By the end of June 1947, NBC became an actual network when it opened its second station, putting WNBW on the air in Washington, D.C. It was also Washington’s second station, behind DuMont’s WTTG, and would be joined by a third before the year was out. That station, WMAL, was already using its studio for news interviews for WCBS-TV, which refused to use its own studios. Confounding the situation is WMAL was to be an ABC station.
Like WTTG, most of WNBW's programming came from New York at first. The Washington Post of June 27 says the station was to broadcast Friday, Sunday and Monday evenings.
DuMont had been a two-station network before NBC’s growth. Its programming grew in June with the addition of a network newscast as of the middle of the month. Walter Compton was picked up from WTTG four nights a week. Tjhe Washington station also found sponsorship to broadcast baseball games from Griffith Stadium.
There are always some puzzling things trying to rectify schedules sent out from the station and what actually may have been on the air. According to one trade review, this month marked the TV debut of game show host Bill Cullen, who was emceeing “Winner Take All” on CBS radio. The trade paper doesn’t give a date and none of the schedules in the papers mention the show. I’ve slotted it in a date I’m guessing at, based on the fact the show listed in that slot aired four days earlier.
There’s also a reference to a Negro league game broadcast on WCBS. It’s mentioned in some newspapers for that day. The play-by-play man, New York Amsterdam News writer Joe Bostic, mentions in the paper’s issue two days after the game, in a story clearly written before the event:
This column was scheduled to be the voice you heard doing the play-by-play run-down of the Ebbetts [sic] Field game between the New York Black Yanks and the Newark Eagles Thursday night. It was a history making telecast in that it was the first time in history that the networks had covered a Negro game via television and the first that that a Negro announcer had been handed the exacting play-by-play assignment . . . CBS rates a pat on the back for that one we think.Did the broadcast happen? My guess is "no." If it did, no media, including the black press, mentioned it. Bostic’s column the following week griped about another sports event. His paper referred to a 6-5 Newark win over the Black Yanks, but the game took place at Dunn Field in Trenton (the paper’s scoreboard also has the teams rained out at Newark, but I suspect that was a misprint meaning the following day’s contest).
Apparently having two live shows was cutting into the free time of Tex McCrary and Jinx Falkenburg. At the end of June, they began filming their Monday afternoon programme for broadcast.
Sunday, June 15
7:30 Film: “Last of the Mohicans,” part five of serial.
7:50 Film: “Be Your Age,” how to avoid heart trouble in middle-age.
8:00 Metropolitan Museum of Art and Dance Show.
8:45 Film: “Little Red School House” with Kenneth Howell, Dickie Moore.
WNBT Channel 4
2:30 Roy Rogers Thrill Circus from the Polo Grounds, hosted by Bob Stanton.
8:00 “At Home With Tex and Jinx,” sponsored by Ipana/Minit-Rub.
8:20 “Party Line” with Bert Parks, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste and Ingram’s Shaving Cream.
9:00 Roy Rogers Thrill Circus continued.
WABD Channel 5, New York
1:44 “Sports Names to Remember,” sponsored by Mouquin Wine.
1:50 Baseball at Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. St. Louis Browns, play-by-play with Bill Slater.
Pre- and Post-Game spots from Pepsi-Cola.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs Philadelphia Phillies, play-by-play with Joe Wilson and Jack Brickhouse, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison and Ford; Post-Game “Scoreboard” for Kass Clothing.
8:30 Midget Auto Races at Soldier Field.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
12:45 INS News Tape, sponsored by Good House Stores.
1:15 Baseball at Shibe Park, Athletics vs. Cleveland Indians (double header), Claude Haring play-by-play, sponsored by ARCO and Philco.
7:30 INS News Tape, sponsored by Wilf Bros. Appliances.
8:00 NBC programming.
KSD Channel 5, St. Louis
8:00 News Comment by Dr. Roland G. Usher.
8:10 Film.
8:20 Municipal Opera Preview by Frank Eschen.
8:40 Film.
8:50 Ballroom Dancing, Ray Quinlan Dance Studios.
9:00 Feature film.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
1:30 Baseball Double Header at Gilmore Field, Hollywood Stars vs. Los Angeles Angels.
8:30 Cartoon Comedy.
8:40 “Shopping at Home” with Keith Hetherington and Harrise Brin, presented by leading Los Angeles Stores.
8:55 Latest Paramount News Highlights.
9:00 “Hits and Bits,” variety show, MC’d by Dick Lane.
Monday, June 16
WNBT Channel 4, New York
8:00 Western Film.
9:00 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley.
9:10 Film: “Here is Your World” with Mr. and Mrs. Winters.
9:25 Film short.
WABD Channel 5, New York
6:55 News from Washington with Walter Compton, relayed from WTTG.
7:00 “Small Fry Club” hosted by Bob Emery, sponsored by American Pipe Cleaning.
7:30 “Show Case: Write You Are”.
7:50 Film Short [Times has “U.S. Army—Generals Devers and Hodges, Col. McPhail, Army Band.”]
8:00 Second Showcase: “This is Your S.F.I.” with Colonel Stoopnagle.
8:30 “Sports Names to Remember,” sponsored by Mouquin Wine.
8:40 Baseball from Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. White Sox, play-by-play with Bill Slater. Pre- and Post-Game spots from Pepsi-Cola.
One-minute Weather for Sanka Coffee.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs Brooklyn Dodgers, play-by-play with Joe Wilson and Jack Brickhouse, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison and Ford; Post-Game “Scoreboard” for Kass Clothing.
8:15 Sidelights on Sports.
8:30 Wrestling from Midway arena, with Russ Davis, sponsored by Keeley Beer.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 to 5:30 Test Chart.
7:30 INS News Tape, sponsored by Wilf Bros. Appliances.
8:00 NBC programming.
KSD Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00 Telecast of downtown St. Louis skyline, including new 540-foot KSD-TV antenna tower.
3:30 Film.
8:00 Film.
8:10 Baseball Closeups with Harry Caray and Gabby Street, sponsored by Griesedieck Brothers Brewery.
8:25 Baseball game from Sportsmen’s Park, Cardinals vs. Phillies, play-by-play with Ellis Veach and Ray Stockton, sponsored by Purity Bakery. W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
6:30-8:00 Test and music. 8:00 “Three Little Kittens” (aka “Rough on Rats”), cartoon.
8:10 “Braille,” educational film.
8:16 "Hawaii,” musical film.
8:19 Station Identification.
8:20 “Small Town Boy,” feature film with Stewart Erwin (Mercury, 1937).
9:20 Station identification.
9:21 “Atlantic City,” scenic film.
9:30 “Sports Around the World,” recreational film.
9:41-9:42 Closing announcement.
KTLA Channel 5, Los Angeles
3:00 “Tune-up time,” test slides, recorded music.
4:00 Film program for television dealers.
8:30 p.m. The Home Show from the Pan-Pacific auditorium (new ideas for your home).
WRITE YOU ARE
With Dr. William Perl, Marty Schrader; guests
Producer-Writer: Schrader
Director: Bob Loewi
15 Mins.; Monday (16), 7:30 p.m.
Sustaining
WABD—DuMont, N. Y.
"Write You Are," first Marty Schrader package aired by a N. Y. station in some time, represents an interesting idea but one that needs plenty of polishing before sponsors can be expected to knock at Schrader's door. It looked like an extremely low-budgeter, however, as spotted in DuMont's showcase time Monday (16) night and, with its format revolving around handwriting analysis and doodling, would be a natural for a pen or ink company.
Schrader, former television trade paper reporter, apparently knows the medium so that the stumbling aspects of Monday's show could probably be charged up to the fact that it was necessarily cut from its original half-hour time to 15 minutes because of the special Army ceremony at Yankee Stadium immediately following. With Schrader himself acting as emcee, handwriting expert Dr. William Perl analyses the penmanship of two guests and one outside viewer, to whom he talks via telephone, and then points out the intricacies in the doodling of celebs.
