Sunday, 14 April 2024

November 1941

New York is on the air! In Philadelphia.

By November 1941, NBC’s WNBT was airing a mix of live programming—news, variety, sports—and was now making it available to Philco’s WPTZ in Philadelphia, thanks to a relay station at Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania. It picked up the signal and sent it on to WPTZ’s transmitter at C and Tioga Streets. There was no cable yet.

Philco president John Ballantyne remarked in 1946 that the system wasn’t satisfactory because the distance between New York and Wyndmoor was too great for true line-of-sight transmission. A new relay station in New Jersey fixed that in July 1942, but this had to do for now.

When it wasn’t re-broadcasting NBC programming, WPTZ provided what viewers there were with films, variety and play-by-play sports. The Camden Journal-Post thought enough of the station to begin publishing the station’s schedule, though not always accurately. You’ll find it below, along with the broadcast day for each of the three New York stations. Du Mont was only airing test films and cut the daily hours from six to two.

On the West Coast, Don Lee’s W6XAO had spent most of its ten years unspooling film for viewers. It then got a mobile unit that was parked outside arenas during boxing and wrestling matches. In November 1941, it decided to put its first variety show on the air. The host was a man who closed out the ‘40s with a variety show on the DuMont network—Morey Amsterdam. Also appearing was his wife, Mabel Todd, and an impressionist who provided voices in Tom and Jerry cartoons for MGM—Jerry Mann. (He also was the guy who played the Phil Silvers-like voice of Dino on the Flintstones episode where the dinosaur talked).

Among the variety show comics who appeared on TV in the East was Alan Alda’s father Robert, who I never thought of as a comedian.

The New York schedules come from a combination of the Times and the Herald Tribune; the Daily News also put out schedules for WNBT and WCBW.

Saturday, November 1, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
2:00—Football: Columbia vs. Cornell at Baker Field.
8:30—Saturday Night Jamboree.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test Pattern.
2:30 to 4:30—Films.

WNBT, NBCs television station, offered a picture version of Columbia-Cornell action. But the weather, worst possible for televised images, allowed only very hazy reception. With field mud obscuring players’ numbers, we never knew what was who . . . Ted Steele and Renee De Marco scored on television’s “Saturday Night Varieties” (WNBT-8:30) (Ben Gross, Daily News, Nov. 2)

Sunday, November 2, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
2:00—Football: Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Eagles at Ebbets Field.
8:30—Film: “Young and Innocent” (1937) with Nova Philbeam.

Pro football is really coming of age on the airwaves this season. Yesterday [2], I heard two games aired and saw one of them televised. The Dodgers-Phillies clash at Ebbets Field got most attention with Bill Slater and Dave Driscoll reporting the elevens in action over WOR, while WNBT’s television cameras offered a visual version (2 P. M.) [. . .] Television reception, by the way, was much better in the sunshine than during Saturday’s deluge. (Ben Gross, Daily News, Nov. 3)

Monday, November 3, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:00—Test Pattern.
9:00 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test Pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—“Boys in the Back Room.”
3:15—Children’s Story.
7:30—Test Pattern.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:35—“Men at Work,” variety with Hank Henry, comedy; Jack Gilford, comedy; Jean Casto, songs; Jose Fernandez, dancer; Frank Martinet, juggler; Lightning Duo, roller skaters.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.

Tuesday, November 4, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “Where Trails Divide” (1937) With Tom Keene.
9:00—Weather.
9:01—“Thrills and Chills from Everywhere,” with Doug Allan and Father Hubbard.
9:30—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove.
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—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00 to 9:30—Sports with Bob Edge.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.

