April 1942

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.

Friday, April 3, 1942
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.

After another medley by the orchestra, the camera focused on Pvt. Tony Russo, singing "Dear Mom" and "I Don't Want To Walk Without You" then faded to pick up Pvt. Mitchell Hodges in an amusing monologue dealing with the idiosyncrasies of a Signal Corp. pigeon. Following Pvt. Ralph Magelson's singing of "Rose Marie' the 1226th C. A. S. U. drill group, under command of Sgt. Sylva Letourncau, went through its paces and then turned over the stage to Pvt. Larry Weeks and some expert baton twirling.
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)

Tuesday, April 7, 1942
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)

Wednesday, April 15, 1942
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

3:00, 4:30 and 7:30— Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 3.
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, 1942
WNBT (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.

March 1942

Television helped the war effort in its own way in March 1942, but one station went beyond the call. W9XBK in Chicago converted its studios to instruct people in military communications. Eventually, it would return to the air.

The two New York stations, the one in Philadelphia and one in Los Angeles opened up air time for civil defence programming. As well, WNBT began a series of war shorts that came from the U.S., Canada, Australia. And the station’s live, on-location boxing and wrestling shows continued.

There’s little else to mention as highlights in TV that month. The DuMont station aired several test broadcasts but was nowhere near close to regular programmes. A lot of forgotten names appeared in variety shows, but there’s one comedian still remembers today. He’s Jack Gilford, who waited out the odious blacklist in the ‘50s by appearing on Broadway. He became an Oscar nominee but, the power of television being what it is, he may be known most for commercials for Cracker Jack that aired in the ‘60s and into the ‘70s. (Yes, he did Get Smart, Forum with Phil Silvers, and lots of other stuff. There’s no need to send a list).

Sunday, March 1, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:00—Film: “Under The Big Top” with Anne Nagle.

Monday, March 2, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00, 4:00, 8:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 2.
8:30—Film: “America Prepares,” defense feature.
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—Film.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:10—Music.
8:25—Red Cross.
8:35—Quiz.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:15—Talks.
8:00—New York [WNBT] test program.
9:15—Frankford High Chorus.
10:20—Amateur Boxing.

Both radio and television provided sports fans with socky ammunition via The News’ Golden Globes finals from Madison Square Garden last night. NBC’s sight and sound cameras, with Sam Taub at the description controls, telecast the action-packed flurries of hooks and jabs. Eddie (WNEW) Dooley and Don (WOR) Dunphy served ably as the eyes for listeners who had to depend on their ears. (Ben Gross, Daily News, Mar. 3)

Tuesday, March 3, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00, 4:00, 8:00—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 2.
8:30—Film: “Zorro Rides Again.”
8:50—“Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
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: “Sleeping Beauty.”
8:00—News.
8:15—Music.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00—Red Cross First Aid Instruction.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:30—Film.
8:00—Red Cross program.
8:50 to 9:30—Pickups from WNBT.
9:30 to 11:00—Ridgewood Grove (N. Y.) wrestling from WNBT.

Wednesday, March 4, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00, 4:00, 8:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 2.
3:30—Safety Council style show. [Herald Tribune]
8:30—“Thrills and Chills” with Doug Allan and Capt. Bob Bartlett.
9:00 to 9:30—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 2.
9:45 to 11:15—Basketball game. Long Island University vs.Toledo at Madison Square Garden.
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.
8:10—Song spinners.
8:25—Civilian Defense.
8:35—Country Dance.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:00-5:00—New York test chart.
7:00—Talk, films.
8:50—New York program from WNBT.
9:00—“Wally the Warden,” drama.
9:20—Hale American program.
10:00—Chalk Talk.

Thursday, March 5, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30—Film: “Trigger Smith” (1939).
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Bob Edge, sports.
8:45—“Men at Work,” variety with Edwin Strawbridge, Daniel Boone Ballet, Tony Farrar, tap dancer; Henry Scott, comic and swing pianist; Dolores Anderson, songs.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
7:30 to 9:00—Tests and selected films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:30 [sic]—Brahms Festival; Rose Bampton, Philadelphia Orchestra.
7:30—Spelling Bee.
8:00—Three Keys.
8:30—Feature film.
9:30—Glee Club.

Friday, March 6, 1942
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Preview of the 75th Annual American Water Color Society Exhibit.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s story.
8:00—“World This Week,” war review with Linton Wells.
8:30—America at War.
9:15—Film: “Hidden Hunger.”
9:55 to 10:00-News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
5:45—Philco Jr. Hour
7:15—Our Future Admirals.
7:45—Blood Donor’s Service.
8:00—Film.
9:50--News.

A painting submitted by Luella Buros of 32 Lincoln avenue, Highland Park, has been chosen for inclusion In the 75th annual exhibition of the American Water Color Society, which has just opened in the National Academy Galleries following a formal preview. Her work is entitled “On the Milk Route.”
More than 1,500 water colors were sent in to the jury of selection by members and non-members In all parts of the country. From them, 365 items were accepted and hung in the eight galleries of the academy, where they will remain on view to March 29. The opening was featured by a telecast over television station WCBW, in which the best samples in the exhibition were displayed. (Daily Home News, New Brunswick, N.J. Mar. 11)

Saturday, March 7, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30—Intercollegiate 4A Indoor Track Meet at Madison Square Garden.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30 to 4:30—Films.

Sunday, March 8, 1942
<3>WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:00—Film: “Stunt Pilot” with John Trent.

“World in Action,” a series of twelve short subjects depicting military and civilian war activities now being filmed in various parts of the globe, will be shown at regular intervals by N. B. C. television. Already completed are “This Is Blitz!” “Churchill’s Island,” “The Battle for Oil” and “Forward Commandos.” The series was selected by N. B. C. as “the short subjects most helpful to civilian defense.” (Herald Tribune, Mar. 8)

Television, enlisted in New York City’s official civilian defense plan, has opened the doors of a unique new war school. Its students are thousands of air-raid wardens throughout New York City and in many parts of New Jersey, Connecticut, New York State and Pennsylvania. Its lessons are on such subjects as incendiary bombs and gas protection.
The first course consists of six telecast lessons in the basic warden’s course. The lessons, telecast at the rate of one a week, are drawn from official defense publications, London’s experience, and the work of New York Police Department experts. They are written by National Broadcasting Company television program men, supervised by Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine, and transmitted over the N. B. C. television station in New York. Air-raid warden gather in morning, afternoon and evening groups on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to receive the instructions over receivers in every precinct police station in the city.
Tomorrow the school begins its third week, with a lesson on black—outs. As in the previous lessons, each repeated eighteen times during the week, a uniformed member of the staff of the Co—ordinator for Police Department Civilian Defense will conduct the classics from N. B. C.s sight-sound studios at Radio City. (Herald Tribune, Mar. 8)

Monday, March 9, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00, 4:00, 8:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 3.
8:30—Television Blood Bank Award Presentations.
8:35—Girl Scouts’ Anniversary Celebration.
8:50—Physical Fitness Program.
8:55—Benay Venuta [right], songs for defense.
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
2:30—News.
2:45—Film [Herald Tribune].
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “The Skillful Huntsman.”
8:00—News.
8:10—Music by Kay Thompson [Herald Tribune].
8:25—Red Cross.
8:35—Quiz.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:15—Hale America program.
8:00—New York [WNBT] test program.
9:15—Franklin Institute program.
10:20—Amateur Boxing.