Schrader made an affable emcee, although it's obvious he's more used to working behind the cameras than in front of them. Dr. Perl apparently knew his stuff but was handicapped by an extremely heavy Austrian accent for which he tried to compensate by shouting most of the time. Both went through their lines at times like a grammar school kid reciting a memorized poem, which hampered the all-important spontaneity for such shows.
Director Bob Loewi handled his cameras well, making the most of the visual aspects in cutting to the writing exhibits when Dr. Perl was explaining them. Stal. (Variety, June 18)
Home Show
Reviewed Monday (16) 8:30-10:30 a.m. Style-Direct pick-up of Home Show Exhibition from Pan-Pacific Auditorium. Sustaining over KTLA (Paramount), Hollywood.
With its right-up-close coverage of various displays at the annual Home Show, Paramount proved that it can take practically any type of event in its stride and come thru with an eye-holder.
Material at hand was ideally suited for home viewing. Displays included everything from complete models of radically designed modern homes to the latest in household appliances and gadgets. However, the fact that the various display booths were scattered thruout the vast Pan-Pacific Auditorium, made the show a particularly tough tele nut to crack. Hundreds of feet of cable solved the problem, allowing cameras to move freely from one exhibition to the other.
Keith Hetherington and Harrise Brin, who handle outlet's Shopping at Home regular Sunday night seg, wandered from booth to booth describing the various products with lensers moving for a close look-see. Each item was closely examined and demonstrated for the benefit of the home viewers. The Hetherington-Brin twosome adequately provided the patter that tied in the various displays. Hetherington turned in a particularly noteworthy job, handling gab in a smooth and easy fashion.
Miss Brin looked better than she sounded. While her photogenic qualities are advantageous, her uneasy and stilted speaking manner tended to retard the informal mood created by her partner. Lass was noticeably self-conscious. Since she has faced the tele eye for some time, this unrelaxed manner is hard to understand.
As a whole, KTLA chalked up another good sales argument for the air pix medium. Panning and dollying for the most part was handled in a polished fashion that enhanced the pick-up. Lee Zhito. (Variety, June 28)
Tuesday, June 17 WCBS-TV Channel 2, New York
8:20 Soccer at Ebbets Field, Palestine Hapoel Team vs. American Soccer League All-Stars.
WNBT Channel 4, New York
10:55 a.m. Princeton University Bicentennial celebration with President Truman, others.
WABD Channel 5, New York City
6:45 News from Washington with Walter Compton, relayed from WTTG.
7:00 “Movies for Small Fry” hosted by Bob Emery.
7:30 “Cash and Carry” with Dennis James.
8:00 Western Feature Film, sponsored by Chevrolet, relayed to WTTG.
9:00 “Serving Through Science,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber, relayed to WTTG.
One-minute Weather for Sanka Coffee.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs Brooklyn Dodgers, play-by-play with Joe Wilson and Jack Brickhouse, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison and Ford; Post-Game “Scoreboard” for Kass Clothing.
7:30 “Behind the Headlines.”
7:45 Film: Short subjects.
8:00 Takeoff of the City of Los Angeles Streamliner.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 to 5:30 Test Chart.
8:15 INS News Tape, sponsored by Good House Stores.
8:45 Baseball at Shibe Park, Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers, Claude Haring play-by-play, sponsored by ARCO and Philco.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
9:30 a.m. Test Patterns and music.
10:00 “Queen For a Day.”10:30-10:45 Test Patterns and Closing Announcement.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
1:30 “Tune Up Time,” Test Slides and music.
2:30 Baseball from Wrigley Field, Los Angeles Angels vs. San Diego Padres.
8:00 “Tune Up Time.”
8:30 Boxing, from Olympic auditorium, Bobby Yaeger vs. Joey Barnum, welterweight, ten rounds.
Streamliner Parade
Reviewed Tuesday (17), 8 to 8:20 p.m. Interview show presented sustaining by WBKB, Chicago.
Caples Advertising Company, of New York, which handles the Northwestern Railroad account, got behind this show and pushed all it could with the idea of some day selling it to a sponsor. But unless it is improved about 1,000 per cent it's not worth anybody's money.
There is nothing wrong with the programming idea behind the program on-the-spot interview of celebrities about to leave from Chicago's Northwestern station on the Northwestern -Union Pacific City of Los Angeles for the West Coast. Glamour of celebrities who take this train and thus become potential subject matter for interviews is great enough to attract a video audience. Caliber of names to be expected was indicated by those interviewed tonight. These included movie stars Peggy Cummins and Lloyd Nolan, Gen. Mark Clark as well as big business and governmental names. It was the way in which interviews were programed and produced that made show dismal.
For example, at one time Joe Wilson (who did the interviewing) and his assistant, Joan Tighe, dashed down the train platform without any regard for ability of cameras to follow them. Thus, altho his voice came in strong, because he was carrying a hand mike, he faded out of the picture. At other times light level was low, cameras went out of focus and other signs of sloppy production were apparent. Mitigating factor, it must be pointed out, was fact that station planned to do this show on the 24th of this month, but at the last minute, when it became known Gen. Carl Gray, head of the Northwestern line, had been able to secure General Clark for an interview, show was pushed ahead. As a result proper planning and setting up of remote procedure was not worked out.
Unique angle in the plan for this series is the fact that the Northwestern Railroad wants the station to sell the show to some other company. The road's theory is that since it is supplying opportunity for picking up top names, somebody else should pay the bill for sponsorship. It would appear, however, that the most logical sponsor Would be the Northwestern road itself, which is selling its services and gets plenty of plugs thruout the show. If some other sponsor were to take the program it would be a case of giving Northwestern plenty of free advertising. Cy Wagner. (Variety, June 28)
Renewed Tuesday (17), 10-10:30 a.m. Style—Audience participation. Sustaining over W6XAO (Don Lee), Hollywood.
After nearly a month of four-a-week telecasting, Don Lee's Queen for a Day is working efficiently. In the long run, however, video scope of Queen may be too limited to become a pernianent programing feature. Too much depends on the intelligence and personality of contestants, and often those bidding for queen's honors are void of either quality, thus making for dull telecasting.
Pic quality and lense work have shown improvement over earlier Queen telecasts. Lensers are still handicapped, however, by lack of a second image orthicon camera. With station's new i.o. serving double duty (standard orth camera gives poor pix) cameramen are unable to accomplish smooth lense switches and eye-easy panning.
To broaden the scope of the Earl Carroll Theater origination, producers should enlarge audience feeling by seeking out impromptu human-interest angles. Lensers show up the show by fixing lenses on announcers reading commercials for Alka-Seltzer and Philip Morris. Instead, commercial time should be used to roam for oddities, thus bringing in new elements as well as breaking the monotony of constant stage shots.
At present Queen is the town's only regularly skedded morning airer and as such, show is tailor-made for top fem appeal. (Variety, July 5)
Wednesday, June 18
WNBT Channel 4, New York
7:30 “Kraft Television Theatre.” Drama: “The Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen, sponsored by MacLaren’s Imperial Cheese.
8:30 “In the Kelvinator Kitchen” with Alma Kitchell. Relayed to WTTG (DuMont) Washington.
WABD Channel 5, New York
6:45 News from Washington with Walter Compton, relayed from WTTG.
7:00 “Small Fry Club” with Bob Emery.
7:30 “Swing Into Golf” with Ernest Jones and Gloria Anderson, sponsored by the Perry Blouse Company.
7:45 Film Shorts.
8:00 “Wanamaker Presents.”
8:30 Film shorts.
8:45 Boxing at Jamaica Arena, Jimmy Carollo vs. Lonnie Clark, ten rounds, sponsored by American Stores.
One-minute Weather for Sanka Coffee.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs Brooklyn Dodgers, play-by-play with Joe Wilson and Jack Brickhouse, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison and Ford; Post-Game “Scoreboard” for Kass Clothing.