Father Hubbard, the famous “Glacier Priest,” will show several reels of Alaskan motion pictures via television station WNBT, Tuesday at 9 P. M. (Ben Gross, Daily News, Nov. 2)

NEW TECHNICAL development, called by NBC engineers "tying in two synchronizing generators by radio," was tried out for the first time Nov. 4 on WNBT, NBC's television station, so televiewers were able to follow election returns at the same time they watched professional wrestling matches from Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn.
To accomplish this, it was necessary to join one image from mid-Manhattan—the election returns from Radio City—with another image, radioed from Brooklyn, a trick which required that the two units be in absolute synchronism. A running box-score of the mayoralty race was faded in at the top of the wrestling image at frequent intervals giving the major part of the election returns during the bouts.
The new development now makes it possible for engineers to switch from Radio City's television studios to the mobile unit, without either a blank screen or an unstable image on the receiver. The sponsor's message also may be superimposed on an image or the station's call letters can be shown without interrupting the telecast feature. (Broadcasting, Nov. 10)


Wednesday, November 5, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:31—“Radio City Matinee,” United Hospital Fund broadcast with Alfred E. Smith and Adrienne Ames.
8:30—“Play the Game,” with Dr. Harvey Zorbaugh.
8:55—News with Ray Forrest.
9:00—Weather.
9:01—Prevues.
9:05—Zeke Manners’ Gang.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk.” Topic: “Should Congress Pass Legislation Immediately for Compulsory Arbitration of Labor Disputes?” Panel: Gilbert Seldes, Dr. Wesley A. Sturges, John A. Zellers, Elden Lamarr, Louis Waldman.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Country Dance.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.

Thursday, November 6, 1941
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test Pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
7:30—Test Pattern.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Sports with Bob Edge.
8:30 to 9:30—Visual Quiz.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.

A gauze screen which flared under the heat generated by 22,000 watts of light set off a studio sprinkler system in the Philco television station. WPTZ, and forced cancellation of an hour-long telecast show last night [6].
The actual fire, during a rehearsal at 8 P. M., an hour before the show was to go on the air, was unimportant, but the sprinklers drenched actors, engineers and camera cables under three inches of water, David Grimes, chief engineer, said valuable equipment was undamaged, however.
The station, which began commercial operation Sept. 1 after 11 years of experiments, is located on the fifth floor of the Philco main office building at C and Tioga sts. Because this plant has defense work, police were not allowed to enter, and city firemen left as soon as they were assured the fire had been extinguished.
Last night’s program was to have included the first televised word-and-picture explanation of the creation of a newspaper cartoon. Hugh Hutton, editorial cartoonist of The Inquirer, was to have demonstrated how his work is created. He will appear on a later program, studio officials said. They hoped to return to the air at 3.30 P. M. today. (Philadelphia Inquirer, Nov. 7)


Friday, November 7, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “Peg of Old Drury” (1935) with Anne Neagle.
8:30—Sponsored Time Signal.
8:31—Play: “Hollywood Doctor,” drama.
9:00—Weather.
9:01—Harvey Harding’ Sociable.
9:20—“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.
8:00—News reports.
8:15—Civilian Air Raid Protection Demonstration.
9:00 to 10:00—Sports with Bob Edge; badminton tournament.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.

APPLICATIONS TO THE FCC, Nov. 7
NEW, Metropolitan Television Inc., New York—CP commercial television station (formerly W2XMT) channel No. 8, A5 emission, unl., 500 w aural, 1 kw visual.

Saturday, November 8, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “Lightning Strikes West” (1940) with Ken Maynard.
8:30—Sponsored Time Signal.
8:31—“Saturday Night Jamboree,” variety.
9:30—News and Prevues.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test Pattern.
2:30 to 4:30—Films.

Sunday, November 9, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
2:00—Football: Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Washington Redskins at Ebbets Field.
8:30—Weather.
8:31—Film: “My Old Kentucky Home” (1938) with Evelyn Venable.

Monday, November 10, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
9:00 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena. Sam Taub, commentator.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test Pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—“Boys in the Back Room.”
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
7:30—Test Pattern.
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:35—“Men at Work,” variety with Three Waltons, Hank Henry and Robert Alda, comics; Ricco De Sierra, songs; Carroll and Sherode, dancers, others.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:30 to 10:30—Films.

