Daytime television toward the end of 1947 generally meant test patterns, though there were a few exceptions. It was an era where stations didn’t have enough programming to fill a night-time schedule; even the flagship station of the four-station NBC network was off the air on Tuesdays.
KTLA in Los Angeles decided to get into the daytime TV business with a daily show (except Sundays and Mondays) called On the Town. It wasn’t a studio product. Instead, remote cameras would go from location to location.
On-location broadcasts—especially sports—made up a good chunk of programming at the time, and many were pumped along the coaxial cable between Washington and New York (thence relayed to Schenectady). The cable was limited in what it could carry, so an agreement was worked out amongst the networks and independent stations about who could use it when.
There was a first in the second week of December 1947—the first Hannukah programme.
Chicago got animated commercials. The four Kool Penguins, developed by Jack Gibney of a Chicago production house and Jack Simpson of a local ad agency, appeared in one-minute spots called "The Koolville Komics in Action" (Radio Daily, Dec. 1). Willie the Penguin had been a Kool mascot on radio.
We have discovered a rare reference this week to W2XJT, Channel 6, in Jamaica, N.Y. It was the experimental station operated by radio and TV shop owner William B. Still. It was still on the air, though how often is impossible to discover at this point. Still’s efforts were ignored by the major popular press; you never seen his station mentioned in lists of the era.
Below are available TV listings. WEWS in Cleveland was airing occasional test broadcasts; we don’t have its schedule or the one for Milwaukee, but have taken information from the December 1947 edition of Sponsor magazine. KSD-TV aired shorts that likely came from Castle Films.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1947
WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City
2:00—Football at Ebbets Field: Brooklyn Dodgers vs. N.Y. Yankees. Don Dunphy, announcer.
6:30—“Scrapbook, Junior Edition,” children’s program with Gil Fates.
7:15—“Fighting with Kit Carson,” film serial.
7:35—Film shorts.
7:50—“The Week in Review” with Don Hollenbeck.”
8:00—Film shorts.
8:30—Hockey at Madison Square Garden: N.Y. Rangers vs. Detroit Red Wings.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
1:50—Football at the Polo Grounds: N.Y. Giants vs. Washington Redskins.
8:00—“Author Meets the Critics,” moderated by John K.M. McCaffery. Guest: Harold E. Stassen.
8:30—Television News.
8:40—NBC-Theatre Guild presentation: “The Late George Apley.” With Leo G. Carroll, Janet Beechwood, others.
9:45—Review of the News.
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
2:00—Football at Ebbets Field: Brooklyn Dodgers vs. N.Y. Yankees.
WRGB (NBC) Channel 4, Schenectady
8:00—NBC programs to sign-off.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
1:30—INS Television News.
1:50—Football from Franklin Field, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Chicago Cardinals, sponsored by Philco.
7:45—INS Television News.
8:00 to signoff—NBC programs.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
1:30—Test Pattern.
2:00 to 4:00—Little Europe in Costume (from Baltimore).
7:30—Test Pattern.
8:00—Inquirer News Review.
8:30—Let’s Pop the Question.
9:00—Film.
9:20—Religious program.
9:45—Sign off.
WMAR (CBS/DuMont) Channel 2, Baltimore
3:30—Test Pattern.
4:00—Middle Europe in Costume, Baltimore Museum of Art .
5:15—Sunday Musicale.
6:30—CBS programs.
7:40—AP Television News.
8:00—Personalities of the Week (from WMAL).
8:30—Pearl Harbor Day Program.
9:00—WMAR’s Baltimore Television News, including motion pictures from Providence of Baltimore Archbishop designate the Most Rev. Francis P. Keough.
9:50—Hockey (from CBS).
10:40—WMAR Previews.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
1:00—Test Pattern.
1:30—Coming Attractions.
1:35—College Music.
2:00—Football at Municipal Stadium: Baltimore Colts vs. Cleveland Browns.
4:30—Musical Interlude.
8:00—NBC programs.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
Off the air.
WMAL-TV (CBS) Channel 7, Washington
1:00—Test Pattern.
1:30—Film.
1:45—Football from NBC.
4:30—Film Fun.
6:00—Test Pattern.
7:00—CBS programs.
7:35—Film.
7:50—AP Newsreel.
8:00—Personalities Who Make the News with Bryson Rash.
8:30—The News Today with Earl Godwin.
9:00—Film.
10:00—Hockey (from CBS).
W8XCT Channel 4, Cincinnati
Off the air.
WWJ-TV Channel 4, Detroit
Off the air.
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, Channel 3 (incomplete)
8:15-8:30—Television Newsreel, sponsored by Gimbels.
8:30-8:45—Program.
8:45-9:00—“How to Do It,” sponsored by the Boston Store.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:25—Football at Wrigley Field: Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams.
8:00—Telenews.
8:25—Hockey at Chicago Stadium: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs.
KSD-TV (NBC) Channel 5, St. Louis
8:00—Santa Claus Show.
8:15—Film: “Bruins Make Mischief.”
8:30—News comment by Dr. Roland G. Usher: “The Partition of Israel.”8:45—Film: “Gay Nineties Live Again.
9:00—Music Room with Russ Severin.
9:15—Film: “Wing, Claw and Fang.” [right]
9:30—News and Views.
9:45—Film Musicals: “All My Gratitude” and “Put Your Little Right Foot Out.”
10:00—St. Louis Christmas Carols Association Program.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
Off the air.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
2:00—Football from the L.A. Memorial Colesium: Los Angeles Dons vs. Chicago Rockets, sponsored by the Penny-Owsley Music Company.
8:00—World-Wide News and Recorded Music.
8:30—Cartoon comedy.
8:40—“Shopping at Home” with Keith Hetherington and Harrise Brin, sponsored by the Pep Boys, Sears Roebuck and Frey Schwabacher.8:55—Cartoonews.
9:00—“Philco Football Scoreboard” with USC coach Dean Cromwell.
9:15—Film: “It Happened Tomorrow” (1944) with Dick Powell, Linda Darnell and Jack Oakie [right].