Today from 8:30 to 9:00 P. M., 35 Girl Scouts of Greater New York and surrounding communities will present a television show over a metropolitan television station to commemorate the anniversary. The program will include a demonstration of defense work, folk dancing in costume, excerpts from films, ad [sic] a Senior Service Scout Investiture Ceremony conducted by Mrs. Paul Rittenhouse, National Director. ([New Rochelle] Standard-Star], Mar. 9)

Mayor La Guardia, who has carried a two-way radio in his car several years, had a new television st installed in his office in City Hall yesterday [9] so that he could see and hear the televised instructions given to air raid wardens.
Major networks televise the instructions from Police Headquarters and other central points. While some wardens attend the instruction sessions in person, those with television sets at home may follow the courses there. (New York Times, Mar. 10)

Tuesday, March 10, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00, 4:00, 8:00—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 3.
8:30—Film: “Zorro Rides Again.”
8:50—“Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
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
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “The Skillfull Huntsman.”
8:00—News.
8:15—Faconi, violin soloist.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00—Red Cross First Aid Instruction.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:00—Film.
8:00—Red Cross program.
8:50 to 9:30—Pickups from WNBT.
9:30 to 11:00—Ridgewood Grove (N. Y.) wrestling from WNBT.

Wednesday, March 11, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00, 4:00, 8:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 3.
8:30—“Thrills and Chills” with Doug Allan and Mrs. Ada Hamilton.
9:00 to 9:30—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 3.
9:45 to 11:15—Basketball: New York University vs. C.C.N.Y., Madison Square Garden. [Times]
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk,” Helen Sioussat, moderator. Topic: “Free Trade and World Peace.”
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story: “Claus and His Wonderfull Staff.”
8:00—News.
8:10—William Hodson, Welfare and Civilian Defense Volunteers.
8:25—Country Dance.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
not available.

Thursday, March 12, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30—Film: “Men and Ships.”
8:50—Film: “Overland Mail.”
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Bob Edge, sports.
8:45—“Men at Work,” variety, with Nelson and Hart, dance satirists; Jack Gilford [right], comedy; Jose Fernandez, Florence Lessing, Spanish dances; Ramirez, piano; Kay and Kay, athletes; Annie Laurie Chestnut, songs.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
7:30 to 9:00—Tests and selected films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:45—Floor show.
8:30—Film.
10:00—Glee Club.

Friday, March 13, 1942
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s story: “Hans and His Luck.”
8:00—“World This Week,” war review with Linton Wells.
8:30—America at War.
9:15—to be announced. [Herald Tribune]
9:55 to 10:00-News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
5:45—Philco Jr. Hour
7:15—Our Future Admirals.
7:45—Blood Donor’s Service.
8:00—Film.
8:30—Arena wrestling.

Television, which has been playing an effective role of helping instruct air raid wardens in the New York City area, now is turning its audio-visual appeal to the subject of wartime conservation.
Disregarding superstition and starting today Friday the 13th, CBS is beginning a new series of conservation programs over its New York television station with the objective of helping consumers get best and longest use from goods made of vital wartime materials.
The inaugural telecast is to present Price Administrator Leon Henderson. The fact that Mr Henderson cannot be present in person was no obstacle. The producers just made a special sound motion picture and the administrator's image and words will thus be transmitted as though he were in front of the cameras.
Today's telecast will offer instructions relative to conservation and preservation of home rubber goods, Through demonstrations by a cast of actors and accompanying words by a narrator, persons with television receivers can see and hear a lesson in the proper care of hot water bottles, gloves, swimming suits, hose and other rubber products. Also right before the cameras, a chemist will disclose rubber reclamation processes and actually make synthetic rubber from chemicals.
While radio and publications of all kinds are contributing vital aid to all of the wartime programs, it is understandable how the newest medium for dissemination can do an even more effective job through appeal to both the erne of sound and sight.
The mass production of television receivers was halted by the war but success of the new industry in its present limited coverage suggests a nationwide boom for television after proper disposition has been made of the Japs and Nazis. (Robert Gray, the [Memphis] Commercial Appeal, Mar. 13)

Saturday, March 14, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30—Knights of Columbus Indoor Track Meet at Madison Square Garden.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30 to 4:30—Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:30—Arena Ice Hockey.

Sunday, March 15, 1942
<3>WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30—Film: “Navy Wings of Gold.”
8:50 to 9:50—Film: “Mr. Wong in Chinatown.”

Monday, March 16, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00, 4:00, 8:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 4.
8:30—Ian Gary, physical training.
8:35—Camp Upton varieties.
8:50—Film: “Gunners of the Sky.”
9:00 to 9:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 4.
9:30 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Prize-winning news photographs.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:10—Music.
8:25—Red Cross.
8:35—Quiz.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:00—Hale America program.
7:15—Philadelphia Defense Council.
8:00—Air Raid Instructions.
9:10—Ballads: For Americans.

Tuesday, March 17, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 4.
3:30—Film: “Zorro Rides Again.”
3:50—Film: “Bushland Rebels.” [Herald Tribune]
4:00, 8:00—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 4.
8:30—Harvey Cushing, songs.
8:40—“Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
8:50—Variety.
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
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
8:45—Concert Music.
9:00—Red Cross First Aid Instruction.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:00—Film.
8:00—Red Cross program.
8:50 to 9:30—Pickups from WNBT.
9:30 to 11:00—Ridgewood Grove (N. Y.) wrestling from WNBT.

Chicago, March 17. Balaban & Katz has turned its television station over to the Navy 100% for the duration of the war. Station cost B.&K. $250,000, and the Navy is using it to turn out technical specialists in communications. Will turn out approximately 140 trained technicians in every 16-week course.

Station will prove particularly useful as coverage medium for Chicago area in case the regular stations are forced off the air due to war conditions. (Variety, March 18)

Wednesday, March 18, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 4.
3:30—Film: “The Road to Victory.”
4:00, 8:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 4.
8:30—“Thrills and Chills” with Doug Allan and Sidney Shurcliff.
9:00 to 9:30—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 4.
9:35—Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions, Madison Square Garden.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk.”
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:10—Civilian Defense VO consumer problems.
8:25—Country Dance.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:00—Film.
7:00—Model Plane Construction Class.
7:15—OEM Program.
7:30—Hale America Program.
9:00—“Wally the Warden,” drama.
9:30—“Secret of Suzanne.”

