in the radio field can be counted on to shine just as brightly in video once the pay can lure them into the newer medium. Stal. (Variety, Nov. 6)
Tuesday, November 5
7:30 Feature film.
8:40 Election Returns; National Horse Show from Madison Square Garden.
WABD Channel 5
3:00-5:00 Continuous news, music, test pattern.
8:00 “Play the Game,” charades with Harvey Zorbaugh, sponsored by Alexander Stores.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Serving Through Science,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
Election Returns
Reviewed Tuesday (5), 8-12 midnight. Style—Election Coverage. Sustaining over WCBS-TV, New York.
Four-hour election coverage by WCBS proved without a doubt that the eye-and-ear medium will take first place during future election coverages. CBS's method of giving home-viewers the results was comparatively simple, but the coverage was not only interesting, to the point, and well planned, but complete—giving scanners up-to-the-minute news on national and local returns.
Two bays, or sets, were used; one for national returns and the other for local tallies. Maps were used to highlight and show in detail political trends in various sections of the country. Marked Democrat and Republican pins showed party districts on maps. To add further interest, as returns poured in, photos of candidates concerned were telecast while commentator gave running accounts. Typewriters and teletype machines were set up in studio, giving background sound to spiels by Tom O'Connor and Jim McMillin, commentators.
So as not to cram too much election news on scanners, station picked up scenes from the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. Following some exciting exhibitions of jumping, there were switchbacks to the studio where latest returns were again telecast.
Simplicity of the show itself was impressive. No fancy frills to distract or bore the viewer. If more cameras were available, it would have been interesting also to have had a number of cameras spread thruout the city—showing voters, candidates, etc.—and even Governor Dewey at the Republican Committee Headquarters. But no doubt, all elections henceforth will be thoroly covered by remotes.
WCBS was the only video station in New York giving coverage of the nation's first national peacetime elections. Production was supervised by Bob Bendick and directed by Fred Rickey. (Billboard, Nov. 16)
Election Returns
Reviewed Tuesday (5), 9:30-11 p.m. Style—Returns. Sustaining over W6XYZ (Paramount), Hollywood.
Outlet's coverage of the election returns was simple yet adequate. A United Press ticker tape bearing precinct reports and national election news moved across station's trademark. Close-ups allowed easy reading of printed words. Continuous recorded music was carried in the background. By this device, the tele set owner could get his election news sugar-coated, and without having to suffer a number barrage fired at him by announcers. Whenever curious, he could glance at his screen. Whenever the returns grew tiresome, he had but to look away and enjoy relaxing music. (Billboard, Nov. 16)
Wednesday, November 6
WNBT Channel 4
8:00 Feature film.
9:00 Reception to U.N. Delegates, Museum of Modern Art.
WABD Channel 5
3:00 News, music and test pattern (to 5).
8:00 Comedy sketch: “Yes, Mr. Bingle.”
8:30 Film short.
9:00 Dramatic Serial: “Far Away Hill.”
9:30 Boxing at Jamaica Arena. Tony La Rocca vs. Donald Murray, lightweight.
ABC television is slated to produce its first remote pickup shows with the RCA Image Orthicon cameras starting tonight (Wednesday) [6] over both WPTZ (Philco, Philadelphia) and WBKB (Balaban & Katz, Chicago). Web currently buys time on these two stations, plus three others, pending grants from the FCC for its own five-station network.
Philly schedule includes the seven Wednesday night games of the Rockets, pro hockey team, with Tom Wilson, staffer for WFIL, ABC affiliate in Phila., doing the announcing. In Chi, the web will carry all Wednesday night games of the Blackhawks hockey team through March 12, with Joe Wilson, staffer at WENR, the web's Chi affiliate, handling the play-by-play. Wrdfetling from Chi's Rainbo Arena will be broadcast on the seven open hockey dates in Chi. (Variety, Nov. 6)
CHICAGO.—General Mills will enter the television picture here for the first time starting November 20, when it begins sponsoring on WBKB the ABC presentations of Wednesday night hockey games and wrestling matches. ABC started the hockey games on WBKB Wednesday (6), having presented wrestling matches every Wednesday night for the past few months. General Mills, in a deal sold by Jim Stirton, director of television for ABC here, will sponsor one-third of the Wednesday night hockey and wrestling shows. Grunt matches will be presented when the Chicago Blackhawks, which play in the Chi stadium, are not at home. ABC is not making any money on the General Mills series. The Mills have been sold the shows for just about what it cost ABC to buy them from WBKB. One entire hockey game or wrestling match, which usually runs about one hour and a half, costs ABC about $500.
Coincidental with the General Mills video sponsorship, ABC, starting Sunday (10), will present telecasts of the Blackhawk home games on WBKB. Sunday hockey telecasts are also for sale.
Beginning of Sunday hockey telecasts by WBKB marks the first time that the station has had programs on that day and also marks the beginning of a schedule whereby WBKB is on the air seven days a week. However, the station will be on the air seven days a week only when the Hawks are playing here and the ABC shows are aired. (Billboard, Nov. 16)
Thursday, November 7
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
3:00 Continuous news and music.
8:00 “Charm School.”
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Cash and Carry,” game show with Dennis James.
Special RCA Dealer Show
Reviewed Thursday (7), 12 noon to 1 p.m. Sustaining on WBKB, Chicago.
This show was intended to help dealers trying to sell the new RCA video sets which went on sale here this week. But because it had little of unusual interest, it could hardly have accomplished its purpose.
The program, one in a series WBKB presented at the same time all this week to hypo set sales, opened with a verbal salute to RCA and dealers that were showing the new sets. Then Jack Gibney, WBKB staffer, took the audience behind scenes at the WBKB studios and explained how a show is put together. He explained the way cameras are handled, how sets are designed, etc., using studio equipment as he delivered his explanation.
After Gibney's 20-minute routine and after a short gander of Chi's Loop streets and sky line, the station showed two sound films. These, titled My Visit to Poland, and The Bridge, were the best part of the program and at least demonstrated that new set owners can expect some fairly interesting film presentations from video. But that was all the show had.
Since these programs were being witnessed by plenty of people who had never before seen television, and since as they watched they were trying to make up their minds if they would pay about $375 for a video set, the station should have gone to greater lengths to present good talent and material that would demonstrate to best advantage the things which tele can do better than any other medium. (Billboard, Nov. 16)
Friday, November 8
WNBT Channel 4
3:00 U.N. General Assembly.
8:00 “Television Quarterback” with Lou Little/Grantland Rice, sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
8:15 “You Are an Artist” with John Gnagy, sponsored by Gulf (debut).
8:35 “I Love to Eat” with James Beard, sponsored by Borden’s.
8:45 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
9:00 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing from Madison Square Garden. Ernie Docusen vs. Vinnie LaSalva, welterweight, eight rounds.
3:00-5:00 Continuous News, music.
8:00 “The Magic Carpet” by Bud Gamble, sponsored by Alexander Smith Carpets.
8:00 Western Film: “Texas Trouble Shooters” with the Range Busters (PRC, 1942).
9:00 Wrestling from Jamaica Arena.
Saturday, November 9
WCBS-TV Channel 2
2:00 Football from Baker Field: Columbia vs. Pennsylvania, sponsored by Ford.
7:30 “King’s Party Line” with John Reed King.
8:00 “Saturday Revue.”
WNBT Channel 4
12:45 Football at Yankee Stadium: Army vs. Notre Dame, sponsored by Goodyear.
