Commercial television was in trouble, less than a year after it premiered.
The problem wasn’t a lack of advertisers. It was the war.
The situation was no different than the auto industry, which couldn’t make cars during the war because the materials needed to do that had to be used to beat the Axis. The radio and TV industry, similarly, found the things they needed to stay on the air were poured into military communication instead.
So it was the television people went to the FCC in April 1942 to, in essence, gut their own industry until we took care of Hitler and Tojo.
A fair chunk of air-time, at least on the East Coast, was devoted to the war effort back home. But there was still wrestling, fashion shows, B westerns and ethnic dancing.
Below are selected stories as well as the schedules for the month for the two New York stations and the one in Philadelphia, thanks to the New York Times, New York Herald Tribune and the Camden Courier-Post. There are occasional conflicts between the two New York papers about what would air that evening.
Wednesday, April 1, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30 a.m., 11:30, 3:00 p.m., 4:00, 8:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 6.
8:30—“Thrills and Chills” with Doug Allan; Capt. John D. Craig, guest.
9:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 6.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45 to 3:30—Film.
8:00—News.
8:10—Civil Defence program, nurses aid.
8:25—Country Dance.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:00-5:00—New York test.
8:00—WDAS program.
8:20—Film.
8:30—New York program.
9:00—Play.
9:40—Hale American program.
10:30—Play.
Thursday, April 2, 1942
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15—Children’s Story: “The Story of Flight.”
8:00—News.
8:15—Sports with Bob Edge.
8:30—“Men at Work,” variety.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00—Variety Show.
8:30—Museum of Art program.
9:00—Blood Donors program.
9:45—Philadelphia Defense Council Show.
10:00—Film.
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
4:00 to 5:00—War equipment review.
8:30—Film: “Roll, Wagon, Roll” (1940) with Tex Ritter.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:15—Children’s story: “The Story of Flight.”
8:00—“The World This Week,” with Linton Wells.
8:30—America at War.
9:30—Film. [New York Times says 9:15]
9:55-News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
5:00—Philco Jr. Hour
8:00—Our Future Admirals.
8:20—Films.
Expansion of the Police Department’s television-training program for civilian defense workers to include special instruction for light rescue squads and fire watchers was announced yesterday [3] by Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine. The course for light rescue squad will begin Thursday and the series of telecasts in fire-watching will begin April 30.
Mr. Valentine said that the basic course for air-raid wardens was completed this week by 30,000 workers and that the course of six weekly lessons will be repeated until every warden in the city has been able to attend the television defense school. Beginning Monday the basic course lessons will be televised for reception at viewing posts at eighty-four police precincts on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 3, 4:30, 7:30 and 9 p. m. As part of the expansion plan, nearly 400 members of the faculties of the city’s colleges and universities have volunteered to lead one-hour discussions in defense training after each television lesson.
Light rescue volunteer workers will be instructed in post organization communications, tools and equipment, first aid and salvage methods. The series of telecasts for the fire watchers will include instructions in organization and communications, tire, gas and demolition bombs, tools and equipment and first aid methods. Lessons In both courses will be transmitted at 4:30, 7, 8 and 6 p. m. [sic] They will be given each Thursday for six weeks. (Herald Tribune, Apr. 4)
NEW YORK, April 3—America's few television stations have gone to war—insofar as they can bolster civilian defense work. Otherwise, television as yet hasn't had the experience nor developed the equipment to take an active part in battle, though many accomplishments have been forecast at one time or another on its behalf.
Right now, there are only four really active centers of television broadcasting, at New York, Philadelphia; Schenectady, and Los Angeles. And of these, only New York has two stations.
Relay Programs
So far also, it has been New York which has been leading the way in civilian defense television activities, at times hooking up with Philadelphia and Schenectady for combined transmissions.
In New York there is the NBC station WNBT and the CBS transmitter WCBW. Philadelphia has Philco's WPTZ and Schenectady has the G. E. WRGB. At Los Angeles is the Don Lee W6XAO.
Since Pearl Harbor all of these stations gradually have increased their concentration on civilian defense aids, by the use of motion pictures, lecture courses, demonstrations, and other devices.
Wells Just Plays Wells
In cooperation with the New York police department, WNBT has been running a series of lecture lessons for aid raid wardens in which actors Maurice Wells, himself a warden in his home neighborhood, plays the air raid warden. The “students” watch over receivers installed in police stations and at homes of set owners.