Thursday, March 19, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:15 to 11:15—National Invitation Basketball Tournament.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Bob Edge, sports.
8:45—“Men at Work,” variety.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
7:30 to 9:00—Tests and selected films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:30—Spelling Bee.
8:00—Arthur Hinett, organ.
8:30—Museum of Art program.
8:45—Film.
9:45—Glee Club.

Friday, March 20, 1942
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s story.
8:00—“World This Week,” war review with Linton Wells.
8:30—America at War: “Conservation—You and Your Tires.”
9:15—to be announced. [Herald Tribune]
9:30—Film.[Times]
9:55 to 10:00—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
6:30—Philco Jr. Hour
7:30—Film.
7:45—Blood Donor’s Service.
8:00—Film.
8:30—Arena wrestling.

Saturday, March 21, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30—Film: “This is the Blitz.”
8:50—Film: “Oklahoma Terror” with Jack Randall.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30 to 4:30—Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:30—Arena Ice Hockey.

NEW YORK, March 21.—Television, stymied for the nitration due to priorities, is proving its value as a propaganda medium tint its handling of civilian defense programs for the government. The good job it is doing with, these shows is expected to be remembered after the war, when television hopes to really step out. The government has been using CBS's tele station, WNBT, for staging programs devised to teach air raid wardens and other defense workers how to perform their tasks, These shows are piped to tele station in Philadelphia, Schenectady and Washington. Later on the defense shows are expected to be carried in Chicago, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Passaic, Fort Wayne, San Francisco, Milwaukee and the local CBS station.
The government apparently is aware of television's great potentialities as an educational medium since it can project a lesson both to the eye and the ear. Neither radio nor the newspapers can do this, it is pointed out.
NBC television will expand its civilian defense programs April 6 when it starts its first six-week basic air raid Warden Course over WNBT to reach 50,000 local trainees. It will also start two new defense programs aimed at 20,000 graduates of the first bask warden course. Also, WNBT is starting a one-hour dramatic program to explain defense activities and the war effort to the general public. The series will be called The City Awakes and will use a professional cast and start April 10. Warren Wade, Martin Jones and Tom Reilly, staff producers, are writing and directing this series.
Noran Kirsta [sic], director of WNBT, is very close to the government thru his voluntary job as U. S. Co-ordinator of Television for the Physical Fitness Program. Part of the time devoted to defense programs gee& to physical fitness propaganda, incidentally.
In order to reach the largest audience possible NBC has placed tele sets in hundreds of local police stations and firehouses, so that defense officials and workers can profit from the defense programs. Also NGC is expanding the audience for the 1,000 tele receiving sets in private homes in this city. It is trying to get at least 20 persons to gather around each receiving set, thus providing the defense programs with an audience of 30,000. (Billboard, Mar. 28)

Sunday, March 22, 1942
<3>WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30—Film: “Keeping the Fleet at Sea.”
8:40—Film: “Wolf Call.”
9:40 to 10:20—Film: “Wings of the Army.” [Times]

Monday, March 23, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00, 4:00, 8:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 5.
8:30—Ian Gary, physical training.
8:35—Television Blood Bank Awards.
8:40—Musical Film: Jose Iturbi, piano.
9:00 to 9:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 5.
9:30 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—to be announced.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:10—Music.
8:25—Red Cross first aid instruction.
8:35—Quiz.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00—Serial play.
9:00—New York [WNBT] test program.
9:30—Franklin Institute program.
10:00—Film, news.

Tuesday, March 24, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 5.
3:30—Film: “Zorro Rides Again.”
3:45—Film: “Land of Evangeline.”
4:00, 8:00—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 5.
8:30—Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
8:40—Red Cross program.
8:50—Harvey Harding, songs.
9:00—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 5.
9:30 to 11:00—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
8:45—Concert Music.
9:00—Red Cross First Aid Instruction.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
Courier-Post has same schedule as the 23rd.

WASHINGTON, March 24 (UP)—The Allen B. Dumont Laboratories, Inc., has applied to the Federal Communications Commission today for permission to construct a commercial television station here. The applicant estimated that the proposed station would serve an area of 160 square miles surrounding the Capital.

Wednesday, March 25, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 5.
3:30—Film: “Hot Ice.”
4:00, 8:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 4.
8:30—“Our Neighbor Chile,” Julien Bryan, travel film.
9:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 5.
9:30—National Invitational Basketball Tournament, Madison Square Garden.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Table Talk: “The War Effort and Social Service,” with Erika Mann, Robert P. Lane, N.Y.C. Welfare Council; William Hodgson, Welfare Commissioner; Jerome Bentley, Paul Thorne.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:10—Civilian Defense VO—City Savings.
8:25—Country Dance.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:15—Model Plane Construction Class.
7:30—Film.
8:30—New York [WNBT] program.
9:20—Film.
9:40—Hale America Program.

The defense council-sponsored "Victory's in the Bag" puppet show has become so popular it will be broadcast by television on WGY [WRGB], March 25, on an NBC hookup.
The script, written by Mrs. Morton Levin and Mrs. Charles Fisher, has been sent to the Schenectady Defense Council, which will assemble its own cast for the broadcast.
Paper bag puppets will be copied from those made by Mrs. Mortimer Kassell of Albany.
So many civic organizations and schools have requested a performance of the show, it has been necessary to enlist addition cast members. They are Mrs. Edwin W. Smith, Mrs. Bernard Alderman, Mrs. Lucien Thalheimer, Mrs. William Siegal, Mrs. Sally Shepard, Mrs. Joseph Cheles and Mrs. J. H. Warren. (Albany Times-Union, Mar. 23)

Thursday, March 26, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30—Film: “Churchill’s Island” (1941), narrated by Lorne Greene.
8:50 to 9:55—Film: “Starlight Over Texas.”
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art: “The Arts of the Americas.”
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:15—Bob Edge, sports.
8:45—“Men at Work,” variety.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:00-5:00—New York test.
8:00—Variety show.
8:30—Museum of Art program.
9:00—Blood Donors program.
9:45—Sea Film.

Friday, March 27, 1942
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film. [Herald Tribune]
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s story.
8:00—“World This Week,” war review with Linton Wells.
8:30—America at War: “Conservation—You and Your Tires.”
9:30—Film.
9:55 to 10:00—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
5:00—Philco Jr. Hour
6:00—Our Future Admirals.
8:15—Film.
9:45—News.

Saturday, March 28, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:15 to 11:15—National Invitational Basketball Tournament.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30 to 4:30—Films.

Don Lee television, W6XAO, is now using spot announcements...Lexington Casino televising its floor show via, WPTZ, Philco television station here. (Billboard, Mar. 28)

Sunday, March 29, 1942
<3>WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30—Film: “Mutiny in the Big House,” with Charles Bickford.

