December 1941

“The Day That Will Live in Infamy” was covered by television, but the broadcasts were pretty primitive by today’s standards.

There were no satellites with live feeds from the scene back then. The few TV stations on the air didn’t even have an arrangement with newsreel companies to broadcast their films. Instead, newsmen read copy from their desks, pointed at charts and maps on the wall, and chatted in studio with other newsmen.

In 1941, that was about the best they could do.

Sam Cuff was already doing a war news roundup on WNBT every Friday before the attack on Pearl Harbor. CBS radio built its reputation during the war with news, news and more news. On television, the company added two newscasts on weekdays, one in mid-afternoon and one to close the WCBW broadcast day. This was in addition to its 8 p.m. news roundup. Richard Hubbell would have been very busy (assuming he read all the newscasts).

Broadcasting magazine gave a fine summary of how the two commercial New York stations handled the big story.

DuMont’s W2XWV cut its test broadcasts to once a week. One of the days was Christmas Day, and the other two New York stations aired seasonal programming. Alas, the announced airing of the film “Fluffy, the Kitten” was cancelled for other shows.

On the West Coast, W6XAO celebrated 10 years on the air. The Los Angeles area had roughly 300 TV sets at the time, so there was virtually no coverage in the local press.

Philco’s WPTZ continued to air boxing and wrestling from WNBT but admitted it was having troubles meeting the FCC’s 15-hours-a-week programming rule. There was a bit of a management shakeup in early December (particulars are rather dull and are not reported here).

Below are schedules for the month, culled from the New York Herald Tribune and the Times, as well as the Camden Courier-Post. Some listings conflict, some for Philadelphia are inaccurate (the typesetter didn’t both changing the agate from edition to edition).

We’ve transcribed a lengthy feature story from Billboard about CBS’ live shows for those interested in WCBW’s programming at the time.

Monday, December 1, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
9:00 to 11:00—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Boys in the Back Room,” behind the scenes in television.
3:15—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:35—“Men at Work,” variety with Jerry Munson, comic; Joe Sodja, music; Three Waltons; Dolores Anderson, songs; Carole and Sherod; Paul Petroff, Nina Goliner, dancers.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:30 to 10:30—Film.
10:30 to 11:30—Boxing at Jamaica Arena from WNBT.

JAN HANDY [sic] ORGANIZATION, New York, producers of commercial pictures, recently made a film in the WNBT, NBC television studios, explaining by stills, diagrams and animated cartoons the intricate processes of video. Picture titled “Magic in the Air” is for release about Dec. 1 by Chevrolet Motor Co., through Monogram Film Exchange, New York. (Broadcasting, Nov. 24)

A DEMONSTRATION of advantages and disadvantages of color television was viewed by the full membership of the FCC and a half-dozen members of its staff at a private demonstration in New York last Monday [1] under the auspices of RCA-NBC. Alfred H. Morton, vice-president of NBC in charge of television, and Dr. C. B. Joliffe, RCA chief engineer and former chief engineer of the FCC. directed the technical demonstration, with Niles Trammell, NBC president, as host.
Both black-and-white and color images were shown the official group, with a picture about 8 1/2x11 inches employed. There was also a demonstration on the new RCA receivers with images projected on screens about 14x18 inches.
The official group was shown, it is understood, how detail is lost through use of color as against black and white. On the other hand, color had advantages on closeups but not in the handling of fast moving events. Electronic color eventually can be perfected, according to RCA views, as against a mechanical "spinning wheel" device now employed.
Present, in addition to the seven members of the FCC, were E. K. Jett, chief engineer; Gerald C. Gross, assistant chief engineer in charge of broadcasting; William H. Bauer, television and FM attorney; Ralph Walker, senior broadcast attorney; William J. Norfleet, chief accountant; Dr. L. P. Wheeler, director of technical information, and George O. Gillingham, public relations director. (Broadcasting, Dec. 8)

CBS has applied to the FCC for another 30-day extension of the special temporary authorization for program test operations, under which WCBW, the network's television station in New York, has been functioning since July 1, with regular 30-day extensions.
CBS also has asked the FCC for more time to complete the provisions of its new construction permit, due to technical reasons in connection with WCBW's change in channel. (Broadcasting, Dec. 1)

Tuesday, December 2, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—“Search For Beauty,” with Ned Weyburn.
3:45—“Radio City Matinee,” variety with Alfred E. Smith and others.
8:30—“Mexico,” travel film with Julien Bryan.
8:55—Igor Gorin, “Largo al Factotum.”
9:05—Civilian Defense Program.
9:20—Harvey Harding, songs.
9:30—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:15—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Tamara, songs.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00 to 9:30—Sports with Bob Edge; Joel Barber, guest.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:30 to 5:00—Films.
7:30 to 8:30—Film.
8:30 to 9:20—Mexican film (from WNBT).
9:30 to 11:00—Wrestling Match (from WNBT).