LATE GEORGE APLEY
With Leo G. Carroll, Janet Beecher, Reynolds Evans, Catherine Proctor, Margaret Phillips, John Conway, Ivy Troutman, Ellen Cobb Hill, William David, Paul Parks, Edward Harvey, Bryon Russell, Thomas Heaphy, Horace Cooper
Directors: Eddie Sobol (for NBC); Paul Crabtree (for Theatre Guild)
Adapted from play by John P. Marquard and George S. Kaufman
Tech. director: Albert Protzman
30 Mins.; Sun. (7), 8:40 p.m.
Sustaining
WNBT—NBC, N. Y.
Theatre Guild, which created something of a fiasco with its first television production several weeks ago, came back Sunday (7) night with a well-produced, acted and directed version of “Late George Apley.” Despite the general excellence of the play itself, however, and the fine performances, it sti1l failed to hit the mark as a top video production.
Reason is one that plagued many other legiters adapted for tele—the failure to take into account the cameras. “Apley” was apparently lifted almost bodily from the stage and placed in the NBC studios. As a result, the lack of movement and abundance of dialog made it move far too slowly in parts. Almost the only action present was in the switch in camera shots. Thus, while the play’s basic merits were enough to put it across as good entertainment, it nonetheless lacked the spark it should have had on video.
With the exception of that one fault, the show productionwise was standout. Use of the filmed intro was neatly done and lent a nice nostalgic quality to the affair. With NBC staff director Eddie Sobol calling the shots and with a fine assist from t.d. Al Protzman, the cameras came in on cue invariably. Sobol made fine use of his cameras in certain spots by highlighting such scenes as the bloated exit from the Thanksgiving table.
Cast, most of whom came from the original Broadway production, was uniformly excellent. Leo G. Carroll, in the title role, fluffed several times but more than compensated for his errors with as neat a thesping job as tele has yet been able to produce. Janet Beecher, as his wife; Reynolds Evans, as Horatio; William David, as Roger Newcombe, and Ellen Cobb Hill as Eleanor, were fine. Archie Smith, as John, and Margaret Phillips, as Agnes, did a particularly appealing job in their one big scene.
Two sets, including the Apley living room, and a corner of the Berkeley Club in Boston, were well turned-out, providing the maximum freedom of movement before the cameras. In all, once the Guild learns to appreciate that television, as a unique medium from the stage, requires a different approach to staging, this series of legiters should approach the general excellence o some of the Guild’s Broadway hits. Stal. (Variety, Dec. 10)
NBC and the Theatre Guild, after lengthy negotiations with 20th-Fox, finally obtained rights to stage “Late George Apley” on television. That they did so at a price, however, was easily apparent during the show Sunday (7) night.
Immediately preceding the fade-in, a large card flashed on the screen advising viewers that the play was being prepared “through the courtesy” of the film company. Card also pointed up the fact that 20th’s film version of “Apply” is current at nabe theatres. Same text was repeated immediately after the performance. (Variety, Dec. 10)
The first Hanukkah program ever staged for television will be presented on WFIL-TV by the Philadelphia Jewish Community Relations Council in cooperation with the Board of Jewish Ministers from 9:10 to 9:30 P. M., on Sunday, December 7, the night of the lighting of the first candle.
The story of the Maccabees, commemorating the first time a people went to war for freedom of thought and religious liberty, will be narrated by Rabbi Maxwell M. Farber, of Congregation Emanu-El. Youth members of the congregation will assist in the lighting of the candles. The festival music of the holiday will be sung by the Jewish Community Chorus of 24 voices, directed by Shalom Altman of the Council on Jewish Education. (The Jewish Exponent, Dec. 5)
Linking Pearl Harbor Day and a current exhibition of Hungarian, Greek, Polish and Czechoslovakian folk costumes, the Baltimore Museum of Art yesterday [7] presented singers and dancers from the Polish and Greek communities in a pre-Christmas program in the auditorium of the museum.
Mrs. Adelyn D. Breeskin, director of the museum, in a brief introductory message, explained that preservation of the cultural heritage of the various national groups “is one approach to enduring peace.”
She said world understanding is encouraged by a sharing of the traditional lore of nationalities which make up the American whole, and explained that the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack is an appropriate occasion for emphasizing the cause of universal peace.
Part Of Observance
The entertainment at the museum, which attracted an overflow crowd, was one of the city’s observances of the anniversary of December 7, 1941, many of the churches in Baltimore having made it a subject of comment and discussion.
On a stage decorated to suggest the harvest and the Christmas season, singers and dancers from the Greek and Polish communities here entertained with traditional national airs and folk dances, all in costume.
Participating were . . . [list omitted]
The program was televised by WMAR-TV, the Sunpapers pioneer television station, in Baltimore. (Baltimore Sun, Dec. 8)
Gov. Green will make an appearance at half-time during the telecast of the Bears-Rams football game on the screen of WBKB this afternoon in place of Mrs. Green, who is ill. Gov. Green will speak in behalf of the Mercy Hospital Stars of Mercy Fund. (Chi Tribune, Dec. 7)
In one of those situations that could happen only in a medium as new as television, DuMont last Sunday (7) was forced to take a feed off the CBS lines for coverage of a football game in order to fulfill its contract with a sponsor.
Seems the DuMont staffers last fall believed Sunday’s game between the N. Y. Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers would be played at Yankee Stadium, N. Y., and would thus be available under DuMont’s contract with the Yankees. Game was consequently listed when the contract was signed with Spring Mills Fabrics to bankroll all the Yankee home football airings. Early last week, however, DuMont learned to its consternation that the game was to be played it Ebbets Field in Brooklyn which would make it a CBS exclusive.
With one more regular season game listed on its contract with Spring Mills and no more forth coming from the Stadium, DuMont applied for permission to CBS to cut in on the CBS airing. CBS thus handled the game and it was carried by both stations in N. Y. Unique part of the arrangement was that CBS did the game as a sustainer and DuMont had itself s sponsor. In addition, Bill Slater announced the game for DuMont in the same booth as Don Dunphy, who worked the game for CBS.