Monday, March 30, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00, 4:00, 8:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 6.
8:30—Ian Gary, physical training.
8:35—Benay Venuta, songs.
8:40—Television Blood Bank Presentations.
9:00 to 9:30—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 6.
9:30 to 11:30—Golden Gloves National Championships.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s Story.
8:00—News.
8:10—Music.
8:25—Red Cross first aid instruction.
8:35—Quiz.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00—Serial play.
8:20—Film short.
9:10—Music.
10:10—Franklin Institute program, “See the Stars Tonight.”

HONORING Dr. W. R. G. Baker, vice -president in charge of the radio and television departments of General Electric, the company's television station in Schenectady has been given the call letters WRGB. Dr. Baker served as a chairman of the National Television Standards Committee, instrumental in setting up standards for commercial telecasting. After GE secured the call letters from the FCC, it was discovered the same letters had been given the police transmitter at Wellsville, O. Authorities there relinquished the letters so they could be applied to the Schenectady station. (Broadcasting, March 30)

BOB EDGE, sports supervisor of the CBS television department, has been commissioned a lieutenant (j. g.) in the Coast Guard Reserve and was called to active duty last week. (Broadcasting, Mar. 30)

WIDELY expanding the scope of the air raid training instruction which WNBT, New York television station of NBC, is presenting in cooperation with the New York City Police Department defense officials and the Office of Civilian Defense, the station announced last week that beginning April 6 it will repeat the six-week course of instruction for air raid wardens.
Each lesson is telecast 18 times a week so that it may be seen by as many wardens as possible and two new series for light rescue squads and fire watchers will be started. In addition WNBT will begin a six-week course of education for the general public in the proper behavior during blackouts and air raids.
Record Audience
This latter series, comprising six one-hour episodes which will be presented Friday afternoons and repeated Friday evenings beginning April 10, will be witnessed by probably the largest audience which has ever seen any television program. The Police Department is calling on set-owners and requesting them to accommodate a minimum of 15 persons for each telecast. More than 1,000 private owners of television sets in New York City are being enrolled by the police, insuring a minimum audience of 30,000 for each episode of the series through these sets alone.
In addition to these and to the persons looking in on other private sets or on receivers in taverns and restaurants in the New York area, the series will also be seen and heard in the Schenectady and Philadelphia areas, where they will be picked up and rebroadcast by television stations WRGB and WPTZ, respectively.
This series of public instruction will be presented in dramatic form, with the title The City Awakes, and will portray the reaction of a typical New York family and its friends to America's war efforts and defense activities. Programs are written and directed by Warren Wade, Thomas Lynne Riley and Martin Jones of the NBC production staff and supervised by Noran E. Kersta, director of the network's television department. (Broadcasting, Mar. 30)

Tuesday, March 31, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 6.
3:30—Film: “Zorro Rides Again.”
4:00, 8:00—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 6.
8:30—Harvey Harding, songs.
8:35—Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
8:45—Red Cross program, Captain C.B. Scully.
9:00—Air Raid Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 6.
9:30 to 11:00—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 Story of Flight.”
8:00—News.
8:15—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
8:45—Concert Music.
9:00—Red Cross First Aid Instruction.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:00—Red Cross program.
8:30—Pickups from New York [WNBT].
9:30—Melio Bettina-Gus Dorazio, 10-round, heavyweight fight card at the Philadelphia Arena, Sam Taub announcing.

February 1942

In England, television went off the air because of the war. In the United States, it found a purpose because of the war.

In between B Westerns, college basketball and test patterns, East Coast television stations were used starting in February 1942 to train air raid wardens and provide instruction from the Red Cross on dealing with the aftermath of the inevitable Nazi attack on New York.

Of course, it never happened, but it didn’t hurt to be prepared in case Hitler was able to pull off something.

NBC began clearing and re-arranging its schedule to accommodate the instruction. So the schedule waved goodbye to “Radio City Matinee” and switched its night off from Wednesdays to Thursdays. CBS responded with a civilian defence programme three nights a week. WPLZ in Philadelphia was occasionally picking up NBC shows.

Among the highlights of the month, outside of the military programming, was a sound-only address by F.D.R., aired on all four east coast stations (DuMont was only on the air for testing), and the departure of WNBT newscaster Ray Forrest on military service. He found a very different WNBT when he returned.

Below is the available schedule (for WNBT, WCBW and WPLZ only) and selected stories. There’s a feature piece on what the “Children’s Story” programme on CBS looked like. The CBS variety show “Men at Work” included a couple of names that may be familiar. Eddie Meyehoff was a comedian and voice of a commercial spokescartoon in the 1950s. Burl Ives was a folk singer who later became Big Daddy and sang “A Holly Jolly Christmas” as a stop-motion Santa Claus (when I was little, my parents had a children’s record of him warbling “Little White Duck”). The highlights of the month may have been the appearance of a Van Beuren Aesop Fable (watch for the Jim Tyer animation, fans) and Nelson's Boxing Cats (who co-starred in a movie with Jimmy Cagney).

Sunday, February 1, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Film: “Sweeheart of the Navy” (1937) with Eric Linden.
8:30 to 9:30—Film Mystery Drama: “Suspect.”

Monday, February 2, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Film: “Song of the Buckaroo” with Tex Ritter.
8:00—Air Raid Instructions, Lieut. William F. Maley.
8:30—Air Raid Quiz.
9:00 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena, Golden Gloves Preliminaries.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:10—Children’s Story: “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.”
8:00—News.
8:10—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:25—Civilian Defense Program.
8:35—Quiz.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ (Philco, NBC affiliate), Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:30-10:15—Plays films.
10:15 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing from Jamaica Arena [WNBT].

New York (Wide World)-Civilian defense lessons by television are turning out to be an easy way to instruct large classes simultaneously, in the opinion of the New York Police Department.
It now has under way a Monday night series via the NBC picture station WNBT in which the various angles of protection are detailed in lecture-demonstrations that include motion pictures, photographs and actual equipment. After the introductory programs, which will continue two more weeks, a series of 25 specialized telecasts is to be conducted.
Besides the class of a dozen or so which participates in the program from the studio, other classes watch at something like 130 viewing posts scattered around the city.

Tuesday, February 3, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—“Radio City Matinee” with Sondra Blanca, piano; Paul MacAllister; Jack Smith; others.
8:30—“Our Neighbor, Brazil,” travel film with Julien Bryan.
8:55—Benay Venuta, songs.
9:00—Adrienne Ames, movie preview.
9:20—“Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
9:30 to 11:30—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:10—Children’s Story: “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.”
3:25 to 3:30—News Summary.
8:00—News.
8:15—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
8:45—Tamara, songs.
9:00—Civilian Defense Program.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:10 to 5:45—Tests, films.
8:00—Glee Club, drama.
8:30 to 9:30—Pickups from WNBT.
9:30 to 11:00—Ridgewood Grove (N. Y.) wrestling from WNBT.