Tuesday, November 11, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “The Painted Trail” (1938) with Tom Keene.
8:45—Travel Talk with Julien Bryan.
9:10—Weather.
9:11—Ted Steele, Betty Randall, songs.
9:20—Civilian Defense Program.
9:30—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “The Pied Piper of Hamelin.”
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00 to 9:30—Sports with Bob Edge.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:45 to 8:45—Films.
8:45 to 9:30—Variety Program.
9:30 to 11:00—Wrestling match from WNBT.

Wednesday, November 12, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—“Radio City Matinee.”
8:30—Paul Wing’s Spelling Bee.
9:00—Television and You.
9:05—Three Jesters, songs.
9:15—“You’re an Artist” with Frank Eliscu.
9:25—News with Ray Forrest.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk,” interviews with Helen Sioussat. Panel: Dorothy Kenyon, Harrison Tweed, Johnson Stoddard, Mrs. Benjamin Butterwieser.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “The Pied Piper of Hamelin.”
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Country Dance.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPLZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:00 to 3:30—Film.
8:30 to 9:30—Variety program.
9:30 to 11:00—Film.

Thursday, November 13, 1941
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “The Pied Piper of Hamelin.”
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Sports with Bob Edge.
8:30 to 9:30—Visual Quiz.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:30 to 5:00—Film.
8:30 to 10:00—Philco Players in “The Jade Neckless.”

Friday, November 14, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “Rose of the Rio Grande” (1938) with Movita and John Carroll.
8:30—“False Witness,” mystery game.
8:55—“Face of the War,” with Sam Cuff.
9:05—“Miniatures in Music” with Jerry Sears and Jane Froman.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News Reports.
2:45—Film.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s story: “The Pied Piper of Hamelin.”
8:00—News reports.
8:15—United China Relief Benefit, with Dr. James E. West and others.
9:00 to 10:00—Sports with Bob Edge; badminton tournament.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:00 to 5:00—Film.
8:30 to 9:30—Variety.
9:30 to 10:30—Revue.

New York.—Television sets in public places are in the same class as motion picture machines and are taxable at the rate of $24 per year, City License Commissioner Paul Moss has ruled. In addition, owners must have a regular city license for their operation. Interests behind television may bring a test case of the ruling because of the likely serious effect of heavy tax on future sales. It is estimated there are now close to 500 television receivers In public places in New York City.
The television industry has been marking time of late because expansion depends on priorities. Several groups have been urging Washington officials to use television for transmission of defense information and thus place them in a preferred priority class where they can secure needed equipment. Unless this is done it is feared television will not even be able to maintain its present small operations. (Hollywood Reporter, Nov. 14)


Saturday, November 15, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
2:00 to 4:30—Football: Columbia vs. Michigan, Baker Field.
8:30—“Saturday Night Jamboree,” variety.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test Pattern.
2:30 to 4:30—Films.
WPTZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
schedule not available.

Sunday, November 16, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30 to 9:30—Freedom Day Service with Rev. Dr. John Sutherland Bonnell, Fifth Ave. Presbyterian Church.

Monday, November 17, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
9:00 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena. Jack Fraser, commentator.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Boys in the Back Room.”
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story; “A Voyage to Lilliput.”
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:35—“Men at Work,” variety, with Reid and Mack, acrobats; Franco and Beryl, dancers; Singing Debs; Eddie Mayehoff, comedian; George Church, tap dancer.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:30—Film.
10:15 to 10:45—Arthur Hinnett and Harmony Singers.

Inauguration of a very extensive film transmission schedule has just been instituted by the Don Lee television station from its new $250,000 station, W6XAO, atop Mt. Lee near Los Angeles, Calif.
There are about 500 home television receivers in the Los Angeles area, it is estimated. A high light of the W6XAO transmissions, which come from the summit of a 1,700 foot peak, will be the transmission of the winners in a home movie contest being sponsored by a local home movie magazine. In addition, W6XAO plans to offer its “lookers” a number of outdoor events, according to Harry R. Lubcke, Director.
The first live talent show was televised yesterday [17] when Morey Amsterdam, Mabel Todd and Tony Romano appeared before the W6XAO cameras. A sequence of especially staged television ballets was given by the Montez Dancers. Jerry Mann, mimic, did a specialty act. All the facilities of a 60 by 100-foot sound stage were used.
Next month W6XAO will celebrate a decade of picture transmissions. (Christian Science Monitor, Nov. 18)