Army-Notre Dame football game at Yankee Stadium last Saturday (9) was the biggest promoter television's had since the Louis-Conn fight last June. Every home, bar and public place that had a receiving set was jammed to the doors, and NBC execs estimated that more than 300,000 fans had watched the game via video.
WNBT staff gave it the best coverage accorded any Army game this season. Cameras, under the direction of producer Burke Crotty, followed the plays much more thoroughly than they'd done heretofore. With most of the action centered around the two lines, that wasn't such a difficult job, but even so, Crotty succeeded in training his lenses on the ball in flight during passing and running plays, something which NBC had missed out on too many times previously.
Goodyear commercials, done on film, were good, but there were too many of the straight word plugs. Latter were thrown in at every time out, and it became almost ludicrous to hear a pitch for Goodyear tires come at a tense moment in the game. Bob Stanton handled the play-by-play in his usual competent fashion, and was spelled capably by Bailey Gloss at the timeouts and half-time intermissions. (Variety, Nov. 13)
Sunday, November 10
WCBS-TV Channel 2
8:15 News with Tom O’Connor.
8:30 “Shorty,” cartoon show with Syd Hoff and guest Patty Foster, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste.
8:45 “Sports Almanac” with Bob Edge, sponsored by Vitalis.
9:00 Hockey at Madison Square Garden: Rangers vs. Boston Bruins.
WNBT Channel 4
2:15 Football at the Polo Grounds. N.Y. Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles.
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: The Last War” by Neil Grant.
WABD Channel 5
2:15 Football at Yankee Stadium. N.Y. Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dons.
With Fay Marlowe, William Post, Jr., Philip Tonge, Kendall Clarke, Mary Wilsey, Ann Irish, John McQuade, Evelyn Peterson, Eve Marie Saint, Vaughn Taylor, Arthur Hunnicutt, Walter Coy
Producer-Director: Fred Coe
Writer: Neil Grant
45 Mins.; Sunday (10), 8:45 p.m.
Sustaining
WNBT-NBC, N. Y.
This show, plugged by the NBC flackery as a special pre-Armistice Day presentation, was probably one of the most ambitious sustaining programs yet staged by WNBT. Despite the imagination and new techniques involved, though, "The Last War" just didn't come off. It emerged as a confused jumble of comedy and fantasy, idealism and ideology, only fair acting and faltering direction.
Chief fault lay in the story itself, which was supposed to depict the state of the world following the next war, with only one human surviving and the animals fighting among themselves to take over. Angel is sent down from Heaven to escort the last man back and arrives on the scene just in time to prevent the animals from killing him. It was difficult to determine whether the show was meant to be taken seriously and to point a moral, or whether it was just a comedy.
Illustrative of the faulty acting was the work turned in by John McQuade as the monkey who, relying on Darwin's evolution theory, sets himself up as the master following mankind's annihilation. McQuade has given consistently top performances on previous NBC tele shows but he went overboard in this one to act like a monkey. Result was just a lot of noise and swishing of his tail. Fay Marlowe, former Republic Pictures star, stood out as the angel and Vaughn Taylor also scored as the dog. Rest of the cast was fair.
Producer Fred Coe. who's turned in some of the best NBC shows in the past, also missed out through his faltering direction and miscasting of his actors. Coe rates a hearty nod, however, for being the first to introduce new and much-needed techniques, such as making the film integration emerge from the set in use at the time, instead of cutting without purpose from live action to film. His novel presentation of the credit cards was also praiseworthy
Masks, designed by Richard Smith for the animal parts, were well-done, consisting of ribbed profiles with luminescent paint through which the actual faces of the characters could be seen. View of a bunch of grown men and women running around the set garbed in such masks and animal suits, however, was a little naive to be convincing. Stal. (Variety, Nov. 13)
WCBS-TV Channel 2
8:15 Basketball at Madison Square Garden: N.Y. Knickerbockers vs. Chicago Atomics, sponsored by Ford. WNBT Channel 4
7:50 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley.
8:00 “Televues.”
8:30-11:00 Boxing at St. Nicholas Arena. Johnny Dell vs. Jose Aponte Torres, lightweight, ten rounds.
WABD Channel 5
3:00 News, music and Test Pattern
8:00 Film: “Gallant Lady” with Rose Hobart and Sidney Blackmer (PRC, 1942).
9:00-11:00 Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
Armistice Day Reviewed Monday (11), 10:30-12:30 a.m. Style—Special events remote. Sustaining over W6XYZ (Paramount), Hollywood.
Paramount went out in the rain to prove to local lookers that a parade is right up tele's alley. Pick-up of the Armistice Day event adds another feather to station's remote cap as its out-of-studio fare continues to mount. Scanner showed set owners what they can expect from the airpix medium in the future. Fact that a home viewer could enjoy an Armistice Day ceremony during a down-pour in the comfort of his living room was dramatic in itself.
Dismal skies didn't stop W6XYZ from delivering good, clear image quality. Lensers turned in a fine job in covering the proceedings. Best shot was an angle view framing Armistice Day speakers in city hall arch-way.
Director Klaus Landsberg gave scanner a good touch by occasionally turning his cameras away from the speakers and onto the people watching the event. Crowd shots showed imagination, adding considerably to seg's enjoyment by avoiding monotony. Injecting a touch of humor, lensers caught onlooker buying an ice cream bar from a nearby street peddler while sound continued to bring the typical Armistice Day address. (Billboard, Nov. 23)
Tuesday, November 12
WABD Channel 5
3:00-5:00 Continuous news, music, test pattern.
8:00 “Play the Game,” charades with Harvey Zorbaugh, sponsored by Alexander Stores.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Serving Through Science,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
Wednesday, November 13
WABD Channel 5
3:00 News, music and test pattern (to 5).
8:00 Comedy sketch: “McCracken Comes Through.”
8:30 Film short.
9:00 Dramatic Serial: “Far Away Hill.”
9:30 Boxing at Jamaica Arena. Jimmy Carollo vs. Johnny White, heavyweight.
Thursday, November 14
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 “CBS Television News” with Milo Boulton, sponsored by Gulf.
8:30 All-New York Junior High School Quiz (debut).
9:00 “Judge For Yourself: The Case of the Stolen Velvet.”
WNBT Channel 4
7:50 Esso Television Reporter, newsreel compiled by Paul Alley.
8:00 “Hour Glass,” variety with guests Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea/Chase and Sanborn Coffee.
9:00 “Visi-Quiz,” sponsored by Sears Roebuck, relayed from WPTZ.
WABD Channel 5
3:00 Continuous news and music.
8:00 “Charm School.”
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Cash and Carry,” game show with Dennis James.
Edgar Bergen and the entire cast of his radio show appeared on the "Hour Glass" program over WNBT (NBC, N. Y.) last Thursday (14) night, marking the first time any of the top 15 Hooperated radio stars was featured in a video production. What with Bergen's tele interests on the Coast, and the fact that Standard Brands sponsors both his radio show and "Hour Glass," he was a natural as the first de-icer.
Show proved, if anything, that a good radio comedian is equally good on television, even without the aid of a script. Situation was especially tough for Bergen for, with his ventriloquism, he's forced to carry the whole show himself. With Helen Parrish, usual emcee, on a temporary hiatus until after her baby is born. Bergen served as pseudo-emcee, and gave viewers a good show all the way. If other radio and screen stars follow his lead now, television might get that needed stimulus.