NEW YORK, N. Y.—Television, stymied for years “around the corner,” has moved into the back yard.
That’s what the N. B. C. page indicated one night this week as he guided us through the maze of corridors to the studio of Station WNBT. “I’m taking you into our back yard—not many people come here yet,” he said. He said it with pride, for the industry is very well pleased with the prospects of its healthy newcomer.
The room we entered was described on our ticket as the client’s studio. It was a small room, no larger than a typical home living room. The floor was covered by a thick carpet, comfortable couches and easy chairs were scattered generously, and a soft light was provided by a table lamp.
Placed against one wall were two handsome television sets, arranged so that anyone in the room could see and hear the show.
It was 8.30 when we settled ourselves on the most relaxed looking sofa in sight. In a few seconds the show was on. “WMBT [sic], the world’s pioneer television station,” flashed onto the reflecting mirror that is the television screen, and a two-hour show was under way.
A travelogue, taking the audience to Rio de Janiero, was the opening feature of the program. World Traveller Julien Bryan introduced the film. He was shown in what seemed to be a library, and the camera moved back and forth freely, from close-up to long shot.
You had the feeling all the time that this was a movie, and that Mr. Bryan was at that moment making this speech in the same RCA building, and that the setting behind him was a very small portion of a crowded television studio. We looked in on the studio later to clarify our notions.
The scene shifted from Mr. Bryan to the travelogue (which was a real movie), then back again for some closing remarks from the commentator. We soon saw that this was the accepted pattern for most of the television broadcasts—a speaker or singer, then a movie projected on the television screen, followed again by an announcer or performer.
This was the pattern followed, for example, in a movie preview, conducted by Actress Adrienne Ames. Miss Ames, accompanied by Victor Jory of the movies, appeared to enter into a room, sit down, and begin a chat about a new movie. Then scenes from the movie were shown, with Miss Ames supplying a running commentary that linked the episodes of the story.
The movie was about half over before we realized that we were looking at Leslie Howard in his latest war picture, “Mr. V”. There is some distortion of the figu[r]es, and everyone’s face has a tendency to be flattened and widened by the television camera. Once you become accustomed to this new perspective, the scene on the mirror (about 12 inches in width) seems as realistic as any moving picture.
An interlude in the program was the appearance of Benay Venuta, to sing songs and urge the purchase of Defense Savings Bonds and Stamps. Miss Venuta is no slip of a lass under any circumstances, but she appeared on the television screen to be an exaggerated edition of Kate Smith. This, once again, was the peculiar flattening effect of the medium.
A brief cartoon, advertising men’s ties, showed another effective use for television. Anything that is bright and entertaining—music, action, strange scenes, drama—all these are thoroughly entertaining to the television audience.
We also saw a news broadcast. It would be boring beyond words to be forced to watch the facial antics of the ordinary newscaster as he related the latest world happenings. Television showmen have realized this, so they are arming their commentators with maps, pointers, and all the paraphernalia of a classroom lecture. This method works pretty well, though it was during the news portion of the program that everyone in the audience showed signs of restlessness. Until that time, we had been too absorbed in the entertainment to be conscious of our surroundings.
Television, being still in the infant stage, can afford to be generous with its time and facilities. N. B. C. runs its television programs for three or four hours each day, and there are not enough sponsors willing to spend money to teach a still limited audience. So it is that the producers are willing to be more than philanthropic.
The night we saw the show there were three free “plugs” televised. First, the Defense Bonds. Then came the Red Cross and finally (what we’d been waiting for all the time), a Boy Scout movie and talk. We’re afraid the audience was beginning to feel imposed upon by the time the Boy Scouts put in their modest appeal, but it sounded very fine to us.
The climax of the evening’s fun was a wrestling bout, television directly from a Brooklyn ring. Wrestling—that phony of all phony sports—is very well suited to television. The grunts and whams of the contestants, the boos of the crowd, and the general air of smoke and hilarity come over the television screen with great fidelity.
It was during one of these longish bouts that an N. B. C. engineer explained to us the workings of television. We were particularly interested in his explanation that the television image is carried by rays which go in a straight line and cannot be curved.
On this account, television programs sent forth from the transmitter on the Empire State Building in New York city, can be picked up only seventy or eighty miles outside the city. The obstacle of distance and the curvature of the earth can be overcome only by piping the ray through special tubes. The process is fabulously expensive, but one such “cable” has already been laid between New York and Philadelphia.
We inquired about the cost of television, too, and were told that the super-sets in this studio cost $395 each, complete with radios valued at $150. That is considerably less expensive than the television sets of a few years ago, and set[s] with a smaller image are already on sale for $99.
At present, 4,500 television sets are in use in the metropolitan New York area, and it is estimated that these reach a possible audience of 50,000. The back yard is already beginning to seem crowded. Television will be moving in the front door any minute now. (Betty Ryan 'Big Town Talk' column, Holyoke Daily Transcript and Telegram, Feb. 6)

An interesting fashion program presented last night [3] by the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the CBS television studio, devoted a half hour of discussion and visual illustration to unfolding background of outstanding historical fashions, their reflection in modern clothes, and comments on present wartime influences on current clothes of now and the future. Edwin L. M. Taggart and Miss Frances Meyers conducting the program had as guest Miss Elisabeth Hawes wearing for the occasion a trouser costume which she pointed out as her concept of the kind of garment which women can wear satisfactorily to conform with the active life of women at work, either in defense or military jobs. It is interesting to note that the outfit is by no means masculine regardless of the trousers, utilizing colors, decoration, and silhouette that go beyond the conventional trouser formula.
A pretty moss green woolen forms trousers, basque jacket, and knee-length bell-shaped coat. Bright red lining for the little jacket correspond with an appliqued arrowhead band on the blue blouse, the blouse further touched decoratively with the fabric shoulder braces that held up the trousers, thus, as Miss Hawes pointed out, doing away with a tight, restricting waistband.
Flat heeled shoes and red socks completed this outfit, worked out according to this designer’ feeling for functionalism and becomingness (Women’s Wear Daily, Feb. 4)

Wednesday, February 4, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:15 to 11:15—Basketball: Manhattan College vs. St. John’s College; N.Y.U. vs. St. Francis College at Madison Square Garden.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk,” public affairs discussion.
3:10—Children’s Story: “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.”
3:25 to 3:30—News Summary.
8:00—News.
8:10—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:25—Civilian Defense Program.
8:35—Country Dance.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:30-5:30—New York test chart.
8:15—Spelling Bee.
8:45—Hale American program.
9:00—Drama.
9:20—Films.
10:00—Opera.
10:30 to 11:15—Basketball.