Tuesday, November 18, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “Homes for Defense.”
3:40—Film: “Romance of the Rockies” (1937) with Tom Keene.
8:30—Nick Kenny’s Stars of Tomorrow.
8:50—“Mexico,” travel film with Julien Bryan.
9:20—Civilian Defense Program.
9:30—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “A Voyage to Lilliput.”
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00 to 9:30—Sports with Bob Edge.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:30 to 5:00—Films.
7:30—Films.
8:30—Nick Kenny’s Stars of Tomorrow from WNBT.
9:30 to 11:00—Wrestling match from WNBT.

Philadelphia, Nov. 18. First tests in 'chain televising' are being conducted here by Philco's tele outlet, WPTZ, this week. Beginning today (Tues.) programs are being picked up from NBC's WNBT, New York, and re-televized here.
Tonight WPTZ will have Nick Kenny's 'Stars of Tomorrow' and the wrestling matches at Ridgewood Grove, New York, Other Gotham pickups include: NBC Opera workshop's 'Carmen,' tomorrow (Wed.); Sam Cuff's news analysis and Maurice Wells' drama, 'Blind Alley,' Friday, and WNBT's 'Saturday Night Jamboree' with Danton Walker and variety show on Saturday. (Variety, Nov. 19)


Wednesday, November 19, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—“Radio City Matinee” with Fannie Hurst, Muriel Stafford.
8:30—Opera Workshop: “Carmen.”
8:50—Margaret Dilling, musical film.
9:00—Science in Action with Charles Gus.
9:15—Film: “Carmen Amaya.”
9:25—News with Ray Forrest.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk,” interviews with Helen Sioussat.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “A Voyage to Lilliput.”
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30 to 8:30—Country Dance.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:00 to 3:30—Film.
8:30 to 9:30—Film: “Carmen” from WNBT.
9:30 to 11:00—Film.

The use of animated cartoons to simplify instruction in the College of Engineering of New York University will be demonstrated to television audiences Wednesday night [19] over WNBT when Professor Charles E. Gus, of N. Y. U., televises a new program entitled “Science In Action,” utilizing the cartoon technique which he helped develop. The program was conceived, written and directed by Arnold Cohan and Edward McDougal, of the university.
Professor Gus and Professor William R. Bryans developed the method last year after months of experimenting in the college laboratories on University Heights. It was perfected in an effort to speed up lectures in engineering subjects, necessitated by the sharp increase in the amount of course material which must be covered during the academic year.
The television program will utilize the animated cartoon as well as simple experiments and is designed to illustrate scientific principles.
The films were made from drawings by Professor Gus and illustrate the principles and mechanical theories found in engines, gears and motors. They are used in the class rooms at the College of Engineering, and it is planned to develop a library where students may review previous animated lectures.
The ease with which difficult scientific problems could be reduced to simple animated diagrams led to the production of a television film, according to Professor Gus. The first program will be devoted to an explanation of the phenomena that keep an airplane in the air. Through the use of two animated characters, “Pressure Pete” and “Suction Sam,” the relative importance of the pull of air on the wings and the commonly understood kitelike action will be demonstrated. (Herald Tribune, Nov. 16)


Thursday, November 20, 1941
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “A Voyage to Lilliput.”
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 (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:30 to 5:00—Film.
8:30 to 10:00—Philco Players in “Twenty Stars.”

Friday, November 21, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “First Line of Defense.”
3:40—Film: “Siren of the South Seas” (1937) with Movita Castaneda [right] and Warren Hull
8:30—“Face of the War,” with Sam Cuff.
8:40—“Blind Alley,” mystery play.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News Reports.
2:45—Film.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s story: “A Voyage to Lilliput.”
8:00—News reports.
8:15—Amateur Films and Professional Criticism.
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 (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:00 to 5:00—Film.
8:30 to 9:30—Variety.
9:30 to 10:30—Revue.