Production values on this show are steadily increasing, and the commercials last week were as good as any yet seen on video. About the only thing wrong was the pony line. Gals seem to be capable terpers, but their routines resemble something out of the worst days of burlesque — and in full costume, yet. A good choreographer who can overcome the space limitations is sorely needed. (Variety, Nov. 20)
The Hour Glass
Reviewed Thursday (14), 8-9 p.m. Style—Variety. Sponsored by Standard Brands for Chase & Sanborn Coffee over WNBT (NBC), New York. Agency—J. Walter Thompson.
Charlie McCarthy, Mortimer Snerd and Effie Klinker can all take bows for a solid hour of top entertainment on this Chase & Sanborn video show. Bergen took to television with complete ease and dished out a line of fast comedy that proved without a doubt that his wooden, proteges are grooved for television. Hearing these characters via radio is funny; seeing them, with their mannerisms, is far funnier.
Bergen at last has found a medium for Effie 'Klinker' who so far has flopped in radio. Effie was right behind Mortimer in being the hit of the show. Bergen has a routine with her that should burn out the iconoscope. Effie's ideas about what to do with strange men found under her bed was funny enough for a month full of laughs. Good camera action kept the show well scanned.
Format had Charlie McCarthy visiting a television show. As usual, he found pretty gals to admire-in this case a line of chorus gals. Gals were cute but their dancing wasn't tops. Several unusual camera shots of them were tried but didn't pan out.
Done in variety-vaude style, show featured Songstress Anita Gordon, who not only looked great but gave out with some nice singing. Also featured was Ray Noble and Chirper Larry Stewart. Stewart's singing was good but because he failed to sync with one of his platters the spot fell. Zany Pat Patrick, billed as the stuttering professor, was in rare form and gave out with a travel talk that hit the jackpot for good comedy. Comedy dance team of Elsie and Waldo, on the unusual side, were good. Also on the show was Magi Jim Sherman, who did the usual now-you-see-it and now-you-don't routines, but whose fast spiel put him over.
Commercial was radioish, kind that interrupts the show but which sponsors like and which presumably helps sell Chase & Sanborn's Instant Coffee. They were dramatized and showed how to use instant Java.
Helen Parrish was emsee. Show was produced by Harry Herrmann and directed by Fred Coe. (Billboard, Nov. 23)
With retail merchants handling television receiver sets up in arms over the dearth of daytime programming, a revolutionary idea to get some of the top evening shows moved down to the daylight hours has been broached to tele broadcasters and ad agencies by Bruno-New York, Inc., exclusive N. Y. distributors for RCA-Victor products.New RCA sets, first postwar models turned out by a major manufacturer, caused minor pandemonium when they went on display Nov. 4 in N. Y., Chicago, Philadelphia, Newark and Albany. An estimated 400,000 people saw the sets in N. Y. alone, jamming traffic in front of store windows and causing special cops to be called out in Macy's and Gimbel's department stores. All stores sold out their initial quotas immediately. ...
Questioned about the idea, Sam Cuff, station manager of WABD (DuMont, N. Y.), claimed that the DuMont test pattern with the International News Service tape running along it, has always drawn bigger crowds than any motion picture DuMont could transmit during the daytime. He asserted that no station had enough trained personnel to produce live shows in both the afternoon and evening, adding that, by switching to daytime hours, the people who bought new sets would have nothing to see at night. (Variety, Nov. 13)
Friday, November 15
WNBT Channel 4
8:00 “Television Quarterback” with Lou Little/Grantland Rice, sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
8:15 “Let’s Rhumba.”
8:35 “I Love to Eat” with James Beard, sponsored by Borden’s.
8:45 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
9:00 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing from St. Nicholas Arena. Jersey Joe Walcott vs. Elmer Ray, heavyweight.
3:00-5:00 Continuous News, music.
8:00 “The Magic Carpet” by Bud Gamble, sponsored by Alexander Smith Carpets.
8:00 Western Film: “Cavalcade of the West” with Hoot Gibson (1936).
9:00 Wrestling from Jamaica Arena.
Telequizicalls
Reviewed Friday (15), 8 to 8:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Commonwealth Edison Company on WBKB, Chicago.
As a result of presentation in WBKB's new and larger studio which can accomodate an audience, Edison's long-run successful show has a better, more spontaneous air. Laughs from studio audience liven the program and give it more zest, carrying thru to the home audience. Format of the program hasn't been changed as a result of being tele-cast from new studio. Show still features Meg Haun and Joe Wilson in charades and other quiz material that is the basis of questions that must be answered via telephone by home audience which can win electric appliance prized by coming up with the right answers. Show also still retains its top commercial value by showing uses of electricity and appliances.
As result of studio audience on hand Miss Haun and Wilson seem to be trying harder and getting the old showbiz satisfaction of audience response which keys up a performance. Within the next few months this show will be changed to enable the studio audience to take part in' posing puzzlers for the home audience. When that happens even better results can be expected, providing the show has the proper emsee, one quick-witted enough to provoke laughs and entertainment with his handling of new performers—the public—on the program. (Billboard, Nov. 23)
Saturday, November 16
WCBS-TV Channel 2
2:00 Football from Baker Field: Columbia vs. LaFayette, sponsored by Ford.
7:30 “King’s Party Line” with John Reed King.
8:00 “Saturday Revue.” 8:30 Feature film.
1:45 Football at Philadelphia: Army vs. Pennsylvania, sponsored by Goodyear.
SATURDAY REVUE
With Hal Leroy, Kitty Kallen, Jill Townsend, others
Director: Paul Belanger
Writers: Belanger, Miss Townsend
Set: Jim McNaughton
30 Mins.; Saturday (16), 8 p.m.
Sustaining
WCBS-TV-CBS, N. Y.
You have to hand it to the CBS television staff. They may not always be first with new tele programming ideas, but when they do come through on the tested shows, the shows are usually better than those turned out by the original producers. Situation was true of CBS' coverage of college and pro football games this fall, and web has repeated it now with "Saturday Revue," a variety show that's as good as anything seen on television to date.
Show is now in its fourth week, and each week has seen the addition of new and improved techniques. Last Saturday (16) night. for example, the action took place in a simulated nitery railed the "Club Leroy," with dancer Hal Leroy as the owner and emcee. Usual fashion show this time was integrated into the script, with Leroy and Powers model Jill Townsend talking about the clothes worn by the nitery's customers in an informal, chit-chat way that gave Miss Townsend a chance to describe them in full.
Set was one of the most ambitious ever constructed in a tele studio. Designer Jim McNaughton took full advantage of the CBS studio's ample spaces to provide a bar, a stage and a dance floor big enough to have eight or 10 couples dancing at one time. McNaughton is undoubtedly the best in his field, and it's surprising the guy hasn't been grabbed up yet by Hollywood.
Script was rough in spots, indicating that Leroy and Miss Townsend were allowed to ad lib freely. Having her tell her models to turn around so that viewers could see both sides of the gown, for instance, broke the theme of the affair. That, however, was about the show's only drawback. Kitty Kallen's singing was above average, and her little pantomimic skit with Leroy between choruses of each number was a great improvement over the way singers on television have usually just smiled prettily during orchestral bridges. Leroy only had one dance but demonstrated that he's still one of the top tappers in the business.