Amused bystanders are now asking what would have happened if two major radio webs, such as NBC and CBS, found themselves in the same situation for a radio show. (Variety, Dec. 10)
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1947
WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City
Off the air.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City8:00—NBC Television Newsreel.
8:10—“Americana Quiz,” with John Mason Brown, Lewis Gannett, Bennett Cerf, Millicent Fenwick and Linda Farham, guests.
8:40—Boxing from St. Nicholas Arena. Feature bout: Paddy De Marco vs. Joey Carkido.
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35—Film shorts.
6:45—Walter Compton, news (from WTTG), sponsored by General Electric.
7:00—Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30—Doorway to Fame, with Jackie Bright.
8:00—Film shorts.
8:15—“Magic Carpet,” Maxine Barratt, guest, sponsored by Alexander Smith.
8:30—Film Short.
8:35—“Swing Into Sports,” Don Pallini, guest, sponsored by Transmirra Products Corp.
9:00—“Sports Names to Remember,” sponsored by Moquin Wines.
9:07—Boxing from Jamaica Arena with Dennis James, sponsored by Winston Radio and Television Co.
WRGB (NBC) Channel 4, Schenectady
7:05—Program Announcements.
7:15—Latest News Page.
7:30—Whatzat Whozit?
7:55—Pictorial News Feature.
8:00—NBC programs.
10:30—Pictorial Spot News.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.—Test Chart.
1:45—INS Television News, sponsored by Wilf Bros.
2:00—“Television Matinee,” sponsored by Philadelphia Electric Co.
7:30—INS Television News, sponsored by Superfine Appliances Co.
7:45—Eavesdropping on Santa, direct from Gimbels, sponsored by Gimbels.
8:00—Newsreel.
8:10—Motion Picture Shorts.
8:20—Christmas Mailing Direct from Philadelphia Main Post Office.
8:50 to sign-off—NBC; boxing sponsored by Gillette.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to noon, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., 7:00—Test Pattern.
7:30—Schoolboy Sports Show, Tom Moorehead and Jack Ryan. Football film: City Championship, sponsored by Jacob Reed's & Sons, clothiers.
8:00—Inquirer Television News, with Wally Sheldon.
8:10—Magic Made Easy, with Tom Osborne.
8:30—Film.
9:00—Temple University Forum: “Have We Learned Anything From the War?”
9:30—Billiard Exhibition: Jack Davenport vs. Allen Sussell. Referee: Ad Koch.
WMAR (CBS/DuMont) Channel 2, Baltimore
2:00 to 4:00 and 5:45—Test Pattern.
6:00—DuMont program from WTTG.
7:00—DuMont programs from WABD.
8:00—DuMont program from WTTG.
9:00—Boxing (from WMAL-TV), sponsored by Arrow Beer.
WBNW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
Off the air.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
10:30 a.m. to noon—Morning Melodies.
6:00—Dinner music.
6:15—Men of Science.
6:30—Preview Time.
6:35—DuMont programming.
6:45—Walter Compton, news, sponsored by General Electric (to DuMont).
7:00—DuMont programming.
8:00—Music Album, Joby Reynolds (to DuMont).
8:15—Film shorts (to DuMont).
8:30—Way Down Home (to DuMont).
8:45—Film shorts.
9:00—Step ‘n’ Fetch It, Mike Hunnicutt.9:30—DuMont boxing program.
WMAL-TV (CBS) Channel 7, Washington
2:00 to 5:00 and 8:00 to 9:00—Test Pattern.
9:00—“Arrow Fight Night,” boxing from Turner’s Arena, announced by Jim Gibbons, sponsored by Arrow Beer.
W8XCT Channel 4, Cincinnati
1:30 to 5 p.m.—Test Pattern.
WWJ-TV Channel 4, Detroit
8:20-11:00—Wrestling, Arena Gardens, sponsored by Ford.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
3:00—Chicago Television Showcase
4:00—Junior Jamboree with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
8:15—News, Today’s World Picture.
8:30—Wrestling from Rainbo Arena, sponsored by Crosley and Launderall Distributors.
KSD-TV (NBC) Channel 5, St. Louis
3:15—Films musical: “Tiptoe Through the Tulips.”
3:20—American Theater interviews.
3:30—Film: “Washington.”
3:45—St. Louis Public Schools reading clinic demonstration, with William Kottmeyer.
4:00—Film Cartoon: “King’s Tailor” (aka “The Valiant Taylor”) (Iwerks, 1934).
4:15—Christmas Party with Del King, teen platter show, film cartoon and nursery favorites, sponsored by Philco.
8:00—Tele-Quizi-Calls, with Harry Gibbs and Dottye Bennett, sponsored by Union Electric.
8:30—Film: “Seagoing Thrills.”
8:45—“Man on the Street,” Frank Eschen, emcee.
9:00—Film: “William Primrose.”
9:20—Christmas Carols.
9:35—Film: “What Ho, Romeo?” starring Jack Benny (cut down from “The Medicine Man.”
9:50—Associated Press News and Views.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
8 p.m.—Test Slides, Music.
8:25—Wrestling Card and announcements.
8:30 to 11:00—Wrestling Matches, Hollywood Legion. Martino Angelo and Antone Leone vs. Tony Morelli and Angelo Savoldi, Lucky Simonovich and Gorilla Ramos vs. Billy Varga and Jan Blears (both 1 hr. time limit), Tommy Nilan vs. Ali Pasha (two falls, 45 mins.), Paavo Katonen vs. Gene Stanley (two falls, 45 mins).
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 to 5:00—World Wide News and music.
7:00—“Uncle Phil,” with Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
7:10—Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
7:30—Bar None Ranch, with Pat Buttram.
8:00—Short Subject: “Africa Squawks.”
8:30—Amateur Boxing from South Gate Arena.
TELEVISION kept up its forward pace last week, unveiling a spirited and intelligent quiz show which made the unseen “Information Please” of radio seem sadly outdated. The piece, going by the title of “Americana Quiz,” has John Mason Brown, the wry and ebullient official of the Drama Critics Circle, in the moderator’s chair. Under his experienced hand the première last Monday evening (8:10 P. M. on WNBT) [8] proved to be a half-hour of engaging and informal banter, the program as a whole boasting a leisurely and adult charm that was particularly refreshing to those grown weary of the pretentious and excessive talkiness of the sightless kilocycles.