WNBT also has a “television blood bank,” in which viewers are asked to contribute on behalf of the Red Cross.
Station WCBW has been conducting a regular series of first aid lessons supplied by the Red Cross in the form of lecture demonstrations.
The Los Angeles station depends primarily on film subjects for its share in the activities. (C.E. Butterfield, Wide World Features)
Saturday, April 4, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30 to 11:00—Professional Boxing at Ridgewood Grove.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30 to 4:30—Films.
Sunday, April 5, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30—Fort Monmouth Varities.
9:30 to 9:30—Film: “Sky Patrol” with John Trent.
Taking over a new field for their talents, soldiers from Fort Monmouth staged a full-hour television variety show Easter Sunday night over the National Broadcasting Company television station WNBT.
Keynote of the televised show was its formality. Swiftly paced and moving smoothly throughout its screening at the Radio City studio it presented a succession of specialty acts by soldiers from the Fort, plus a film depicting activities about Fort Monmouth prepared by the Training Film Production Laboratory. The program was picked up by a television receiver set up in Chapel No. 1 at the Fort and viewed by an invited audience.
With Corp. Tom DeHuff from the Post Public Relations Office presenting them to the television audience with informal conversation, the entertaining men of Monmouth did their turns expertly under the blinding white lights of the studio.
Octette Sings
A new octette, the Fort Monmouth Troubadors, made their initial appearance in public and started the show of with a rousing song, the "General Van Deusen March" an original composition of Pvt. John Stein, Hq. Co., 15th Signal Service Regiment and arranged by Bob Brittingham. Following the film showing the Replacement Center Orchestra took over the camera.
Flashing across the screen in rapid succeslon came Pvt. Daniel Mahoney, and his trick unicycle riding; Pvt. William Marks, with Impersonations; Pvt. Ernest Sarracino, sleight-of-hand artist and Pvt. William Agnew and his string trio.
Soldier's Song Sung
Pvt. William Hartshorne and quartet, singing an original composition "My Outdoor Girl" rounded out the hour showing. The televised program was a preview of a possible weekly broadcast from Fort Monmouth. Broadcasting executives had been invited to view the show.
The program was skillfully handled by former television men from NBC now serving the Army at Fort Monmouth. Announcer and narrator for the film was Lt. Ray Feuerstein [aka Ray Forrest], former Television announcer. The production was arranged by Lt. Frank C. Lepore, former production manager, and Sgt. Peter Barker, former director. (Fort Monmouth Signal, Apr. 8)
Monday, April 6, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:00, 4:30, 7:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1.
8:15—Army Recruiting program.
9:00 to 9:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1. Mayor LaGuardia, speaker.
9:30 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “Farmer Griggs’ Boggart.”
8:00—News.
8:15—Music.
8:30—Quiz.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:15—Recruiting program.
8:45—Drama.
9:40—Table Tennis champions.
10:00—Film short.
10:10—Franklin Institute’s “See the Stars Tonight.”
Mayor F. H. LaGuardia, speaking last night [6] on one of a series of television programs for the instruction to air-raid wardens, told the wardens that there are “perhaps a few thousand fifth columnists” in New York trying to undermine their work. The program, witnessed by wardens in various police stations in the City, was telecast by the National Broadcasting Company at 9 o’clock.
“I want to take this opportunity,” the Mayor said, “of saying to the air-raid wardens that I appreciate your services and that the 7,500,000 people—no, I’ll take that back—that the 7,499,000 people of this city apreciate your services.
“You know and I know that we have perhaps a few thousand fifth columnists in our midst, and our President, with his usual sagacity and vision and humor, described the sixth columnists, and we have a few thousand of those in our city. These fifth columnists, through their dupes, the sixth columnists, are trying to bring discord in your ranks. They are trying to ridicule you, trying to belittle your efforts.
“Don’t pay any attention to them. I don’t, and look what they are trying to do to me. They are yellow all the way through and have a yellow streak down their backs this wide.”
The Mayor measured off about a yard with his hands. The fifth columnists, he added, were the first to come to him and cry about the danger of air raids.