Paul Belanger's direction and camera work was also tops. He didn't snarl a single shot and limited his trick work, on which he's established his reputation, to one or two sequences in which Miss Kallen was singing — all that was necessary for this show. Stal. (Variety, Nov. 20)
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 16.—Paramount's tele operations are due to go into high gear this week as it moves its Station W6XYZ into new quarters. Formerly cramped into a 20 by 30-foot studio on the Paramount lot, outlet will now have its own building, a large building across the street from the Park lot. Structure will house station's' entire tele operations, including a 60 by 75-foot main stage, 20 by 24-foot control room with additional 100 by 124-foot floor space to be devoted to clients’ rooms, dressing rooms, quarters for film, slide and special effects departments, lab and offices. Outlet will start broadcasting from its new home this week while workers will continue reconverting structure. ...
As soon as weather conditions permit atop snowbound Mount Wilson, Landsberg will install a new antenna, intended to boost the present 4 kw. transmitter. Station is now beaming from a 5,800 -foot high transmitter site and claims good reception for 125 miles. Paramount has hypoed its two-a-week regular program sked with an all-out splurge on remote pick-ups. Recent months have seen station's mobile equipment getting' the works, with W6XYZ covering county rodeo, motorcycle races, amateur championship tennis matches, all local games by Los Angeles Dons (pro football), last week's Armistice Day parade, and pro-tennis matches today and tomorrow (16 and 17). December1 station will go on a six-night-per-week sked, dividing its 20-hour air-time 50-50 between studio and remote pick-ups. Landsberg last week set deal to scan basketball games at Pan-Pacific. Outlet will do two basketball games per week, two to three ice hockey matches, plus three nights of studio originated programs, live and film.
To prove that the station is ready for commercial operations, outlet went thru hell and high water to go on the air Tuesday night (12) with its skedded program after a heavy snowstorm atop Mount Wilson knocked out power lines feeding the transmitter. Roads were closed five miles from transmitter site. Outlet's engineer, Ray Moore, donned snowshoes, climbed the five miles in the snowstorm to help regular transmitter operator swing entire power circuits of the building onto emergency Diesel generator system. Heavy ice was melted off the antennae and outlet went on despite the storm. (Billboard, Nov. 23)
CHICAGO, Nov. 16.—Henry C. Lytton & Company, local department store, this week bought the ABC telecasts of the Sunday night home games of the Chicago Blackhawks hockey games, via WBKB. Deal was sold by Jim Stirton, local video director for the net, and Paul Mowery, net's television chief. Lytton's sponsorship of the Blackhawks games will begin November 24 and will run for a 14-game series of Sunday games played here.
Last week Stirton sold a portion of the Wednesday night home games of the Hawks to General Mills. (Billboard, Nov. 23)
Sunday, November 17
WCBS-TV Channel 2
8:15 News with Tom O’Connor.
8:30 “Shorty,” cartoon show with Syd Hoff and guest Patty Foster, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste.
8:45 “Sports Almanac” with Bob Edge, sponsored by Vitalis.
9:00 Hockey at Madison Square Garden: Rangers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs.
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 Football at the Polo Grounds. N.Y. Giants vs. Boston Yankees.
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 Magazine.”
WABD Channel 5
2:15 Football at Yankee Stadium. N.Y. Yankees vs. San Francisco.
Monday, November 18
7:50 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley.
8:00 “Televues.”
8:10 Short subject.
8:30-11:00 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing at St. Nicholas Arena, Bee Bee Washington vs. Joe Cursio, middleweight, ten rounds.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 News, music and Test Pattern
8:00 Film: “The Black Doll” with Donald Woods, Nan Grey, Edgar Kennedy (Universal, 1938).
9:00-11:00 Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
Chevrolet Motors, in one of the biggest television deals yet set, signed Monday (18) afternoon for a 52-week series of shows over WABD (DuMont, N. Y.) beginning Jan. 12. Contract was signed in a unique way, with DuMont officials in N. Y. and Chevvy [sic] officials in Washington talking to each other and watching the proceeds via television itself.
Inking of the pact in this way opens up wide new fields for television that haven't yet been touched on. Important business deals can be signed in this way in the future, with execs in far-distant towns being able to negotiate personally with each other with the same intimacy as though they were in the same room. U. S. President, conceivably, may some day talk to chief execs of other nations, Chevvy and DuMont officials pointed out, and business salesmanagers from their offices may be able to talk to dealers or their field men across the nation without leaving their offices. System has all the advantages of the telephone, with the added benefit of sight.
Monday's deal was handled over a closed circuit between the DuMont studios in N. Y. and in Washington. Chevvy officials, in Washington for a Chevvy dealers' confab, signed one counterpart of the agreement while the DuMont execs in N. Y. signed the other. Two-way discussion took place, with each party simultaneously signing in full view of the other.
Under terms of the deal Chevvy takes over the 8 to 9 p.m. slot on Sunday nights over WABD, one of the cream hours for sponsored shows. Format of the shows is expected to be set soon. Chevvy is presently dickering for several top stars who might not be available until sometime next spring. If they are signed, the automobile company may go on the air with films until the live shows can start. (Variety, Nov. 20)
Tuesday, November 19
WNBT Channel 4
7:45 Premiere of “The Razor’s Edge” from the lobby of the Roxy Theatre.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 Continuous news, music, test pattern.
8:00 “Play the Game,” charades with Harvey Zorbaugh, sponsored by Alexander Stores.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Serving Through Science,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
Twentieth-Fox made its bid for 1946 Academy award honors last night (Tuesday) [19] by unfolding "Razor's Edge," costliest production ever to come out of the 20th studios, on the screen of the Roxy. N. Y., in a boffo prewar type world preem. Attending the affair were top execs from every branch of the film industry, United Nations delegates, stage, screen and radio stars, society toppers and 72 out-of-town critics, invited by 20th for the preem.
In Klieg-lighted ceremonies with all the pomp of a Hollywood premiere, newsreel, television and radio emcees interviewed the stars of the film and other celebs, Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney, Clifton Webb and director Edmund Goulding included. NBC television had three Image Orthicon cameras, one stationed outside the theatre, one in the lobby and one on the mezzanine, with Ben Grauer, Bob Stanton and Radcliffe Hall handling the announcing Mel Allen described the affair over WNEW, N. Y., indie, and Johnny Grant did a running commentary over the Roxy's public address system for the crowds outside the theatre.
N. Y. special police were to have been stationed around the Roxy to handle the crowds. In addition, 100 Pinkerton detectives handled the ticket-holders inside the theatre.
Ballyhoo surrounding the preem teed off Monday (18) afternoon with a cocktail party tossed by 20th at the Hotel Plaza, N. Y., to give the N. Y. press and out-of-town crix a chance to meet the stars.
'Present Laughter," Noel Coward play in which Webb is currently starring on Broadway, didn't give a performance last night so that the actor could attend the preem. Instead, the show's producers substituted a special matinee for next Friday (22). (Variety, Nov. 20)
Wednesday, November 20WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 News, music and test pattern.
8:00 Film: “Weed No More.”
8:30 Film short.
9:00 Dramatic Serial: “Far Away Hill.”
9:30 Boxing at Jamaica Arena. Tony LaRocca vs. Don Murray.
New York.—Drew Pearson has been signed for a 13-week television series in a deal closed by ABC with his radio bankroller, Lee Hats, through William H. Weintraub & Co.
The 30-minute program will originate from Washington, beginning about mid-December, presumably through facilities of WTTG-DuMont to be carried here over latter’s WABD because ABC has no operating television outlet of its own. (Hollywood Reporter, Nov. 20)
ABC television snagged two new sponsors this week for its shows produced over WBKB (Balaban & Katz, Chicago). New advertisers give the web 5 ½ hours weekly sponsored time in Chi, more than it has in any o£ its other four outlets.