Produced by Martin Stone, who fathered “Author Meets the Critics,” the show offered a particularly good example of the broader and different potentialities of video vis-a-vis radio. The first question brought before the cameras three objects of the colonial days, loaned by the Metropolitan Museum. These the panel of experts identified as a foot warmer and the candle mold but muffed the sugarloaf cutter.
Later the experts were asked to identify a group of military uniforms taken from the Brooklyn Museum’s collection and then a succession of women’s hats from the Civil War down to the Nineteen Thirties. There also were a series of sketches drawn in a minute’s time before the cameras by William Auerbach-Levy, the caricaturist.
But the real pièce de résistance was Mr. Brown’s performance. As evidenced by his extraordinary success as a lecturer on the Hokinson circuit, Mr. Brown is probably the only one among the drama critics who is more than adequate on the working side of the footlights. He was in particularly fine fettle before the NBC cameras.
With tongue tucked away in cheek, Mr. Brown acted out a series of charades, the idea being to guess the book, play or poem allegedly suggested by his gestures. In adapting “The Game,” as it were, to video, Mr. B. may not have qualified right off for senior membership in Actors Equity but the impishness and verve of his efforts surely were box office for the viewer sitting comfortably at home on a cold and windy evening. For the records, Mr. Brown came up with, among others, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “John Brown’s Body” (he offered profuse apologies for that one, it should be said) and, finally, the beginner’s item, “Farewell to Arms.”
Prizes, Too
The opening panel of experts consisted of the very photogenic Millicent Fenwick of the editorial staff of Vogue; Bennett Cerf, the publisher and joke collector; Lewis Gannett, the book critic of The New York Herald Tribune, and the 11-year-old Linda Nissen.
One and all, they were extraordinarily relaxed, avoided taking themselves seriously and did not try to be scintillating every time they spoke. Apparently television is going to show radio how.
At times the production work on “Americana Quiz” was not very alert, the camera not always being directed on the right person at the right moment. The spectacle of a studio minion calling for applause as the show opened also was on the careless side. But these minor defects can be readily corrected on the Mondays to come.
In the tradition the viewer who sends in a question which stumps the “Americana Quiz” panel will be rewarded handsomely. One condition, however, is that he also identify the baby picture of a prominent American. Assuming he can, he stands to win an encyclopedia set, travel luggage, $50 worth of books of his own choice and, for sending in the question in the first place, a copy of John Gunther’s “Inside U. S. A.”
In more ways than one, Dan Golenpaul and his “Information Please” have some competition on their hands. (Jack Gould, New York Times, Dec. 14)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9. (AP)—The Cincinnati Times-Star Co., Cincinnati, was among six applicants for new commercial television broadcasting stations yesterday [8] before the Federal Communications Commission.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1947
WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City
Off the air.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
Off the air.
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35—Film shorts.
6:45—Walter Compton, news (from WTTG), sponsored by General Electric.
7:00—Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30—“Fun of Photography,” with Mabel Scacheri.
8:00—Western Feature Film.
9:00—“Mary Kay and Johnny.”
9:17—“Sports Names to Remember.”
9:23—Boxing at Park Arena with Dennis James.
WRGB (NBC) Channel 4, Schenectady
7:05—Program Announcements.
7:15—News Page.
7:30—Speaking for Women.
7:45—Film Short.
7:55—Pictorial News Feature.
8:00—Show Biz.
8:20—Film short.
8:30—Union College Debate.
9:00—Pictorial Spot News.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.—Test Chart.
7:45—INS Television News.
8:00—Motion Picture Shorts.
9:00—Basketball from La Salle: La Salle vs. Moravian College.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to noon, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00—Test Pattern.
8:00—Inquirer Television News, with Wally Sheldon.
8:10—Billiard Exhibition.
9:00—Basketball (BAA) from the Arena: Philadelphia Warriors vs. Providence Steamrollers.
WMAR (CBS/DuMont) Channel 2, Baltimore.
2:00 to 4:00—Test Pattern.
8:30—Test Pattern.
9:15—Wrestling from the Colesium. George Becker vs. Nando Singh (one fall, finish), Gino Garibaldi vs Don Lee, Joe Marsh vs. Francis Miquett, Harry Finkelstein vs. Ace Freeman, Mike Kollins vs. Phil Gruber.
10:45—WMAR Previews.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
2:00—Test Pattern.
3:30—Coming Attractions.
4:00—Let’s Learn to Fly.
5:00—Film Feature.
5:30—Musical Interlude.
7:30—Coming Attractions.
8:00—Capital Citizen, with Bill Herson.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
10:30 to 12 noon—Morning Melodies.
1:30—Afternoon Musicale.
4:00—Santa Claus in Toyland, from the Hecht Co. department store.
6:15—Dinner Music.
6:30—Preview Time.
6:35—DuMont programming.
8:00—Bob Wolff Sports Clinic.
8:15—The Visionaires.
8:30—Film Featurette.
9:15—DuMont boxing programming.
WMAL-TV (CBS) Channel 7, Washington
1:00 to 5:00 and 7:30—Test Pattern.
8:00—Film.
8:30—“What’s on Your Mind?” with moderator Robert L. Friend. Guests: Sammy Baugh, Redskins quarterback; Miss Perry Crawford; N.A. Danowsky, principal of Western High School; Miss Betty Hiser, homecoming queen.
9:00—Film.
W8XCT Channel 4, Cincinnati
1:30—Mile of Dimes.
2:30 to 5:00—Test Pattern.
7:30—College of Music.
8:00—Winged Pageantry.
8:15—Slim Figuring.
8:30—This is Current.
9:00—City of Proud Men.
9:15—Crazy Inventions.
9:30—Television Party.
WWJ-TV Channel 4, Detroit
2:30—Television Matinee, Richard Satterfield.
9:30—The Human Race, with the Weitzels.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago.
3:00—“Jane Foster Comes to Call,” cooking and home management show, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison.3:30—Chicago Television Showcase.