Popularity ratings of the various NBC television shows reveal 'Thrills, Chills from Everywhere with Doug Allan' as top audience-attracter for the past couple months. Ratings are prepared weekly in a report for the video staff by the NBC research department. Data is obtained through an elaborate weekly postcard survey of owners of television receivers.
Close to the Allan show in popularity recently have been 'Gus Van's Minstrels,' 'Adams Sports Parade,' 'March of Time' and 'News by Sam Cuff.' Allan brings to the transmitter explorers and travelers who have films of their journeys. After a short introduction, films are shown and the guest talks behind them explaining what they are, similar to a lecture. (Variety, Feb. 4)

Thursday, February 5, 1942
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:10—Children’s Story: “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.”
3:25 to 3:30—News summary.
8:00—News.
8:15—Bob Edge, sports.
8:30—“Men at Work,” variety with Patricia King, tap dancer; Henry Brant and Richard Baldwin, piano duo; Eddie Meyehoff, comedian; Bella Reine, dance mime; Evelyn Wyckoff, songs.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:30—Spelling Bee.
7:45—Film.
8:00—“Catch the Crook,” game.
8:15—News.
8:30 to 10:10—Film.

Friday, February 6, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film serial: “Zorro Rides Again.”
3:50—Film: “Let’s Join the Navy.”
3:55—Film: “Glacier Secret” (1930).
4:05—Film: “The Tugboat Speaks.”
4:15—Film: “America at War.”
8:30—“Words on the Wing,” Paul Wing’s spelling bee.
9:00—Zeke Manners’ Hillbilles.
9:25 to 9:30—News with Ray Forrest.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:10—Children’s story: “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.”
8:00—News reports.
8:15—“Work of the U.S. Coast Guard.”
9:00—Sports with Bob Edge.
9:55 to 10:00—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:30 to 4:30—New York test chart.
6:00—Variety show.
7:00—Film, play.
8:30 to 11—Philadelphia Arena Wrestling.

Saturday, February 7, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Film: “Mystery Plane.”
8:30 to 11:00—Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News summary.
2:35—Films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
8:30 to 10:30—Arena Ice Hockey, Philadelphia Rockets vs. Indianapolis Capitols.

Sunday, February 8, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Film: “North Sea Patrol.”
8:30—“False Witness,” mystery drama game.
9:05 to 9:30—Harvey Harding’s Sociable, variety.

Monday, February 9, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:00—Civil Defense Lesson, Lieut. William F. Maley.
9:00 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena, Golden Gloves Preliminaries.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:10—Children’s Story: “The Nightingale.”
8:00—News.
8:10—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:25—Civilian Defense Program.
8:35—Quiz.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:30-10:15—Plays films.
10:15 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena from WNBT.

CONVERSION of all of its television sets to the new standards set by the National Television Systems Committee, has been completed according to Hamilton Hoge, president of U. S. Television Mfg. All outstanding sets are now adjusted to pick up present telecasts from NBC, CBS and DuMont in New York, plus one channel already tuned for MBS, he stated. In all, sets tune to five channels. Mr. Hoge stated his company has no more sets in stock and is devoting its entire efforts to the defense program. (Broadcasting, Feb. 9)

Tuesday, February 10, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—“Radio City Matinee,” variety with Christopher Rule, Paul MacAlister, Peggy Adams, Clifford Newdahl, others
8:30—“Thrills and Chills,” with Doug Allan and Arthur Menken.
8:55—Earl Wrightson, baritone.
9:00—Adrienne Ames, movie preview.
9:20—“Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
9:30 to 11:30—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:10—Children’s Story: “The Nightingale.”
3:25 to 3:30—News Summary.
8:00—News.
8:15—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
8:45—Tamara, songs.
9:00—Civil Defense Program.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:10 to 4:00—Tests, films.
7:15—Model show.
7:45—Film.
8:30 to 9:30—Pickups from WNBT.
9:30 to 11:00—Ridgewood Grove (N. Y.) wrestling from WNBT.

The NBC television station WNBT has lost its first regular announcer, Ray Forrest [right]. A reserve officer, he has been called up and is being assigned to the film production unit of the signal corps. Incidentally, WNBT, which had been announcing itself as “New York’s pioneer television” station, has changed that to the “nation’s pioneer television station” in view of the fact that it can trace its actual beginning back to an experimental station which began operation in 1928. (C.E. Butterfield column, AP, Feb. 10)

Wednesday, February 11, 1942
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk,” panel discussion. Topic: “Should We Define Our War Aims Now?” with Major George Fielding Eliot, Dr. Pennington Haile, Lisa Sergio, Sonia Tomara.
3:15—Children’s Story: “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”
3:25 to 3:30—News Summary.
8:00—News.
8:10—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:25—Civilian Defense Program.
8:35—Country Dance.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
[Courier-Post repeats Tuesday schedule]

Thursday, February 12, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
9:00 to 10:00—America’s Town Meeting: “How Shall We Pay For the War?” with John W. Hanes, Marriner S. Eccles, Professor Leland R. Robinson.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:10—Children’s Story: “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”
3:25 to 3:30—News summary.
8:00—News.
8:15—Bob Edge, sports.
8:30—“Men at Work,” variety with Maxine Sullivan, songs; Phil Farrell, the Mack Sisters, tap dancers; Sylvia Marlowe, harpsichord; Cabot and Dresden, ballroom dancers; Larry Blake, mimic; Wayne and Marlin, acrobats.
9:25 to 9:30—News.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
7:30 to 9:00—Tests and Selected films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:00 to 5:00—New York test chart.
7:30—Spelling Bee.
7:45—Film.
8:00—“Catch the Crook,” game.
8:25—Glee Club.
8:50—Lincoln Memorial.
9:05 to 9:30—Film.

Friday, February 13, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film serial: “Zorro Rides Again.”
3:50 to 4:45—Film: “Wild Horse Canyon” (1938) with Jack Randall.
8:30—Gus Van Minstrels.
9:25 to 9:30—News with Ray Forrest.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Preparedness Film.
3:10—Children’s story: “Valentine.”
3:25 to 3:30—News Summary.
8:00—News reports.
8:15—“America at War.”
9:00—Sports with Bob Edge.
9:55 to 10:00—News.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
6:00—Variety show.
7:00—Film, play.
8:30 to 11—Philadelphia Arena Wrestling.

Saturday, February 14, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Charlie Chaplin Film Festival.
8:30 to 11:15—Basketball: Manhattan College vs. St. Francis College; Notre Dame vs. N.Y.U. at Madison Square Garden.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News summary.
2:35—Film.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 14.— Figuring that the youngsters of today will provide the television audiences of tomorrow, WPTZ, Philco tele station here, has started sizing up its juve audiences now. Survey is being conducted among television set owners to formulate future program policy aimed at attracting youngsters.
Query sheet seeks info on the number of children among the television audience at home and their ages; suggestions as to how many hours of the 15 total hours of televising each week should be devoted to programs exclusively for children, and suggestions as to what days and at what time of the day and evening these children's programs should be televised.
Adults are also asked to indicate typos of programs most suitable and most interesting to the moppets. Live talent shows include dramatic plays, fantasies, variety acts, educational and hobby exhibitions. Motion picture programs include Western films, comedy drama, drama, animated cartoons and musicals.
WPTZ is depending almost entirely on Its audience to set station and program policy. Television set owners, being advised that the station will be on the air only six out of the seven days each week, are being asked to vote on the day deemed moat convenient for the station to omit. (Billboard, Feb. 21)

Sunday, February 15, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “Star Reporter” (1939) with Warren Hull.
8:30—Play: “To the Ladies,” comedy with Marjorie Clarke, Maurice Wells.