Henry C. Lytton & Sons, local Chi retailer, signed to bankroll ABC telecasts of the Blackhawks' pro hockey games Sunday nights, beginning Sunday (24). Television Associates, package agency operated by Capt. William C. Eddy, station manager of WBKB, picked up the tab on "Stump the Authors," studio show which ABC has produced on a sustaining basis since Sept. 6. Eddy's outfit takes over sponsorship Nov. 29 of the Friday night show 9 to 9:30.
ABC announced last week that General Mills had been pacted to bankroll the Wednesday night Blackhawks games, with possibility that other advertisers might come in later for this series on a participation basis. (Variety, Nov. 20)
Chicago, Nov. 19.—In stunt to bring variety to daily telecasts, WBKB last week aired opening of new bank in Chicago's loop. Gimmick provided good material for video show as bank is not of conventional type, having drive-in facilities which provide motorists opportunity to transact biz without getting out of cars.
Using two cameras, show was directed by Reinald Werrenrath, Jr., and announced by Don Ward. (Variety, Nov. 20)
Thursday, November 21
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 “CBS Television News” with Milo Boulton, sponsored by Gulf. Navy film: “Operation Zipper.”
8:30 All-New York Junior High School Quiz (debut).
9:00 “Judge For Yourself: Brief Pause For Murder.”
9:30 National Crafts and Science Show from Madison Square Garden.
WNBT Channel 4
7:50 Esso Television Reporter, newsreel compiled by Paul Alley.
8:00 “Hour Glass,” variety, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea/Chase and Sanborn Coffee.
8:45 Film Preview of “The Best Years of Our Lives,” Astor Theatre. 9:00 “Visi-Quiz,” sponsored by Sears Roebuck, relayed from WPTZ.
1:00-4:00 Continuous news and music.
8:00 Badminton tournament, sponsored by Natura Yarn Fabrics.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Cash and Carry,” game show with Dennis James.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL QUIZ
With Ed Stasheff, emcee
Producer-Director: Mrs. Frances Buss
30 Mins.: Thurs., 8:30 p.m.
Sustaining
WCBS-TV, N. Y.
Aired under the auspices of the New York City Board of Education, this program is a modest beginning towards the utilization of the video medium for and within the school system. Given the limitations of a quiz show with 12-year-old junior high school students as participants, the program shapes up as a good effort, in a small way, to explore the visual demands placed on television shows. Juves will find considerable interest in the presentation of the questions while adults, aside from some mild intellectual stimulation, will derive plenty of laughs from observing the range of facial expressions on the kids as they face the quizmaster. Camera handlers on the preem show (21) were particularly sensitive to the humorous possibilities to be found there.
Show is part of a citywide inter-scholastic competition to seed out the championship quiz team. Except for a few comments by the emcee, everything is handled by the kids themselves. Format has two teams of 10 pupils apiece facing each other with questions alternately posed from side to side by the team captains. Questions, all of which were prepared by the students themselves, were latched on to some visual gimmick such as blackboards, posters displays, etc. Sample questions, most of which baffled this reviewer, included the construction of a three-dimensional figure containing four equilaterial [sic] triangles out of a tinker-toy set or matching the portraits of famous composers with type of music each was noted for.
Viewers were kept abreast of the quiz throughout by neat production handling of the kids who were not permitted to block the cameras. Aiding the proceedings was the fact that the kids were not overwhelmed by the idea of videocasting and acted with delightful naturalness. Herm. (Variety, Nov. 27)
BRIEF PAUSE FOR MURDER
With David Manners, Mary Patton, Kermit Murdock, Warren Bryan, Robert Bolger, Gordon Mintner
Writer: Gordon Mintner
Producer-Director: Phillip Booth
30 Mins.; Thurs. (21), 9 p.m.
Sustaining
WCBS-TV, N. Y.
At the present stage of the art, video finds it safer, easier and cheaper to eschew experimental program ideas and prefers to stick to the provei formulas of success. Whodunits are a natural for surefire audience response (as indicated by radio's Hooperatings) and it doesn't take a swami to foresee a rash of them breaking out on the videolanes. Especially when scripters master the basic techniques of the medium as Gordon Mintner did in this adaptation of a "Whistler" story. A one-time shot, "Brief Pause For Murder" is a classroom model in video writing, illustrating the essential dicta—keep the design simple, the weave tight and, above all, don't get off the dime.
CBS' production finesse and a competent cast took over from that point and whipped over a first rate half-hour dramatic session, even if it didn't embody any new ideas. Story was laid out in two settings, a broadcast studio and a living room, both of which were of simple but effective construction. Lighting and camera work sharply defined the arena of action while good direction accented the morbid overtones of jealously climaxed in murder.
David Manners, in the central role, convincingly played a radio announcer obsessed with a plot to strangle his two-timing wife in a perfect crime. Other cast members were also effective. Herm. (Variety, Nov. 27)
Sears Visit-Quiz [sic]
Reviewed Thursday (21), 9-9:30p.m. Style—Audience and home-viewer participation. Sponsored by Sears, Roebuck & Company from WPTZ, Philadelphia, to WNBT, New York, and WRGB, Schenectady, New York.
For a half-hour program, hooked up over a tri-city network—from Philadelphia to New York City and Schenectady, N. Y.—this is a particularly dull show which leaves the audience cold. Format consists of individuals from the studio audience enacting or portraying well-known places, things, and books, etc. Home viewers calling studio with correct answers receive gifts advertised in Sears catalog.
As evidenced by the number of quiz programs already on television, producers have discovered that they make good fare, but in this case, they've gone overboard in their efforts to produce a top show. Emsee Tom Saxon; a bit on the hammy side, forces the entire program in order to get a few laughs from his studio audience, If he'd slow down a bit with his corny gags and gimmicks program might pick up a little. Entire show should be worked on until it's worth a tri-city scanning. With the television industry ready to take its bow before the public, this show should be in top form, both visually and entertainment-wise.
Commercial is worked into the production smoothly. After acting out a gimmick, the program participant from the studio audience walks over to one side of the set where he opens the cover of an eight-foot Sears, Roebuck catalog which reveals a gift for himself and for the home-viewer who called the studio with the correct answer. Participant is handed his gift and a copy of Sears' catalog.
The show was built by Raymond S. Aarons, account executive of Benjamin Eshleman Company, Sears' advertising agency, and Raymond E. Nelson, video consultant. Aarons and Nelson also handle the production duties for Sears. (Billboard, Nov. 30)
Playgrounds
Reviewed Thursday (21), 8:45-9 p.m.Style—Film slides and skit. Sustaining over W6XYZ (Paramount), Hollywood.
This public' service seg was devoted to explaining latest developments at municipal playgrounds. Device used had kids interrupting a card party to ask questions, which led to explanations of 'new amusement spot developments, shots showing craft activities available at the town's parks. A mischievous child, at the same time, is shown winding up content and busy, pointing a pool-room-or-else sort of moral. Presentation was simple, but adequate and unexciting. It shed little light on a rather well-known set of facts. (Billboard, Nov. 30)
Friday, November 22
WNBT Channel 4
8:00 “Television Quarterback” with Lou Little/Grantland Rice, sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
8:15 “Let’s Rhumba.”
8:20 “You Are an Artist” with John Gnagy, sponsored by Gulf.
8:35 “I Love to Eat” with James Beard, sponsored by Borden’s.
8:45 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
9:00 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing from St. Nicholas Arena. Johnny Colan vs. Johnny Thomas, heavyweight, ten rounds.
WABD Channel 51:00-4:00 Continuous News, music.