Former Governor Alfred E. Smith [right] and four children completed their first television broadcast at the National Broadcasting Company studios, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, yesterday [2] with unqualified success. The five conducted themselves like seasoned campaigners in the program, held in conjunction with the United Hospital campaign for $1,784,292.
The children, all of whom are receiving free hospital treatment, were Max Divinsky, fourteen, of 20 Suffolk Street; Francis Connolly, eleven, of 302 East Thirty-eighth Street; Robert Hartman, seven, of 94-22 134th Street, Richmond Hill, Queens, and Beatrice Miller, seven, of 165 Broome Street. They sat beside Mr. Smith for thirty minutes before they went on, watching closely other performers who preceded them. Then without any rehearsal Mr. Smith and the children took the spotlight.
Francis, the boldest of the boys, turned to Ray Forrest, announcer, in the questioning and said:
“May I ask you a question now? Were you on the side of the Dodgers or the Yanks?” Mr. Forrest was tactful, “I admired the gallant fight of the Dodgers.” he said. Francis was appeased and relaxed.
Mr. Smith urged New Yorkers to contribute to the campaign and said it would be a “great calamity” if even one of the seventy-five hospitals in the campaign was forced to close its doors because of lack of funds. Mr. Smith waved his famous brown derby for the television camera and concluded: “I’ve got the brown one with me to pass around for the benefit of the hospitals.” (Herald Tribune, Dec. 3)

Wednesday, December 3, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “Canada’s Cozy Corner” (circa 1935), pastoral beauties of Prince Edward Island.
3:40 to 4:40—Film: “Phantom Ranger.”
8:30—Television and You.
8:35—Civilian Defense Program.
8:45—“Your Pet.” Topic: “Care and Feeding of Dogs.”
8:55—“Play the Game.”
9:25 to 9:30—News with Ray Forrest.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk,” public affairs discussion. Topic: “Skiing” with Kenneth Littlefield, T. B. Ripsom, Bill Hines, Fritz Loosli.
3:15—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Country Dance.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:30 to 8:30—Film.
8:30 to 9:30—Variety.
9:30 to 11:00—Film.

Thursday, December 4, 1941
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15—Children’s Story: “Chippendale Dam.”
8:00—News.
8:15—Sports with Bob Edge.
8:30 to 9:30—Visual Quiz.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:30 to 5:00—Films.
8:30 to 9:00—Variety.
9:00 to 10:00—Film.
10:00 to 10:30—Variety.

For the first time in the history of the television industry, an editorial cartoon by Hugh Hutton, The Inquirer’s cartoonist, was broadcast at 8.30 o’clock last night [4] through WPTZ, the television station of the Philco Radio and Television Corp., from its studios at C and Ontario sts.
The broadcast was picked up by about 500 receivers in the Philadelphia area, embracing an audience of some 3500 persons.
Hutton, whose cartoons have won him national fame, explained to his audience how an idea for a cartoon develops from its preliminary sketch through its completed drawing to its reproduction on the editorial page, in answer to questions asked by the announcer, Paul Knight.
The particular cartoon which he drew was that which appeared in Monday’s Inquirer [right]. He also drew cartoons of Hitler and Mussolini, showing how the characters of the two dictators grew out of and developed with their historic roles. (Philadelphia Inquirer, Dec. 5)

Friday, December 5, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “Land of the Cree,”
3:40 to 4:40—Film: “Blazing Barrier.”
8:30—“Music in Miniature” with Jerry Sears.
9:00—“Common Knowledge,” quiz program with Juano Hernandez.
9:30—“Face of the War,” with Sam Cuff.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:15—Children’s story: “Chippendale Dam.”
8:00—News reports.
8:15—National Defense Program.
9:00—Sports with Bob Edge; badminton tournament.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:30 to 9:30—Telecast from Downtown Philadelphia.
9:30 to 10:30—Film.