“Keep up your good work” the Mayor told the wardens. “This work is hard. It is difficult. It is not easy. Even the training is hard, and when the time comes it will require courage. It will require guts to carry out your duties. “I depend on you; the women and little children depend on you and me. We have pot to do our job, and we will do it, won’t we?”
At 11:15 p. m. Mayor LaGuardia, who is chairman of the United States section of the Canadian United States Permanent Defense Board, left by train for Montreal for a two-day meeting or the board, beginning today. (Herald Tribune, Apr. 7)
PROGRAM cards, mailed each week by WNBT, NBC television station in New York to set -owners in the metropolitan area, this week carry an advertisement for Victor records on the back of the schedule, the first time the cards have been so used. (Broadcasting, Apr. 6)
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:00 to 3:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1.
3:30—Film: “Zorro Rides Again” (1937) with John Carroll, Noah Beery Sr.
4:30 and 7:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1.
8:15—Harvey Harding, songs.
8:25—Television Blood Bank Awards presntations.
8:35—“Face of the War” with Sam Cuff. 8:45—Film: “Ring of Steel.” 9:00 to 9:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1.
9:30 to 11:30—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 Bird is in the Linden Tree.”
8:00—News.
8:15—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
8:45—Tamara, songs.
9:00—Red Cross First Aid Instruction.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00—Red Cross program.
8:20—Film short.
9:00—Air Raid instructions.
9:30—Wrestling match.
Wednesday, April 8, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:00, 4:00, 7:30—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1.
8:15—“Thrills, Chills From Everywhere” with Doug Allan and Capt. Bob Bartlett.
9:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1.
9:30—Film: “Man From Texas.” [Herald Tribune only]
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk” with Patrick Welch, William D. Cole, Armand Brissette, E. Dean Fuller. Topic: “Methods of Preventing an Economic Crash.”
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “The Brave Little Taylor.”
8:00—News.
8:15—America at War.
8:30—Country Dance.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
Camden Courier-Post repeats previous day’s listings.
Thursday, April 9, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
4:30, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15—Children’s Story: “The Brave Little Taylor.”
8:00—News.
8:05—WPB Approved Women’s Fashion Show [Times].
8:15—Red Cross First Aid Instruction.
8:30—“Men at Work,” variety. [Times has 8:45]
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00—Variety Show.
8:30—Museum of Art program.
9:00—Rescue Squad program.
9:45—Philadelphia Defense Council Show.
10:00—Film.
First eight approved dress models incorporating restrictions released by the War Production Board yesterday, will be introduced publicly for the first time today on a CBS television program by Stanley Marcus, WPB Apparel Consultant. Program will be televised at 8:05 p.m. on WCBW. (Radio Daily, Apr. 9)
A televised of fashion before and after the limitation order was put on by CBS last night [9] in a 36-minute program. H. Stanley Marcus prsented the “right” and “wrong” fashions to Mrs. Carmel Snow and Mrs. Dorothy Anderson, and challenged them to pick out the post-order dress each time in distinction to the pre—order style. Mr. Marcus called attention to the fact that in some cases it is extremely hard for the layman to differentiate between approved and outlawed designs. demonstratlng this by having the models come on the stage in pairs in the two versions of the dress.
A black waist top underneath a black and white checked two-piece rayon dress with full-pleated skirt outlawed that design and served to introduce its post-order version, a two-piece, black and white checked dress without the waist top, shallower pleats.
Again, two blue woolen swagger coats came out—one with patch pockets, inverted pleat in back, wool-lined collar; its companion piece retained the same appearance without including these details. A white crepe evening dress with wide green faille midrift section, the shirt in peg-top sihouette, was taken as summarizing the new style outlook. (Women’s Wear Daily, Apr. 10)
RELAXATION of rigid operating requirements governing both commercial and experimental television for the duration was urged by a majority of the two-score representatives of television licensees or permitees who attended the FCC special television conference last Thursday [9] in Washington.
The FCC en banc heard views of the television industry, the development of which has been seriously impeded by the war. Restrictions on materials, loss of technical manpower to the military services and the virtual stoppage of receiver production have combined to bog down public and industry interest, it was indicated.
The main topics were whether television should be discontinued for the duration; whether the present requirements of a minimum of 15 hours per week of operation, staggered according to prearranged schedule, should be reduced, and whether experimental operations should continue.
The consensus appeared to favour reduced operation for the duration, to work least possible hardship.
