The last new television station to sign on in 1947 was Cleveland’s WEWS-TV on Wednesday, Dec. 17th. Despite what the internet says, it was the second station in Ohio (W8XCT in Cincinnati had been on the air for a number of weeks). It was the 18th TV station broadcasting a regular schedule (three stations in New York, three in Washington, two in Philadelphia, two in Los Angeles and one each in St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cincinnati, Baltimore and Schenectady).
WEWS (“E.W.S.” were the initials of the founder of the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain which owned the station) and its debut show featured a Christmas party sponsored by the chain’s Cincinnati Press, with Jimmy Stewart as the celebrity guest star. Things did not quite go as planned, as you can read below. The station was nowhere near the coaxial cable that could feed it network programmes, so it subsisted on films, remotes and local talent.
The big multi-network telecast of the week was an address by Secretary of State George Marshall, architect of the Marshall Plan. It fell during scheduled boxing and wrestling shows. Fans of the squared circle will note the name of Iron Mike Sharpe’s dad working in the St. Louis territory, along with Buddy Rogers.
A venerable show may have made its debut in Los Angeles in the week just before Christmas. The Hollywood Citizen-News promoted a game show called Pantomime Quiz to air December 20th. It is not in the television listings until the following weekend, but the list of participants for a show on the 20th is on the paper's entertainment page. However, the internet insists it debuted the previous month. I can find no reference to the show, or host Mike Stokey, in the available trade or popular press before this date. Were the TV listings in the paper wrong? It's possible. Anyway, Pantomime Quiz went on to a long life, changing its name to Stump the Stars in the '60s.
NBC put a second programme on its daytime schedule, this one a luncheon show on Thursdays. CBS made test pattern fans happy by airing six hours of a WCBS chart from late morning through the afternoon.
We also discover W9XZV, the Zenith station in Chicago, is still on the air. How often and what it aired isn't revealed, but the plan now was to turn it into a pay-television outfit.
In the listings below, we have nothing from Detroit or Cleveland and only a partial schedule from Milwaukee. At the bottom of the post is a map showing all TV stations at the time (except the forgotten W2XJT Channel 6 in Jamaica, N.Y.), with others that were being built, or had permission to go on the air. You can click on it to make it bigger.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1947
WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City
6:30—“Scrapbook, Junior Edition,” children’s program with Gil Fates.
7:15—“Fighting with Kit Carson,” film serial.
7:33—Film: “Kennel Kings” (RKO-Pathe, 1939).
7:42—Musical film shorts.
7:48—“The Week in Review” with Don Hollenbeck.”
8:00—“Make Way for Youth,” film on community health councils, Melvyn Douglas, narrator.
8:20—Documentary film: “Oyster Fleet.”
8:25—Hockey at Madison Square Garden: N.Y. Rangers vs. Detroit Red Wings.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
6:00—Lighting of the Christmas trees on Park Avenue.
7:50—United Press news.
8:00—A.N.T.A. presentation: “The Purple Door Knob,” one-act comedy with Judith Evelyn, Ethel Griffies, Joanna Roos, others.
8:30—Newsreel.
8:40—Television Screen Magazine.
9:10—Film: “Historic Switzerland.”
9:30—Hymn. (Times has 9:10—News, Hymn)
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
2:00—Football at Yankee Stadium: N.Y. Yankees vs Cleveland Browns, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer.
WRGB (NBC) Channel 4, Schenectady
8:00—American Songs.
8:30—Television Newsreel.
8:40—American National Theatre.
9:25—News.
9:30—Telescreen Magazine.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
1:30—INS Television News.
1:45—Football at Franklin Field: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers.
7:15—INS News.
7:30-Going Places.
8:00—NBC to signoff.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
1:30—Test Pattern.
2:00 to 4:00—Sunday Inquirer Comics and Children’s Matinee.
7:30—Test Pattern.
8:00—Inquirer News Review.
8:30—Let’s Pop the Question.
9:00—Film.
9:20—Religious program.
9:45—Sign off.
WMAR (CBS/DuMont) Channel 2, Baltimore
1:30—Test Pattern.
2:00—Football: All American Conference playoff in New York (from DuMont).
6:45—Test Pattern.
7:15—Film serial and short (from CBS).
7:45—Associated Press Television News.
8:00—Personalities of the Week (from WMAL).
8:30—WMAR’s Baltimore Television News.
9:00—Film show.
9:50—Hockey (from CBS).
10:30—WMAR Previews.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
2:00—Test Pattern.
3:30—Coming Attractions.
4:00—Religious Film.
5:00—Musical Interlude.
8:00—NBC programs to signoff.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
1:30—Sunday Serenade.
2:00—Football (from DuMont).
WMAL-TV (CBS) Channel 7, Washington
1:00—Test Pattern.
1:30—Meet Me Under the Tree.
1:45—Football from Griffith Stadium : Washington Redskins vs. Boston Yanks, with announcers Harry Wismer and Jim Gibbons, sponsored by Amoco.
4:30—Film Fun.
6:00—Test Pattern.
7:00—CBS programs.
7:45—Associated Press Newsreel (from WMAR).
8:00—Personalities Who Make the News with Bryson Rash.
8:30—The News Today with Earl Godwin.
9:00—Film.
10:00—Hockey (from CBS).
W8XCT Channel 4, Cincinnati
Off the air.
WTMJ-TV Channel 3, MilwaukeeSchedule not available.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25—Football at Wrigley Field: Chicago Bears vs. Chicago Cardinals, sponsored by Canadian Ace Brewing.
8:00—Telenews, sponsored by Chevrolet.
8:25—Hockey at Chicago Stadium: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Montreal Canadiens, sponsored by Emergency Radio and Appliance and Philco.
KSD-TV (NBC) Channel 5, St. Louis
8:00—Film: “Clyde Beatty Animal Thrills.”
8:10—Hockey: St. Louis Flyers vs Hershey Bears.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
Off the air.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
8:00—World-Wide News and Recorded Music.8:30—Cartoon comedy.
8:40—“Shopping at Home” with Keith Hetherington and Harrise Brin, sponsored by the Pep Boys, Sears Roebuck and Frey Schwabacher.
8:55—Cartoonews.
9:00—“Who’s News?” (premiere).
9:15—Film: “Hangmen Also Die” (1943) with Brian Donlevy, Walter Brennan, Byron Foulger and Lionel Stander.
THE PURPLE DOORKNOB
With Judith Evelyn, Ethel Griffies, Joanna Roos
Writer: Walter Prichard Eaton
Director: Frederick Coe
Tech. Director: William States
Producer: Richard Harrity
30 Mins.; Sunday (14), 8 p.m.
Sustaining
WNBT, N. Y.
Second in the series of 12 programs being jointly produced by NBC and the American National Theatre and Academy, "The Purple Doorknob" was a witty and whimsical comedy neatly tailored for video as a medium for dramatic presentation. As such, the frame of this one-acter was diminutive and the action centered on the area of a dime. But skillful scripting, superlative thesping and clever direction gave an illusion of some scope and direction. The play was nothing more than a clever flight of author Walter Prichard Eaton's fancy, but it won viewers over to its premise through its charm and consistency. And that, of course, is the full magic of the theatre.
The setting, which was simple but adequately suggestive, was a bedroom of a New England home and the airy plot revolved around the effort of a Broadway actress' to buy the front door's purple knob from the bed-ridden lady of the house. After the bored old lady agreed to make the sale for the price of a performance, both Judith Evelyn, as the actress, and Ethel Griffies, as the invalid, carried off a perfectly sustained ultra-grandiloquent play-within-a-play. Miss Griffies, featured in the Broadway hit, “The Druid Circle,” registered with standout effect in her warmly human and subtly inflected portrait of the old woman. Joanna Roos assisted competently in a minor role.
Except for one minor lapse, the production was flawlessly handled with the cameras, covering the action fluidly with a minimum of obtrusive switchovers. Single directorial error occurred when Miss Evelyn's hat was allowed to completely cover Miss Griffies' face while the latter was talking. It was the sort Of accident that would be inconspicuous on the stage and cut out of a film, but which sticks out like a sore thumb on video.
In a preface to the play, Raymond Massey made a pitch for public support to ANTA. Author Eaton also came on for a brief bow. Herm. (Variety, Dec. 17)
Scenes of the annual lighting of the Christmas trees on Park Avenue this year will be put on the air by WNBT, through a pick-up Sunday [14] from 6 to 7 P. M. by one of NBC’s mobile television units. The electronic cameras will take up a vantage point outside the Brick Presbyterian Church at Ninety-first Street and Park Avenue, where the ceremony will be conducted under the auspices of the Park Avenue Association. (N.Y. Times, Dec. 12)
Every dog has his day, as blueblooded thoroughbreds put their best paws forward in Official Films’ latest Sportbeam, “KENNEL KINGS.” Frisky pups, bred for the laurels of the dog show . . . come out of the doghouse to compete in the Morris and Essex Dogshow at Madison, N. J. All sporting a tail at one end and a bark at the other, the dogs in Official’s “KENNEL KINGS” strut their stuff before the judges with one eye on the coveted crown!
Official’s “KENNEL KINGS” is a delight to all dog fanciers . . . bringing all types of waggle-tail friends to the home movie screen, including Irish Setters, Bulldogs, Spaniels, Borzois, Wire-haired terriers, Daschunds, Great Danes, Pointers, Cockers, Police Dogs, French Poodles, etc. Each dog is paraded before the judges and scrutinized carefully for the way the head is held, the set of the ears, the feel of the coat . . . until at long last, some lucky pup is proclaimed best dog in the show.”This Official home movie is the perfect film for the dog-lover and is sure to please audiences of every age group. “KENNEL KINGS” is available in 8mm. short, 8mmm. feat., 16mm. short, l6mm. feat., and 16mm. sound at standard Official Film prices. Released by Official Films, Inc., 625 Madison Ave., New York City. (American Cinematographer, Dec. 1944)
Radio Station WHIO has applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a license to operate a television station in Dayton. If the application is approved, WHIO will begin to televise programs about the middle of 1949, General Manager Robert Moody said. New York programs will come to Dayton over a coaxial cable via Toledo, or by micro-waves through a number of booster stations.