The NBC television station, WNBT, will inaugurate a new series of quiz programs titled “The Sons and Daughters of Common Knowledge,” with an all-Negro cast, tonight at 9. (Home News, New Brunswick, N.J.)

Saturday, December 6, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “Death Rides the Range.”
8:30—Danton Walker’s Broadway: Fefe’s Monte Carlo Floor Show.
9:15—Civilian Defense Program.
9:25—Ray Forrest, news and previews.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test Pattern.
2:30—Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
2:00 to 3:00—Haines Marionettes.
8:30 to 10:00—Telecast from Downtown Philadelphia.

FIRST in a series of television programs featuring the part played by the Department of Interior in national defense was presented last Friday [6] on WCBW, television adjunct of CBS. (Broadcasting, Dec. 8)

NBC’s Saturday night [6] television broadcast over Station WNBT of Fefe’s Monte Carlo nite spot promises to be one of the most elaborate (and expensive) on record. The audience of café socialites is by invitation—engraved invitation—only. (Danton Walker, Daily News, Dec. 3)

Sunday, December 7, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Film: “Millionaire Playboy” (1940) with Joe Penner and Fritz Feld.
8:40 to 11:15—Hockey: Rangers vs. Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden.

Monday, December 8, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
9:00 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—to be announced.
3:15—Children’s Story: “Arabian Nights.”
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:35—“Men at Work,” variety, with Sheila Barrett, comedienne; Carmen De La Vega, songs; Cappella and Patricia, dancers; Wesley Adams and Lisa, dancers.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:30 to 10:30—Film.
10:30 to 11:30—Boxing at Jamaica Arena from WNBT.

TELEVISION, with the outbreak of hostilities between the United States and Japan, stepped up to a new level of importance, with both WNBT, NBC television station and WCBW, video adjunct of CBS, expanding their telecasting schedules to supply a vivid visual meaning to the war news, in additon to continuing their defense-aid activities.
WCBW, going on the air Dec. 7 with the latest bulletins and visual aids from 8:45 to after 10, marked the first time that it had operated on a Sunday. From then on through the week the station presented several news periods daily under the direction of Gilbert Seldes, head of the CBS television program department.
The station carried the speech of President Roosevelt on Monday at the same time that a waving flag was transmitted over the sight waves. Robert Aura Smith of the New York Times foreign news department has appeared several times.
Programs Cancelled
WCBW cancelled two regularly scheduled programs Monday afternoon [8] and replaced them with news and maps. Cancelled programs were Boys in the Back Room and Children's Story. At the same time, spokesmen of the various branches of defense activity are presented each day. On Monday WCBW stayed on the air an hour and a quarter longer than had been previously scheduled.
An AP news teletype was installed in the studios of WNBT and a camera was focused on the copy as it issued from the wires. Sam Cuff, the station's war analyst brought new maps and photographs into the studios to interpret the incoming reports. NBC commentators, since the beginning of the war, have made nightly appearances before the cameras in roundtable discussions of the day's news. Among them are William Hillman, H. V. Kaltenborn, John Vandercook and Robert St. John. Monday evening a film on Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines was shown.
During the past several weeks WNBT has been conducting a defense training series in cooperation with defense organizations. Demonstrations of fire-control and first-aid methods have been emphasized. Both these will be continued and expanded, the station indicated. Meanwhile WNBT has been conducting a civilian defense drive to enroll every receiver owner as a "television defense aid ". Such aides are to be responsible for marshalling non-receiver owners before screens during the presentation of the defense training series. (Broadcasting, Dec. 15)

CHECK-UP of television sets in use in the Philadelphia area by Philco reveals there are about 500 sets in actual operation in the city and suburban areas. Philco engineers estimated there were only 300 sets in operation when the company's WPTZ started commercial television Sept. 1. It is also estimated the 500 sets represent an audience in excess of 2,000. (Broadcasting, Dec. 8)

Tuesday, December 9, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—“Search For Beauty,” with Ned Weyburn.
3:40 to 4:30—“Radio City Matinee,” variety.
8:30—“Thrills and Chills from Everywhere,” with Doug Allan and Roy Phelps.
8:50—Civilian Defense Program.
9:00—“Words on the Wing,” spelling bee with Paul Wing.
9:30—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “Arabian Nights.”
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Tamara, songs.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00 to 9:30—Sports with Bob Edge; Joel Barber, guest.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:30 to 5:00—Films.
7:30—Films.
8:30—Variety.
9:30 to 11:00—Wrestling matches from WNBT.