Permittees Canvassed
Following the session the FCC announced it is canvassing all television permittees for progress reports prior to enunciation of the war-time policy. It will learn the percentage of completion of installations under outstanding construction permits; amount of money and material thus far used; additional money and materials required for completion; anticipated dates of completion; man hours already invested, and anticipated requirements and related comprehensive data which will enable it to appraise the status of all licensees and construction permittees.
Several spokesmen indicated the desire to suspend operations during the war because of inability to procure necessary materials. Television, it was stated, is not entitled to any higher priority ratings than standard broadcasting, which has an A-10 rating. Moreover, the new WPB ban on construction in excess of $5,000 might tend to block allocations of necessary materials.
Flexible Standards
Arguments advanced that television could serve effectively in civilian defense instruction were discounted on the ground that service is restricted to a few areas and that receivers in use are so sparse that it could only be a very minor phase of this activity.
W. R. G. Baker, vice-president of GE, as chairman of the National Television Systems Committee, recommended that the present flexible television standards be continued without change.
C. A. Priest, GE television engineer, said his company desired to continue present commercial service and had no objection to the 15-hour per week requirement. He pointed out, however, that audience may be seriously reduced when present tubes burn out and require replacement.
Dr. C. B. Jolliffe, former FCC chief engineer, as spokesman for RCA-NBC, said he felt television should be kept alive if it is of importance in national defense; otherwise it should be closed down for the duration.
Post-War Progress
W. E. Eddy, for Balaban & Katz, Chicago licensee, recommended that television service be maintained, particularly in the light of possible post -war developments. Operation requirements, however, he said, should be reduced during the emergency.
Allen DuMont, who holds construction permits for stations in both New York and Washington, urged continuance of experimental television, though he doubted whether it could expand appreciably because of priority limitations and sparsity of receivers. He declared he is proceeding with construction of his two stations.D. B. Smith, engineer for Philco, said television would be vital in the post-war economy but urged that the 15-hour per week requirement be relaxed. The rigid schedule, specifying that programs be broadcast in particular brackets each day, should be made more flexible, he advocated. He estimated there are 400 television receivers in Philadelphia, about 5,000 in New York, and from 100 to 125 in Chicago.
Adrian Murphy, CBS television director, asserted that if television continues it should be declared essential in the war effort. Otherwise, he said, engineers will be lost via the draft and diverted to other war operations. He said CBS will apply for necessary priorities to complete its Chicago station.
A. F. Murray, representing Hughes Production Inc., said his company is proceeding with station installations in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Paul Raibourn, for Television Productions Inc., likewise declared his company was going ahead. (Broadcasting, Apr. 13)
Friday, April 10, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
4:00 and 8:00—“The City Awakens,” defense drama.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:15—Children’s story: “The Brave Little Taylor.”
8:00—“The World This Week” with Linton Wells.
8:30—Inter-Service Boxing Tournament.
9:55 to 10:00-News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
5:00—Philco Jr. Hour
8:00—Our Future Admirals.
8:20—Films.
8:30—Wrestling matches.
Ted Husing, CBS sports reporter, has been assigned to cover the first inter-service boxing bouts to be televised Friday [10] from the CBS television studio at 8:30 p.m. The first bouts precede the opening of the inter-service boxing tournament which is to be televised from the CBS television studio starting Friday, April 17, under the supervision of the A.A.U. It is Husing's first television show since 1931. (Radio Daily, Apr. 8)
Saturday, April 11, 1942
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30 to 4:30—Films.
Sunday, April 12, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:00—Film: “Tomboy,” with Jack Moran.
9:10 to 10:30—Film: “Man From Texas” with Tex Ritter.
Monday, April 13, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:00, 4:30 and 7:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 2.
8:15—Film: “Navy Relief.”
8:20—Film: “People of Canada.” 9:00 to 9:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 2.
9:30 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Table-top Pictures.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Music.
8:30—Quiz.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:20—Film short.
8:30—Play.
9:40—Inside baseball.
10:00—Film short.
10:10—Franklin Institute’s “See the Stars Tonight.”
Tuesday, April 14, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:00 to 3:30— Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 2.
3:30—Film: “Zorro Rides Again.” [Times only]
4:30 and 7:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 2.
8:15—Harvey Harding, songs.