Now ready to become an industry, television has spent, during the last 20 years, $50,000,000 on research and development. According to Avco Manufacturing Corp., 1948 will bring rapid development of the first television networks. (William L. Sanders, Dayton Daily News, Dec. 14)
NBC has begun construction of its television transmitter for KNBH, Hollywood, atop Mt. Wilson. The network expects to have programs on the air by mid-1948. (Van Nuys News, Dec. 15).
MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1947
WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City
No programming.
The CBS television station is transmitting a test pattern from 11 A. M. to 5 P. M. every weekday except Tuesdays, in order to accommodate service men installing new video receivers. Reception of the test pattern facilitates proper adjustment of an aerial. The extended schedule of test pattern transmission started yesterday [15]. (Jack Gould, N.Y. Times, Dec. 16)
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
7:50—United Press news.
8:00—NBC Television Newsreel.
8:10—“Americana Quiz,” with John Mason Brown. Panel: Lewis Gannett, Millicent Fenwick, Russell Maloney, Merle Miller.
8:41—Boxing from St. Nicholas Arena. Feature bout: Rocco Rossano vs. Nava Esparza.
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35—Film shorts.
6:45—Walter Compton, news (from WTTG), sponsored by General Electric.
7:00—Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30—Doorway to Fame, with Jackie Bright. Dr. Aaron Weiss, assisted by Mrs. Weiss, presents his escape nifties.
8:00—Film shorts.
8:35—“Swing Into Sports,” Maxine Barratt, guest, sponsored by Transmirra Products Corp.
9:00—Sports Press Conference.
9:15—“Sports Names to Remember,” sponsored by Moquin Wines.
9:20—Boxing from Jamaica Arena with Dennis James, sponsored by Winston Radio and Television Co.
WRGB (NBC) Channel 4, Schenectady
6:55—Program Announcements.
7:00—News Page.
7:15—Program.
7:30—Children’s Bedtime Story.
7:40—Campus Chorale.
7:55—Pictorial News Feature.
8:00—NBC programs (from WNBT).
10:30—Pictorial Spot News.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.—Test Chart.
1:45—INS Television News, sponsored by Wilf Bros.
2:00—“Television Matinee,” sponsored by Philadelphia Electric Co.
7:30—INS Television News, sponsored by Superfine Appliances Co.
7:45—Eavesdropping on Santa, direct from Gimbels, sponsored by Gimbels.
8:00—Newsreel.
8:10—NBC to signoff.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to noon, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00—Test Pattern.
7:30—Schoolboy Sports Show, Tom Moorehead and Jack Ryan. Football film: City Championship, sponsored by Jacob Reed's & Sons, clothiers.
8:00—Inquirer Television News, with Wally Sheldon.
8:10—Magic Made Easy, with Tom Osborne.
8:30—Film.
9:00—Temple University Forum: “Should We Partition Germany?”
9:30—Boxing from New York (from DuMont).
WMAR (CBS/DuMont) Channel 2, Baltimore
2:00—Test Pattern.
5:00—Baltimore City Council, “Report to the People.”
7:00—DuMont programs from WABD.
8:00—DuMont program from WTTG.
9:00—Boxing (from WMAL-TV), sponsored by Arrow Beer.
WBNW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
Off the air.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
10:30 a.m. to noon—Morning Melodies.
6:15—Dinner music.
6:30—Preview Time.
6:35—DuMont programming.
6:45—Walter Compton, news, sponsored by General Electric (to DuMont).
7:00—DuMont programming.
8:00—Music Album, Joby Reynolds (to DuMont).
8:15—Film shorts (to DuMont).
8:30—Way Down Home (to DuMont).
8:45—Film shorts.
9:00—Step ‘n’ Fetch It, Mike Hunnicutt.
9:30—DuMont boxing program.
11:00—News.
WMAL-TV (CBS) Channel 7, Washington
1:00 to 5:00 and 8:00 to 9:00—Test Pattern.
9:00—“Arrow Fight Night,” boxing from Turner’s Arena, announced by Jim Gibbons, sponsored by Arrow Beer.
W8XCT Channel 4, Cincinnati
10 to 11—Olio of Vaudeville.
WTMJ-TV Channel 3, Milwaukee
Schedule not available.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
3:00—Chicago Television Showcase
4:00—Junior Jamboree with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
8:15—News, Today’s World Picture, sponsored by Reed’s Candy and Television Specialists.
8:30—Wrestling from Rainbo Arena, sponsored by Crosley and Launderall Distributors.
3:00—Associated Press News and Views.
3:15—Films: “The Old Oaken Bucket” and “I Can’t Believe You’re in Love With Me.”
3:30—American Theater interviews.
3:45—Film.
4:00—Christmas Carols Association program.
4:15—Film Cartoon: “Little Black Sambo” (Iwerks via Castle Films, 1935).
8:00—Tele-Quiz-Calls, with Harry Gibbs and Dottye Bennett, sponsored by Union Electric.
8:30—Films: “My Pin Up Guy,” “I’ll See You in My Dreams” and “Bottomland.”
8:45—Associated Press News and Views.
9:00—Film.
9:15—Lindenwood College Show; Dancing Christmas Toys.
9:30—Films: “Some Day,” “Every Day of My Life” and “Banjo Medley.”
9:45—Webster College show; Christmas greetings from foreign lands.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
8 p.m.—Test Slides, Music.
8:25—Wrestling Card and announcements.
8:30 to 11:00—Wrestling Matches, Hollywood Legion. Ali Pascha vs. Billy Varga, Martino Angelo and Antone Leone vs. Angelo Savoldi and Tony Morelli.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 to 5:00—World Wide News and music.
7:00—“Uncle Phil,” with Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
7:10—Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
7:30—Bar None Ranch, with Pat Buttram.
8:00—Featurette: “Man’s Best Friend.”
SWING INTO SPORTS
With Joan Kerwin, Don Pallini, Maxine Barratt, Chuck Tranum, Bob Loewi
Producer-director: Bob Loewi
Tech. director: Frank Bunetta
20 Mins.; Mon., 8:30 p.m.
Sustaining
WABD-DuMont, N. Y.
“Swing Into Sports” has been on the air for several months as a showcase for different types of sports and home recreation. Producer Bob Loewi recently transformed the show into a dancing course on the assumption that dancing too represents a home recreation. Poll of viewers upheld his opinion and it's to continue on that basis, at least for the time being.
As it now stands, the show is an interesting 20 minutes that can prove of real value in teaching, viewers the intricacies of ballroom terping, Pro instructor Don Pallini is the featured teacher, who first outlines the dance and then demonstrates it with Joan Kerwin, Loewi's production assistant, and pro dancer Maxine Barratt. Loewi's system of swinging the camera down to follow the dancers' feet is a good one but could be improved through a closer shot than the medium one now used.
To lend added viewer interest, Loewi includes several difference stunts on each show. One caught Monday (21) night, for example, had a blind moppet, described as being an avid fan of the show, getting a lesson from Pallini.
Sequence was handled in good fashion, without getting ^maudlin. Fashion note added by Miss Barratt was also a good one. In addition to the principals, cast includes Chuck Tranum, who takes part in the dancing. Loewi himself appeared on Monday's show as a gag.
Production on "Sports" was adequate. Camera work, with Loewi getting a neat assist from t.d. Frank Bunetta, was good. This show, incidentally, might be a good buy for several types of advertisers. Stal. (Dec. 24)
N. Y. Yankees became the first to assign television rights for the 1948 baseball season Monday (15) night, pacting with the Ballantine brewery and the DuMont web in a special show televised over WABD, DuMont's N. Y. outlet. With members of the N. Y, sports press present, occasion marked the first time that such news had broken to the press and public simultaneously.
Deal calls for Ballantine's to sponsor all 77 of the Yanks' home games. Reported price is $300,000 for both tele and radio, with Ballantine's splitting thie radio sponsorship with White Owl. Tele price is believed to include $800 time charges per game, plus $100,000 paid to the Yanks for the rights, bringing the total tele deal to some $175,000. Agency for Ballantine's is J. Walter Thompson.
Contract calls for Mel Allen and Russ Hodges to announce simultaneously for both radio and tele, with the radio end being broadcast over WINS, N. Y. indie. Yankees prez Dan Topping intimated the deal called for future options for both Ballantine's and DuMont. (Variety, Dec. 17)
PHONE-VISION, the television baby conceived by Comdr. Eugene F. McDonald, president of Zenith Radio Corp., Chicago, this week let out a lusty squall which Zenith indicated will be heard daily.
Zenith’s W9XZV still operates on an experimental basis but one or more hours of its daily schedule will be given over ta Phone-Vision, which Commander McDonald believes will not only revolutionize the television industry but is the only possible way to get the first-run movies, Broadway plays and other entertainment the public wants. LaSalle U., which is under commission by Zenith to prove this point, is presently sifting responses to 9,000 questionnaires asking whether the TV audience would be willing to pay for such service.
A demonstration Dec. 15 was witnessed by Dr. Frank Stanton, CBS president, and H. Leslie Atlass, CBS vice president and general manager of the CBS Central Division.
Envisioning network television, Comdr. McDonald said unattended relays feeding into telephone lines in communities with TV stations would mean audiences by the millions would be able to enjoy the best in video entertainment. The Zenith executive also said Phone-Vision would be applicable to FM reception and could even be used for AM stations wishing to offer programs on a fee basis. He revealed that Rolf Kaltenborn, who is attempting to obtain an AM station in Chicago for that purpose, had applied for a license under Zenith patents for Phone-Vision. Whether it would utilize a “scrambled” signal originating from the station transmitter or the telephone lines required for Zenith television, he declined to reveal. (Broadcasting, Dec. 22)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1947WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City
Off the air.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
Off the air.