NBC’s television station WNBT inaugurated its dramatic season last night [21] with the telecasting of the thriller, “Blind Alley” (8:40). It was a gripping presentation of the tense James Warwick melodrama. The story of how a professor of psychiatry broke down a swaggering gangster-killer, who had invaded his household, was ideal television material. The action is compact and much depends on the facial expressions of the players. Maurice Wells, as the professor, and Charles Furcolowe, as Hal Wilson, the fleeing murder, were outstanding in their characterizations. (Ben Gross, Daily News, Nov. 22.

‘BLIND ALLEY’
With Maurice Wells, Charles Furcolowe, Katherine Warren, Kay Loring, Lida Kane.
90 Mins.
Sustaining
Friday, 8:40 p. m. (Nov. 21)
WNBT, New York
As far as the technique of dramatic production is concerned, this version of the James Warwick play served to affirm further television's sharply defined progress in the direction of an entertainment medium. For those who had the receiving facilities it was 90 minutes well spent. The performances were of a high order, the transmission was good and Thomas Riley's direction accounted for a production that was tightly drawn, deftly balanced and incisively paced, although perhaps some cuts in the script would have helped.
It was no easy job that Riley and the cast assumed when they picked on 'Blind Alley.' After the first few minutes the script is a blend of mounting dread and consistently explosive dramatics, with not a single letdown on the wear and tear of the emotion permitted up to the final curtain. Riley's troupe moved into the dominating mood with a quick but not too obvious precision and the only place where the play's movement seemed to falter was in the third act.
'Blind Alley,' which was produced on Broadway in 1938 and made a picture (Columbia) the following year, retails the terror that befalls the household of a psychiatry professor when a gang on the lam take the place over as a hideaway and how in a battle of minds the mob leader's violent egotism and ghastly background collapse and he finds himself incapable of further defiance.
Charles Furcolowe did a potently sustained job in the part of the gang chief. Maurice Wells gave the role of the psychiatrist a wealth of nuances and deep understanding, while Katherine Warren, who was in the original Broadway cast, provided a first-rate foil in the part of the wife. Kay Loring lent much color to the role of the gang leader's moll and Lida Kane, cast as the Irish housekeeper, made hers an impression. Odec. (Variety, Nov. 26)


Four members of Adventure Pictures, amateur movie company, made up of Passaic and Clifton youths, whose exploits have gained them widespread fame, have been called by the Columbia Broadcasting Company [sic] for an appearance on its television broadcast next Friday night [21].
Not only do these lads produce their hard ridin’ westerns and jungle mysteries, doing all the photography, but they also make up the casts and do all the acting themselves. Two pictures made by them—“Jungle Jim”, which was filmed in the Athenia woods by Clifton, and “Pals of the Plains”, filmed in Clifton and on Garret Mountain—will be transmitted over the air. Then the quartet will be interviewed by Gilbert Seldes, to whom they will explain how they “did it” and also relate experiences they had while “shooting” the films.
Louis McMahon, of 170 President Street, Passaic, director and producer of Adventure Pictures, will lead the quartet on its television journey. He wrote both the plays and directed their production. He also acted the lead role in “Jungle Jim”. He is employed with the Spot Film Productions, New York.
Richard Kuhn, of 6 Glenwood Avenue, Richfield section of Clifton, is considered the group’s best all-around actor, playing anything from the stout-hearted hero to the bearded villain. In “Jungle Jim” he plays the role of a white renegade in an African jungle. he is a sophomore at Seton Hall College.
Richard McMahon, a brother of the director and senior at Passaic High School, arranges the musical score for the films and also makes the “stills” for publicity. CBS has decided to use his arrangement of the musical score for the two films. He plays the part of Jim’s buddy, Mike, in “Jungle Jim.”
Russell Bernhardt, who is a junior at Passaic High School, and who will be the fourth member of the troupe in the television appearance next Friday, is one of the actors. He plays the lead role in “Pals of the Plains.”
The quartet will spend much of the day as Columbia’s guests. They will appear at the studio at 3 o’clock in the afternoon for rehearsal, be entertained at dinner and then go on a tour of the television plant. They will have with them much of the equipment that was used in making the two pictures to be televised, including camera, tripod, costumes, guns and their home-made dual turntable. (Passaic Herald-News, Nov. 17)