8:25—“Face of the War” with Sam Cuff.
8:30—Patricia Olmsted, Blood Bank Awards. [Times has 8:35]
8:45—Film: “Polar Bear Marines.” [Times has 8:40]
9:00 to 9:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 2.
9:30 to 11:30—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.’br> 8:00—News.
8:15—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
8:45—Tamara, songs.
9:00—Red Cross First Aid Instruction.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00—Red Cross program.
8:20—Film short.
9:00—Air Raid instructions.
9:30—Wrestling match.
In Sardi’s Martin Jones, the NBC television director and theatre producer, was talking about the Red Cross blood bank which he and the socialite actress, Patricia Mallinson Olmstead, have been running for some months.
“We have banked about $40,000 worth already,” said Mrs. Olmstead, “and are driving for our 2,000th donor. We’re campaigning in all branches of the theatre and radio and through television. Television has a lot of sets in saloons and cafes and we draw donors direct from the bars. One Brooklyn saloon alone sent us 31 donors. But we’re still campaigning for more volunteers from the legitimate theatre and I wish anybody who’s interested would contact us at NBC.” (Robert Sylvester, Daily News, April 14)
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:00, 4:00 and 7:30—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 2.
8:15—Film: “Battle For Oil” (1942) [“This is the Blitz” in Times]
8:35—Film: “From Ships of the Air.”
9:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 2.
9:30—Film: “Rhythm on the Rio Grande” with Tex Ritter
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk,” Helen Sioussat, moderator
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—America at War.
8:30—Country Dance.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:00-5:00—New York test.
8:00—WDAS program.
8:40—Film Short.
9:00—Play.
9:40—Hale American program.
10:10—Navy insignia.
Thursday, April 16, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
4:30, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 2.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Red Cross First Aid Instruction.
8:45—“Men at Work,” variety.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00—Variety Show.
8:30—Museum of Art program.
9:00—Rescue Squad program.
9:40—Play.
10:00—Film.
A COMPLETE and unequivocal stoppage of all broadcast construction, covering standard broadcast, FM and television—both for new and modified facilities—was recommended last Thursday [16] for immediate action to the War Production Board and the FCC by the Defense Communications Board, President Roosevelt's policy-making wartime communications agency. [...]
The stringent move is designed to plug all loopholes. Disposition of pending construction permits, involving new stations or modifications of existing facilities, is left to the discretion of WPB and the FCC. It is presumed where stations already have acquired all of the necessary material—whether critical or not—completion will be permitted. But where permitees have not already purchased all materials, chances of getting the green light are regarded as practically nil. [...]
Since the order covers use of any materials (whether critical or not) "to construct or change" facilities, it affects the most minor alteration. It does not ban replacements as such, however. Materials for maintenance and repair are not affected, since all past actions of DCB, WPB and the FCC have left the way open for maintenance of existing service on as efficient a basis as possible. But where it comes to new or changed service, even a crystal (unless for maintenance) will not be permitted. (Broadcasting, April 20)
Friday, April 17, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
4:00 and 8:00—“The City Awakens,” defense drama.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:15—Children’s story: “The Brave Little Taylor.”
8:00—News.
8:15—Film.
8:30—Inter-Service Boxing Tournament. [Times has 8:25]
9:55 to 10:00-News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
5:00—Philco Jr. Hour
8:00—Defense drama.
9:00—Wrestling matches.
Ex-World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Jack Dempsey, now a lieutenant in the New York State Guard, will referee the opening bouts of the inter-service boxing tournament to be televised by CBS starting tomorrow [17], at 8:25 p.m. from its television studios here. U. S. Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, and N. Y. State Guard boxing teams are contestants in the morale-building tournament. (Radio Daily, Apr. 17)
Saturday, April 18, 1942
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30 to 4:30—Films.
Sunday, April 19, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:00—Film: “Danger Flight” with John Trent.
9:10 to 10:10—Film: “Rhythm on the Rio Grande” with Tex Ritter.
Monday, April 20, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:00, 4:30 and 7:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 3.
8:15—Film: “Unfinished Rainbows.”
9:00 to 9:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 3.
9:30 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
3:00—News.
3:15—Table-top Pictures.
3:45 to 4:00—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Music.
8:30—Quiz.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:20—Film short.
8:30—Ukrainian Chorus.