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35—Film shorts.
6:45—Walter Compton, news (from WTTG), sponsored by General Electric.
7:00—Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30—“Photographic Horizons,” with Joe Costa.
8:00—Western Feature Film.
9:00—“Mary Kay and Johnny.”
9:17—“Sports Names to Remember.”
9:23—Boxing from Park Arena with Dennis James.
WRGB (NBC) Channel 4, Schenectady
7:10—Program Announcements.
7:15—News Page.
7:30—Kids Carnival.
7:45—Film Short.
7:55—Pictorial News Feature.
8:00—Spot the Slides.
8:30—Film short.
8:35—Dear Chollie.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.—Test Chart.
7:45—INS Television News.
8:00—Motion Picture Feature.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to noon, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:30—Test Pattern.
8:00—Inquirer Television News, with Wally Sheldon.
8:10—Film.
8:15—DuMont (from WTTG).
WMAR (CBS/DuMont) Channel 2, Baltimore.
2:00 to 4:00 and 8:00—Test Pattern.
9:15—Wrestling from the Colesium. Two-Ton Tony Galento vs. Don Lee; Nanjo Singh vs. Francis Miquet, Joe Komaroff vs. Phil Gruber, Ken Ackles vs. Henry Finkelstein, Frank Hewitt vs. George Bolan.
10:45—WMAR Previews.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
2:00—Test Pattern.
3:30—Coming Attractions.
4:00—The Local Crowd.
5:00—Film Feature.
5:30—Energy to Burn.
5:45—Musical Interlude.
8:00—Capital Citizen, with Bill Herson.
8:30—Basketball at Catholic University: Georgetown vs. Quantico Marines.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
10:30 to 12 noon—Morning Melodies.
1:30—Afternoon Musicale.
6:15—Dinner Music.
6:30—Preview Time.
6:35—DuMont programming.
8:00—Bob Wolff Sports Clinic.
8:15—The Visionaires.
8:30—Hockey from Uline Arena: Washington Lions vs. Indianapolis Capitols.
WMAL-TV (CBS) Channel 7, Washington
1:00 to 5:00 and 7:30—Test Pattern.
8:00—Film.
8:30—“What’s on Your Mind?” with moderator Robert L. Friend.
9:00—Film.
W8XCT Channel 4, Cincinnati
1:30—Mile of Dimes.
2:00 to 2:15—Football film: Army vs. Navy.
7:30—“On Wings of Song.”
8:00—Film: “Jungle Playmates” (Van Beuren/Gutlohn, 1937), narrated by Alois Havrilla.
8:15—Film: “Barcarole.”
8:30—This is Current.
9:00—Newsreel.
9:15—Film: “Pharoah Land” (Van Beuren, 1935), narrated by the Easy Aces.
9:30—Television Party.
WTMJ-TV Channel 3, Milwaukee
Schedule not available.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago.
3:00—“Jane Foster Comes to Call,” cooking and home management show, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison.
3:30—Chicago Television Showcase.
4:00—Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
7:30—Animal Crackers.
7:45—Film shorts.
8:00—Civil Air Patrol.
8:15—Behind the Headlines.
8:30—Boxing from the Coliseum, sponsored by Motorola.
KSD-TV Channel 5, St. Louis
Off the air.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
10:30 a.m.—Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
11:00—Queen For a Day.
11:30—Test Pattern and Music.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
12:30 to 1:00—On the Town.
3:00 to 5:00—World Wide News and music.
7:00—“Uncle Phil” with ventriloquist Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.7:10—Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
7:30—Home Economics with Monica Whalen and guest.
7:45—“Star Views” with Lois Andrews, sponsored by Philco.
8:00—“Tele-Newsreel,” sponsored by Buchanan Co.
8:10—Short subject: “The Road to San Pablo.”
8:30—Western Feature film: “Cowboy Counsellor” (1932) with Hoot Gibson.
The Columbia Broadcasting System advanced further yesterday [16] its plans for a national television network, filing an application with the Federal Communications Commission in Washington for a new video station in Boston. CBS, which operates WCBS-TV in New York, previously filed an application for a Chicago outlet.
Lawrence W. Lowman, CBS vice president, said that the network already had “informal working arrangements” with television stations in Washington and Baltimore and with another scheduled to be completed soon in Philadelphia. A television station owned by a CBS affiliate also is planned for Hartford, Conn.
“It is important to keep in mind that the eastern coastal chain is really only the first of many others like it that we have blueprinted to serve the country separately and collectively, just as in radio today.” Mr. Lowman added. (Jack Gould, New York Times, Dec. 17)
Washington, Dec. 16. Twelve more television applications reached the FCC last week and early this week, bringing to a total of 84 the video station requests now pending. One of the latest filed was by CBS, for Channel 9 in Boston. It's an 11th hour bid by the radio web to get into the Hub City with video, and a battle for remaining channels is anticipated.
Matheson Radio, Boston, also filed, seeking Channel 13.
Two more newspapers were among this week's applicants. The Kansas City Star filed for Channel 4 in Kaycee and the Erie Dispatch asked for Channel 12 in Erie.
New bids came from the following: Pearl Lemert, formerly secretary to radio pioneer Dr. Lee DeForest, who is seeking the No. 10 channel in Bakersfield, Calif.; Lehigh Valley Broadcasting Co., operator of WSAN and the Allentown Morning Call; and Evening Chronicle, for the No. 8 channel in Allentown, Pa.; and the Wyoming Valley Broadcasting Co., WILK, for the No. 11 slot in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Most recent requests were entered by: KROW, Oakland, Calif, for Ch. 11— the last of six assignments to the San Francisco area, and South Bend Tribune for Channel 13 in South Bend, Ind.
Eleventh-hour bid from WPIT, Pittsburgh, means a hearing there on the four applicants for the town's three remaining tele channels. Same fate is in store for Allen T. Simmons, WADC, bidding for Akron, O. if his request is thrown in the pot with those already in hearing for nearby Cleveland.
Two more bidders, entered the picture deep in the heart of Texas. The A. H. Belo Corp., licensee of 50-kilowatter WFAA and L. F. Corrigan, doing business as the Texas Television Co., both applied for the No. 10 channel in Dallas. The Dallas bids are due for hearing even if the Lacy-Potter Television Broadcasting Co., permittee of WBTV, hands in its permit following the death of partner Rogers Lacy in Longview, Tex., last week. Lacy was putting up most of the money for WBTV and planned to locate the station in a new $10,000,000 hotel he was building in Dallas. KRLD-TV expects to be on the Dallas ether next fall and the city's third channel has been requested by Paramount subsidiary, Interstate Circuit, Inc. (Variety, Dec. 17)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1947
WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City1:00—Educational Film: “Your Children’s Eyes.”
1:17—Fire Prevention Film: “More Dangerous Than Dynamite.” [right]
1:30—“Missus Goes a-Shopping” with John Reed King.
8:00—“Picture Paper,” documentary on tabloid newspapers.
8:19—Musical film short.
8:25—Hockey from Madison Square Garden: N.Y. Rangers vs. Boston Bruins, sponsored by Knox Hats.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
5:00—“Playtime,” children’s program (from WNBW).
7:25—Film: “Tonight’s Television Press Releases.”
7:30—“Kraft Television Theatre”: "Holiday."
8:00—Film: “Make Way For Youth.”
8:30—“In the Kelvinator Kitchen” with Alma Kitchell.
8:45—Film.
9:00—Current Opinion” (from WNBW).
[Note: some newspapers list “The Star Dressing Room” at 8:45 and “Christmas Preview” at 9. The Herald Tribune has “Make Way For Youth” on WCBS at 8].
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35—Film shorts.
6:45—Walter Compton, news (from WTTG), sponsored by General Electric.
7:00—Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30—The Jack Eigen Show.
7:45—Film shorts.
8:00—Sylvie St. Clair, songs.
8:15—Film shorts.
8:30—“Tele-Auction,” fashions.
9:00—To be announced.
WRGB (NBC) Channel 4, Schenectady
6:55—Program Announcements.
7:00—News Page.
7:15—Sears Program.
7:30—NBC programming, Television Theatre, In the Kitchen.
8:45—Pictorial News Feature.
8:55—Farm Spotlight.
9:05—Film short.
9:20—Darts for Dollars.
9:40—Film short.
9:50—Dude Ranch.
10:10—Pictorial Spot News.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 3:00 to 4:45 p.m.—Test Chart.
1:45—INS Television News.
2:00—Television Matinee, sponsored by the Philadelphia Electric Co.
4:45—INS Television News.
5:00—NBC children’s show (from WNBW).
7:30—INS Television News, sponsored by Superfine Appliances Co.
7:45—Eavesdropping on Santa, from Gimbels, sponsored by Gimbels.
8:00—“Sports Scrapbook” with Stoney McLinn and Bill Campbell.
8:15—Selection motion pictures.
8:30—NBC programs.
9:00—Christmas Preview.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to noon, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:30—Test Pattern.
8:00—Inquirer Television News, with Wally Sheldon.
8:10—Film.
8:20—Hockey from the Arena, Philadelphia Rockets vs. Hershey Bears.
WMAR Channel 2, Baltimore
2:00 to 4:00—Test Pattern.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
2:00—Test Pattern.
3:30—Coming Attractions.
4:00—Film Features.
5:00—Playtime (to NBC).
6:00—Musical Interlude.
7:00—Coming Attractions.
7:20—Illustrated News Service.
7:30—NBC programs.
8:45—Current Opinion with Robert McCormick (to NBC).
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
10:30 a.m.—Morning Melodies.
1:30—Afternoon musicale.
2:00—American University of the Air, School of Music.
2:20—Afternoon musicale.
6:15—Dinner Music.
6:35—Television Film Shorts (from DuMont).
6:45—Walter Compton news, sponsored by General Electric (to DuMont).
7:00—Small Fry Club (from DuMont).
7:30—Film shorts.