7:30 Frank Wood, Private Detective.
8:00 Film short subjects.
8:15 Jack Payne.
8:30 Wrestling from Rainbo arena, with Russ Davis, sponsored by Keeley Beer.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 to 1:45 Test Chart.
1:45 INS News Tape, sponsored by Good House Stores.
2:15 Baseball at Shibe Park, Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers, Claude Haring play-by-play, sponsored by ARCO and Philco.
7:30 INS News Tape, sponsored by Wilf Bros. Appliances.
8:00 Drama Miniature: “The Taming of the Shrew.”
8:30 NBC programming.
9:00 Feature Film: “Shanghai Gesture” with Gene Tierney and Victor Mature (1940).
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
9:30 a.m. Test Patterns and music.
10:00 “Queen For a Day.”
10:30-10:45 Test Patterns and Closing Announcement.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 “Tune Up Time,” Test Slides and music.
4:00 Film program for television dealers.
4:30 “Your Town—Los Angeles Presents.”
8:30 Wrestling from the Olympic Auditorium. Ed Strangler Lewis vs. Lee Henning, George and Bobby Becker vs. Chris Zaharias and Frank Jares, Bobby Bruns vs. Jack Moore.
Hollywood, June 17.—Dissolution of the Bergen-Cunning Television Productions will be effected July 1 when contract between Edgar Bergen and Patrick Michael Cunning ends. Latter moves his live video production to Riverside, Cal., where he has obtained offices in the Groat building, and takes with him established "Stage Eight" title used at Sunset Boulevard quarters, while Bergen remains at Sunset site concentrating on films for video and dummy doings. (Variety, June 18)
Thursday, June 19
8:00 CBS Television News with Douglas Edwards; from Washington, Secretary of War Patterson interviewed on military training by Bill Shadel, sponsored by Gulf.
8:30 Negro National League baseball from Ebbets Field: Newark Eagles vs. N.Y Cubans baseball, play by play with Joe Bostic [Times and Herald Trib both have “Feature Film” for this slot.].
WNBT Channel 4, New York
7:50 Television Newsreel.
8:00 “Juvenile Jury” with Jack Barry, sponsored by Gaines Dog Food.
8:30 “The Wife Saver” with Allen Prescott, sponsored by General Foods.
9:00 “You Are an Artist” with John Gnagy, sponsored by Gulf Oil.
WABD Channel 5, New York
1:50 “Sports Names to Remember,” sponsored by Mouquin Wine.
1:55 Baseball from Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox, play by play with Bill Slater. Pre- and Post-Game spots from Pepsi-Cola.
6:45 News from Washington with Walter Compton, relayed from WTTG.
7:00 “Small Fry Club” with Bob Emery, sponsored by Fisher Baking
7:30 Alber-Dahlman Productions present “Birthday Party” with Uncle Bill Slater.
8:00 Film Short.
8:15 Show Case: Colonel Stoopnagle Show.
One-minute Weather for Sanka Coffee.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs Brooklyn Dodgers, play-by-play with Joe Wilson and Jack Brickhouse, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison and Ford; Post-Game “Scoreboard” for Kass Clothing.
8:30 Wrestling from Midway arena, with Russ Davis, sponsored by Keeley Beer.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 to 1:45 Test Chart.
1:45 INS News Tape, sponsored by Good House Stores.
2:15 Baseball at Shibe Park, Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers, Claude Haring play-by-play, sponsored by ARCO and Philco.
7:20 INS News Tape, sponsored by Wilf Bros. Appliances.
7:50 NBC program.
8:00 “Pleased to Meet You,” interviews with celebrities visiting Philadelphia; Film.
8:30 “The Coo Coo Ranch,” Western musical.
9:00 NBC Programming.
KSD Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00 News and Views.
3:15 N.B.C. Television Newsreel.
3:25 Working in Plexiglas, Miriam Rose Bry Convalescent Home.
3:40 Film.
4:00 Man on the Street.
8:00 Man on the Street.
8:20 N.B.C. Television Newsreel.
8:30 Sports Closeups, Harry Caray and Gabby Street; program devoted to horseshoe pitching, sponsored by Griesedieck Brothers Brewery.
8:50 Feature Film.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
9:30 a.m. Test Patterns and music.
10:00 “Queen For a Day.”
10:30-10:45 Test Patterns and Closing Announcement.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 “Tune Up Time,” Test Slides and music.
4:00 Film program for television dealers.
8:00 Baseball from Wrigley field, Los Angeles versus San Diego Padres.
ACT IT OUT
With Ed Casey, Polly Adair, Roc Rogers, Monte Banks, Jr., Leon Kay; Bill Cullen, emcee
Script: Bill Monsees
Director: Steve Price
Producer: Price-Monsees
30 Mins.; Thurs., 8:15 p.m.
Sustaining
WABD-DuMont, N. Y.
One good thing about video programmers currently is their evident willingness to try anything once. One bad thing stemming from this virtue is the number of lemons that get by them to sour up the airlanes. "Act It Out" got by. It's one of those shows which illustrate simultaneously the infancy of tele-techniques and the senility of its ideas, mostly borrowed from radio's lower shelves. Appeal of this program lies exclusively in its giveaway gimmick which, though it may be effective, still has to be nailed as an easy out from imaginative thinking.
Program's idea is a simple variation of parlor charades. After a group of performers act out several scenes which a single word can describe, dialers are asked to phone in their answers in order to win a prize. Prizes, such as shoes, hair-dress, table settings, were shown with heavy plugs for the stores selling them. Only excitement in the program was to think about the mad dash of viewers rushing to the telephone to phone in the correct answers. Herm. (Variety, July 3).
Friday, June 20
WCBS-TV Channel 2, New York
4:00 National Professional Tennis Matches, Forest Hills, L.I., Vinnie Richards, caller, sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
WNBT Channel 4, New York
1:30 Film Shorts.
8:00 “Campus Hoopla” with Clair Bee, coach of the Long Island U. basketball team, sponsored by U.S. Rubber Co.
8:20 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
8:32 “Gillette Cavalcade of Sports”: Boxing from Madison Square Garden, NBA lightweight champ Ike Williams vs. Tippy Larkin, welterweight, non-title, ten rounds.
Time Signal sponsored by Benrus.
WABD Channel 5, New York
1:50 “Sports Names to Remember,” sponsored by Mouquin Wine.
1:55 Baseball from Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers, play by play with Bill Slater. Pre- and Post-Game spots from Pepsi-Cola.
6:45 News from Washington with Walter Compton, relayed from WTTG.
7:00 “Small Fry Club” with Bob Emery.
7:30 Film shorts.
8:00 “Doorway to Fame.”
8:30 “The Magic Carpet” by Bud Gamble, sponsored by Alexander Smith Carpets.
One-minute Weather for Sanka Coffee.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs Boston Braves, play-by-play with Joe Wilson and Jack Brickhouse, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison and Ford; Post-Game “Scoreboard” for Kass Clothing.
7:30 “Telechats,” sponsored by The Fair.
7:45 Short subjects.
8:00 Variety.
8:30 Film, short subjects.
9:00 Boxing at Madison Athletic club, James Malcolm vs Ray Larson, welterweight, five rounds, sponsored by Keeley Beer.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 to 5:30 Test Chart.
7:30 INS News Tape, sponsored by Wilf Bros. Appliances.
8:00 NBC programming.
8:20 Film; “The Handy Man” with Jack Creamer.
9:00 NBC programming.
KSD Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00 News and Views.
3:15 Film.
3:25 St. Louis Little Symphony (Interview).
3:30 Film.
3:45 Man on the Street.
4:00 Film.
8:00 Film.
8:25 Tom Packs Wrestling Show at Kiel Auditorium, sponsored by Hyde Park Beer. World Championship, Lou Thesz vs. Mike Sharpe, one fall to a finish.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
9:30 a.m. Test Patterns and music.
10:00 Film.