4:00—Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
7:30—Animal Crackers.
7:45—Film shorts.
8:00—Civil Air Patrol.
8:15—Behind the Headlines.
8:30—Boxing from the Coliseum, 17th tournament sponsored by the C.Y.O.
KSD-TV (NBC) Channel 5, St. Louis
Off the air.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
10:30 a.m.—Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
11:00—Queen For a Day.
11:30—Test Pattern and Music.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 to 5:00—World Wide News and music.
7:00—“Uncle Phil” with ventriloquist Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
7:10—Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
7:30—Home Economics with Monica Whalen and guest.7:45—“Star Views” with Lois Andrews, sponsored by Philco.
8:00—“Tele-Newsreel,” sponsored by Buchanan Co.
8:10—Short subject: “Craft of Fire.”
8:30—Western Feature film: “Six-Gun Rhythm” (1939) with Tex Fletcher.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1947
WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City
1:00—Film.
1:50—“Missus Goes a-Shopping” with John Reed King.
8:00—Selected film shorts.
8:30—Hockey from Madison Square Garden: N.Y. Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens, sponsored by Knox Hats.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
5:00—“Playtime,” children’s program (from WNBW).
7:25—Film: “Tonight’s Television Press Releases.”
7:30—“Kraft Television Theatre”: "The Importance of Being Earnest."
8:30—“In the Kelvinator Kitchen” with Alma Kitchell.
8:45—“The Star Dressing Room.”
8:55—Current Opinion” (from WNBW).
9:25—U.S. Camera Show. (Note: some listings omit the 8:45 show and have “Current Opinion” in that slot, with the camera show at 9:15).
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35—Film shorts.
6:45—Walter Compton, news (from WTTG), sponsored by General Electric.
7:00—Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30—To be announced.
8:00—Film shorts.
8:15—Sylvie St. Clair, songs.
8:30—Film shorts.
8:45—Jack Eigen Show.
9:00—Film shorts.
9:35—Ice Show from Washington, D.C. (from WTTG).
WRGB (NBC) Channel 4, Schenectady
7:05—Program Announcements.
7:15—News Page.
7:30—NBC programming, sponsored by Kraft.
8:30—Pictorial News Feature.
8:35—Meditation.
8:45—Current Opinion (from WBNW?).
9:15—Drawing Room.
9:35—Film shorts.
9:50—Platter Patter.
10:05 P.M.—Pictorial Spot News.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 3:00 to 4:45 p.m.—Test Chart.
1:45—INS Television News.
2:00—Television Matinee, sponsored by the Philadelphia Electric Co.
4:45—INS Television News.
5:00—NBC children’s show (from WNBW).
7:30—INS Television News, sponsored by Superfine Appliances Co.
7:45—Eavesdropping on Santa, from Gimbels, sponsored by Gimbels.
8:00—“Sports Scrapbook” with Stoney McLinn and Bill Campbell.
8:15—Selection motion pictures.
8:30—NBC programs to signoff.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to noon, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:30—Test Pattern.
8:00—Inquirer Television News, with Wally Sheldon.
8:10—Film.
8:20—Hockey from the Arena, Philadelphia Rockets vs. Providence Reds.
WMAR Channel 2, Baltimore
2:00 to 4:00 and 7:30—Test Pattern.
8:30—Baltimore Sesquicentennial at 5th Regiment Armory.
9:35—DuMont from WTTG.
10:45—WMAR Previews.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
2:00—Test Pattern.
3:30—Coming Attractions.
4:00—Film Features.
5:00—Playtime (to NBC).
6:00—Musical Interlude.
7:00—Coming Attractions.
7:20—Illustrated News Service.
7:30—NBC programs.
8:45—Current Opinion with Robert McCormick (to NBC).
9:15—Camera show (from NBC).
9:45—Heisman Football Trophy award.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
10:30 a.m.—Morning Melodies.
1:30—Afternoon musicale.
2:00—American University of the Air, School of Music.
2:20—Afternoon musicale.
6:15—Dinner Music.
6:35—Television Film Shorts (from DuMont).
6:45—Walter Compton news, sponsored by General Electric (to DuMont).
7:00—Small Fry Club (from DuMont).
7:30—Feature Film.
8:30—Ice Capades from Uline Arena (to DuMont).
WMAL-TV (CBS) Channel 7, Washington
10 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00—Test Pattern.
W8XCT Channel 4, Cincinnati
1:30—“Sink or Swim.”
1:45—“Calling All Crooners.”
2:00—Tea at Two.
2:30 to 5:00—Test Pattern.
7:30—Conservatory of Music.
8:00—“Strange Case of Hennessy.”
8:30 to 9:30—Glendale High School.
WWJ-TV Channel 4, Detroit
2:30—Television Matinee, Richard Satterfield.
8:25—Hockey, Toronto vs Detroit, sponsored by Norge.
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, Channel 3 (incomplete)
8:15-8:30—“Schuster’s Open House,” sponsored by Ed Schuster Stores.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
3:00—Chicago Television Showcase.
4:00—Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
7:30—Minor Opinions.
8:00—News Show.
8:14—The Singing Smiths, sponsored by Terman Television Sales.
8:25—Hockey from Rainbo Arena: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins, sponsored by Emergency Radio and Appliance and Philco.
KSD-TV (NBC) Channel 5, St. Louis
Off the air.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
10:30 a.m.—Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
11:00—Queen For a Day.
11:30—Test Pattern and Transcribed Show.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
12:30—“On the Town” at the Airport. (premiere)
3:00 to 5:00—News and music.
7:00—Uncle Phil, with Ventriloquist Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
7:10—Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
7:30—“Sunset Room” with Joan Barton.
8:00—NBC Football Film: “Army vs. Navy.
8:30—Wrestling at the Olympic Auditorium. Killer Karl Davis and Wee Willie Davis vs. Enrique Torres and Manuel Garza, Georgeous George vs. the Black Panther, Dutch Hefner vs. Ray Duran, Chief War Cloud vs. Kolo Stasiak, Alex Kasabowski vs. Sammy Menacker.