8:00—Montgomery County Players, “The Lucky Christmas,” sponsored by the Montgomery County Tuberculosis Association and directed by Mrs. Jane Plummer Rice.
8:15—Film Shorts.
8:30—Basketball from Uline Arena, Washington Capitals vs. Indianapolis Bullets.
11:00—Press Bulletins.
WMAL-TV (CBS) Channel 7, Washington
10 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00—Test Pattern.
W8XCT Channel 4, Cincinnati
1:30—Film: “Tigers of the Deep.”
1:45—Film: “A Job’s a Job.”
2:00—Tea For Two.
7:30—Thomas and Thall.
8:00—Film: “Hurricane Island.”
8:15—Film: “Top Notchers.”
8:30 to 9:00—Mail Bag.
WTMJ-TV Channel 3, Milwaukee
Schedule not available.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
3:00—Chicago Television Showcase.
4:00—Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
7:30—Minor Opinions.
8:00—News Show.
8:15—Film shorts.
8:25—Hockey from Chicago Stadium: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings, sponsored by Emergency Radio and Appliance and Philco.
KSD-TV Channel 5, St. Louis
Off the air.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
10:30 a.m.—Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
11:00—Queen For a Day.
11:30—Test Pattern and Transcribed Show.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
12:30—“On the Town” at the Airport.
3:00 to 5:00—News and music.
7:00—Uncle Phil, with Ventriloquist Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
7:10—Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
7:30—“Sunset Room” with Joan Barton. Guests: Clark Dennis, Walter Gross, Helen Parrish and Fortunio Bonanova.
8:00—Short films.
8:10—Warner Bros. short on the Bill of Rights, used by special permission of Harry Warner, sponsored by the educational committee of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
8:30—Wrestling at the Olympic Auditorium. Frank Sexton vs. Enrique Torres, Gogeous George vs. George Temple (one fall, 30 mins.), Sandor Szabo vs. Dutch Hefner, Manual Garza vs. Jules Strongbow, Black Panther vs. Sammy Menacker, Reginald Siki vs. Marvin Jones.
Cleveland Dec. 16. – Television will officially come to Clevelanders tomorrow night [17] at 8 p.m., when Scripps-Howard radio’s new television station, WEWS-TV, goes on the air to telecast the annual press Christmas show in Public Hall.Estimates as to how many Clevelanders will view the results of video’s debut in this area are many and varied. Most popular figure is that there are about 200 to 300 receivers in operation in the area at present, and that anywhere from live persons per set up to the crowds that may accumulate at various bars that have installed equipment would indicate that anywhere from 1,500 to several thousand may be spectators at the event.
Advertising rates run from $25 for a single film spot announcement to $480 for a one hour live program. At present no retail store has gone in for television as a sponsor, but many have indicated interest. It is expected that one or two of the larger stores will take time for institutional advertising after the station gets on a normal operating schedule. (Women’s Wear Daily, Dec. 17)
CLEVELAND, Dec. 20. – The nation's 15th commercial television station started service here this week (17) when WEWS, owned by Scripps-Howard, began a 20-hour weekly sked. The station operates on Channel 5.
WEWS has taken over the Women's City Club Auditorium as its headquarters, with what is believed to be the largest television studio in the country. The auditorium has 60 by 70-feet floor space as a stage, and in addition has smaller studios for other originations. Studio space of WEWS-FM also is available.
The schedule now is entirely sustaining, with one sponsor, Standard Oil of Ohio, signed this week to bankroll an amateur program. Sponsorship will begin in January. The rate-card structure provides for one charge for shows contacted for less than 13 weeks and a reduced rate for more than 13 weeks. Basic charges are $480 and $240 for an hour, the larger fee for less than 13 weeks; $336 and $168, half hour; $240 and $120, 15 minutes; $192 and $96, 10 minutes; $120 and $60, five minutes.
James C. Hanrahan is general manager; J. Harrison Hartley is television director; Patrick Crafton is program manager, and Joseph Epperson is chief engineer.
The station has discussed video coverage with the Cleveland baseball club, but no deal has been set as yet. Receiver-set circulation, all inclusive, is currently estimated at 1,000. (Billboard, Dec. 27)
Cleveland, Dec. 23. WEWS began its television operation Wednesday (17) night and except for a few mechanical jars, the station gave the city a passable taste of video operation.
Occasion was the Cleveland Press' annual Christmas show featuring Jimmy Stewart, emcee. For the opening, the Press, sister operation to the Scripps-Howard WEWS, put out a husky, well-advertised 76-page supplement telling of the virtues of video. It was significant in that the Press, in the past, was not inclined to think highly of radio, and didn't allow opportunities to pass in which it could take pot shots at its rival. Press is expected to work closely With WEWS in news operations.
Mechanically, WEWS showed it was being hurried into operation to meet the Stewart show. Audio failed 10 minutes when the station went on the air. Later, the parabolic antenna units, anchored to the roof of the auditorium, worked loose because of a heavy wind and killed the video. (Variety, Dec. 24
AKRON RADIO FANS were introduced to television on Wednesday night [17] when WEWS held its first real broadcast. Test patterns have been tried on an experimental basis up to this time.
Some viewers, especially those seeing video for the first time, were disappointed. They expected too much. Most were enthusiastic. Although marred by some obvious "first night" defects, the broadcast went off well. A clear night made for excellent reception. The transmission "bugs" will be worked out by the engineers before the station begins broadcasting on a permanent basis. Thus the many flickers and fadings will be eliminated.
OVER A DOZEN cafes and bars were filled with television audiences. Radio dealers had sets tuned to the broadcast.
We were fortunate to see the broadcast over a large home model set, first of Its type to be installed in the country and in Akron, at the home of J. W. Thomas. With a 20 by 80 screen to watch, it was neither tiring nor eyestraining—a fault many viewers found with the smaller screens. The broadcast started with a film of the Browns-Yankee football game, switched to the "Charity Show” at Public auditorium which starred James Stewart, and later presented a travelogue.
Placement of the cameras during the stage show could have been better. There were too many profiles, and not enough variety, in the views from a television standpoint. Lack of proper make-up and lighting gave the men "5 o'clock shadow" and the women, deep-eye shadows.
We won't speak of the quality of the entertainment. Suffice It to say that It was strictly amateur. The men singers had heard too many Sinatra records and the tap dancers were all carbon-copy Eleanor Powells. But the show gave an idea what can be done with television in the fields of sports, variety entertainment and education. (Bee Offineer, Akron Beacon Journal, Dec. 19)
What is believed to be the first auction ever conducted by television will be staged at 8:30 P. M. next Wednesday by the DuMont outlet, WABD, for the benefit of the Institute of Rehabilitation of the New York University-Bellevue Center. Mrs. Bernard Gimbel and Maj. Gen. William J. Donovan, co-directors of the campaign committee for the institute, will appear on jewelry, luggage and other merchandise which will be displayed over the air. Televiewers at home, as well as those in the studio audience, will have an opportunity to make bids on the articles, a group of models being on hand to receive the offers sent in by telephone. (Jack Gould, N.Y. Times, Dec. 13)
"Tele-Auction" show over WABD (Dumont, N. Y.) last week [17], in which clothing, jewelry, etc., were auctioned off, is expected to influence many fashion accounts to plunge into television. Auction resulted in sales of $3,730 for the products donated by various manufacturers, with money turned over to the New York Univ.-Belleuvue Medical Center.
Fashion manufacturers, who've shunned radio for the most part because they couldn't demonstrate their products visually, have been flirting with tele sporadically for the last year. Not until recently, however, have many of them shown much interest, and what there has been has been confined to N. Y. retail stores, such as Arnold Constable and McCreery's. Result of the DuMont show, it's believed, offer definite proof that tele offers the best advertising medium to date for their products.
Show was staged by the Sterling ad [a]gency, one of the leading agencies in the fashion business, and produced by Raymond E. Nelson, Sterling was reluctant at first to take any advance publicity bows on the show through uncertainty as to how it would pay off. Success of the show has led Sterling to make a pitch for tele sponsorship to several of its clients.
Studio audience bid on the 12 items offered for sale, with home viewers invited to phone in purchase orders at the same price for duplicate items. Special phone lines manned by Conover models were jammed within a few minutes after the show took the air and orders continued to pour in for more than an hour after the signoff. All the merchandise was sold well over the wholesale price and to several instances above the retail price. (Variety, Dec. 24)
Thousands of Christmas shoppers stopped in surprise yesterday [17] to watch a scientific miracle which many had heard of but few had seen. In the windows on three sides of Filene’s were 14 operating television sets.
All day long they flashed on the screen a succession of film shorts, live shows and, as a high-light, the first public demonstration of a network television program originating in New York and flashed to Boston over the recently opened microwave link of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company.
The network show originated in the studios of Columbia Television. The shows seen during the balance at the day were produced here in Boston by Continental Television Corp. They included films of the recent royal wedding, selection by Filene’s robed Christmas carolers and an interview with one of Filene’s helpful Christmas angels, Santa Claus.
The television receiving sets used were made by Transvision, Inc.
H. D. Hodgkinson, general manager of Filene’s, introduced the New York show. John Reed King, leading actor in the Columbia show, hit a high in inter-city friendliness by encouraging three children in New York to wave to their friends on the sidewalk outside Filene’s in Boston.
At several times during the day mounted police helped keep traffic flowing around the densely packed block. (Boston Globe, Dec. 18)
Universal-International has jumped in as the first major Hollywood film produce to devise and create a special flicker setup for television use, with its production of a five-minute short subject deigned to help promote the forthcoming Nunnally Johnson picture, “The Senator Was Indiscreet,” with William Powell. Television footage of “The Senator" is the first of a planned series of future films and is being used on both the National Broadcasting Company’s New York video station WNBT and Columbia Broadcasting System’s WCBS, with U-I buying daily five-minute spots for the short on both stations. This is to take place overt a two-week period, leading up to the New York preview at the Criterion at the end of this month. Made here in Hollywood, the short presents a capsule version of the story, using the picture’s highlights. Title for the adventure is “Universal Television Presents.” )(Hollywood Reporter, Dec. 17)
United Productions of America, that enterprising company responsible for such classics as “Brotherhood of Mankind” [sic], has just won a contract to produce four shorts for the Union Oil Co.