ADRIENNE AMES, of motion picture fame, will start this week a series of televised movie reviews on WNBT, New York television station of NBC. Series, telecast for 10 minutes each Tuesday afternoon, discusses movies soon to be exhibited in New York, with clips of the pictures’ highlights used to illustrate Miss Ames’ descriptions. (Broadcasting, Dec. 8)

Joseph C. Hancock, local operatic tenor, will appear with Anna Case Mackay, former Metropolitan opera star from 3 to 3:30 o’clock this afternoon on the N.B.C. television in New York city. Mrs. Mackay will sing her [text omitted] racy.” Two other selections, “Hail Smiling Morn” by Spofort, and “Jean” by Scarborough, will be sung. In the latter, Mr. Hancock will sing the lead. A double quartet will also assist. (Paterson Morning Call)

Wednesday, December 10, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “Treasure of the Forest.”
3:40 to 4:50—Film: “Flaming Lead” (1939) with Ken Maynard.
8:30 to 10:00—Film: “Something to Sing About,” (1937) with Jimmy Cagney.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk,” moderated by Helen Sioussat.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “Arabian Nights.”
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Country Dance.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:30 to 8:30—Film.
8:30 to 10:00—Feature Film.

Thursday, December 11, 1941
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “Arabian Nights.”
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Sports with Bob Edge.
8:30 to 9:30—Visual Quiz.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:30 to 4:30—Films.
8:30—Philco Players.
10:00 to 11:00—Films.

Friday, December 12, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “Submarine at Sea.”
3:40 to 4:50—Film: “Romance of the Limberlost,” with Jean Parker.
8:30—“False Witness,” mystery game.
8:55—Harvey Harding, songs.
9:05—Tamiris, dancer.
9:25—Civilian Defense Program.
9:30—“Face of the War,” with Sam Cuff.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News Reports.
2:45—Film.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s story: “Arabian Nights.”
8:00—News reports.
8:15—National Defense Program.
9:00 to 10:00—Sports with Bob Edge; badminton tournament.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
2:00 to 3:00—Philco Jr. Players.
8:30 to 10:00—American League Hockey, Washington Lions vs. Philadelphia Rockets at the Philadelphia Arena.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (UP)— The War Department announced today a plan for prompt suspension of radio broadcasting operations when enemy air raids are threatened anywhere in Continental United States.
The plan was drafted by the Federal Communications Commission, the radio branch of the War Department’s Bureau of Public Relations, telephone services and the Army Air Force’s interceptor command. It goes into effect immediately.
Stations will be grouped by radio control areas within the regions of the interceptor commands. In case of an alarm, the interceptor command will order stations in given areas to shut down.
The orders apply to standard broadcast, high frequency, television and relay broadcast stations.
Officials said the plan should assure “speedy and accurate transmission” of orders to cease broadcasting and also should eliminate “unnecessarily imposed silences.”
When all-clear conditions exist, the interceptor command will advise stations in the control area to resume operations.
The department said that this or a similar announcement would be made when service must be temporarily suspended:
“At this time, ladies and gentlemen, radio station ——— is temporarily leaving the air in conformity with the national defense program. Keep your radio on so that upon resumption of our service we may bring you the latest information.”

PACIFIC COAST stations, first to feel the air bans incidental to possible attack by enemy planes, have developed an emergency operation schedule through cooperation with the FCC and the 4th Interceptor Command. Stations up and down the entire Pacific area were ordered silent every night through Friday [12] following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. [...] Shortly after the Dec. 7 attack on Hawaii, it was reported an attempt was made by six or eight unidentified Japanese to sabotage the Don Lee experimental television station, W6XAO, and FM station, K45LA, situated atop 1,7000-foot Mount Lee, overlooking Hollywood. The would-be saboteurs were foiled when Paul Marshall, caretaker, fired at them. The 300-foot steel tower located on the mountain is used as an aviation beacon. (Broadcasting, Dec. 15)

Saturday, December 13, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Children’s Matinee.
8:30—Zeke Manners’ Hillbillies.
9:00 to 11:15—Basketball: Oregon vs. Long Island University; Oklahoma A. & M. vs. C. C. N. Y., from Madison Square Garden.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30 to 4:30—Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:30—Western film.
8:30 to 9:00—Newsman.
9:40 to 10:00—Firearms Exhibition.
10:00 to 10:30—New York program (from WNBT).