Monday, February 16, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:00—Civil Defense Lesson, Lieut. William F. Maley.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:10—Children’s Story: “Rip Van Winkle.”
8:00—News.
8:10—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:25—Red Cross Civilian Defense Program.
8:35—Quiz.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:00—Drama.
7:15—Philadelphia Council of Defense Program.
9:00—Opera music.
9:45 to 10:00—Franklin Institute Program.

Tuesday, February 17, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—“Radio City Matinee.”
8:00—Official Defense Lesson. [Herald Tribune]
8:30—“Our Neighbor Brazil,” film presented by Julien Bryan. [Times]
8:55—“Your Income tax,” discussion. [Times]
9:00—Adrienne Ames, movie preview. [Times]
9:20—“Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news. [Times]
9:30—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:15—Children’s Story: “Rip Van Winkle.”
8:00—News.
8:15—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
8:45—Tamara, songs.
9:00 to 9:30—Red Cross.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:30 to 4:25—New York test program.
4:00 to 5:15—Film.
4:30 to 5:30—Film [sic].
7:30—Music drama.
8:30 to 9:30—Pickups from WNBT.
9:30 to 11:00—Ridgewood Grove (N. Y.) wrestling from WNBT.

Wednesday, February 18, 1942
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk,” Debate: Students of N.Y.U. vs. Columbia University student. Topic: “Union Now.”
3:15—Children’s Story: “Rip Van Winkle.”
8:00—News.
8:10—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:25—Red Cross.
8:35—Country Dance.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:30—Dramas, films.
9:55 to 10:15—OEM drama.

A six-week television course for air raid wardens, fire spotters and others in voluntary defense services was announced last night [18] by Police Commissioner Valentine. Seventy-six television sets, lent to the police by three manufacturers, have been installed in police stations throughout the city to receive telecasts from the National Broadcasting Company’s television station WNBT.
Beginning Monday, there will be telecasts on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays three times a day for the next six weeks, from 10:30 to 11:30 A. M, 3 to 4 P. M. and 8 to 9 P. M. The telecasts, in which police and fire officials will give demonstrations and lectures, will beopen to the public in neighborhood police stations. A test course has been given by television for the last four Monday evenings. (New York Times, Feb. 19)

Thursday, February 19, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
9:00 to 10:00—America’s Town Meeting: “Brotherhood of Man, Fact or Fiction?”
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15—Children’s Story: “Rip Van Winkle.”
8:00—News.
8:15—Bob Edge, sports.
8:30—“Men at Work,” variety with Burl Ives, songs; the DeMorios, dancers, Yvette Vernon, juggler; Bankoff and Girlie, comedy dancers; Richard Dyer-Bennett, songs.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
7:30 to 9:00—Tests and Selected films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:30—Glee Club.
7:45—Films.
8:00—“Catch the Crook,” game.
8:25—“Paper Marathon.”
9:00—“America Town Meeting” from WNBT.

Friday, February 20, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film serial: “Zorro Rides Again.”
3:50—Film: “Defense Review.”
4:00—Film: “Development of a Chick.”
4:20—Film: “Animal Fair” (Van Beuren, 1931)
8:30 to 9:30—Russian Kretchma Show [Times].
8:30—Mildred Dilling, harpist,
8:45—“False Witness,” mystery drama game.
9:20 to 9:30—Vronsky and Babin, duo piano.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:15—Children’s story: “Rip Van Winkle.”
8:00—News reports.
8:15—“America at War.”
9:00—Sports with Bob Edge.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
5:45—Philco Jr. Hour.
7:15—Our Future Admirals.
8:00 to 11:00—Philadelphia Arena Wrestling.

Saturday, February 21, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30 to 4:30—Film: “Riders of the Frontier” with Tex Ritter.
8:30—New York Athletic Club Indoor Track Meet at Madison Square Garden.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30 to 4:30—Film.

Sunday, February 22, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Film: “Hats Off” with John Payne.
8:30—Film: “The Mystery of Mr. Wong” with Boris Karloff.

JOHN RUPE is the only artist of his kind in the world. While an actress reads young-folks classics in front of a television camera, Rupe matches the story action, scene by scene, with freehand sketches. He works, skillfully, at the incredible rate of two illustrations a minute.
Once a day he stands before a large drawing board in CBS’s New York television studio. Program begins, camera turns to an intimate scene of mother and daughter — mother reads from a book in her lap, daughter listens intently as a new chapter in Robin Hood unfolds. A second camera focuses on the drawing board and the crayon begins its strokes. At intervals the mother-daughter scene is shown, but most of the time the camera stays on the artist and his drawings.
In a matter of seconds Rupe draws a pudgy Friar Tuck, a dashing Robin Hood. A few minutes more and he’s finishing the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, the Black Knight, an arrow quivering in a tree trunk.
As he draws, he listens to the voice of the mother reading to make sure he’s keeping up with the story. In 15 minutes, he will have finished 25 to 30 complete drawings. Each—with the exception of complicated backgrounds — drawn fresh for the camera.
Stories already broadcast include Aesop’s Fables, Cinderella, Rip Van Winkle, The Pied Piper, Jack and the Beanstalk. So far, Rupe’s toughest assignment was Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days. Tops in fun was The Ugly Duckling. He knows when he’s doing a better-than-usual job by the chuckles of the camera crew behind his back.
John comes by his talent for drawing droll characters honestly. Graduated from DePauw, he toured 10,000 miles, earned a living by caricature-interviews of prominent local citizens and selling the results to the town papers. Rupe likes his present job better. One good reason: he never has to worry about erasing and redrawing. Once a stroke is down in black and white, it’s there for keeps. (Fred R. Samis, This Week magazine, Feb. 22)

Monday, February 23, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00, 4:00, 8:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1.
8:30—“America Prepares,” defense show. 9:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1.
9:30 to 11:30—Amateur Boxing from Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:15—Children’s Story: “Sleeping Beauty.”
8:00—News.
8:10—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:25—Red Cross Civilian Defense Program.
8:35—Quiz.
9:25 to 9:30—News Summary.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:00—Drama.
7:15—Film, music.
8:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1 from WNBT.
9:00—Philadelphia Council of Defense Program.
9:45 to 10:00—Franklin Institute Program. 10:00—President Roosevelt (sound only).