“Minute-Man Magic,” “Hoodlums Under the Hood” and “Sludge-Bound” are the titles. The films will combine live action with animation and will be used as spot commercials during the televising of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Jan. 1.
John Hubley will supervise, with Floyd Crosby handling live action photography. (Frank Eng, Los Angeles Daily News, Dec. 17)
The drama has been flirting with television, or the other way ‘round, and I think they’ve got something. On television you can see a play in pajamas—you’re in the pajamas; and you don’t have to get up to walk out on it. To get away from a television play all you do is flap the machine over to another channel, where there is sure to be wrestling, always a sure-fire, two-man vaudeville act.
I’ve been seeing some television plays lately and they haven’t been bad at all. They have, indeed, been much better than wrestling, in which both contestants seem always to do a punk job of imitating Judith Anderson in her more agonized moments in “Medea.”
A Charming Sketch.
A few evenings ago the American National Theatre and Academy presented a sketch by Walter Prichard Eaton, “The Purple Doorknob,” with Ethel Griffies, Judith Evelyn and Joanna Roos as the cast. It was a charming little thing about an aging invalid (Miss Griffies) and an actress (Miss Evelyn) who comes to buy the knob off her front door. It is just a glass knob, hut time and sun have turned it purple and to the actress it looks like a jewel. In return for the bauble, the actress brings enthusiasm and gaiety to the sickroom.
People who know more about television drama than I do say that things like “The Purple Doorknob,” which can be shot almost entirely in closeups, are ideal for the medium. Long shots, they say, are not yet so hot on the radio screen.
Well, the long shots I’ve seen on an apparatus of modest size have been fine. Basketball and hockey are highly exciting and are easily followed. Football is superb—better than movie newsreels because there isn’t that blinding flickering as one follows a long pass or a punt across the screen. So I don’t think the drama will have to worry about long shots on television.
Action Main Problem.
What it will have to worry about is action. The average play, although it takes place on a roomy stage, is fairly static. People stand and sit around a great deal. Every once in a while hero may cross right and light cigaret for heroine (even though all women should be taught to ignite their own confounded cigarets with the lighters we gave them three Christmases ago)—but by and large actors don’t get winded running around the stage.
Television, compressing everything into a small picture, seems to exaggerate the static staging of the average drama. A few nights ago the amateurs of Catholic University in Washington put on a comedy which, as a piece of comedy writing, was no worse than Broadway’s “For Love or Money.”
But, if there were six people in a scene, five of them stood around while the sixth talked, and the effect was not interesting.
A few weeks ago I saw a television version of George Seaton’s “—But Not Goodbye,” a comedy in which the late Harry Carey appeared much too briefly on Broadway. It was, I thought, excellent. There was constant movement of people in and out of rooms, and it was a cinch for a pair of cameras to make a man into a ghost—which is the plot of the comedy—by employing double exposure.
A Lot Like a Movie.
Drama on television already is absorbing. If will become more so as its directors learn to create more movement than is necessary on the legitimate stage. It will have to be, in presentation, quite a lot like a motion picture—but it will have an advantage that the movie hasn’t: you will see it as it is being done, and not a year afterward.
I don’t think these newfangled home radios are going to sound the death knell of the legitimate stage. They will help it. They will show, as the movies can’t, that there is great pleasure in watching live actors in actual performance. You can’t sit around the house all the time in your pajamas, so you might as well go out and take in a show. Or a wrestling bout. (John Chapman, Daily News, Dec. 17)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1947WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City
8:00—News with Douglas Edwards, sponsored by Gulf Oil.
8:15—“To the Queen’s Taste,” cooking program from the Cordon Bleu Restaurant, with Mrs. Dione Lucas.
8:45—Basketball from Madison Square Garden, C.C.N.Y. vs. Texas, Manhattan vs. Washington State.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
1:00—“Luncheon at the Waldorf” (debut).
8:00—“Author Meets the Critics,” The World Within.
8:30—NBC Television Newsreel.
8:40—Musical Merry-Go-Round, with Jack Kilty.
9:00—“You Are an Artist,” with John Gnagy, sponsored by Gulf.
9:10—“Eyewitness,” sponsored by RCA.
9:40—“Current Opinion” (from WNBW).
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35—Film shorts.
6:45—Walter Compton, news (from WTTG), sponsored by General Electric.
7:00—Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30—“Birthday Party,” with Grace Gioe, and cast of “Juvenile Jury” as guests.
8:00—“Champagne and Orchids” with Adrienne.
8:15—“Charade Quiz,” with Bill Slater.
8:40—Film Shorts.
8:45—“Know Your New York.”
9:00—Wrestling from Park Arena with Dennis James.
WRGB (NBC) Channel 4, Schenectady
7:10—Program Announcements.
7:15—News Page.
7:30—Concert Hall.
7:45—Film short.
7:55—Pictorial News Feature.
8:00—NBC program, Author.
8:30—Picture Puzzles.
8:40—NBC program, Artist.
9:10—Office with the Carters.
9:25—Pictorial Spots News.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.—Test Chart.
12:45—INS Television News.
1:00—NBC program.
7:15—INS Television News.
7:30—“Pleased To Meet You,” with Roy Neal.
7:50—Film.
8:10—West Philadelphia Choral Society.
8:30—NBC programs to signoff.
[Delaware County Times has 8:00—The University of Pennsylvania presents “The Incarnate Word,” a Christmas pageant from Irvine Auditorium, and NBC after 9:00].
WFIL Channel 6, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to noon, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.—Test Pattern.
7:45—Visit to Santa Claus.
8:00—Inquirer Television News, with Wally Sheldon.
8:10—Films: “Money or Your Life,” “Sing For Sweetie,” “Aida.”
9:00—Basketball (BAA) at the Arena: Philadelphia Warriors vs. New York Knicks.
WMAR (CBS/DuMont) Channel 2, Baltimore
2:00 to 4:00 and 7:30—Test Pattern.8:00—Youth Meets Government (from WMAL-TV).
8:30—Film show.
9:00—WMAR’s Baltimore Television News
9:15—Basketball at the Colesium: Baltimore Bullets and St. Louis Bombers, sponsored by National Bohemian Beer.
10:30—WMAR Previews.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
12:30—Test Pattern.
12:45—Coming Attractions.
1:00—NBC program.
1:30—Musical Interlude.
4:00—Fun at Four.
5:00—Film Features.
6:00—Musical Interlude.
8:00—Gypsy Singers.
8:30—Film features.
9:00—Song in the House.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
10:30 a.m. to noon—Morning Melodies.
1:30—Afternoon Musicale.
6:15—Dinner Music.
6:30—Preview Time.
6:35—DuMont programming.
8:30—Film Shorts.
8:45—The Music Album. Sherry Sherwood, vocalist.
9:00—Golden Glovers Amateur Boxing Tournament.
11:00—News.
WMAL-TV (CBS) Channel 7, Washington
10:00 to noon, 1:00 to 5:00, 7:30 to 8:00—Test Pattern.
8:00—Youth Meets the Government (to WMAR).
8:30—Film.
9:00—Shopping for Santa.
W8XCT Channel 4, Cincinnati
1:30—Film: “Putting on the Dog.”
1:45—Film: “Capitol Idea.
2:00 to 3:00—Bridge Party with Betty Tevis.
7:30—Conservatory of Music.
8:00—Film: “Unusualities.”
8:15—Film: “Ave Maria.”
8:30—Variety Show.
9:30—Film: “Trinidad.”
9:45—Film: “Monastery Garden.”
10:00 to 10:30—“Build Thee More Stately Mansions.”
WTMJ-TV Channel 3, Milwaukee
2:00—Meet Your Neighbor.
2:30—Let’s Look at the News.
2:45—Film: cartoon comedy.
3:00—Paul Skinner’s Music Room.
3:15—Baseball film: Review of the 1943 World Series.
7:45—Philco News and Views, sponsored by Radio Specialty Company.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
3:00—Chicago Television Showcase.
4:00—Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
7:30—Milt Hopwood’s Sports Show.
7:45—Film shorts.
8:15—Film shorts.
8:30—Basketball from Chicago Stadium: Chicago Stags vs. Washington Capitols.
KSD-TV Channel 5, St. Louis3:00—Associated Press News and Views.
3:15—NBC Newsreel.
3:30—Christmas Carols Association program.
3:45—Film: “Mickey’s Derby Day” (1933).
4:00—Film cartoon: “Old Mother Hubbard” (1935, Iwerks).
4:15—Film cartoon: “Doughnuts” (1933, Van Beuren).
8:00—NBC Newsreel.
8:15—Sonja Henie’s Hollywood Ice Revue, sponsored by Crosley.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
10:30 a.m.—Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
11:00—Queen For a Day.
11:30—Test Pattern.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
12:30—“On the Town,” sponsored by Los Angeles television set distributors.
3:00 to 5:00—Test Pattern and music.
7:00—“Uncle Phil” for kids, sponsored by Philco.
7:10—Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
7:30—“Guess the Dance,” quiz show with Frank Veloz.
7:45—“Star Views” with Lois Andrews, sponsored by Philco.
8:00—“Your Town Los Angeles Presents.”
8:30—“Meet Me in Hollywood,” direct from Hollywood and Vine.
Luncheon at the Waldorf
Reviewed Thursday (18), 1-1:45 p.m. Style—Interview. Sustaining via WNBT. Originates in Flamingo Room, Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York. Director, Bill Garden. Emsee, Jay Martin. Interviewees, this program, four former members of WASPS: Betty Jane Williams, president of WASPS Association; Blanche Noyes, Phyllis Ryder, Clara Jo Stember.