YOUNG TELEVIEWERS now have a program all their own to look at Saturday afternoons with the inauguration last week [13] on WNBT, NBC's New York television station, of an hour series featuring Marion Bishop's marionettes and talks of interest to children on such subjects as stamps or dogs. Series is under direction of Peter Barker. (Broadcasting, Dec. 15)

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 13.—Because of the inability of television stations to compete with the motion picture theaters in getting current film releases, the television outlets have come to depend largely upon non-theatrical pictures for program material, it was disclosed by officials at WPTZ, Philco television station here. Since the regular film product made available to the stations are for the most part heavily dated and inferior pictures, making for poor entertainment programs, the station has come to depend largely upon the non-theatricals, using both 16 and 35mm. product, depending upon its availability.
Required by the Federal Communication Commission to provide 15 hours of television programs a week. WPTZ here devoted a third of that time to the showing of motion pictures. For the most part, the feature pictures televised are non-theatricals and proving highly satisfactory gor television purposes. Pictures used are mostly Westerns because they provide plenty of action, a factor highly necessary for television purposes. Also used to advantage among the non-theatricals are religious features and commercial shorts especially.
Station officials here admit that the non-theatrical films have been the salvation of television stations both here and in New York, both from the standpoint of availability and entertainment qualities. And since television officials look upon motion pictures in the same light that a radio station considers phonograph records, the non-theatricals will continue to play an increasingly important part In the development of television as a commercial entertainment medium. (Billboard, Dec. 20)

Sunday, December 14, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Film: “Gun Smoked Trails.”
8:30 to 9:30—“The Americas” with Marjorie Clark in “The Heiress,” drama.

Monday, December 15, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
9:00 to 11:00—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Special events.
3:15—Children’s Story.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:35—“Men at Work,” variety, with Rolly Rolls, piano; Sonny Austin, tap dancer; Song Spinners; Polly Korchien Dance Group.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:30—Western film.
8:30 to 9:00—Newsman.
9:10 to 9:30—“Hail America,” drama.
9:40 to 10:00—Firearms Exhibition.
10:00 to 11:30—New York program.

Tuesday, December 16, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—“Search For Beauty,” with Ned Weyburn.
3:40 to 4:30—“Radio City Matinee,” variety.
8:30—“Thrills and Chills from Everywhere,” with Doug Allan.
8:50—Jean Clair, accordion.
9:00—Civilian Defense Program.
9:10—Film: “March of Time.” [Herald Tribune says 9:15]
9:30—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Tamara, songs. [Herald Tribune says ‘Joan Edwards’]
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
8:30--Country Dance. [Herald Tribune]
9:00 to 9:30—Sports with Bob Edge. Guest, author Fritz Loosli. [Times]
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:00 to 8:00—Western film.
8:00 to 9:00—Feature film.
9:20 to 10:30—New York program.

Wednesday, December 17, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Film: “Riders of the Dawn” (1937) with Jack Randall.
8:30 to 9:40—Film: “Mill on the Floss” (1936) with Geraldine Fitzgerald.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk,” moderated by Helen Sioussat. Topic: “The Pulpit and the War” with Stanley High, Mrs. Sidney Borg, Dr. Alfred McCluny Lee.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Square Dance.
9:25—News. [Herald Tribune]
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:00 to 4:45—Film.
8:30 to 9:30—Film, news, drama.
9:30 to 10:30—Film.

On Wednesday, December 17, Thomas F. Woodlock, contributing editor of the Wall Street Journal, will appear on the “Table Talk” program of WCBW, the Columbia Broadcasting System’s television station.
Others on the program which will be aired at 2:45 p. m. that afternoon include Stanley High, lecturer; Mrs. Sidney Borg, director of the Manhattan Civilian Defense Volunteer Office; and Dr. Alfred McCluny Lee, director of the Institute of Propaganda Analysis. (WSJ, Dec. 12)

Thursday, December 18, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:45 to 10:15—America’s Town Meeting.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Sports with Bob Edge.
8:30 to 9:30—Visual Quiz.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:30 to 9:45—Film Shorts, Variety.
9:45 to 10:15—Studio Show.
10:15 to 10:45—Film Short.