Air-raid wardens received their first television instruction on a mass basis yesterday [23] when six broadcasts were received on television sets in the city’s eighty-two police stations. Yesterday’s lecture, the first of a series of six to be broadcast in the next six weeks, dealt with general information concerning the duties of an air-raid warden and was designed especially for those who have had little class instruction.
Men and women wardens went to the police stations to watch and hear the broadcast at 10:30 a. m., 11:30 a. m., and 3, 4, 8 and 9 p. m. After each broadcast, a police officer attached to the Air-Raid Warden Service asked questions front a prepared list, which were answered by the attending wardens. Attendance was only fair at the morning and afternoon broadcasts, but was much greater in the evening.
Deputy Police Commissioner John H. Morris said that the police expected to give instructions by this method to 54,000 wardens. Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine invited the deputy police commissioners, Chief Inspector Louis F. Costuma, the commanding officers of detective squads and other police officials into his office to hear one of the afternoon broadcasts. Forty persons attended, but Commissioner Valentine was not there because he was called out on other business.
The broadcasts were made over the television station of the National Broadcasting Company.
Lieutenants John Travers and Patrick Peterson alternated as commentators, and their remarks were interspersed with dramatized interludes showing an air-raid warden visiting a family in his sector and giving them instructions. After the broadcast Maurice Wells, who played the part of the warden, made a speech to the wardens.
“Let’s stop kidding ourselves about token bombings,” he said. “They are going to be all-out bombings.”
The television sets in the police stations were lent for the purpose by three manufacturing companies, the General Electric Company, the Allen B. DuMont Laboratories and the R. C. A. Manufacturing Company.
At the 4 p. m. broadcast, four wardens—two men and two women—assembled on the top floor of the West Thirtieth Street police station. They listened intently and made notes. After the broadcast, Patrolman John J. Moran asked them questions from a prepared list. One concerned what to do with a horse and wagon left standing in the street during an air raid. The answer was to take the horse out of the shafts and tie it to a lamp post. One woman said she didn’t know how to unhitch a horse and thought the police should furnish a couple of horses so they could practice unhitching.
The broadcasts will continue on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of each week. The next one will be about bombs. the third, blackouts; the fourth, gas warfare: the fifth, wardens’ duties, and the sixth will be a review of the course. (Herald Tribune, Feb. 24)

Listeners used both their senses of sight and sound better to understand President Roosevelt’s broadcast Monday night, with newspapers and other agencies furnishing maps of the Worlds war theaters which Mr. Roosevelt discussed geographically.
That audiences will be able in the future, after the war has ended and communications engineers can devote their attention to civilian work, to follow such programs completely via the airwaves was demonstrated as the President spoke.
New York television stations joined in the Monday night broadcast and carried not only Mr. Roosevelt’s words but simultaneously transmitted maps of various parts of the world as reference was made to them. It was the first time an attempt had been made to visualize the text of a presidential broadcast, originating in Washington, with material supplied from another source—the New York studios.
Both NBC’s television station, WNBT, and the CBS station, WCBW, transmitted maps to receivers, located throughout the New York City area, and WCBW preceded the President’s talk with a half-hour geography lesson, conducted by a narrator, and additional maps.
To enable its audience to concentrate more easily, television transmits only large outline maps.
If and when television spreads its wings across country, illustrated speeches will eventually become as common to the hinterlands as is dance music today. Furthermore, comedians will be able to force upon their entire television audience the acrobatics which now are used to provoke laughter among studio audiences and leave dialers cold. (Robert Gray, [Memphis] Commercial-Appeal, Feb 27)

Tuesday, February 24, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00, 4:00, 8:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1.
8:30—“Face of the War,” Sam Cuff, news.
8:45—Blood Bank Award Presentations.
9:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1.
9:30 to 11:00—Professional Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing Lesson.
3:15—Children’s Story: “Sleeping Beauty.”
8:00—News.
8:15—Tamara, songs.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00—Red Cross program.
9:25 to 9:30—News summary [Times].
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
4:30 to 5:30—Film.
7:30—String trio, film.
8:30 to 9:30—Pickups from WNBT.
9:30 to 11:00—Ridgewood Grove (N. Y.) wrestling from WNBT.

Wednesday, February 25, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
10:30, 11:30, 3:00, 4:00, 8:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1.
8:30—“Thrills and Chills” with Doug Allan and Herman Bettinger.
9:00—Air Warden’s Basic Course, Lesson 1.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—“Table Talk.” Topic: “War Nerves” with Dr. C.W. Crampton, Dr. Gregory Zilboorg, Dr. Henry C. Link, Dr. George Stevenson, Denis McEvoy.
3:15—Children’s Story: “Sleeping Beauty.”
8:00—News.
8:10—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:25—Red Cross program.
8:35—Country Dance.
9:25 to 9:30—News summary.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
7:15 to 9:10—Dramas, films.
9:55 to 10:15—OEM drama.
10:15—News.

Thursday, February 26, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30—Film: “Zorro Rides Again.”
8:50 to 9:45—Film: “Down Wyoming Trail” with Tex Ritter.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15—Children’s Story: “Sleeping Beauty.”
8:00—News.
8:15—Bob Edge, sports.
8:30—“Men at Work,” variety with the African Ballet Group; Angie Bond Trio; Hanly Hunt, tap dancer, Paul Gerrits, juggler; Lillian Nelson’s Boxing Cats; Tony Kraber, guitar.
9:25 to 9:30—News summary.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
7:30 to 9:00—Tests and Selected films.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
3:30 to 4:30—New York test pattern.
7:45—Television Game.
8:00—Film short.
8:15—Glee Club.
8:30—Feature Film.
10:30—Sign off.

Friday, February 27, 1942
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30—News.
2:45—Film: “Our Monroe Doctrine.”
3:15—Children’s story: “Little Red Riding Hood.”
8:00—“The World This Week,” news with Linton Wells.
8:30—Sports with Bob Edge.
9:15—Red Cross Show: First Aid.
9:55 to 10:00—News summary.
WPTZ, Philadelphia, Channel 3
5:45—Philco Jr. Hour.
7:15—Our Future Admirals.
8:30—Film.
10:00—News.

EXAMINER Elmer W. Pratt recommends to Federal Radio Commission favorable action on applications of WJR, Detroit, and WGAR, Cleveland, for three experimental television stations to operate on the intermediate, low and ultra-high frequencies set aside for visual radio. Applications granted Feb. 27. (Broadcasting, Feb. 23)

Saturday, February 28, 1942
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:30 to 11:00—National A.A.U. Track Meet at Madison Square Garden.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:30 to 4:30—Film: “This England.”

The war of the world will be brought into the homes of the several hundred television receiving set owners of this area by Tele Station W6XAO, owned by Thomas S. Lee, beginning next Saturday [28].
The station announced that it had scheduled programs on alternate Saturday nights from 8 to 9:30 o’clock which will present films by air of the war fronts of the world. Harry L. Lubcke, director of television for the Don Lee network, will conduct the telecast.
Future programs will also show demonstrations in first aid, incendiary bomb control, and other defense activities. (Hollywood Citizen-News, Feb. 21)