With videomen constantly grappling for sprightlier use of the medium, National Broadcasting Company (NBC) has chosen to air a somewhat hackneyed gimmick titled Luncheon at the Waldorf for the homemaker trade. Emsee Jay Martin and four aviatrix guests rambled on for 30 minutes, mainly on the place of women in flying and what the four fem fliers themselves had accomplished, and then a 15-minute film was shown purporting to demonstrate basic elements of flying. The program proved static, talky and contained basic camera and sound flaws.
Martin's emseeing was wooden and single-paced. Conversation around the lunch table at the Waldorf was uninspired and consisted mainly of Martin asking each of the four, in turn, how she became interested in flying, when she first flew, what she did during the war and what she is now doing. Opportunities for interesting camera shots were virtually nil, and many shots were poorly framed or had backs of heads of some participants obscuring faces of others. Further, musical backgrounds were badly modulated, sometimes drowning out the talk. The show's opening, with Martin discussing the menu with a waiter, then greeting his guests as tho he had no idea they were coming, also was signally unconvincing.
Guests included Blanche Noyes, former actress and veteran champion flier; Phyllis Ryder, lead in Voice of the Turtle; Clara Jo Stember, aviation artist for magazines, and Betty Jane Williams, who narrated the film which occupied the last third of the program. Of these only Miss Ryder contributed real sparkle and personality to the proceedings.
The film was the most interesting and visual portion of the program, with some shots showing the fundamentals of operating the controls, made from inside a plane's cockpit, and others, made from another plane, illustrating the results of each manipulation. However, even this was hampered by Miss Williams' commentary, which was too heavily larded with technical jargon unintelligible to the beginner, at whom the show was directed. Talk such as "equal amount of sky between the wingtips" and "each oscillation will become smaller" tends to confuse the kitchen mechanic.
The program wound up with emsee Martin, an ex-legiter, taking a vocal turn on Irving Berlin's Remember while his coffee cooled before him, and his guests made with the enthusiasm. Which was more than the viewer could do. Sam Chase. (Billboard, Dec. 27)
Tomorrow night [18] at 8, WABD, the Dumont television station in New York, will present “Champagne and Orchids” as a sustaining show. According to station officials, who packaged the show for a store or apparel producer, the presentation will attempt to present women’s wear in a new method. Instead of parading models and, as some people believe, confusing the audience, the program will concentrate on one entertainer, Adrienne, who will wear a striking gown and the proper accessories. This, it is hoped, will create a complete look such as is shown in Lord & Taylor newspaper ads which concentrate on one theme. (Women’s Wear Daily, Dec. 17)
CHAMPAGNE AND ORCHIDS
With Adrienne, Robert Turner, David Lippman
Director: Robert Mayberry
Producer: Pat Fay
15 Mins.; Thurs., 8 p.m.
Sustaining
WABD-DuMont, N. Y.
Judged strictly in terms of its entertainment value, this show was a middling effort without any striking characteristics beyond Adrienne's looks. Judged, however, as exploration by video producers into the problem of presenting vaude or nitery acts over the optic kilocycles, it was laudably inventive. It showed an awareness of the fact that something more is needed than simply training a camera on a performer and letting her do her stuff. Video, life [like] films, demands movement, visual pace to compensate for its shadowy substance.
Device used on the preem (18) was turning the show into a combination cafe feature and fashion presentation. Adrienne, a svelte brunet, was given a chance to show off her charms, all of which are not localized in her voice.
While singing, she walked across the studio modelling a nifty sequined gown and fur cape. During one recorded instrumental number, she danced with announcer Robert Turner, also formally dressed for the swank nitery setting.
Musically, Adrienne rendered tunes in French, Spanish and English in straightforward style. Her pipes are listenable but have a tendency to drop on the long notes. Program also featured David Lippman on the theremin, an electrical instrument highly suitable for video since its tones depend on finger hocus-pocus which varies the magnetic field. Herm. (Variety, Dec. 24)
TELEVISION is being used as an advertising medium by Beneficial Saving Fund, Philadelphia, to promote savings accounts. WPTZ Philadelphia is the outlet for the savings bank’s 25-second television commercials, broadcast every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. following a news program. The commercials are prepared under supervision of Francis P. Burns, executive vice president of Beneficial, by the Richard A. Foley Advertising Agency, Philadelphia. (Broadcasting, Dec. 22)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1947
WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City8:00—Selected Short films.
8:15—Feature film: “Miracle on Main Street.”
10:00—Secretary of State George C. Marshall, speaking from Washington, on the failure of the recent conference of Foreign Ministers.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
1:00—Swift Home Service Club with Tex and Jinx, and Martha Logan, home economist; Sandra Gahle, decorator and home planner.
1:30—NBC Television Newsreel.
6:50—News Reports.
7:00—“Merry Christmas Land,” variety from Grand Central Palace, sponsored by Borden's. Included will be a one-half hour stage show from the exposition, where Borden's has an exhibit booth.
8:00—“Campus Hoopla,” with Bob Stanton and coach Lou Little, sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
8:15—“The World in Your Home,” film program sponsored by RCA Victor.
8:30—“A Glamorous Christmas Morning,” department store shopping tips.
8:45—Short film.
8:50—“Gillette Cavalcade of Sports,” Boxing from Madison Square Garden.
10:00—Secretary of State George C. Marshall, speaking from Washington.
10:20—“Gillette Cavalcade of Sports,” feature boxing match, Tommy Bell vs. Steve Belloise.
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35—Film shorts.
6:45—Walter Compton, news (from WTTG), sponsored by General Electric.
7:00—Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30—U.S. Navy Band.
8:00—Allen Prescott Show: “Ball & Chain.”
8:30—Film shorts.
8:54—Sports Names to Remember, sponsored by Moquin Wine.
9:00—Wrestling from Jamaica Arena, with Dennis James.
10:00—Secretary of State George C. Marshall, speaking from Washington.
WRGB (NBC) Channel 4, Schenectady
6:55—Program Announcements.
7:00—WRGB News Page.
7:15—Sears’ Program.
7:30—The Desert Will Rejoice.
7:55—WRGB Pictorial News Feature.
8:00—NBC programs, including boxing.
10:30—WRGB Pictorial Spot News.
[Note: there is no mention of the Marshall speech, likely because it was scheduled after this was submitted to the Albany Times-Union].
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:45—Test Chart.
12:45—INS Television News.
1:00 to 1:40—NBC programming.
1:40—Christmas Gift Wrapping.
2:00—Your Television Shopper.
3:45—INS Television News.
4:00—Children’s Matinee: cartoon, Clyde Beatty serial, and Western Feature.
6:45—INS Television News.
7:00—NBC program.
7:45—Eavesdropping on Santa, from Gimbels, sponsored by Gimbels.
8:00—NBC program.
8:20—Short subject.
8:30—“Handy Man” with Jack Creamer, sponsored by Gimbels.
8:45—Motion Picture Short.
8:55—Sunshine Sportsman’s Show.
9:10—NBC programming, including Secretary Marshall.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to noon, 1 to 5 p.m. and 7:00—Test Pattern.
7:30—DuMont gospel program (from WTTG).
8:00—Inquirer Television News, with Wally Sheldon.
8:15—Film.
8:30—Hockey (from WTTG).
10:00—Sec. of State George Marshall from Washington.
WMAR Channel 2, Baltimore
6:00—Test Pattern.
6:35—DuMont (WABD) program.
6:45—DuMont (WTTG) program.
7:00—DuMont (WABD program), sponsored by General Electric.
7:30—DuMont (WTTG) programs to signoff.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
12:45—Coming Attractions.
1:00—NBC programming.
1:45—Musical Interlude.
3:30—A Day at the Zoo.
4:30—Film Features.
5:30—Musical Interlude.
7:00—NBC programming.
8:30—Story of the Week, with Richard C. Harkness.
8:45—Let’s Learn To Dance, sponsored by Georges Radio and Television Stores.
9:25—News in Review
9:30—NBC programming, sponsored by Gillette.
10:45—Telesports Show.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
6:15—Dinner Music.
6:30—Preview Time.
6:35—DuMont programming.
6:45—Walter Compton, news, sponsored by General Electric (to DuMont).
7:00—NBC program with Bob Emery.
7:30—Elder Michaux and the “Happy I Am” Choir (to WMAR).
8:00—Film Featurette (to WMAR).
8:30—Hockey from Uline Arena: Washington Lions vs. Cleveland Barons (to WMAR).
10:00—Secretary of State George Marshall address.
11:00—News.
WMAL-TV (CBS) Channel 7, Washington
10:00 a.m. to noon, 1:00 to 5:00, 9:00-10:00—Test Pattern.
10:00 p.m.—Secretary of State George Marshall address.
W8XCT Channel 4, Cincinnati7:30—Cartoon: “Love’s Labor Won” (1933, Van Beuren), starring Cubby Bear.
7:45—Film: “Second Paradise.”
8:00—Film: “Flying Leather.”
8:15 to 11:15—Wrestling at the Music Hall. Bill Darnell vs. Pierre LaBelle (two falls, 90 mins.), Billy Fox ad Angelo Martinelli vs. Ali Aliba and Monte LaDue, Syocky Knielson vs. Paul Steuer.
WTMJ-TV Channel 3, Milwaukee
2:00—Meet Your Neighbor.
2:30—Let’s Look at the News.
2:45—Film: “Excursions in Science.”
3:00—Surprise Package.
3:15—Movie Matinee: “Lost Jungle,” chapter two.
7:45—Philco News and Views, sponsored by Radio Specialty Company.
7:55—Short subjects.
8:10—Basketball: Michigan Central at Milwaukee State Teachers, sponsored by Broadway House of Music.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
3:00—Chicago Television Showcase.
4:00—Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
7:30—News, Today’s World Picture, sponsored by Reed’s Candy and Television Specialists.
7:40—“Lost Jungle.”
8:00—Telechats, sponsored by The Fair.
8:15—Variety Show.
8:30—Film Shorts.
8:44—The Singing Smiths, sponsored by Terman Television Sales.