8:00 Western Film: “Billy the Kid’s Smoking Guns” with Buster Crabbe, Fuzzy St. John (PRC, 1942).
9:00 Wrestling from Jamaica Arena.
Saturday, November 23
WCBS-TV Channel 2
2:00 Football from Baker Field: Columbia vs. Syrucuse, sponsored by Ford.
7:30 “King’s Party Line” with John Reed King.
8:00 “Saturday Revue.” 8:20 News.
WNBT Channel 4
1:45 Football at Yankee Stadium, N.Y.U. vs. Georgetown.
As the football season wanes criticism can be focused more sharply on the comparative handling of football games by the various N. Y. telestations. Previously acceptable was the excuse for bad telecasting that none of them had any previous experience with the sport, but after almost a dozen games apiece, a fairly high level should have been reached and maintained by all of them.
Unfortunately the front runner at the season's beginning has definitely been offering second-class coverage. NBC seems to have reached its peak in football coverage sometime previous to the Army-Notre Dame game and has been retrogressing since then. The WNBT camera work has never been on a par with that of CBS, where a couple of ex-footballers have been manipulating the cameras. Even so, no one can complain when a cameraman is fooled by tricky T-formation operations that have players baffled. But there's no excuse for continued mechanical errors such as double exposures and failure to focus properly.
In calling the games, NBC's Bob Stanton at first had an edge over any other playcallers but, call it carelessness, complacency, or what you will, the situation has changed. Stanton reached the nadir in his recent efforts during the Georgetown-NYU game Saturday (23) making it just about as dull as a video announcer can. Of the three sportcasters on the NBC outlet, N. Y., Timesman Arthur Daley has far outclassed any of his specialist-compatriots but is confined pretty much to the pro games. Stanton's repeated mistakes in calling players and plays are too easily seen by the viewer. Better spotting might make the difference. (Variety, Nov. 27)
Sunday, November 24
WCBS-TV 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.
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 Football at the Polo Grounds. N.Y. Giants vs. Pittsburgh Steelers.
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.”
WABD Channel 5
2:15 Football at Yankee Stadium. N.Y. Yankees vs. Chicago Rockets.
Hockey Game
Reviewed Sunday (24), 8:30-10:15 p.m. Telecast by WBKB, Chicago. Presented by ABC and sposored [sic] by Henry C. Lytton & Sons.
Above all, this show demonstrated that television commercials, when done properly, can be powerful sales forces; certainly more powerful than all but the very best radio sales messages.
Telecasting of the actual game was better than other hockey matches WBKB has done, but improvement is still needed. More equipment is needed. Too often figures of the players were too small and made it difficult for the audience to follow the game. When close-ups were used, effect was tops. However, because the station has only two cameras—one for close-ups and one for distant shots—and because the distant-shot lens gave too broad a scope while close-ups could not be used when it was necessary to follow a wide expanse of play, a happy medium that would have followed the play and yet have figures that were not too small could not be achieved. Station should have a third camera for intermediate shots.
First commercial, written by Fran Harris, video director for Ruthrauff & Ryan here, agency on the account, and Betty Babcock was eight minutes long, but not for one minute did it lose interest or become boring. It showed how effective a sales medium television can be. Scene was laid in a simulated store setting, where an embarrassed customer (Stanley Gordon) was trying to find a Christmas gift for his wife. As a sales girl (Beverly Younger) demonstrated clothes items to him, there were dissolves to models wearing the apparel. Way in which commercial was written gave the sales pitch humor and entertainment. The commercial, therefore, was able to hold interest and at the same time sell—thereby realizing a seldom-achieved advertising goal.
Second commercial was only four minutes, but it failed to hold interest. Too many items were displayed. There was not enough comedy, information or entertainment to make the audience want to watch. Interesting point here is that first commercial was carefully written and rehearsed, while the second was given ad lib by two of the top video actors in town—George Cisar and Helen Malone. Nevertheless, the first plug had spontaneity while the second seemed forced and stilted. In spite of the failure of the second commercial, this show nevertheless can go down on the records as the one in which Chicago saw some of the best video commercial work yet produced here. (Billboard, Dec. 7)
Monday, November 25
7:50 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley.
8:00 “Televues.”
8:10 Short subject.
8:30-11:00 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing at St. Nicholas Arena. Julio Jimenez vs. Roman Alvarez, lightweight, ten rounds.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 News, music and Test Pattern
8:00 Film: “Lady in the Morgue” with Preston Foster, Patricia Ellis, Barbara Pepper (Universal, 1938).
9:00-11:00 Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
Fashion Show
Reviewed Monday (25), 9:35-10:10 p.m. Style—Variety. Sustaining over W6XAO (Don Lee), Hollywood.
This was one of the most ambitious video projects attempted recently by Don Lee's outlet, and for the most part was okay. Technical flaws plus mechanical bugs in both cameras marred what might otherwise have been a thoroly satisfactory tele show. Producers W. Gerde-Ttesta and Ruth Selznick originally started out to do a fashion show, but finished script carried a plausible story in which parading of models was sub- ordinated to general story line. Seg opened with movie starlet Shirley O'Hara seeking a screen test. Casting Director Marshall Brother told gal she needed doing over before facing cameras, cuing in make-up expert, Hal King; hair stylist, Katherine Shea, and dress designer, Renie. Each in turn gave gal a new face, hairdo and wardrobe, explaining steps to video lookers as they progressed. Fashion portions worked in as a scene of a movie being shot on sound stage. Models were draped in front of doorway, then paraded before video cameras while Renie did an off-stage commentary. More imagiative camera work here would have added variety and made for more eye-appeal. Show climaxed when starlet O'Hara reappeared completely glamorized. Idea was to show what grooming and smart clothes can do to brighten a drab dame. Fern video audience no doubt profited by this practical demonstration. Technically, show was on the weak side, with both cameras acting up and making for fuzzy imagery. Boom mike was new type, with super-sensitive bass response, picking up low register rumbles as operator maneuvered boom above cast. Lensers missed fire on several key shots when the cast blocked their own view. With more rehearsal time and some careful cutting, Don Lee's producer, Jack Stewart, could have woven seg into an acceptable tele bit. As it was, show was hot and cold but with a better-than-than-average over-all score. (Billboard, Dec. 7)
Tuesday, November 26
WNBT Channel 4
7:45 Premiere of “The Razor’s Edge” from the lobby of the Roxy Theatre.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 Continuous news, music, test pattern.
8:00 “Play the Game,” charades with Harvey Zorbaugh, sponsored by Alexander Stores.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Serving Through Science,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
Chicago, Nov. 26.—Probably the fastest switch of video equipment from one spot to another was pulled last week when WBKB televised two remotes less than 15 minutes apart, using a police escort to race truck between scenes.
At 8 p. m. cameras were trained on a fashion show at the University Club. Crew left at 8:30 for Stadium to air hockey game, which went before cameras at 8:45. After some fancy finger-crossing, they made it, with no time for dinner in between. (Variety, Nov. 27)
Christmas Shopping at Home
Reviewed Tuesday (26), 9-9:15 p.m. Style—Shopping tips, product demonstration. Sustaining over W6XYZ (Paramount), Hollywood.
This shopping guide stanza made easy eye material. Demonstrated various seasonal items available at local stores. Interest was kept alive by selecting out-of-the-ordinary gimmicks as gift suggestions, including combination compact-handbag, micro 16mm. camera, revolving server and toy telegraphers' set. Advantages of each were capably described and demonstrated by Keith Heatherington and a telegenic fem, who also gave prices of items and where available. Pair kept informal line of patter going from start to finish, adding to scanner's appeal.