Another chapter in television will be written tonight when the Town Meeting of the Air is to be televised from Town Hall, New York, at 9:15 o’clock . . . It will be the first time that the television cameras will look in on this popular feature . . . The topic to be discussed is “Outlook in the Pacific,” with Admiral Yates Sterling Jr., U.S.N. Ret., former commander of the Pearl Harbor naval base; Hanson Baldwin, military expert of the New York Times; Hugh Grant, former U.S. Minister to Thailand and Arthur Menken, ace news cameraman. (Home News, New Brunswick, N.J.)

Friday, December 19, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:35—Film: “Port of Missing Girls” (1938) with Judith Allen, Harry Carey.
8:30—“Silvermine Stags,” variety.
9:15—Civilian Defense film.
9:25—“Face of the War,” with Sam Cuff.
9:30—News with Ray Forrest.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News Reports.
2:45—Film.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s story.
8:00—News reports.
8:15—National Defense Program.
9:00 to 10:00—Sports with Bob Edge, badminton.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
5:30 to 6:30—Philco Jr. Players.
8:30 to 10:30—Arena Wrestling.

Saturday, December 20, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Children’s Matinee.
8:30—Song Shop.
9:00 to 11:15—Basketball: N. Y. U. vs. Syracuse; Oklahoma vs. St. John’s from Madison Square Garden.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30 to 4:30—Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:30 to 10:00—American League Hockey: Indianapolis Capitols vs. Philadelphia Rockets from the Philadelphia Arena.
10:00 to 10:30—Film Short.

Sunday, December 21, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “The River.”
4:00—Film: “Children of the Wild” (1939) with Helen Hughes and Goldie the eagle.
8:30—Mrs. Junius S. Morgan; Film: “Dust of the Road”; Opera Workshop. [Herald Tribune]

Monday, December 22, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
9:00 to 11:00—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—War Backgrounds.
3:10—Children’s Story.
3:25—News Summary.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—“Men at Work,” variety with Jose Fernandez and Juanita Deering, dancers; Carlos Montoya, guitar; Madrigal Singers; Victor Trio.
9:25—News Summary.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00 to 9:00—Films, sketch, news.
9:10 to 9:25—Play, “Hale America.”
9:25 to 10:00—Christmas play.
10:00 to 11:30—New York program from WNBT.

Tuesday, December 23, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
2:45—Launching of Navy Miner Sweeper, Robert Jacob, Inc., Yards, City Island.
3:40 to 4:30—“Radio City Matinee,” variety.
8:30—“Argentina,” Julien Bryan travelogue.
9:00—Camp Upton Chorus.
9:10—Civilian Defense Program.
9:20—“Face of the War” with Sam Cuff.
9:30—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:10—Children’s Story.
3:25—News Summary.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00—Sports with Bob Edge.
9:25—News Summary.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:00 to 5:00—Feature film.
8:00 to 9:00—Play, Glee Club.
9:10—News.
9:35—Ballet.
9:45 to 10:30—New York program from WNBT.

FCC DECISIONS, Dec. 23
NEW, National Broadcasting Co. Inc., Washington, D. C.—Granted CP new commercial television station channel No. 2 with 3-1-42 completion date.

DON LEE Broadcasting System, Hollywood, on Dec. 23 celebrated the tenth anniversary of its experimental television station W6XAO with a special broadcast consisting of live talent as well as motion pictures. To house the station, a new $230,000 studio building was recently erected on 1,700 foot high Mount Lee, overlooking Hollywood. (Broadcasting, Dec. 29)


Wednesday, December 24, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30 to 9:30—“The Adventures of Marco Polo,” drama.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk.”
3:10—Children’s Story.
3:25—News Summary.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Tamara, songs.
8:30—Country Dance.
9:25—News Summary.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00 to 9:00—Film shorts, drama.
9:00 to 10:00—Christmas Party.

Thursday, December 25, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30—Fairy Tale: “Hansel and Gretel,” musical with Adriana Caselotti, Ivy Dale, others.
9:00 to 9:30—Christmas Varieties with Yola Galli, songs; Carla and Fernando, dancers; Southeraires Quartet.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30 to 4:00—Police and Fire Department Toy Campaign Christmas Party.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Sports with Bob Edge.
8:30—Visual Quiz.
9:25—News Summary.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
7:30 to 9:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
schedule not available.