10:30-10:45 Test Patterns and Closing Announcement.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 “Tune Up Time,” Test Slides and music.
4:00 Film program for television dealers.
8:00 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Los Angeles vs. San Diego.
Saturday, June 21 WCBS-TV Channel 2, New York
1:50 National Professional Tennis Championships, Forest Hills, L.I., Vinnie Richards, caller, sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
7:30 Madison Square Boys Club.
8:00 CBS Television News with Tom O’Connor.
8:15 Documentary: “Americans All.”
8:30 Madison Square Boys Club continued.
WNBT Channel 4, New York
2:30 Roy Rogers’ Thrill Circus from the Polo Grounds, hosted by Bob Stanton.
WABD Channel 5, New York
1:55 “Sports Names to Remember,” sponsored by Mouquin Wine.
2:00 Baseball at Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers (double-header), play-by-play with Bill Slater.
Pre- and Post-Game spots from Pepsi-Cola.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs Boston Braves, play-by-play with Joe Wilson and Jack Brickhouse, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison and Ford; Post-Game “Scoreboard” for Kass Clothing.
4:30 Horse racing from Arlington Park, sponsored by Canadian Ace Brewing Co.
8:00 Harness racing from Maywood, sponsored by Fox Brewing.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
1:15 INS News Tape, sponsored by Good House Stores.
1:45 Baseball at Shibe Park, Athletics vs. White Sox, Claude Haring play-by-play, sponsored by ARCO and Philco.
KSD Channel 5, St. Louis
2:00 N.B.C. Television Newsreel.
2:10 Baseball Closeups, Harry Caray and Gabby Street, sponsored by Griesedieck Brothers Brewery.
2:25 Baseball game from Sportsmen’s Park, Cardinals vs. New York Giants, play-by-play with Ellis Veach and Ray Stockton, sponsored by Purity Bakery. 8:00 N.B.C. Television Newsreel.
8:10 Hillbilly Music, the Range Riders.
8:30 Film.
8:40 The Record Shop, the Harmaniacs.
9:00 Film.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
2:00 “Tune Up Time,” Test Slides and music.
2:30 Baseball from Wrigley Field, Los Angeles vs. San Diego.
8:30 Cartoon.
8:40 Short Subject.
9:00 Western Film.
Sunday, June 22
WCBS-TV Channel 2, New York
1:50 National Professional Tennis Championships, Forest Hills, L.I., Vinnie Richards, caller, sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
7:30 Film: “Last of the Mohicans,” part six of serial.
7:50 Film: “Below Deadline.”
WNBT Channel 4
8:30 “Party Line” with Bert Parks, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste and Ingram’s Shaving Cream.
9:00 Roy Rogers Thrill Circus from the Polo Grounds, hosted by Bob Stanton.
WABD Channel 5, New York
1:45 “Sports Names to Remember,” sponsored by Mouquin Wine.
1:50 Baseball at Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. St. Louis Browns, play-by-play with Bill Slater.
Pre- and Post-Game spots from Pepsi-Cola.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs Boston Braves, play-by-play with Joe Wilson and Jack Brickhouse, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison and Ford; Post-Game “Scoreboard” for Kass Clothing.
8:30 Midget Auto Races at Soldier Field.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
12:45 INS News Tape, sponsored by Good House Stores.
1:15 Baseball at Shibe Park, Athletics vs. White Sox (double header), Claude Haring play-by-play, sponsored by ARCO and Philco.
7:30 INS News Tape, sponsored by Wilf Bros. Appliances.
8:00 NBC programming.
KSD Channel 5, St. Louis
8:00 News commentary by Dr. Roland G. Usher.
8:30 Municipal Opera Preview, by Frank Eschen, preview of "No, No, Nanette," which will open tomorrow night.
8:50 Film.
9:00 Harold and Carol, dance team of ten-year-olds.
9:10 Film.
9:20 Lotus Cloud, a puppet skit.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
1:30 Baseball Double Header at Gilmore Field, Hollywood Stars vs. San Diego Padres.
8:30 Cartoon Comedy.
8:40 “Shopping at Home” with Keith Hetherington and Harrise Brin, presented by leading Los Angeles Stores.
8:55 Latest Paramount News Highlights.
9:00 “Hits and Bits,” variety show, MC’d by Dick Lane.
NBC, long a vehement opponent to the idea of transcribed commercial shows for radio, has apparently reversed its policy for television. Net has given Tex McCrary and Jinx Falkenburg permission to take the summer off by transforming "their Sunday night tele show into a complete film program. New show, titled "Ringside," teed off Sunday (22), replacing "At Home With Tex and Jinx," the couple's live program. Bristol-Myers continues as sponsor through Young & Rubicam.
Since films supposedly represent to tele just what transcriptions represent to radio, the McCrarys are getting the same kind of a deal as that enjoyed by Bing Crosby on his transcribed show over the ABC web. Couple prepare the film in advance and record a commentary, which is dubbed in on the night the show is aired. System thus saves them long hours of studio rehearsal and an actual appearance on the show each Sunday night. Crosby, by doing the same thing, was able to cut his last show a good four weeks before it was aired.
System, according to NBC, is by no means to be taken as a step in the direction currently pursued by CBS. which has foresworn all live studio programming to concentrate on films and remote pickups. Factor of spontaneity, which NBC tele officials have long held out as one of video's chief advantages over other media, also doesn't enter the picture, despite the fact that films don't have the same spontaneity as live shows. The same spontaneity is sometimes not so good for an adlib show, such as the McCrarys had, since the program can too easily be slowed to a snail's pace through the slow-paced dialog of the guests.
Whether the McCrarys will also seek to transcribe the "Swift Home Service Club," their other NBC tele show, hasn't yet been decided. Format of that show, however, gave them far less to do than the Bristol-Myers show so that it's believed probable they'll continue under the present setup. (Variety, June 25)
INS Television News
Reviewed Sunday (22), 7:30-8 p.m. Style-News. Sponsored by Wilf Bros. Agency. Placed direct. Station WPTZ, Philadelphia.
If television can't devise a better and more attractive manner of newscasting, it's a cinch the listeners will still hold on to their radio sets and newspapers. For a full half hour, it's a continuous and tiring procession of one and two-line flashes off the International News Service ticker revolving across the cathode tube. Jumbo typed on ticker tape, the strips roll around a stationary screen that makes for the sponsor's house advertisement. A firm of radio and record retailers, Wilf Brothers, ballys the RCA Victor television sets on its stock screen. And while getting only credit mentions on coming on and off the video lanes, commercial copy is interspersed on the ticker tape at six intervals during the half hour. The copy all tags the availability of tele sets.
For the viewer, it's the same effect as watching the flashcasts as they revolve around the New York Times Building in New York. Here, it's getting the news heads word by word. And while it's easy to follow, the attention is arrested for only a few minutes. Ticker tape goes around the globe to gather in the news flashes, throwing in everything on the wire. There is no attempt at continuity, grouping highlight news with filler copy. The more important items are repeated several times during the half hour, indicating that the sponsor hardly expects anyone to sit thru it for the full 30 minutes.
Pop platters spin continuously to provide a musical background. The choice of music is not in keeping with tenor of the news strips, but merely to fill in. When caught, it was the music of Hawaiian guitars listening to which was more pleasant than watching the news strips turning around the wheel.
The program is undoubtedly a prestige seg for the sponsor and is skedded nightly, kicking off the evening schedule. Maurie Grodenker. (Variety, July 5)
Monday, June 23
WNBT Channel 4, New York
8:00 Film: “The Eagle’s Brood” with William Boyd.
9:00 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley.
9:10 Baseball at the Polo Grounds: Police Department vs. Fire Department.
WABD Channel 5, New York
1:50 “Sports Names to Remember,” sponsored by Mouquin Wine.
1:55 Baseball from Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. White Sox, play-by-play with Bill Slater. Pre- and Post-Game spots for Pepsi-Cola.