KSD-TV Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00—Associated Press News and Views.
3:15—Film: “An Hour Never Passes.”3:20—Behind the Fashion Scene with Marjorie Wilten.
3:30—Film: “Arctic Thrills.”
3:45—U.S. Secret Service program: “Counterfeit Money,” Leo. A. Smugat, agent.
4:00—Film: “Here Comes the Circus” (1934, Van Beuren), narrated by Alois Havrilla.
4:15—Film: “The Three Musketeers.”
8:15—Films: “Seven Days a Week,” “Why Did I Fall For Abner” and “I Have To Yodel.”
8:25—Tom Packs wrestling matches at Kiel Auditorium, sponsored by Hyde Park Breweries. Card. Wild Bill Longson vs. Ray Villmer (one fall to a finish), David Levin vs. Buddy Rogers (one fall, 30 mins.), Mike Sharpe vs. Olaf Olson (one fall, 30 mins.), Ernie Dusek and Joe Dusek vs. Ralph Garibaldi and Gino Garibaldi (45 mins.), Tuffy Truesdale vs. Eddie Theriault (one fall, 20 mins.)
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
10:30 a.m.—Test Pattern.
11:00—Queen For a Day.
11:30 to noon—Test Pattern and Music.
8:00—Test Pattern and Incidental Music.8:25—Boxing Card and Announcements.
8:30—Boxing at the Hollywood Legion Stadium, Tommy Garland vs. Freddy Beshore (heavyweight, ten rounds), Connie Smith vs. Richard Jones (welterweight, six rounds), Johnny Gardes vs. Johnny Harding (light heavyweight, four rounds), Willie Smith vs. Ramon Alva (lightweight, four rounds), Chuck Railey vs. Carl Bracken (welterweight, four rounds), Archie Cooper vs. Tommy Yamaoka (bantamweight, four rounds).
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
12:30-1:00—“On the Town,” sponsored by local television set distributors.
3:00-5:00—World Wide News and Music.
7:00—“Uncle Phil,” with ventriloquist Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philo.
7:10—Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
7:30—“Looking at Music” with Al Jarvis, sponsored by Philco.
8:00—Tele-Newsreel, sponsored by Buchanan Co.
8:30—Basketball: from the Olympic Stadium: Pepperdine vs. College of the Pacific.
LUNCHEON AT THE WALDORF
With Jay Martin, guests
Director: William Garden
45 Mins.; Thur., 1 p.m.
Sustaining
WNBT, N.Y.
This new Thursday daytime series presented by WNBT is a sort of matter-of-fact video version of the radio series of the same title that Ilka Chase did for Camel cigarets several years ago. The idea is entertaining confab over the consome [consommé] and salad at America's plushiest hotel. Miss Chase did it with an orchestra and much gay chit-chat of the smart east side Manhattan brand of sophistication. Jay Martin, a performer from musical comedy, finds the video medium more constricting, so the grub and gab stanza is just a bit earth-bound.
Of course, the basic idea of a television show on a weekday lunch-hour may be intended merely as an experiment. It remains to be seen whether the femme video public will turn from domestic duties (or stay home from that luncheon-bridge) to follow this opera. As for the tavern and restaurant television trade, it seems an unlikely audience for such a show.
Television budgets being what they are, there's clearly little coin available for talent for a show like "Luncheon at the Waldorf." Therefore, the visitors will inevitably be people with a cause to promote. That means the general subject of palaver will be what is known as special interest, which is another name for limited interest.
That, at least, applies to the series premiere Thursday (19), when the guests were four femme aviation enthusiasts, including Betty Jane Williams, president of the WASP Assn.; Blanche Noyes, of the Civil Aeronatutics Administration; Clara Jo Stember, a flyer, and Phyllis Ryder, the current Sally Middleton in "Voice of the Turtle," at the Hudson, N. Y.
The aviation talk was talk and, inevitably, not action. For the latter, Martin and his guests went through the motions, of eating (the host drank plenty of water, which may or may not have meant anything) and a waiter hovered about the business of serving, but that was not so much action as distraction.
Finally however, there was a short film, apparently taken a few days previously at Westchester County (N. Y.) Airport, of Miss Williams giving the show's director, William Garden, a flying lesson. That action was reasonably entertaining. The only other item of interest (except for such minor incongruities as numerous vacant tables and chairs in obviously empty dining-room, and the fact that Martin's and the waiter's beards showed up incongruously) was Martin's incidental solo, with an unexplained orchestra accompaniment.
Everything considered, it wasn't a show likely to dr«w repeat audiences. Bobe. (Variety Dec. 24)
MERRY CHRISTMAS LAND
With Frank Luther, Ray Forrest
Director: Harold Keith
Technical Director: Alfred Jackson
50 Mins.; Fri. (19), 7 p.m.
Sustaining
WNBT-NBC, N. Y.
NBC sent its tele cameramen over to Grand Central Palace to look in on a press preview of "Merry Christmas Land,” a children's “extravaganza,” and the resulting 60-minute airer was a leisurely paced armchair tour of the exhibition and one-ring circus that’s running through this current week. Announcer Ray Forrest, armed with a hand mike and what seemed like miles of extension cord, free-wheeled around the place with a little girl in tow, meeting Santa, inspecting fairyland candy castles and such, stopping to talk to little tikes including babes-in-arms, going for a ride on the carousel, etc. Midway, Frank Luther, composer and singer of songs for children, took over to emcee a miniature circus and lead community singing of Christmas carols and kids' ditties.
From where this reviewer sat, the exhib looked like a wonderful place to take the kids. (And would color tele have gone to town in such surroundings!) Promters [Promoters] of the show might well have paid NBC to televise it— a thought, perhaps, for future reference; seeing such on exhibit via video is next to as good as actually being there, tout probably should stimulate rather than hurt gate receipts.
Tele techniques in covering such an event, however, are manifestly in the experimental stage, judging by this pickup. Forrest and the cameramen obviously had a job on their hands moving through the crowds, switching camera positions to the various exhibits, etc. There were moments when the camera played pointlessly and overlong on the milling throng while Forrest took up a new position. Forrest perhaps labored a little too hard to keep the running gab going; he needed a simile for “It's Wonderful!” Often in the distance shots, from a camera stand high over the exhibits, Forrest's voice was there but the viewer couldn't single him out in the mob. The crowd mugged into the closeup cameras; stray remarks drifted over the air. These, of course, could hardly be avoided. More closeup shots might have been employed.
Overall, the airer wasn't hard to watch. If the director was aiming for an. air of casualness and informality, however, he succeeded more in achieving an 'Sir of insufficient planning. Program suffered mainly from too many draggy spots. Doan. (Variety, Dec. 24)
CBS television, which has experimented for six months with its studio-less, "on location" technique of programming, has decided the system is good enough to expand it from the present four days weekly to five days. New schedule goes into effect this week with the addition of Friday night programming to the web’s regular log.
Under the new plan, CBS will be on the air Wednesday through Sunday each week. Monday and Tuesday are blank, in line with the web's union contract of furnishing its crew two days off a week in succession. CBS will go on the air those days, though, in case of some outstanding sports event or national affair of sufficient interest. Addition of Fridays to the schedule will give CBS a weekly programming log of some 25 hours.
New schedule tees off this Friday with a feature film. Next week, CBS will pick up the pro tennis matches, featuring Bobby Riggs, Jack Kramer, etc., from Madison Sq. Garden, N. Y. Ford Motors has signed to bankroll the show. In addition to adding Fridays to its schedule, CBS recently moved its Sunday sign-on up from 7 to 6:30 p.m. It's also doubled its daily test pattern-transmission from three to six hours for the benefit of retail set dealers during the Christmas rush season. All these factors, along with CBS' sharing of shows with WMAL-TV (Washington) and WMAR-TV (Baltimore), gives it semblances of true video network. (Variety, Dec. 17)
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 20.—Hope that the Midwest television audience would hear and see the Republican and Democratic national conventions here next June and July via on-the-spot coverage has vanished. Instead, the best that the Midwest stations will have to offer will be a daily movie chronicle of the political confabs as fast as a plane can fly them west. This was brought out Friday (19) at a meeting of 25 of the nation's top television men called at the Bellevue-Stratford here by Roger W. Clipp, manager of WFIL, WFIL-TV and WFIL-FM and chairman of the radio and television committee of Mayor Bernard Samuel's citizens' committee hosting the two big political conventions.
Possible Newsreel
Discussion also brought up the possibility of the telecasters setting up a television newsreel exchange as a permanent arrangement beyond the coverage of the political conventions. Altho nothing definitely was established along these lines, it was suggested that such an industry exchange could provide complete newsreel coverage of all important events as they occur in various parts of the country to all stations participating in the plan. However, definite proposals will wait until the convention coverage has been ironed out.
Original convention goings-on direct by micro-wave relay link have been abandoned because there is no assurance that equipment necessary could be purchased and set up in time. Thus, live network coverage will be limited to the Eastern Seaboard. The effect on coast-to-coast networking may also be one of delay.
Earlier announcements that by next summer there would be a coaxial cable running to Chicago also went up in smoke. F. R. MacFarland, of American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T), said there would be no coaxial installation capable of carrying television pick-ups west of New York and Washington and there was no possibility of making any tie-ins. However, AT&T said that the East Coast circuits between New York and Washington by next June would be able to transmit three programs simultaneously in the event the proposed program pooling plan shouldn't work out.
Western Union Link
There is also a possibility that a fourth Eastern link will be available by convention time. J. Z. Millar, Western Union engineer, said his org plans installation of a two-way radio beam circuit between New York and Philadelphia which will, if ready, be made available to Eastern telecasters for convention coverage.
Since flicks appear to be the only coverage available for the Midwest telecasters, Clipp appointed a committee to study all the problems attending the setting up of a film service which would call for distribution by chartered plane service. Kenneth W. Stowman, director of WFIL-TV here, was named chairman of the film committee. With B. O. Sullivan, of New York; Brank Bremer, of WAAT-TV, Newark, and Neil H. Swanson, of WMAR-TV, Baltimore, he will study costs, facilities and other aspects of the film coverage.