DESPITE the war emergency the networks have again planned their annual contribution to listeners featuring Christmas music, choral programs, dramatizations of famous Yuletide stories, and coverage of holiday celebrations throughout the country. [...]
On NBC's television station WNBT, a Christmas Eve dramatization of "The Adventures of Marco Polo" will be telecast, and on Christmas Day, three special programs will be presented, including the fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel," an animal film and a Christmas Varieties show. (Broadcasting, Dec. 22)

Friday, December 26, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Film: “Legion of Missing Men.”
8:30 to 9:30—Film: “Mr. Boggs Steps Out” with Stuart Erwin.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News Reports.
2:45—Film.
3:10—Children’s story.
3:25—News Summary.
8:00—News reports.
8:15—National Defense Program.
9:00—Sports with Bob Edge, badminton tournament.
9:55—News Summary.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
2:00 to 3:00—Christmas Party.
8:30 to 10:30—Arena Wrestling.

APPLICATIONS TO THE FCC, Dec. 26
NEW. WCAU Broadcastng Co., Philadelphia—CP new commercial television station (formerly W3XAU) channel No. 6.
NEW, Balaban & Katz Corp., Chicago—CP new commercial television station (formerly W9XBK) channel No. 2.

Saturday, December 27, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Film: “Flaming Lead” (1939) with Ken Maynard.
9:30 to 11:15—Basketball: L.I.U. vs. U.S.C.; Fordham vs. Rice from Madison Square Garden.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News Summary.
2:35—Film.
4:25—News Summary.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
2:00 to 3:00—Christmas Party.
8:30 to 10:30—American League Hockey: vs. Philadelphia Rockets from the Philadelphia Arena.
10:00 to 10:30—Film Short.

Sunday, December 28, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Film: “Star Over Arizona.”
8:30—Christmas-New Year’s Service from Riverside Church, Rev. Harry Emerson Fosdick.

Monday, December 29, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
9:00 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—War Backgrounds.
3:15—Children’s Story.
3:25—News Summary.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—“Men at Work,” variety with Larry Collins, music; Shirley March, songs; Thiessen Dogs; Charles Althoff, comic; George Church, dancer; Kirk and Madeline, acrobats.
9:25—News Summary.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:00 to 8:00—Film.
8:00 to 9:00—Defense Program, news, dramas.
9:00 to 11:30—New York telecasts from WNBT.

Tuesday, December 30, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—“Radio City Matinee,” variety with Elgon Petri, piano; others.
8:30—“Argentina,” Julien Bryan travelogue.
9:00—Don Julian and Marjori, dancers.
9:10—Civilian Defense Program.
9:20—Musical Film: “Polovetsian Dances.”
9:30—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:10—Children’s Story.
3:25—News Summary.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00—Sports with Bob Edge.
9:25—News Summary.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00 to 11:00—Convention Hall Tennis Matches.

Wednesday, December 31, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
11:45 to 12:30 a.m.—New Year’s Eve at the Rainbow Room.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk,” discussion. Topic” “Looking Forward” with newsman Quincy Howe, Dorothy Dunbar Bromley, Michael Strange.
3:10—Children’s Story.
3:25—News Summary.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Tamara, songs.
8:30—Country Dance.
9:25—News Summary.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
2:00 to 4:00—Film.