Saturday, November 22, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
2:00 to 5:00—Football: Columbia vs. Colgate, Baker Field.
8:30—“Saturday Night Jamboree,” variety with Danton Walker.
9:10—Civilian Defense Program.
9:25—News with Ray Forrest.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test Pattern.
2:30 to 4:30—Films.
WPTZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
11:44 to Noon—Children’s Hour.
1:45 to 4:00—Penn vs. Cornell Football Game from Franklin Field.
8:30—“Saturday Night Jamboree” from WNBT.

Sunday, November 23, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Film: “I Met A Murderer” (1939) with James Mason and Pamela Kellino.
8:40 to 10:45—Hockey: N.Y. Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden.

Monday, November 24, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:15 to 11:00—Golden Jubilee Basketball at Madison Square Garden.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Boys in the Back Room.”
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “A Voyage to Brobdingnag.”
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—“Men at Work,” variety, with Sheila Barrett, comedienne; Hank Henry and Bob Alda, comics; Miriam Winslow and Foster Fitz-Simons, dancers; Chinese Dogs; June Winter, songs; Joe and Joey Mack, comedy dancers; Giles O’Connor, emcee.
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—Films.

WPTZ, Philco television station in Philadelphia, is rebroadcasting several programs a week from the telecasts of WNBT, NBC video station in New York. Programs, chiefly sporting events or other outstanding program features, are picked up by special receiving antenna and fed to the WPTZ transmitter in much the same manner as was done by the General Electric video station in Schenectady, which last spring also rebroadcast WNBT transmissions. Experiments are aimed at the eventual establishment of a television network, with stations linked by ultra–high frequency radio instead of wire. (Broadcasting, Nov. 24)

Tuesday, November 25, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
2:45 to 3:15—U.S. Navy “E” Award Ceremonies, Crucible Steel Co., Harrison, N.J.
8:30—“Thrills and Chills From Everywhere” with Doug Allan and Singapore Joe Fisher.
9:00-Christmas Seal Party with Frank Fay, Jane Froman, Don Ross.
9:15—Civilian Defense Program.
9:30—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “A Voyage to Brobdingnag.”
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Tamara, songs.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00 to 9:30—Sports with Bob Edge.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:00 to 5:00—Films.
7:30—Films.
8:30—Christmas Seal Party from WNBT.
9:30 to 11:00—Wrestling match from WNBT.

NEW YORK television set owners were given a first-hand view of military censorship in action last Tuesday [25] evening as they watched Richard Hubbell, news commentator on WCBW, CBS video station in New York, interview Coxswain Gerald DeLisle, suvivor of the Reuben James. Going to a map, Hubbell asked where the torpedoing took place, stating his understanding that it was about 350 miles southwest of Iceland. Ensign Philip McHugh of the Naval Public Relations Office in New York, cut in with "We can't talk about where it happened." There had been no opportunity for a script to be prepared in advance for the Navy's approval. (Broadcasting, Dec. 1)

Beginning Nov. 25, fights at Olympic Auditorium [in Los Angeles] are being televised Tuesday nights and wrestling on Wednesdays through facilities of Don Lee Television System. (Radio Life, Nov. 30)

Wednesday, November 26, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Search For Beauty Contest.
3:45 to 4:30—“Radio City Matinee”.
8:30—Zeke Manners’ Hillbillies.
9:00—Civilian Defense Program.
9:15—“Adventures in Beauty,” with Mala Rubinstein.
9:25—News with Ray Forrest.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk,” interviews with Helen Sioussat. Topic: “America Cooperation in an International Order After the War,” with Norman Thomas, Dr. Edward H. Reisner, Mrs. Catherine Larkin, Dr. Frank Kingdon, Dr. Pennington Haile.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “A Voyage to Brobdingnag.”
8:00—News Reports.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30 to 8:30—Country Dance.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
6:00 to 8:00—Tests and Selected Films.
WPTZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:00 to 3:30—Film.
8:30 to 9:30—Zeke Manners’ Hillbillies from WNBT.
9:30 to 11:00—Film.