9:00—Boxing Match.
Tuesday, April 21, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:15—Harvey Harding, songs.
8:25—“Face of the War” with Sam Cuff.
8:35—“Television Blood Bank Awards” with Patricia Olmstead.
8:40—Film: “Soldiers Without Uniform” (1942).
9:00 to 9:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 3.
9:30 to 11:30—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
3:00—News.
3:15—Dancing Lesson.
3:45 to 4:00—Children’s Story.’br> 8:00—News.
8:15—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
8:45—Tamara, songs.
9:00—Red Cross First Aid Instruction.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00—Red Cross program.
8:20—Film short.
9:00—Air Raid instructions.
9:30—Wrestling match.
Wednesday, April 22, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:00, 4:00 and 7:30—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 3.
8:15—Film: “It’s Up To Us.”
8:25—Film: “A New Voice For Mr. X.”
9:00 to 9:30—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 3.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
3:00—News.
3:15—“Table Talk,” Helen Sioussat, moderator, with Pearl Buck, Adet Lin, H.J. Timperley, Dr. Taraknath Das. Topic: “Achievement of Mutual Understanding Between America and the Orient.”
3:45 to 4:00—Children’s Story.
7:45—Pery Machado, violinist. [Herald Tribune]
8:00—News.
8:15—America at War.
8:30—Country Dance.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:00-5:00—New York test.
8:00—Sepia Variety Show.
8:45—Film Short.
9:00—Play.
9:40—Hale American program.
10:00—Film.
Thursday, April 23, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
4:30, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 3.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
3:00—News.
3:15—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:45 to 4:00—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Red Cross First Aid Instruction.
8:45—“Men at Work,” variety.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00—to be announced.
8:30—Film.
9:00—Rescue Squad program.
9:30—Play.
10:00—Play reviews.
Friday, April 24, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
4:00 and 8:00—“The City Awakens,” defense drama.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
3:00—News.
3:15—Film.
3:45 to 4:00—Children’s story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Film.
8:25—Inter-Service Boxing Tournament.
9:55 to 10:00-News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
5:00—Philco Jr. Hour
8:00—Defense drama.
9:00—Naval film.
9:35—Film.
Saturday, April 25, 1942
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30 to 4:30—Films.
Sunday, April 26, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:00—Film: “Haunted House” with Marcia Mae Jones and Jackie Moran.
9:10 to 10:10—Film: “Pals of the Silver Sage” with Tex Ritter.
Monday, April 27, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
9:00 to 11:00—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
3:00—News.
3:15—British Children’s Prize-Winning Posters.
3:45 to 4:00—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Music.
8:30—Quiz.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00—Model Plane Class.
8:20—Film.
9:40—Flycasting Champ.
WASHINGTON, April 27.—(AP)—The Federal Communications Commission today froze for the duration of the war all domestic radio construction with two exceptions.
Chairman James L. Fly said the order applied to standard, television, facsimile, relay and high frequency stations.
The only exceptions to the freezing order were experimental high frequency and non-commercial educational stations. International broadcasting was not involved.
Tuesday, April 28, 1942WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:00, 4:30 and 7:30— Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 4.
8:15—Harvey Harding, songs.
8:25—“Face of the War” with Sam Cuff.
8:35—Film: “Man on Horseback.”
9:00 to 9:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 4.
9:30 to 11:30—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
3:00—News.
3:15—Dancing Lesson.
3:45 to 4:00—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
8:45—Tamara, songs.
9:00—Red Cross First Aid Instruction.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:45—Short films.
8:00—Featurette.
8:30—Philadelphia Defense Council.
9:00—Air Raid instructions.
9:30—Wrestling match.
First official Office of Civilian Defense Red Cross first aid course via television will be inaugurated on CBS's WCBW April 28, it was announced last night on a CBS television broadcast by Capt. Charles B. Scully, head of the First Aid Service of the New York Chapter of the American Red Cross. To be presented Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 p.m., the course will consist of 10 hours of official instruction as prescribed for members by the Medical Division of the OCD.
Regarded as an experiment to test the effectiveness of television as a medium for instruction in first aid, the course developed as a result of a trial series of Red Cross first aid demonstrations and general talks which have been televised bi-weekly on WCBW since last December. Post-card quizzes and questions and answer periods by telephone are being considered as methods of bringing televiewers in closer contact with their instructor via the series.