7:00 “Small Fry Club” hosted by Bob Emery, sponsored by American Pipe Cleaning.
7:30 “Show Case: Camera Highlights” with George Hurrell.
8:00 “Talking Shop” with Ken Farnsworth.
8:10 Film shorts.
8:30 “Know Your New York.”
8:45 Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena, sponsored by Winston Television.
One-minute Weather for Sanka Coffee.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs New York Giants, play-by-play with Joe Wilson and Jack Brickhouse, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison and Ford; Post-Game “Scoreboard” for Kass Clothing.
8:15 Sidelights on Sports.
8:30 Wrestling from Midway arena, with Russ Davis, sponsored by Keeley Beer.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 to 5:30 Test Chart.
7:30 INS News Tape, sponsored by Wilf Bros. Appliances.
8:00 NBC programming.
KSD Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00 News and Views.
3:15 Film.
3:30 American Home Economics program.
4:00 Film.
8:00 Film.
8:10 Baseball Closeups, Harry Caray and Gabby Street, sponsored by Griesedieck Brothers Brewery.
5:30 Test Slides and Music.
8:00 Cartoon.
8:10 Baseball Film.
8:36 Western Film.
KTLA Channel 5, Los Angeles
8:30 Special Event.
CAMERA HIGHLIGHTS
With George Hurrell, Irene Champlin, Pat Fay; Natalie Draper, guest
Director: Bob Emery
Writer: John Haggert
30 Mins.; Monday (23), 7:30 p.m.
Sustaining
WABD-DuMont, N. Y.
Here's another good television idea gone wrong through insufficient preparation, poor scripting and faulty direction. Featuring noted photog George Hurrell in a show designed to give amateur camera bugs some tips on their pet hobby, it could be worked into an interesting demonstration idea. As staged in DuMont's showcase slot Monday (23) night, though, it emerged as something that not even the most fanatic camera fan could sit through comfortably.
Basic format of the show was good. Hurrell walked in on an amateur photog and his wife and quickly took the guy out of his difficulties by showing him how to improve his lighting and camera technique. After demonstrating the idea via some of his own work, Hurrell invited the wife to his studio for a sitting to show how he operates. Show then cut to specially-lensed film showing the gal being made up, posed and photographed, with Hurrell and the other two carrying on an ad lib commentary. As a piece de resistance, the finished picture was shown.
Much of the show's fault lay in its ad lib methods. Cast was evidently given some idea of what to say but had no script to memorize. As a result, there were too often painful lags in the conversation, meaningless repetition and self-conscious giggles on the part of all concerned. Dissolves from the actors into a still photo was good, but better closeups of the actual pictures under discussion would have helped considerably.
Hurrell demonstrated a pleasant enough video personality to hold down a weekly show, given enough time to memorize his lines. Pat Fay and Irene Champlin as the husband and wife were okay but were stymied by the same thing. Same goes for film actress Natalie Draper as the guest, who lent glamor to the show but little else. Stal. (Variety, June 25)
Mrs. Edith Morecroft, informed yesterday [23] by WABD that she was winner of the diamond ring for her “gag of the month” sent in to Dennis James for tonight’s “Cash and Carry” television show, replied that she would have to phone her doctor and cancel her appointment for an examination this afternoon. Her blood pressure, she will tell the medico, is too high. (Radio Daily, June 24)
Tuesday, June 24 WABD Channel 5, New York City
6:45 News from Washington with Walter Compton, relayed from WTTG.
7:00 “Movies for Small Fry” hosted by Bob Emery.
7:30 “Cash and Carry” with Dennis James.
8:00 “Serving Through Science,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber, relayed to WTTG.
8:30 “Sports Names to Remember,” sponsored by Mouquin Wine.
8:40 Baseball from Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians, play-by-play with Bill Slater. Pre- and Post-Game spots for Pepsi-Cola.
One-minute Weather for Sanka Coffee.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs New York Giants, play-by-play with Joe Wilson and Jack Brickhouse, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison and Ford; Post-Game “Scoreboard” for Kass Clothing.
7:30 “Behind the Headlines.”
7:45 Film: Short subjects.
8:00 Streamlined Parade.
8:20 Film: Short subjects.
8:30 “Dora, the Beautiful Dairymaid.”
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 to 5:30 Test Chart.
8:00 INS News Tape, sponsored by Good House Stores.
8:30 Baseball at Shibe Park, Athletics vs. St. Louis Browns, Claude Haring play-by-play, sponsored by ARCO and Philco.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
9:30 a.m. Test Patterns and music.
10:00 “Queen For a Day.”
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
1:30 “Tune Up Time,” Test Slides and music.
2:30 Baseball from Wrigley Field, Los Angeles Angels vs. San Diego Padres.
8:00 “Tune Up Time.”
8:30 Boxing, from Olympic auditorium Alfredo Escobar vs. Maxie Docusen, lightweight, ten rounds.
Dora, Beautiful Dairymaid
Reviewed Tuesday (24), 8:30 to 9 p.m. Farcical melodrama presented sustaining by WBKB, Chicago.
Slowly but surely WBKB's dramatic studio programs are improving. This one, written by Bill Vance and directed by Helen Carson, was a good example of its type-a parody, a burlesque of an old fashioned melodrama. It still was not a great piece of dramatic work, but it had entertainment, it showed care of production, attention to minute details, a well done script, more than competent acting and sufficient preparation. Much of this could not be said for some of the dramatic shows WBKB has presented in the past.
The story was typical of its type. It involved an old couple about to lose their farm because of mortgage foreclosure by the villain, the plaster-mold hero and the daughter who is saved in the nick of time from the wiles of the evil Gideon Goodblood. This, naturally was a very vapid situation and only by expert burlesquing was entertainment derived.
Whereas many studio shows at WBKB are ruined by the presence of an audience in the studio, this one was improved by guests who were coached to boo and hiss the villain in the right places and applaud some of the moral platitudes tossed around in other parts of the performance. Presence of studio audience gave an added air of realism helpful in recreating the theatrical atmosphere prevalent in the days when melodramas were popular.
Cast, small enough to work on the small stage best suited for television, included Vance as Goodblood, Sid Breeze as Farmer Gates, Dorothy Jacobson as Mother Gates, Patricia O'Hara as the daughter and Patrick Allen as Percival Steele, the hero. All were good. but Vance and Miss O'Hara were best.
One of the smartest things about the entire production was the way in which mistakes, such as having curtain trouble, were made purposely in order to add to realistic atmosphere. Other cute gimmick was having peanut seller appear between scenes and guy fill kerosene lamps on footlights before show got under way. Cy Wagner. (Variety, July 5)
Chicago, June 24.—Call letters WNBY have been tentatively assigned to WMAQ's projected tele station last week by the FCC. NBC Chi key station has a 10 year lease on three floors of Chi Civic Opera Bldg. to house tele and, FM transmission [sic] equipment and has started construction.
Officials predict that station will be on the air early in 1948. (Variety, June 25)
Wednesday, June 25
WNBT Channel 4, New York
7:30 “Kraft Television Theatre.” Drama: “I Like It Here,” sponsored by MacLaren’s Imperial Cheese.
8:30 “In the Kelvinator Kitchen” with Alma Kitchell. Relayed to WTTG (DuMont) Washington.
WABD Channel 5, New York
1:50 “Sports Names to Remember,” sponsored by Mouquin Wine.
1:55 Baseball from Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians, play-by-play with Bill Slater. Pre- and Post-Game spots for Pepsi-Cola.
6:45 News from Washington with Walter Compton, relayed from WTTG.
7:00 “Small Fry Club” with Bob Emery.
7:30 “Swing Into Golf” with Ernest Jones and Gloria Anderson, sponsored by the Perry Blouse Company.
7:45 Film Shorts.
8:00 “Wanamaker Presents: Hansel and Gretel,” puppet show.
8:30 Film shorts.