FIRST HOSIERY firm to try television as a medium is Gold Mark Hosiery Co., New York, which on November 26 will start a series of four Wednesday programs on WNBT, NBC's television station, to promote its contest to find "the most telegenic legs ". Professional models will compete each week at 3:30 p.m. before a committee of judges from the fashion, art and beauty world, who will judge the finals on the Dec. 17 telecast. Prizes will be silk and nylon hosiery produced by Gold Mark. The contest programs will be the second commercial television series produced by Norman D. Waters & Associates, New York, the first having been the Fashion Discoveries of Television series sponsored by the New York Department Stores Bloomingdale's and Abraham & Straus. (Broadcasting, Nov. 24)

Wool plaid petticoats recently introduced by Schiller Bros., Inc., were featured on an NBC television program yesterday afternoon [26]. The program consisted of a fashion show conducted by Christopher Rule, artist. The petticoats, which are said to be 100 per cent virgin wool, were shown with matching rompers. (Women’s Wear Daily, Nov. 27)

Thursday, November 27, 1941
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “A Voyage to Brobdingnag.”
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 (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:30 to 10:00—Philco Players in “Danger, Girl Working.”
10:00 to 10:30—Film.

Friday, November 28, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Film: “Boy of the Streets” (1937) with Jackie Cooper.
8:30—“Manhattan Safari.”
8:40—Harvey Harding, songs.
8:50—Civil Defense Program.
9:00—“Face of the War,” with Sam Cuff.
9:10—“Manhattan Safari.”
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News Reports.
2:45—Film.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “A Voyage to Brobdingnag.”
8:00—News reports.
8:15—Special Event.
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 (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:30 to 10:30—Film.

FIRST television package show to be produced by Telecast Productions, New York, was purchased by BC and presented recently for WNBT, the network’s video station in New York. Titled Manhattan Safari, the program featured Harry Hershfield, Rube Goldberg, Russell Patterson and Otto Soglow, and four girls, described by Myron Zobel, TP president, as the “most telegenic girls in New York.” (Broadcasting, Jan. 5, 1942)

Saturday, November 29, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Film: “West of the Rainbow’s End” (1938) with Tim McCoy.
8:15—Play: “Bishop and Gargoyle.”
9:00—“The Song Shop” with Ted Steele, Betty Randall.
9:30—News and Previews with Ray Forrest.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test Pattern.
2:30 to 4:30—Films.
WPTZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
11:00 to Noon—Children’s Hour.
8:30 to 9:30—Film.

Sunday, November 30, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
2:00 to 4:45—Football: Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers at Ebbets Field.
8:30 to 10:00—Film: “I Was a Spy” (1933) with Madeleine Carroll.

Freeport—The High School band will journey to Brooklyn Ebbets Field next Sunday [30] to play between the halves of the professional football tilt between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers [...] The appearance of the band will be part of the observance of “Freeport Day” at Ebbets Field.
The first 10 minutes of the half-time intermission have been allowed to the band for its performance. The demonstration, the third presented by the band at Ebbets Field, will be broadcast over the Mutual Broadcasting System and will be sent out by television over the National Broadcasting Co. (Newsday, Nov. 24)

3 comments:

  1. Very interesting about Louis McMahon (Nov. 21st); who was age 20 at this time. He is best known in my serial-fan circles as the writer-director of "Captain Celluloid Vs. The Film Pirates" (1966) which featured many writers (William K. Iverson) and cartoonists (Al Kilgore) in leading roles. Here's an article about one of McMahon's amateur films from this time: https://www.amateurcinema.org/index.php/film/the-black-rider

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  2. By the way, that's ME as "Anonymous" above. I missed the part about where to put in my name. Also in my haste to comment I mis-spelled a name: It should be William K. Everson (not Iverson).

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    1. Everson on camera? I never would have guessed (unless it was a silent film documentary).

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