Scheduling of the courses on WCBW at 9 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays places the officially approved OCD first-aid course in direct competition for the restricted television audience with NBC's officially annroved OCD series of lectures for Raid Wardens. (Radio Daily, April 22)
NEW YORK, April 28.—The wrestlers at Ridgewood Grove had been grunting and groaning for several minutes before they realized the battle was being televised. Through their mat-hardened skulls penetrated the truth that their antics were being broadcast far beyond the confines of the arena.
Since wrestlers are extroverts the new factor appealed to them. They stopped their efforts to shred one another into fine hamburger. One tried to reach the microphone suspended on boom over the ring, and failing this, cursed in fluent Italian. The other was the better actor. He pulled the trunks from the opponent, leaving him a 200-pound violet shrinking in the corner without a single leaf to hide his nakedness.
“I saw the building up from my control board in the mobile transmitter truck,” said the engineer in charge of programs outside the studio. “Just in time we swung the camera and protected the television audience from severe shock.”
Industry Still Young
Anecdotes like that are typical of the infant industry. They presage occasional surprises for future watchers of action brought into their homes by the unbelievable magic of television, but they highlight the very factor that will make of this industry the most revolutionary amusement vehicle yet perfected.
Because it deals with vision its impact will be greater than sound radio on the scale of 90 to five. This is incontrovertable, since man amasses 90 per cent of his intelligence from what he sees and only about 5 per cent from what he hears.
And only the intervention of Hitler with its influence on shortages, power and priorities keeps the public from getting its hands on something that will give sound radio, the movies and the theater the battle of their lives. The average man and woman in the country today still believes television in the experimental stage. Technically it is. So is sound radio, the cinema and the telephone. Research never stops in any of these fields. But television is here now with accurate, high definition reproduction far ahead of the films in the flicker and perpetual rain era and immeasurably better than sound radio was in the days of crystal sets, hand-built sets, hand-drilled bakelite panels and embroidered loudspeakers sitting on the mantel.
10,200 Sets Operating
When it said that television is “here,” it means it is available to the owners of the 5100 receiving sets in the metropolitan area (600 of them in taverns and nightspots) with about an equal number scattered in areas around Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Chicago and Loa Angeles.
Their rarity, enforced by the government restrictions on vital metals, has enhanced their sociological value. The owner of a set not to be envied without reservation. He becomes, through ownership, the friend of more persons than he dreamed lived in his block or his town and he is lucky when his sitting room does not contain more than 10 visitors watching wrestling at Jamaica, drama at the studios, football games or transcribed movies.
Out of the community interest engendered by the new form of entertainment has come an unexpected result. Defense officials now see in television one of the most practicable means of civilian instruction now in existence. It expected that every owner of a set will be asked to allow different groups of neighbors to attend “classes” before his set to learn how to handle incendiary bombs, evacuate cities, handle traffic under air-raid conditions and render first aid.
Army Plans War Use
"Aside from a few firemen policemen and civilian defense workers,” said one television official, "the only people in the country today who know how to handle a magnesium bomb are those who have television sets. We have shown them and when you see it done you know the answers."
Army men have evinced great faith in this medium for teaching civilians. It admitted that if bombing of the Eastern seaboard eventuated large numbers of non-combatants would be ordered out of New York, Philadelphia Boston and other large centers.
"We know that large numbers of these civilians are foreign born,” said one officer. "Suppose we print posters or maps in the papers informing them which artery to take out of town. They can't read and the result will be congestion at the wrong places. With television you can show each district and which bridge or tunnel to use and the picture will stick, even in an illiterate's mind.”
The engineers, program men and research technicians never thought of this in the decade they fought to answer one of man's greatest desires—to see at a great distance. About 10 years ago Dr. V. K. Zworykin, world-famous authority on electronics, invented a crude iconoscope—the eye of the television camera. Subsequently the kinescope—the tube that reproduced the picture in the receiver—was perfected and the keypiece in the log jam of obstacles was dynamited.
Television Explained
In its simplest terms, television is the changing of light values to electrical energy, its distribution and its subsequent return from electrical energy to light. Now that scientists have labored painstakingly in the laboratories the technique seems easy. Actually it verges on black magic.