Only weakness: Twosome's occasional moving out of mike range. (Billboard, Dec. 7)
Hollywood—The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences was formed at a meeting Tuesday [26]. Charles Brown, program director of KFI, S. R. Rabinoff, president of American Television Labs, Russell Furse, associate producer of telefllms and Sydney Cassyd, newspaperman, comprise a committee of four that will formulate plans for membership requirements and set up a program. Sam Nathanson and Richard Mayer, members of organization who flew to New York Tuesday night, will confer with officers of American Television Society. No permanent officers will be elected until group is representative of those interested in television. Radio Daily, Nov. 29)
Wednesday, November 27
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 News, music and test pattern.
8:00 Film: “Holland Tulips.”
8:30 Film short.
9:00 Dramatic Serial: “Far Away Hill.”
9:30 Boxing at Jamaica Arena. Johnny Williams vs. Joey Peralta, welterweight, eight rounds.
Episode eight of Faraway Hill [27] shows little improvement after two months. At the start, this soapie appeared to have possibilities of developing into an interesting television cliff- hanger, but production has taken a nose-dive.
Altho David P. Lewis, video director of Caples Ad Agency, has assembled a fairly good cast, production is amateurish and strictly on the hammy side. In addition, show is badly directed. Story concerns a Park Avenue gal who goes to visit her country shirt-tail relations and unhappily discovers that they're not in the 400. While on the farm she falls in love with the hired man who in turn falls in love with the farmer's daughter. Up to this point, she has tried every conceivable trick known to the fern trade to win her man—but to no avail. And she'll proably go on trying as long as Caples foots the bill.
Lewis has one neat trick of bringing viewers up to date on story. Show opens with several scenes from previous episode, then fades into title card and intro of main characters. (Billboard, Dec. 7)
Washington.—It's not a joke, son. Some day you may be able to rig up a television network tied together by nothing more substantial than "light beams." And ultimately you may be able "to do it with mirrors." This, at any rate, is the promise of "photovision" —a sensational new development by which tele programs may be sent from city to city over "light beams" rather than radio waves or costly coaxial cable. Method was claimed useful also for large screen theatre video.Photovision got its first public demonstration here at the Washington Potomac Electric Power & Light Co. auditorium last week [Wed., 27] before 400 members and friends of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. Invention is the work of Dr Allen B. DuMont, president of DuMont Lab, and was demonstrated here by Dr. T. T. Goldsmith, Jr., director of research for DuMont.
The use of "light beams," Goldsmith said, brings television networks definitely closer, and may "ultimately simplify and cheapen" video broadcasts in the home.
The new "light beam" technique to relay pictures of an outdoor football game from field to transmitter and thence to other cities is many times cheaper than the costly A. T. & T. coaxial cable now used, it was pointed out. It will also transmit images with much greater sharpness and clarity since, Goldsmith said, "a television image loses about 40% of its definition or sharpness when it is transmitted by coaxial cable." He added: "The coaxial between New York and Washington costs millions to install a series of relay stations between the two cities for the transmission of pictures and sound over the light beams would not exceed $30,000.
Color, Too
Photovision can be used to relay color video as well as black-and-white pictures. It operates in light or darkness, without any interference from static or other interference inherent in radio. Goldsmith admitted, however, that right now photovision will not work satisfactorily in fog or in atmosphere heavily charged with dust particles. He described this, however, as a "temporary" obstacle which will be overcome. Other engineers upheld his assertion that "light beams" had been widely used by the English, Germans and Americans for relaying voice communications during the war.
In the demonstration, pictures were transmitted and broken and rebroken by intercepting the light beams over a 12-foot distance. Goldsmith explained that public tests would shortly be made in which pictures would be relayed with equal clarity over distances up to five miles. He suggested that the demonstrations that engineer could intercept the beams with mirrors and then flash them around the room, ultimately reproducing the complete image on the second tv screen.
600,000,000 Mc
RCA's all-electronic color tele, Goldsmith said, operates on the ultrahigh radio waves—500 megacycles a second—but photovision is literally out ot the radio spectrum, operating on 600,000,000 megs a second. By using this "high intensity energy source," "ghost images and shadow effects" are eliminated on tv screens.
Photovision may also be used to send tele broadcasts from a central transmitter to motion picture theatres for showing on theatre television screens. This could be done so that no other broadcasters or televiewers outside the film houses could intercept the programs.
Question of FCC's jurisdiction over "light" as well as radio beams came up for some discussion at the demonstration. Goldsmith pointed out that the Communications Act merely provides for jurisdiction over "wire or radio communications," not light. (Variety, Dec. 4)
Thursday, November 28
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 “CBS Television News” with Milo Boulton, sponsored by Gulf.
8:30 All-New York Junior High School Quiz.
9:00 Halloran Hospital Thanksgiving.
WNBT Channel 4
10:45 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 16 special floats.
1:15 Football at Philadelphia. Cornell vs. Pennsylvania. Relayed from WPTZ. Bob Stanton play-by-play.
7:50 Esso Television Reporter, newsreel compiled by Paul Alley.
8:00 “Hour Glass,” variety with guests Edward Everett Horton, Jay “Mr. District Attorney” Jostyn, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea/Chase and Sanborn Coffee.
8:45 Film Preview of “The Best Years of Our Lives,” Astor Theatre. 9:00 “Visi-Quiz,” sponsored by Sears Roebuck, relayed from WPTZ.
WABD Channel 51:45 Football from Ebbets Field, Yankees vs. Dodgers.
8:00 Vera Massey Show.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Cash and Carry,” game show with Dennis James.
HALLORAN HOLIDAY
With Jimmy Kane, Lisa Kirk, Maxine Sullivan, Mimi Walters, Jackie Kay, Alix Tournelle, Pvt. Robert Moss, Sid Shiller, 321st AGF Band
Producer-Director; Bob Bendick
60 Mins.; Thurs. (28), 9 p.m.
Sustaining
WCBS-TV-CBS, N. Y.
CBS television took its two Image Orthicon cameras out to Halloran General Hospital (Staten Island, N. Y.) last Thursday (28) night to bring viewers a Thanksgiving benefit show staged there for the hospitalized Army vets. Most interesting feature of the program was the fact that live musicians were seen on tele for the first time since the American Federation of Musicians ban was clamped down on the medium. Local 802 (N. Y.) permitted CBS to use an Army orch for the show, since it was a benefit.
Despite statements of tele execs that they can get along without live musicians, the orch aided considerably in hypoing interest in the show, making the talent look and sound much better than when it has only recorded music for backing. Way the camera picked up the keyboard as Pvt. Robert Moss played "Rhapsody in Blue" presaged the time when tele cameras will go into a concert hall to bring viewers both the sight and music of famous concert artists.
Since the proceedings were staged like any benefit, all that remained for producer-director Bob Bendick to do was train his lenses on the stage. Bendick went beyond this, however, to swing his cameras around to the vets in the audience from time to time to pick up their reactions. Way he handled the lenses often made it seem as though there were three cameras at work, instead of two. Particularly outstanding job was done in the piano sequence, when the camera completed a 290-degree turn to focus finally on the keyboard.