Hockey GamesReviewed Wednesday (10), 8:25 p.m. via WCBS-TV. Style, sports. Sponsor, Knox the Hatter. Agency, Geyer, Newell & Ganger. Director, Herbert Bayard Swope Jr. Commentator, Win Elliott. Cameramen: Ed Leftwich and Sonny Diskin on the game; Pyron Paul on the commercial. Soundman, Ralph Novick. Commercial model, Jerry Miller.
Televising of the home hockey games of the New York Rangers by the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) is one of that web's more intricate video operations. That it is mostly successful is a tribute to CBS tele sports chief Herbert Bayard Swope Jr., who produces.
CBS uses two cameras to cover the games, one for long shots, the other for close-ups. Here is one case where lack of Zoomar lenses halves the effective coverage, inasmuch as both cameras follow approximately the same action; one Zoomar-equipped camera could do the work of both CBS cameras. The director, Swope, sitting in the CBS control room in Madison Square Garden, chose which of the two available images he wanted punched up. This, at times, called for the intuition of a swami, for Swope had to guess whether the play would carry thru to the goaltender, which offered the most effective closeups, or be stopped somewhere short, with the longer shot making the better choice. Hockey being the exceedingly swift game it is, instantaneous decisions were called for, and Swope showed his familiarity with the problem by getting onto the close-ups for most of the significant shots. He missed a few—as was to be expected—getting onto No. 2 (or closeup) camera too late to capture the action, and getting back to No. 1 camera too late to nab the start of the subsequent play; but by and large, the more thrilling moments of the 4-4 tie game between New York and the Montreal Canadians were transmitted as well as possible with the equipment on hand.
Commentary by Win Elliott seemed too detailed, almost as tho it were being done for audio only, with Elliott describing action which was clearly visible on the screen. He might do better to limit himself more to naming the players involved, and expounding on the significance of the action. Elliott did get in some good, terse explanations of basic rules.
Camera work was excellent for the speed of the action and area to be covered. Some good possibilities of color shots were overlooked, however. Few crowd and bench reactions to scores or exciting plays were shown. Nor did the screen show the balconies of the Garden, draped with huge banners proclaiming admiration for various players and bearing such slogans as "Playoffs or Bust."
Commercials, on this occasion for Knox Hats, meant additional production problems. They were part live, from a small studio elsewhere in the Garden, and part slide, from CBS studios. Live portions, requiring considerable rehearsal, had a couple modeling Knox-sold items and going thru pantomime while male and female voices discoursed on the quality and price of the goods. Four-way hook-up connecting the live commercial, Elliott's cage, the CBS studio and the Garden control room necessitated instantaneous cuing by Swope, which it received. Swope also needled Elliott for drop-in commercials at various intervals thruout the game. Other two Garden sponsors, Ford and Maxwell House, offer somewhat less complicated commercials, Ford's being done by film exclusively from the CBS studio. Sam Chase. (Billboard, Dec. 27)
“On the Town” a new half-hour video show, sponsored by tele-set manufacturers, bows in today via KTLA at 12:30 p.m. R.C. Livingston and Leon Benson, under the supervision of Norman Blackburn of the J. Walter Thompson Agency, will produce. (Hollywood Reporter, Dec. 10)
Sunset Room
Reviewed Wednesday (10), 7:30-8 p.m. Style, variety show, interview. Sponsored by Philco-Cough Industries (Southern California Philco distributor). Agency, Cecil Noble, Produced by Larry Finley. Directed by Bud Cole. Reviewed over KTLA (Paramount), Hollywood.
Here’s a show that has plenty of possibilities, entertainment-wise. Songstress Joan Barton emsees, introducing showbiz celebs like song writer Jimmy McHugh and Victor Moore and tossing in hoofer Jack Boyle and Impersonator Larry Storch for good measure. Miss Barton proves to be as easy on the eyes as on the ears as she puts her guests thru their paces as well as mugging the lyrics for her own disked song selections. Her only shortcoming is an over-abundance of self–consciousness which forces her to appear ill at ease and stilted and makes her overact when mouthing the words for her song offerings.
Showbiz veteran Victor Moore makes idea tele fare, proving that it’s the old-timer who can hold his own even in the newest of entertainment media. Moore moved into camera range in his usual hesitant manner, and in his dialog with impersonator Larry Storch revealed that this was his first video appearance. He gave his opinion of the Film City thru the rhymes of an original poem with each verse packing a yock punch line. Larry Storch, a capable mimic, held his audience from the start. He aired over the same outlet recently and did the same material.
Handling of the Philco plugs revealed little imagination. Slide is thrown of a Philco product, while Terry O’Sullivan reads the commercial. Three plugs were used—at the start, midway and the end. While this pattern may be okay in radio, it seems far too uninviting to a tele audience. Integration of the plugs into show itself should prove easier on the audience and get more results for the sponsor. Lee Zhito. (Billboard, Jan. 3)
The first public showing by Paramount Pictures of motion picture films photographed directly from a television receiver and developed complete with sound within sixty-six seconds after the end of the event, was held yesterday [10] at the annual meeting of the Television Broadcasters Association in the Waldorf-Astoria.
The demonstration, considered revolutionary in its implications for the newsreel and television industries, was a surprise feature of the luncheon session of the meeting.
The system would make an event available for re-broadcast on television or showing in nearby newsreel theaters within minutes after its conclusion. For instance, the Joe Louis-Jersey Joe Walcott championship fight could have been shown in Times Square theaters on the night it occurred.
Yesterday’s showing, conducted by Paul Raibourn, a vice-president of Paramount and a director of the association, consisted of a selection from “The Late George Apley,” which appeared on WNBT on Sunday, and three rounds, the first, eighth and ninth, of the Louis-Walcott fight. Mr. Raibourn said the pictures were on 35mm. film and were taken from a ten inch direct-view tube.
Although the pictures were not so clear as a standard motion picture, they were more than adequate for the purpose, and in view of the circumstances of their development, were considered sensational by television officials present. The inclusion of sound said to be the important difference between this and other rapid-developing methods.
Mr. Raibourn said the showing was considered experimental, although another Paramount official said the film company had been working on it for ten years. The company has no immediate plans for its introduction to the general public because of non-technical operating problems.