CASTING FOR TELEVISION SHOWS
FIRST let me describe the toughest job I’ve had since we went on the air for 15 hours a week last July 1. One of the programs that had been outlined as a half-hour once-a-week shot was called Dancing Lesson. The program pattern called for the same two dancing instructors to teach the same two novice dancers each week, so that the improvement could be watched. It was pretty easy to get two good dancing instructor from Arthur Murray. And the boy who fitted the bill for the novice dancer turned out to be 17-year-old Billy Lipton, who had been on my job-application lists for some time. But getting an attractive girl who couldn’t dance was a real problem. I culled my job-application lists in vain, Finally I called the employment agency at Barnard College and outlined my need. Time was getting shorts They sent me 15 girls who supposedly couldn’t dance. (I have a hunch there might have been a ringer or two in the crowd.) At any rate, of this group Phyllis Gray proved tops for looks and lack of dancing knowledge. To make a long story short, Dancing Lesson has a double-barrel design: First, it affords the audience excellent dancing Instruction, and second, if the audience doesn’t care to learn dancing it can still get a big kick out of watching the youngsters learning to dance. The program is going over well, and Lipton, who could hardly walk on a dance floor when he began, is turning into an excellent dancer.
The biggest program to cast each week is Men at Work, a variety show Monday nights over WCBW from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. The idea behind the show is to give the audience a peek at talent informally adapting itself to the television medium. When the program started we contacted agents for talent auditions, and out of this grew a more or less routine procedure.
Now the agents call us Mondays to submit their lists for Wednesday auditions. An agent may submit as many as 8 or 10 artists. I go for these lists and choose the one I feel we have some chance of using in the fairly immediate future. The agent then sends in the people I have checked. Three or four of us from the television program department take and compare notes on the auditions and then choose the talent at a meeting we hold after the auditions are over. Each show is built with as much variety a possible. I contact the agent, and 1f the artist is available be is booked. Aside from the agents, our other main source of talent is our own job-application files, which we consult regularly.
84 Acts
Since we started Men at Work July 7 we have had 14 shows, with an average of six acts on each one. Jugglers, bicycle acts, dancers, comics, singers, puppeteers, mimics, roller skaters, acrobats, trained dogs and whistlers have appeared before our cameras on the studio floor at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue. Among the performers who have been on the program are Paul Draper, Henny Youngman, Mary Sutherland, Al Bernie, Jack Gilford, Tamara, Gus Van, Hal Sherman and Joan Edwards. Giles O’Connor is emsee for the show.
Something I would like to emphasize in connection with Men at Work is its informality. It has to be informal; it would lose its impact if it were not. The reason is that the television medium demands a new type of performance. Each artist has to learn how to adapt his particular talent for the television medium. Certainly these formative days of the television art offer the best opportunity to accomplish the necessary adaptations.
Learning Tele Acting
Most of the performers who have appeared on television are accustomed to projecting their specialties from a stage or from the floor. Now they have to learn to act for the television cameras, which is, in effect, like acting for a group of a half dozen or so people who are located not more than a few feet away. When performers project on television, we have found that the results in general are unsatisfactory. Television amplifies each move, each gesture. And, strangely enough, it tends to amplify the less attractive features of an act to a greater degree.
Just for the record, here are a few of the other performers who have been on our Men at Work show: Goodrich and Nelson, acrobats; Al Libby and Betty, bicycle specialty; Estelle and LeRoy, dance team; Fredda Gibson, singer; Ray and Arthur, acrobats; Betty Jane Smith, tap dancer; Jack McCoy, comedian; Sue Reed and Her Men of Accord, vocalists; Jack Horner, puppeteer; Hildegarde Halliday, mimic; the Dancing Debs; Bankoff and Cannon, comic dancers; Thiessen Dogs; Robin Adair, toe dancer; Rolly Rolls, the Mad Pianist; Barry and Salo, comedy tumblers; Joe Termini, comedian; Pepita and Lucia, Mexican singers; Bonzo the Dog; Adia Kuznetzoff, Russian baritone; Three Blue Jackets, tap dancers; Los Ojedas, Spanish dancers, and a long list of others.
Informality Helps
I think the answer to the success of the Men at Work program lies in the almost tngib1c air of ease and contagious informality that pervades the studio. I recall the time that Al Bernie started to inspect one of our television cameras while we were actually on the air. Naturally we bad told him to feel at home on the studio floor and to do anything that came to his mind, but frankly we didn’t expect him to perform his antics atop one of our cameras. Another incident that stands out is the Paul Draper appearance. He was fascinated by the air of informality, and at one point turned his back to the camera after telling the audience that he would return to them in a minute. I hope these incidents don’t appear trival [sic] or irrelevant. The reason I bring them up Is that they were very effective on the broadcast and are good illustrations of what makes television the unique art medium that it is.
Our Visual Quiz program presents an entirely different type of casting problem. Its type is illustrated by its name, and the participants are laymen chosen from any number of occupations and professions. An interesting feature of Visual Quiz is that every sixth week we plan to use the winners of the previous five weeks on an extra-special quiz show with extra-special rewards. We have already had one show of this nature, and it turned out well.
Another of our programs is Table Talk, an open forum discussion conducted Wednesday afternoons by Helen Sioussat, of the CBS Education Department. For this show Gilbert Seldes, head of our television program department, Miss Sioussat and I confer to decide on each week’s topic and the people we think are most suitable.
Create New Talent
Will television create new talent or will it make use of existing talent? These are questions often asked. My answer is, “Both.” I should say that the existing talent will modify its technique for television, and that new talent will be developed for television alone. Radio, pictures and legit have their own talent and techniques; there is every indication that television, too, will have its own in the not too distant future. (Ruth Norman, Billboard, Dec. 27)