The committee, which is expected to report back to the group at another meeting early in January, will also explore the possibility of commercial sponsorship on a national basis to help defray the costs involved in the service. (Billboard, Dec. 27)
ANIMALS and birds are subject of series of television programs from Washington Zoo every Friday at 3:30 p.m. on WNBW Washington. Dr. William Mann, director of the Parks, introduces outstanding animal attractions to the video audience. Feeding time shifts for the day so that the birds will be active while in front of the audience. Cameras are placed inside cages early so animals will become used to the strange equipment. This is regular feature of the RCA Victor Varieties series and replaces local high school football games. (Broadcasting, Dec. 22)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1947
WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City2:55—Pro Basketball at Madison Square Garden: N.Y. Knicks vs. Boston Celtics.
7:45—News, Tom O’Connor.
8:00—“Wonder Dogs in Action,” short film on hunting, from Castle Films.
8:10—Musical Film short.
8:15—College Basketball from Madison Square Garden: St. Francis vs. Toledo, St. John’s Redmen vs. North Carolina Wolfpack.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
7:30 to 9:00—“Kids Kanteen.”
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
10:00 a.m.—“Small Fry Jamboree.”
8:30—Basketball in South Orange, N.J.: St. Mary’s vs. Seton Hall.
WRGB (NBC) Channel 4, Schenectady
No programs scheduled.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.—Test Chart.
7:15—INS Television News.
7:30—NBC children’s show.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
12:30—Test Pattern.
1:00 to 2:00—Christmas Carol Jubilee. Panorama shots of mid-city Philadelphia, followed by carolling in the second half hour.
7:30—“Starlet Stairway” with Jack Steck.
8:00—Inquirer Television News, with Wally Sheldon.
8:10—Better Sports, with Don Kellett.
8:25—Hockey (AHL) at the Arena: Philadelphia Rockets vs. New Haven Ramblers.
WMAR (CBS/DuMont), Channel 2, Baltimore
2:00—Test Pattern.
2:55—Basketball from CBS.
7:00—Test Pattern.
7:45—CBS programs.
8:30—Basketball at Homewood: Johns Hopkins Terps vs. University of Maryland Blue Jays.
10:00—WMAR Previews.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
12:30—Test Pattern.
3:00—Coming Attractions.
3:15—Musical Interlude.
4:00—WNBW Television Theater: “The Fussy Man.”
5:30—Musical Interlude.
8:00—Film Features.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
7:15—Dinner Music.
7:45—Arnold Fine Show.
8:00—Film short.
8:15—Scholastic Sports Association.
8:30—Film short.
8:45—Basketball (B.B.A.) from Uline Arena: Washington Capitols vs. St. Louis Bombers.
11:00—News.
WMAL-TV (CBS) Channel 7, Washington
3:00 to 5:00 and 7:15—Test Pattern.
7:45 to signoff—CBS programming.
W8XCT Channel 4, Cincinnati7:30—Cartoon: “Polar Pals” (1931, Van Beuren).
7:45 to 10:00—Basketball at the Music Hall Sports Arena: University of Cincinnati vs. Villanova; Tennessee vs. Miami.
WTMJ-TV Channel 3, Milwaukee
2:00—Table Tennis Tournament.
2:30—Let’s Look at the News.
2:45—Your Attention, Please.
3:00—Teen-Age Time: Holy Angels and Marquette High Schools, guests.
3:30—Wild West Theater: “Thunder Over Texas” (1934) with Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams, Marion Shilling, Helen Westcott, Philo McCullough.
7:45—Philco Radio News and Views, sponsored by Radio Specialty Company. 7:55—Feature film.
8:10—Sportsreel, sponsored by A. Gettelman Brewing Company.
8:25—Basketball: Marquette vs. Michigan at Auditorium, sponsored by Wadhams Division of Socony-Vacuum Oil Company.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
8:15—Basketball at the Stadium: Northwestern vs USC and De Paul vs. Loyola, sponsored by Kool Cigarettes.
KSD-TV Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00—Associated Press News and Views.
3:15—Christmas Pageant, with Russ Severin as m.c.; Central Presbyterian Church choir; Fontbonne college singers.”
4:00—Cartoon: “Cowboy Cabaret” (1931, Van Beuren).4:15—Film: “A Present For Santa Claus.”
8:00—Film: “Roadrunner Rattles Rattlesnake.”
8:15—Basketball at St. Louis Gymnasium: St. Louis University Billikens vs. Rice Owls.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
Off the air.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
12:30-1:00—“On the Town,” from the Ann Street Shelter. “Alan Young’s Dog Pound Club,” will revolve around the actor’s yearly stint of having children select dogs from the pound while he defrays the cost of licenses. Sponsored by local television set distributors.
3:00 to 5:30—News and music.
7:00—“Uncle Phil,” with Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
7:10—Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
7:30—“You’ll Be Sorry” with Beryl Wallace, sponsored by Philco or “Pantomime Quiz” with Lois Andrews, Pat Buttram, Jean Barton and Gene Norman vs. Jane Duggan, Woodie Wilson, Jeanette Keller, Burt Bunch (cast of "The Drunkard" at the Theatre Mart).
8:00—Short subject: “Ice Man.”
8:30—Basketball at the Olympic Auditorium: Pepperdine vs. Baylor.
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 20.—Don Lee television's last-minute attempt to get video rights to the Rose Bowl game was turned down last week, after web execs put in strong pitch to share tele rights with Paramount's KTLA. Don Lee last week appealed directly to Pacific Coast Intercollegiate Athletic Conference at a confab in Sonora, Calif.
Rights to the New Year's Day classic belong to National Broadcasting Company (NBC), who also control radio rights. NBC, in turn, farmed video okay out to KTLA when it was apparent that net's video outlet would not be in operation by year's end. Both KTLA and Don Lee's W6XAO will telecast the Rose Bowl parade preceding the game, and it was Don Lee's hope that NBC, Rose Bowl offices and KTLA would let cameras into the Bowl to carry game as a public service feature,(Billboard, Dec. 27)
NEW YORK, Dec. 20.—What is expected to prove the largest television coverage given any single sporting event thus far in this country was set today (20), when Paul Mowrey, national video director of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), placed film versions of the January 1 Sugar Bowl football game for showing in virtually every tele city. The film will be produced by ABC and flown from New Orleans, site of the contest, to the various contracting stations for showing on January 4 and 5. The program will consist of highlights of the contest between Alabama and Texas, running from 15 to 30 minutes, with Harry Wismer, ABC sports director, handling the commentary.
Seven stations already have agreed to use the film, on a sustaining basis, and negotiations still are under way with four others, some of which are on the West Coast. Pacted to date are WABD. New York; WFIL, Philadelphia; WMAR, Baltimore; WMAL, Washington; WGRB, Schenectady; WBKB, Chicago, and KSD-TV, St. Louis.
Mowrey also arranged to kick off first television showings in New Orleans with live versions of three Sugar Bowl committee events. These include the boxing competition December 29, the basketball game December 30 and the New Year's Day football game. ABC will televise the games via an RCA jeep unit, and about 1,000 people will gather round 20 receivers in the Montelone Hotel for the relay receptions, first video broadcasts in the city. (Billboard, Dec. 27)
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 20.—With sale of the telecasts of the remaining home games of Philadelphia's ice hockey Rockets, WFIL-TV becomes completely sold out as far as its schedule of major sporting events is concerned.
The remainder of the Rocket's [sic] schedule, beginning January 21 and until March 20 to take in 17 telecasts of the games from the Philadelphia Arena, was sold to Thornton Fuller, Dodge and Plymouth auto dealers and distributors. The station's pro basketball games are sponsored by Norge, home appliance manufacturers, and its wrestling matches by Scott & Grauer, distributors of Ballantine beer. (Billboard, Dec. 27)
NEW YORK, Dec. 20.—Networks are blueprinting their plans for network news coverage on television, as indicated by a series of significant steps taken recently by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). This web has quietly signed up its name newscasters and regular newsmen to new contracts specifying television work in addition to radio broadcasting. Supplementary contract forms were sent out, were signed by virtually 100 per cent of the web's staffers, and are already in the hopper. Only two newsmen—who are abroad-remain to be heard from. In addition, the news division of the web is laying plans for extensive domestic and worldwide news coverage via film. Already, authorizations have been granted for assigning staff photographers to managed and owned stations in Europe. One photographer will go to WNBW, Washington NBC tele station, next week. Another is to be assigned abroad shortly and it is expected that a third will go to NBC's video station on the coast when it begins operations.The web currently is getting film from foreign agencies covering news in 19 foreign countries, and is increasingly using top radio men for video assignments. For instance, Merrill Mueller, head of the net's news bureau in London, was responsible for giving NBC its 29-hour scoop on the Princess Elizabeth wedding. Another web crack newsman, Robert Magidoff, has lately been doing much more video than radio. He's assigned to Moscow, where he's been getting NBC a lot of news on film. The web has been using the stuff frequently, with commentaries by Magidoff.
Philosophy of network execs is that they, themselves, rather than American wire services or newsreels, are in the best position to supply a timely and efficient news coverage via film. NBC, for instance, claims that all of its major scoops, such as the royal wedding, the eclipse of the sun in Brazil last year, et al, have been NBC-produced. Wire services, as of now, are figured as not having enough video know-how to be more than a second-rate source of material. The wire services' video films at present are criticized as often being out of focus, too late and lacking in technical details of photography. One web exec expressed the point of view that if the services develop in video news coverage, that will be all to the good—but at present it looks as tho the wire services have been forced into the picture because of competitive reasons.
Another web man pointed out that it was necessary for the webs to build their own top-flight video news organizations because of webs' desire for exclusivity. One aspect here, of course, is the commercial angle. Exclusive stuff, rather than material widely sold, will be more attractive to sponsors. (Billboard, Dec. 27)
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