8:45 Boxing at Jamaica Arena, Gino Buonvino vs. Steve Kitchell, eight rounds, sponsored by American Stores.
One-minute Weather for Sanka Coffee.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs New York Giants, play-by-play with Joe Wilson and Jack Brickhouse, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison and Ford; Post-Game “Scoreboard” for Kass Clothing.
7:30 Frank Wood, Private Detective.
8:00 Film short subjects.
8:15 Jack Payne.
8:30 Wrestling from Rainbo arena, with Russ Davis, sponsored by Keeley Beer.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 to 5:30 Test Chart.
7:15 INS News Tape, sponsored by Wilf Bros. Appliances.
7:45 Sports show.
8:00 Film.
8:05 The University Museum Program. 8:30 NBC programming.
8:45 Baseball at Shibe Park, Athletics vs. St. Louis Browns, Claude Haring play-by-play, sponsored by ARCO and Philco.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
9:30 a.m. Test Patterns and music.
10:00 “Queen For a Day.”
10:30-10:45 Test Patterns and Closing Announcement.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 “Tune Up Time,” Test Slides and music.
4:00 Film program for television dealers.
4:30 “Your Town—Los Angeles Presents.” 8:30 Wrestling from the Olympic Auditorium, Enquire Torres vs. Ed Strangler Lewis, Vincent Lopez vs. Bobby Becker, Lee Henning and Chris Zaharias vs. Sammy Menacker and Jack Kennedy, Booby Bruns vs. Reginald Siki, Carlos Mojica vs. Steve Gebrukovich.
Thursday, June 26
8:00 CBS Television News with Douglas Edwards, sponsored by Gulf.
8:15 Quickie Quiz.
8:30 Baseball at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Boston Braves, play-by-play with Bob Edge, sponsored by Ford and Post Cereals. WNBT Channel 4, New York
7:50 Television Newsreel.
8:00 “Juvenile Jury” with Jack Barry, sponsored by Gaines Dog Food.
8:30 “The Wife Saver” with Allen Prescott, sponsored by General Foods.
9:00 “You Are an Artist” with John Gnagy, sponsored by Gulf Oil.
9:10 Newsreel.
[NY Times adds: 9:20 “In Town Today,” Commander Roland Basee, USNR, interviewed.]
WABD Channel 5, New York
6:45 News from Washington with Walter Compton, relayed from WTTG.
7:00 “Small Fry Club” with Bob Emery, sponsored by Fisher Baking.
7:30 Alber-Dahlman Productions present “Birthday Party” with Uncle Bill Slater.
8:00 Feature Film.
One-minute Weather for Sanka Coffee.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates, play-by-play with Joe Wilson and Jack Brickhouse, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison and Ford; Post-Game “Scoreboard” for Kass Clothing.
7:30 The Singing Smiths.
8:00 “Over Shoemaker’s Shoulder,” cartoon drawing. 8:15 Film: Short subjects.
8:30 Milt Hopwood’s Sports Show.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 to 1:45 Test Chart.
1:45 INS News Tape, sponsored by Good House Stores.
2:15 Baseball at Shibe Park, Athletics vs. New York Yankees, Claude Haring play-by-play, sponsored by ARCO and Philco.
7:20 INS News Tape, sponsored by Wilf Bros. Appliances.
7:50 NBC program.
8:00 “Pleased to Meet You,” with Roy Neal and celebrity interviews.
8:15 Short subjects.
8:30 “The Coo Coo Ranch,” Western musical.
8:45 Motion picture short.
8:50 Army Recruiting Drive.
9:00 NBC Programming.
KSD Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00 News and Views.
3:15 Film.
3:25National Festival, Puppeteers of America.
3:50 Dr. Roland G. Usher, news commentary.
4:00 Film.
8:00 Film.
8:10 Baseball Closeups, Harry Caray and Gabby Street, sponsored by Griesedieck Brothers Brewery.
8:25 Baseball at Sportsman’s Park, Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds, play-by-play with Ellis Veach and Ray Stockton, sponsored by Purity Bakery. W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
9:30 a.m. Test Patterns and music.
10:00 “Queen For a Day.”
10:30-10:45 Test Patterns and Closing Announcement.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 “Tune Up Time,” Test Slides and music.
4:00 Film program for television dealers.
8:00 Baseball from Wrigley Field, Los Angeles vs Sacramento Solons.
Friday, June 27
WNBT Channel 4, New York
7:30 Opening of WNBW, Washington; Charles R. Denny, FCC Commissioner; Niles Trammell, president of NBC; Frank M. Russell, Carleton D. Smith.
8:00 Television Newsreeel.
8:10 “Campus Hoopla” with Clair Bee, coach of the Long Island U. basketball team, sponsored by U.S. Rubber Co.
8:25 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
8:35 Variety show: “By Invitation.”
9:35 “Gillette Cavalcade of Sports”: Boxing from Madison Square Garden, Billy Fox vs. Artie Levine, ten rounds.
Time Signal sponsored by Benrus.
WABD Channel 5, New York
1:50 “Sports Names to Remember,” sponsored by Mouquin Wine.
1:55 Baseball from Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers, play by play with Bill Slater. Pre- and Post-Game spots for Pepsi-Cola.
6:45 News from Washington with Walter Compton, relayed from WTTG.
7:00 “Small Fry Club” with Bob Emery.
7:30 Film shorts.
8:00 “Doorway to Fame.”
8:30 “The Magic Carpet” by Bud Gamble, sponsored by Alexander Smith Carpets.
8:45 Wrestling from Jamaica Arena.
One-minute Weather for Sanka Coffee.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates, play-by-play with Joe Wilson and Jack Brickhouse, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison and Ford; Post-Game “Scoreboard” for Kass Clothing.
7:30 “Telechats,” sponsored by The Fair.
7:45 Short subjects.
8:00 “The Gordons.”
8:30 Film, short subjects.
9:00 Boxing at Madison Athletic club, Lee Jackson vs. Desry Sykes, heavyweight; Don Lupo vs. Kenneth Cool Riddle, lightweight, both five rounds, sponsored by Keeley Beer.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 to 5:30 Test Chart.
7:15 INS News Tape, sponsored by Wilf Bros. Appliances.
7:45 Kiddie Kartoon.
8:00 NBC programming.
8:25 Film; “The Handy Man” with Jack Creamer.
8:40 NBC programming.
WNBW Channel 4, Washington
7:20 WNBW Dedication Ceremonies.
7:50 NBC programming.
8:30 Teledrama.
8:45 Musical varieties.
9:15 Washington Cavalcade (film).
9:30 NBC programming.
10:30 Arturo Toscanini (musical film).
11:00 Sign off.
WTTG Channel 5, Washington
6:45 Walter Compton and the News.
7:00 Letter of congratulations to WNBW; sign-off.
KSD Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00 News and Views.
3:15 Film.
3:25 Childrens' Theater Program.
3:45 Man on the Street.
8:10 Baseball Closeups, Harry Caray and Gabby Street, sponsored by Griesedieck Brothers Brewery.
8:25 Baseball at Sportsman’s Park, Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds, play-by-play with Ellis Veach and Ray Stockton, sponsored by Purity Bakery. W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
9:30 a.m. Test Patterns and music.
10:00 Film.
10:30-10:45 Test Patterns and Closing Announcement.
8:00 Boxing at Hollywood Legion Stadium, Bob Castro vs. Bobby Volk, middleweights, ten rounds.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 “Tune Up Time,” Test Slides and music.
4:00 Film program for television dealers.
8:00 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Los Angeles vs. Sacramento Solons.
Hollywood, July 1.—Two television deals covering exclusive rights to the fight cards at the L. A. Olympic and Hollywood Legion Stadium were closed last week. Ford bought the Olympic bouts for two and a half hours once a week and will use both live and filmed commercials. KTLA carries. Don Lee's W6XAO signed a three-year contract for telecast of the Friday night scraps at the Legion Stadium.