Talent, consisting of some of the top names in show biz, was fine. Maxine Sullivan scored with her "Loch Lomond" and Alix Tournelle, a little French gal, with her Russian ballad. Mimi Walters, of "Follow the Girls" fame, and tyro Jackie Kay, handled their terping chores competently. Lisa Kirk, sultry songstress who made her nitery bow, recently at the Ruban Bleu. N. Y., was outstanding with a brace of ballads and displayed a nice personality in leading the group-singing of "Old MacDonald" for the signoff. Jimmy Kane emceed adequately. Stal. (Variety, Dec. 4)
Friday, November 29
WNBT Channel 4
8:00 “Television Quarterback” with Lou Little/Grantland Rice, sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
8:15 “You Are an Artist” with John Gnagy, sponsored by Gulf.
8:25 “Let’s Rhumba”
8:30 “I Love to Eat” with James Beard, sponsored by Borden’s.
8:45 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
9:00 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing from St. Nicholas Arena. Lulu Costantino vs Eddie Giosa, lightweight, ten rounds.
WABD Channel 512:00-2:30 North Pole Toyland, Children’s Christmas Show from Wanamaker’s DuMont studio. 8:00 “The Magic Carpet” by Bud Gamble, sponsored by Alexander Smith Carpets.
8:00 Western Film: “Frontier Justice” with Hoot Gibson and Snowflake (Diversion, 1935).
9:00 Wrestling from Jamaica Arena.
Washington, Dec. 3.—Commercial tele took a big step forward in Washington last Friday (29) when FCC handed a 90-day permit to WTTG, DuMont's tele station here. Station will operate commercially on temporary basis, using experimental equipment of DuMont's test station W3XWT.Leslie Arries, manager of WTTG, said station hopes to be in operation with its fullpowered 5kw sound-and-picture transmitters early in 1947.
First sponsored show to go on the air here will be professional hockey match from the Uline Arena, Dec. 10, sponsored by U. S. Rubber Co. Other commercial shows shown on DuMont's Manhattan station WABD, sponsored by Chevrolet Motors and others, will also be fed out over the Washington transmitter.
The DuMont's D. C. outlet will also televise the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the White House, Dec. 24, it was understood.
Meanwhile ABC-affiliate WMAL here conducted its first tele tests last week with two Image Orthicon cameras shipped in from RCA. Station hopes to make its video debut early next year. WMAL's FM and tele transmitters will both be located on the American University campus in uptown Washington. (Variety, Dec. 3)
SEARS, Roebuck & Co., Philadelphia, Friday [29] started Matinee for Youth, daytime video program for children, as Friday afternoon series on WPTZ Philadelphia. Series is second video effort of company, whose Thursday night Visi-Quiz was recently expanded to network proportions (now on WNBT New York and WRGB Schenectady as well as WPTZ) in special pre-Christmas campaign by Sears stores in three cities. Both programs handled by Benjamin Eshleman Co., Philadelphia, agency for Sears in that city. (Broadcasting, Dec. 2)
Saturday, November 30
WCBS-TV Channel 2
7:30 “King’s Party Line” with John Reed King.
8:00 “Saturday Revue.” 8:20 News.
8:30 Feature film.
WNBT Channel 4
12:15 Football: Arrival of President Truman and General Eisenhower, Army vs. Navy at Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, relayed from WPTZ to WRGB and audience at WRC radio, Washington. Bob Stanton and Ben Grauer, announcers. Sponsored by Gillette.
WABD Channel 5
12:00-2:30 Children’s Christmas Show.
Variety Showcase
The Saturday night CBS revue, vaudeville style, was hot and cold. Program opened with clever intro shots of various stars taking part in the show and then faded into four snappy and good -looking gal terpers who kicked and jitterbugged their way thru a nice routine. At the end of the entire show, however, the revue had laid an egg.
Chief cause of show flip-flopping, in spite of some fairly good talent, was poor timing on the director's part in fading into the various acts - leaving a blank background on the screen for some 10 or 15 seconds at a time. Show could have been jacked up considerably if emsee Gary Davis had been folded in between the acts—introducing the acts while cameras were trained on him. As it was, show resembled a badly co-ordinated old-time film strip.
Featured in the program was June Christy, chirper for Stan Kenton's ork; The Skeptics—Marsha Lee, Martin Balsam and Leonard Barry—and dancers James Starbuck and Nelle Fisher. Miss Christy was tops with the chords as well as easy on the eyes and proved herself good video. The Skeptics did a series of satires that were funny in spots far and few between. With proper routine, television-wise, they could be a top video comedy trio. Terpers James Starbuck and Nelle Fisher did a ballet take-off of Pygmalion which was a knock-out. Unusually good direction and camera pick-ups caught the dancers in a way which couldn't help but key up the viewers.
Bad feature of the show was the abruptness with which the director cut off the four terpers in the middle of a routine at the end of the show and then faded into the WCBS-TV call letters and test -pattern. Program ended just like that.
Revue was directed by Steve Marvin, assisted by Ralph Levy. Jim McNaughton designed the sets which created a good background for the program. (Billboard, Dec. 7)
ARMY-NAVY GAME
With Bob Stanton, Ben Grauer, announcers
Producer: Burke Crott,
225 Mins.; Sat. (30), 12:15 p.m.
GILLETTE
WNBT-NBC, N. Y.
(Maxon)
NBC television climaxed its college football coverage last Saturday (30) with the Army-Navy classic in what was probably their best gridiron scanning job to date. Using four Image Orthicon cameras, producer Burke Crotty missed hardly a play of the. thriller, giving viewers better than a bird's-eye view of the hectic closing minutes.
Crotty could probably have taken more care in placing his four cameras around the field, since the rear view of a spectator's head blotted out the game at several points. Cameras were probably set up, however, when the stadium was empty and how was Crotty to know this guy in the stands would keep jumping up and down in front of his lenses? He managed to follow the ball in flight on most of the pass and punt plays, something that's been lacking from NBC coverage of previous games this season.
Comparison of the game's coverage this year with that in 1945 points up the fact that tele has progressed considerably during the last 12 months. Viewed on a new RCA table-model set, the pictures were amazingly clear and sharp and could be compared favorably with the best newsreel shots. Whereas the transmission over the Bell System's coaxial cable from Philadelphia conked out during last year's game, everything went smoothly this year. Cheers and yells from the crowd in the NBC viewing room were probably as vociferous as any at the stadium.
Play-by-play was handled in fine fashion by Bob Stanton (who,, incidentally, was unjustly accused in this space last week of messing up a pro game on Nov. 24, when he wasn't even there). Stanton's usual easy-going wit paced the game nicely Ben Grauer, doing the color commentary, followed through in top style.
Something should be done about the Gillette commercials. Instead of the interesting films that Goodyear has fed tele viewers this year on other Army games. Gillette continues to use its nondescript slides, which lack any semblance of motion. Plugs were thrown in indiscriminately during the first half of the game, often disrupting completely the viewers' interest in the contest. Sponsor knew enough, however to withhold the commercials during that spectacular last quarter, permitting the cameras to stay glued to the playing field. Stal. (Variety, Dec. 4)
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 30.—Don Lee's tele outlet, W6XAO, will hypo film programing with the use of special newsreel featurettes of local events, photographed by Don Lee lensers and used exclusively over video outlet. Tele station has aired two special events to date, the maiden flight of Lockheed's "Constitution" and the colorful Santa Claus Lane parade, annual Hollywood pre-Christmas event.
Plan calls for use of silent films with studio commentary and sound effects to be dubbed in at broadcast time. Outlet has closed deal to rush printing and development within a few hours after event is shot by lensers, thus enabling Monday night telecasting of events occurring over week-end. (Billboard, Dec. 7)
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