The showing highlighted a day of technical discussions of television which included an announcement by William C. Eddy, director of television of WBKB, Chicago, of a “c.o.d. television network” in the Chicago—South Bend area.
Mr. Eddy said the micro-wave radio relay between the two cities, which was used to televise the Notre Dame football games this fall, would be made available to other communities in the area as stations are erected. He said the network would be in operation forty hours a week at $40 an hour of use. This amounts to about 40 cents a circuit mile, including not only the network facilities but the program of the originating station, he added.
The luncheon was featured by four awards to individuals for their contributions to the industry, as follows:
Dr. Frank G. Back, for the development of the Zoomar lens, which makes possible instantaneous following of action by the camera.
Mr. Eddy, for the application of existing micro-wave equipment between South Bend and Chicago.
Paul M. Hahn, executive vice-president or American Tobacco Co., for the skillful application of commercial techniques to television broadcasting.
Ben R. Donaldson, head of passenger car advertising for Ford Motor Co., for extensive experimentation with and support of commercial television in diverse market areas during the year.
The awards committee cited for honorable mention John H. Platt, vice-president in charge of advertising of Kraft Food Co., for the conception and execution of a series of “highly entertaining and commercially successful” dramatic telecasts.
M. E. Strieby, staff executive of the long lines department of American Telephone & Telegraph Co., told the luncheon that the Belt System has installed or under construction about 7,000 miles of lines capable of carrying television programs. He said the New York-Washington television link would be extended next year to Charlotte, N. C., with connecting equipment at Richmond, and additional facilities will be provided between New York and Washington.
Furthermore, coaxial cable on the main route between Philadelphia and Chicago will be completed next year and shortly thereafter win be available for two-way television facilities, he said. This will include connections to Pittsburgh, Cleveland and St. Louis. In 1949, he went on, additional television equipment can be made available for application on other routes, for example, Detroit, Dayton, Cincinnati and Indianapolis.
John F. Royal. vice-president of National Broadcasting Co., was elected a vice-president of the association. All other officers were re-elected, as follows: J. R. Poppele, of Bamberger Broadcasting Service, president; Will Baltin, secretary-treasurer, and Mr. Raibourn, assistant secretary-treasurer. (Herald Tribune, Dec. 11)
New York.—International News Service has worked out an agreement with Universal newsreel, covering production of a television newsreel. (Hollywood Reporter, Dec. 10)
Although it has not been inked officially, the radio program, “Heart’s Desire,” is set to go on television four times a week via Don Lee’s W6XAO. Show is expected to hit the video lanes in about two weeks and will be worked in much the same way as the “Queen For a Day” airer, which is the only radio program in the country to be televised on a regular schedule. (Hollywood Reporter, Dec. 10)
Construction will begin on NBC’s television transmitter for KNBH, on Mt. Wilson, within a few days, or as soon as weather permits, it was announced yesterday [9] by Sidney N. Strotz, vice-president in charge of the Western network of NBC. (Hollywood Reporter, Dec. 10)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1947WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City
8:00—News with Douglas Edwards, sponsored by Gulf Oil.
8:15—“To the Queen’s Taste,” cooking program from the Cordon Bleu Restaurant, with Mrs. Dione Lucas.
8:45—Basketball from Madison Square Garden, Long Island U. vs. Oklahoma; N.Y.U vs. Arkansas.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
8:00—“Author Meets the Critics,” The World Within.
8:30—NBC Television Newsreel.
8:40—Musical Merry-Go-Round, with Jack Kilty.
9:00—“You Are an Artist,” with John Gnagy, sponsored by Gulf.
9:10—“Eyewitness,” sponsored by RCA.
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35—Film shorts.
6:45—Walter Compton, news (from WTTG), sponsored by General Electric.
7:00—Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30—“Birthday Party,” with Grace Gioe, and cast of “Juvenile Jury” as guests.
8:15—“Charade Quiz,” with Bill Slater.
8:30—Film Shorts.
8:45—“Know Your New York.”
9:00—Wrestling from Park Arena with Dennis James.
WRGB (NBC) Channel 4, Schenectady
7:05—Program Announcements.
7:15—News Page.
7:30—Cut Up Capers.
7:55—Pictorial News Feature.
8:00—NBC programs.
8:30—Topic From the Teapot.
8:40—NBC programs.
9:10—Wurzel Flummery.
9:40—Pictorial Spots News.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.—Test Chart.
7:15—INS Television News.
7:30—“Pleased To Meet You,” with Roy Neal.
7:50—Selected motion pictures.
8:00—Mac McGuire’s “Jamboree.”
8:20—Film.
8:30—NBC programming.
9:10—“How Television Works.”
WFIL Channel 6, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to noon, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7 p.m.—Test Pattern.
8:00—Inquirer Television News, with Wally Sheldon.
8:10—Film.
8:30—Starlet Stairway with Jack Steck and a cast of young stars.
9:00—Basketball (BAA) at the Arena: Philadelphia Warriors vs. St. Louis Bombers.
WMAR (CBS/DuMont) Channel 2, Baltimore
8:00—Youth show (from WMAL-TV).
8:30—Studio Film show.
9:00—WMAR’s Baltimore Television News
9:15—Basketball at the Colesium: Baltimore Bullets and Washington Capitols, sponsored by National Bohemian Beer.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
2:00—Test Pattern.
3:30—Coming Attractions.
4:00—Fun at Four.
5:00—Film Features.
6:00—Musical Interlude.
8:00—“Meet the Press” to NBC.
8:30—Film features.
8:45—Basketball: Georgetown vs. Loyola.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
10:30 a.m. to noon—Test Pattern.
1:30—Afternoon Musicale.
6:15—Dinner Music.
6:30—Preview Time.
6:35—DuMont programming.
8:30—Film Shorts.
8:45—The Music Album. Sherry Sherwood, vocalist.
9:00—Wrestling (from DuMont).
WMAL-TV (CBS) Channel 7, Washington
1:00 to 5:00—Test Pattern.
8:00—Youth Meets the Government (to WMAR).