Figured that there are around 3,000 sets within signal range of the two Hollywood transmitters. (Variety, July 3) NEW YORK, June 28.—The fourth link in the National Broadcasting Company's (NBC) television network. WNBW, Washington, went on the air at 7:30 (EDT) last night [27], hooked up to its three sister stations, WNBT, New York, WRGB, Schenectady (General Electric), and WPTZ, Philadelphia (Philco). The Washington outlet is the second NBC owned-and-operated video station, the first, of course, being WNBT, New York. It is the second capital tele station, since DuMont's WTTG has been operating for several months.
Washington video viewers who stayed with it, in the course of the three-hour 10-minute show got a thoro idea of what TV programing amounts to these days—good, bad and indifferent.
They learned how dull some government and industry bigwigs can be on video, saw and heard musical attractions, dance acts, a skating routine, a one-act drama, a variety show, a newsreel and fights from Madison Square Garden.
Live and Film
Show was mixed, live and film, with WNBT using six cameras in studios 3-H and 8-G in Radio City here, and WNBW operating out of its Wardman Park Hotel quarters. Live acts were the Borrah Minevitch Harmonica Rascals (comic bits and harmonica-izing both coming over well); Beryl Davis (British canary, whose one -song contribution was marred by bad lighting, which made her collarbones stand out as tho she were an undernourished and badly dressed hussy); Jeanne Warner and Gene Archer (Washington vocal team, who sing well, but aren't ideal video songfare because Archer grimaces too much; Eddie Mayehoff (who contributed the lone-and a sock-comedy touch to a burly speech about Hollywoodites who want congressmen to make up for tele); an unbilled American folk song group (fair); terp team Andre, Andree and Bonnie (who whirled thru a neat Argentine routine); standard skate act, the Whirlwinds (always boff); a 10-minute one-actor Souvenirs of His Late Wife (not especially good in the original C. S. Forester, and much less credible in the tele adaptation, despite neat acting by Anne Burr and Vinton Hayworth, among others).
Rest of bill had campus hoop-la (a nothing -much variety contribution weak in material, performance and production), and the Madison Square Garden fights which proved a wham lift to the proceedings because of the short but fast-moving slugfest staged by Billy Fox and Artie Levine.
Filmwise, deb telecast offered NBC newsreel, and shorts of Three Suns, the Dinning Sisters, Ron Perry and ork, Toscanini and the NBC Symphony. For obvious reasons, these celluloid musical contributions were far better produced, far more effective as entertainment than the live portions. There was a gal (unbilled), for instance, in the Perry segment, who sang Baby, Won't You Please Come Home and who is one of the most telegenic lasses this viewer has seen in a long time.
Among Federal Communications Commission (FCC) industry and government biggies present were W. Averill Harriman, Secretary of Commerce; Julius Krug, Secretary of the Interior; John Snyder, Secretary of the Trehsury; Frank Folsom, RCA vice-prexy; Justin Miller, National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) prexy; Niles Trammell, prexy of NBC; Frank Mullen, NBC vice-prexy; Charles V. Denny Jr., chairman FCC; and Cliff Durr, Ewell Jett, Ray Wakefield, Paul Walker, Harry Plotkin, George Sterling, of FCC, and more than a score of Senate and House members.
WNBW will carry Monday, Wednesday and Friday shows piped in from WNBT as well as its own programing and special events among which, according to the new station's general manager, Carleton Smith, will be the Baltimore Colts football games, White House Easter egg rolling, Cherry Blossom Festival and the Lincoln Day services.
RCA introduced its new "five-in-one" teleset (AM, FM and shortwave radio, automatic phono and tele) simultaneously with the bow of the Washington station, thru Southern Wholesalers, local distrib. (Joe Csida, Billboard, July 5)
The 350-foot television tower on the Wardman Park Hotel grounds began to earn its keep Friday night, when NBC’s Washington television station was officially put on the air. WNBW has been scattering its test programs 40 miles and more around the countryside for some time, but ceremonies Friday night inaugurated formal broadcasting. Speeches by Charles Denny, FCC Chairman; Niles Trammell, NBC president; Frank Russell, NBC vice president in charge of the Washington office, and Carleton Smith, manager of WNBW and were telecast to the estimated 700 receiving sets in Washington and transmitted to. NBC’s New York station by coaxial cable.
From New York via the coax, came several news and variety programs for Washington televiewers—the chosen 300 at the Wardman Park festivities, the people at home, and customers at television-equipped restaurants and cocktail lounges throughout the city.
Washington has had some television, provided by DuMont’s WTTG, for almost two years. The new NBC station, like WTTG will operate on a part-time basis. WMAL-TV, the Evening Star station, and a Bamberger station will be in operation by the end of the year.
WNEW went on the air before it had its hair combed and will offer programs originating in New York for the most part until its film projecting facilities and television stage at the Wardman Park are completed late in the summer.
A specially constructed mobile unit, to pick up news and special events, will also be finished before summer bows out.
Equipment for transmitting is definitely completed. The transmitter, which cost over $65,000, is the first postwar television transmitter built by RCA Roused neatly behind eight steel and glass doors in what used to be the Garden Room at the Wardman, the gadget produces a 3kw. picture signal which Is boosted to 20.7 kw. as it radiates from the tower. Over 600 tubes are in use when the transmitter is operating.
Present programming plans are to offer a Jinx Falkenberg home service show at 1 p. m. Friday, followed by a film. At 8 there will be a variety program, an educational film and boxing bouts. Sunday programs will include another Falkenberg show at 8 and a quiz show at 8:30 p. in. Monday, at 8 p. m., a film will be offered, followed by a newsreel and another film. These originate in New York.
Additional special event show will be televised. All Catholic University plays will be shown, the first one next Sunday. Baltimore Colts football games will be covered by the mobile unit. A children’s program involving a puppet show is being prepared by the Junior League for WNBW.
Hearthside Tourists
THE galleries, and historical point of interest will be used for broadcasts to local viewers and to out-of-town set owners, since New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Richmond and Charlotte, N.C., are already linked, by cable and the link to Los Angeles and points between is expected to be finished in 1948.
The cable, (owned by American Telephone and Telegraph) which links New York and Washington, can handle two television shows at one time—one northbound, the other southbound, Another cable is now under construction. The two existing local stations share use of the cable, as will the other two to come, unless a system of special relay stations is built.
Operation of this new NBC station is expected to boost sales of receiving sets, which range in price from $250 to $2500.
Selling television to the public is still the big aim of television stations, which cooperate like fraternity brothers. WTTG went off the air early Friday night and invited its listeners to switch from channel five to channel four and pick up WNBW’s opening ceremonies. WMAL-TV, which is not on the air yet, has been lending its facilities to CBS for news interviews, since CBS has no local facilities and wanted news shows for its New York station.
Special events, such as Aleman’s arrival from Mexico, are customarily covered by one station, which feeds it to the others.
Truman Today
OTHER events are definitely exclusive. WTTG has several of the best local sports events under exclusive contract.
Nor does the cooperative spirit lead to the stations sitting around waiting for handouts. WNBW, which barely crawled out of its swaddling clothes Friday, is busy with a remote pickup of President Truman’s address at the Lincoln Memorial today at 4:30 p.m. The address, in connection with a program sponsored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, will be transmitted to New York. At 5, WNBW will televise the formal return of armory to the National Guard after its wartime use by the FBI. (Washington Post, June 28)
Saturday, June 28 WCBS-TV Channel 2, New York
2:00 Metropolitan A.A.U. Track and Field Championships, Randall’s Island.
8:00 CBS Television News with Douglas Edwards, Tom O’Connor, guest Senator Claude Pepper of Florida.
8:10 Documentary: “Building the Panama Canal.”
8:30 Film: “Headin’ North.”
WNBT Channel 4, New York
2:25 Baseball from the Polo Grounds, Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies, Bob Stanton play-by-play.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
7:30 West Side Dog Training School program.
7:45 Film: Short subjects.