Engineers at the Radio Corp. of America explain television in this way:
The iconoscope a large vacuum tube containing a plate 4x5 inches on which are millions of minute photo-electric cells. The image to be transmitted focused upon this plate by lenses as in an ordinary camera. Each of the microscopic cells generates voltage proportional to the light falling on it—comparatively high for bright spots in the picture, low for the dark shadings.
A focused beam of electrons shot from an electron inside the tube makes swift contact with each of the cells, one after another, as the beam sent across from left to right and down the picture just as one reads a printed page. It takes a fast reader several minutes to read a book page. The electron gun “reads” a picture at a rate of one mile a second.
The varying voltage collected in the iconoscope is amplified, sent by transmitters through the air or along co-axial cables to another transmitter, and so to the receiver's antenna. There the radio waves are carried to the kinescope.
Pictures Not Distorted
The kinescope incloses a flourescent screen over which another stream of electrons, perfectly synchronized with the one in the iconoscope, passes, reconverting the radio waves to light and producing an image identical with the object in front of the television camera. The process is continuous, proceeding at such speeds that only higher mathematics can evaluate them, and the resulting picture is reproduced without distortion.
This involved explanation—itself simplified to skeletonized form—means victory over time and space. Whether he uses it to fight disease, spread knowledge and enrich life or to broadcast the mouthings of near-morons and send visual soap operas into millions of homes will depend somewhat on the advertising agencies and less on the public.
Whether it dooms the movies, the theater and most mass entertainment and erects in its place a race of fireside sitters who, through the centuries, lose legs and arms and become strange creatures with little more than eyes and ears are all worries that bother the theorists but not the television authorities.
Their vision as broad as that of their newest brain child. They foresee in television one of the two or three major industries of the post-war readjustment era (most of them call it the chief industry) employing hundreds of thousands to manufacture equipment, build sets, prepare and act in programs and maintain service.
Industry Seen Leading Way
To these men it shapes up this way: Television, then aeronautics, then plastics, then chemistry and finally the automotive fields. These are the enterprises on which the hope of industrial sufficiency must rest when the arsenals, powder factories, gun factories and all the other jerry-built industries fashioned for the implementing of soldiers close down.It a backlog, now, became of priorities untouchable, waiting to thake [sic] up the slack, a man-made frontier in which the pioneers have taken a few faltering steps, with room from untold thousands of industrial "settlers" to stake out claims.
Today this entertainment medium is the “baby” of only a few groups. RCA and Columbia Broadcasting Corp dominate the New York field. In Chicago there are Balaban & Katz and Zenith; in Los Angeles there is Don Lee and in Philadelphia there is Philco.
Income from the sale of commercial advertising time has so far been minuscule. Firms are loath to buy time when they realize only a few sets are in existence. This has meant that the burden of financing the research has been carried by other sources. RCA, which has done about 80 per cent of the spadework in preparing television for public participation, has spent somewhere near $12,000,000 in a decade of research.
There are men who say sound radio, which really has carried the ball for television, has unwittingly nurtured a Frankenstein at its breast and will one day be devoured by its foster child. David Sarnoff, prime mover behind television at RCA, prefers to think of it in terms less brutal. Sound radio is the stalk from which television will bloom in blossoms of ineffable loveliness, as any of his associates will assure you. If this evolves the public will not weep for sound radio. It didn't for the silent cinema. (Allan Keller, Cincinnati Post, April 28).
Wednesday, April 29, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:00, 4:00 and 7:30—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 3.
8:15—Army Recruiting program.
9:00 to 9:30—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 4.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
3:00—News.
3:15—“Table Talk,” Helen Sioussat, moderator.
3:45 to 4:00—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—America at War.
8:30—Country Dance.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:00-5:00—New York test.
8:00—Cartoons.
8:15—Army Recruiting program. 8:45—Cowboy singer.
9:20—Film.
9:40—Hale American program.
10:00—Film.
Thursday, April 30, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:00, 4:30 and 7:30—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 3.
8:15—Film: “Atlantic Patrol.”
8:25—Film: “Iceland on the Prairies.”
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 3
3:00—News.
3:15—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:45 to 4:00—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—“Men at Work,” variety.
9:00—Red Cross First Aid Course, Lesson 2.
9:25—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00—Blood Donors program.
8:30—Film.
9:00—Feature film.
No comments:
Post a Comment