8:00 “Frank Wood, Private Detective.”
8:30 International Golden Gloves Bouts,
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
1:15 INS News Tape, sponsored by Good House Stores.
1:45 Baseball at Shibe Park, Athletics vs. New York Yankees, Claude Haring play-by-play, sponsored by ARCO and Philco.
KSD Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00 News and Views.
3:15 Film.
3:25 Virginia Asher Girls, dancing and specialties.
3:50 Film.
8:10 Baseball Closeups, Harry Caray and Gabby Street, sponsored by Griesedieck Brothers Brewery.
8:25 Baseball at Sportsman’s Park, Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds, play-by-play with Ellis Veach and Ray Stockton, sponsored by Purity Bakery. KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
2:00 “Tune Up Time,” Test Slides and music.2:30 Baseball from Wrigley Field, Los Angeles Angels vs. Sacramento Solons.
8:30 Cartoon Comedy.
8:40 Short Subject.
9:00 Western Film.
Washington.—First sponsored television remote pickup series of events here, airing of the home games of the Washington Nats by WTTG (DuMont, Washington), teed off Friday (28) with the broadcast of the Nats-Boston Red Sox game. DuMont has pacted to pay the Nats $10,000 for the remaining games on the schedule.
Lacy's Washington electrical appliance dealer, has signed to bankroll the broadcast through the Henry J. Kaufman ad agency, but what part of the tab the sponsor picks up is being kept under wraps. Bob Wolff, local sportscaster, handles the play-by-play. (Variety, July 3)
Sunday, June 29
WCBS-TV Channel 2, New York
7:30 Film: “Last of the Mohicans,” part seven of serial.
7:50 Children’s Film Short.
8:00 Fashions from the Henry Rosenthal Salon.
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 Baseball from the Polo Grounds, Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies, Bob Stanton play-by-play.
8:0- “Ringside” with Tex and Jinx,” filmed show sponsored by Ipana/Minit-Rub.
8:30 “Party Line” with Bert Parks, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste and Ingram’s Shaving Cream.
9:00 Musical Miniatures.
9:10 Film: “A Rich Young Ruler,” religious film.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25 Baseball at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates, play-by-play with Joe Wilson and Jack Brickhouse, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison and Ford; Post-Game “Scoreboard” for Kass Clothing.
8:30 Midget Auto Races at Soldier Field.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
1:00 INS News Tape, sponsored by Good House Stores.
1:15 Baseball at Shibe Park, Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox (double header), Claude Haring play-by-play, sponsored by ARCO and Philco.
7:30 INS News Tape, sponsored by Wilf Bros. Appliances.
8:00 NBC programming.
KSD Channel 5, St. Louis
8:00 Sculpture demonstration by Carl C. Mose.
8:10 Films.
8:30 Municipal Opera Preview by Frank Eschen, with ballroom dance team Raye and Naldi, and Nixon Mille, St. Louis-born tenor.
8:50 Films.
9:00 Dance demonstration.
9:15 Film.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
1:30 Baseball Double Header at Wrigley Field, Los Angeles Angels vs. Sacramento Solons.
8:30 Cartoon Comedy.
8:40 “Shopping at Home” with Keith Hetherington and Harrise Brin, presented by leading Los Angeles Stores.
8:55 Latest Paramount News Highlights.
9:00 “Hits and Bits,” variety show, MC’d by Dick Lane.
Monday, June 30
WNBT Channel 4, New York
8:00 Film: “Stormy Trails” with Rex Bell.
9:00 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley.
9:10 Short Subjects.
WABD Channel 5, New York
7:00 “Small Fry Club” hosted by Bob Emery, sponsored by American Pipe Cleaning.
7:30 “Show Case.”
8:00 Talking Shop with Ken Farnsworth.
8:10 Film shorts.
8:30 Know Your New York.
8:45 Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena, sponsored by Winston Television.
One-minute Weather for Sanka Coffee.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
8:15 Sidelights on Sports.
8:30 Wrestling from Midway arena, with Russ Davis, sponsored by Keeley Beer.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 to 5:30 Test Chart.
7:30 INS News Tape, sponsored by Wilf Bros. Appliances.
8:00 NBC programming.
9:10 Baseball at Shibe Park, Phillies vs. Brooklyn Dodgers, Claude Haring play-by-play, sponsored by ARCO and Philco.
KSD Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00 News and Views.
3:15 Film.
3:25 Harold and Carole, 10-year-old dancers.
4:00 Man on the Street
4:30 Film.
8:00 Man on the Street.
8:20 Film.
8:30 Sports Closeups, Harry Caray and Gabby Street, sponsored by Griesedieck Brothers Brewery.
8:50 Film.
9:10 Moolah Temple (Shiner) Chanters.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
7:45 Test Slides and Music.
8:25 Wrestling Matches, Hollywood Legion Stadium. George Becker vs. Danny McShain, Pete Peterson vs. Rebel Russell, Jack Terry and Karol Krauser vs. King Kong Kashey, Ivan Kamaroff vs. Bob Nelson.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 “Tune-up Time,” Test Slides and recorded music.
4:00 Film program for television dealers.
8:00 “Tune-up Time,” Test Slides and recorded music.
8:30 “A Night in Cathay” Presented by The Chinese Cultural Theatre Group.
Reviewed Monday (30), 8:30-10:45 p.m. Style—Wrestling matches. Remote from Hollywood Legion Stadium. Sustaining over W6XAO (Don Lee), Hollywood.
Don Lee's first post-war wrestling remote gave local lookers an evening of solid sportsfare. Lensers came thru with on-the-toes camera work, bringing grunt and groaners into home viewers' living rooms with all the hokum and fakery which makes weekly wrestling matches a prime local sports attraction.
Outlet's lone orth lensbox covered ring adequately most of the time, altho continued lack of full-face, close-up lens (now under construction) detracted somewhat from seg's total clarity. Close-up shots would have been especially effective in capturing facial grimaces and gestures employed by hammy wrestlers.
Ken Barton handled groan-by-groan description with authority, displaying a wide knowledge of wrestling holds and rules. Barton had a tendency to over-announce which was corrected by the time the matches reached the half-way mark. Sharing mike honors with Barton was Stuart Phelps, whose "color" commentary was terse and well timed. Station will henceforth air wrestling matches on a regular Monday night sked, augmenting its sports coverage by telecasting Legion boxing events each Friday evening. Thus, after a six-year blackout, Don Lee is back in the local sports telepix scene. Alan Fischler. (Variety, July 12)
A Night in Cathay
Reviewed Monday (30), 8:30-10:15 p.m. Style-Chinese music, theater and dancing. Sustaining over KTLA (Paramount), Hollywood.
This was a terrific show providing you could understand Chinese. For more than an hour and a half, KTLA trained its cameras and mikes on the Chinese Cultural Theater Group, currently on a good-will tour of the U. S. Troupe offered authentic Chinese music, which sounded as peculiar to the Occidental ear as their instruments appeared to the eye. There were strange dances and dramatic episodes voiced in the native tongue.
For the one in a thousand who is an enthusiast of the Oriental arts, show was sock stuff, but for the average viewer it was boring, if not irritating. This was not the fault of the troupe, who performed in the best tradition of Chinese theater. Actually it was a case of giving the lookers something they couldn't digest. Chinese music, based on the pentatonic (five tone) scale, is incomprehensible to the Occidental ear. Instruments sound off key since tuning brings them into quarter-tones, not known in the music of the Western world. By the same token, there was little more than novelty appeal to the dances and the dramatic enactments. Five minutes worth would have kept eyes peeled, but a hefty slice of Chinese culture was hard to swallow.
Troupe's colorful costumes were lost to black-and-white scanning, an essential factor since brilliantly hued garb would have helped. Each act introed by a member of the Chinese company, who proved himself capable by explaining the history and purpose of each number. Despite his efforts, seg was far too long for the material at hand. Lee Zhito. (Variety, July 12)
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