8:30—Film.
W8XCT Channel 4, Cincinnati1:30—Film “Take Your Pick.”
1:45—Film: “Land of Quebec.”
2:00 to 3:00—Betty Travis, bridge.
3:00 to 5:00—Test Pattern.
7:30—Xavier Masque Society, a play entitled “A Wedding.”
8:15—Cartoon: “The Rasslin’ Match” (1934, Van Beuren) with Amos and Andy.
8:30—Variety Show.
9:30—Film: “Old Faithful Speaks.”
9:45—Film: Army vs. Navy football game.
10:00 to 10:30—“Build Thee More Stately Mansions.”
WWJ-TV Channel 4, Detroit
2:30—Television Matinee, Richard Satterfield.
9:00—Feature Film, “Under Strange Flags.”
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, Channel 3 (incomplete)
8:30 to 10:30—Wrestling, sponsored by A. Gettelman Brewing Co.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
3:00—Chicago Television Showcase.
4:00—Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
7:30—News reports.
7:45—Film shorts.
8:15—Milt Hopwood’s Sports Show.
KSD-TV (NBC) Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00—NBC Newsreel.3:15—Christmas show; Eskimo family; Santa Claus; new Christmas toys.
8:00—NBC Newsreel.
8:15—NBC film of the Army-Navy football game, sponsored by Philco.
8:30—Associated Press Newsreel.
8:54—Feature Film: “[Sing] While You’re Able” (1937, Ambassador) with Pinky Tomlin.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
10:30 a.m.—Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
11:00—Queen For a Day.
11:30—Test Pattern.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
12:30—“On the Town,” from Children’s Hospital, sponsored by Los Angeles television set distributors.
3:00 to 5:00—Test Pattern and music.
7:00—“Uncle Phil” for kids, sponsored by Philco.
7:10—Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
7:30—“Guess the Dance,” quiz show (debut).
7:45—“Star Views” with Lois Andrews, guest, Lina Romay, sponsored by Philco.
8:00—“Your Town Los Angeles Presents.”
8:30—“Meet Me in Hollywood,” direct from Hollywood and Vine.
Veloz and Yolanda will present a new television quiz program called “Guess the Dance” on KTLA tomorrow [11] at 7:30 p.m. Produced by Clint Stanley for Larry Finlay Productions, the program will be emceed by Frank Veloz, assisted by Charles Baron. (Hollywood Reporter, Dec. 10)
Youngsters in cribs, wheel chairs, crutches and beds in Chil-drens Hospital yesterday [11] participated in what was believed to be the first television broadcast from a hospital in America.KTLA presented the hour-long show starting at 12:30 p.m: The children cheered Uncle Whoa Bill (Nick Nelson) and his puppets. They chuckled at Jack Tiller when his magic rabbit, Oscar, pulled cards out of a deck in a black hat. Henry Fonda of the films interviewed the young patients and joined the other entertainers in impersonations. Mrs. Majl Ewing, president of the hospital, and Mrs. Albert Crutcher, president emeritus, spoke briefly.
When Fonda asked Mrs. Crutcher what the hospital needs most today, she replied:
"Four million dollars to build a new one. This hospital is so crowded that we can't take more children in and we mustn't turn them away." (Los Angeles Times, Dec. 11)
Fun at Four
Reviewed Thursday (11), 4-5 p.m. Style—Variety Show; produced by Charles Kelly. Presented by RCA Victor Variettes. Originated at WNBW (NBC), Washington, Director, Charles Kelly. Technical Director, Charles Colledge. Announcer, Ray Michael.
Fun at Four, running from 4 to 5 p.m. every Thursday, is sponsored by 50 local television dealers who have an across-the-board arrangement with WNBW for programs that hour Monday thru Friday. The sponsors are obviously convinced that Fun at Four should be fashioned largely to please casual women shoppers in stores selling and demonstrating video sets. Five variety acts that make up the show emphasize the women-shopper appeal, and Ray Michael, who emsees the show, addresses his remarks loyally and consistently to the "girls."
On the day caught the fare consisted of a hair-dressing demonstration by a pair of local coiffure artists, tap dancing by an eye -filling girl, songs by local collegian glee-clubbers, some stunts by a magician and a chalk cartoonist. Leaning heavily on amateur talent, the entertainment lacks a polished theatrical touch. For instance, the coiffure artists—Emile Jr., who operates several local hairdress parlors, and his assistant, Margaret Tarpey-demonstrated how to arrange an "upswept" hair-do in 12 painfully long minutes, during which their occasional attempts at dialog were pathetically strained. Efforts by announcer Michael to interpose some witty sayings from beyond the camera's view were brave but futile. At times Emile, in his arduous task of completing the hair-do in the compressed time before the camera, blocked the camera vision with his broad back, and for all the television audience may have known or cared, Emile was demonstrating how to prepare a Christmas roast.
Rita Johnson Dances
The tap dancer, Rita Johnson, gave considerable spark to the show, performing to recorded music. WNBW's two mobile cameras sometimes had difficulty in following the dancer around and getting her in full view. Sam Abbott, a chalk artist, drew amusing sketches about holiday shoppers and gift problems. Harry Baker, a local magician, gave what he described as the fourth in a series of legerdemain demonstrations and left this televiewer with no palpitations of anticipation for the fifth. Five students from Georgetown Univercity, who called themselves the "Georgetown Chimes," carried the heaviest load of the show with several lengthy renditions of old-fashioned harmony, the sort that would please middle-aged and elderly women. The commercials consisted of placards showing various models of video sets, with Michael's easy-going voice coming in for accompanying patter.
Michael, a personable jack-of-all-trades announcer, could contribute to some much-needed speeding up of the show by leaving his chair and table more often. Under the present arrangement there are tediously long breaks for the television camera's shift from Michael to the talent he introduces, and the viewer sometimes wonders whether Michael is in the same studio with the stuntsters.
Considering that Fun at Four is a small-budget show assembled for a relatively dull hour of the television day, the result is above average. The more glaring technical shortcomings are not too difficult to correct, even on a low budget, and the attractive Wardman-Park Hotel studio stage on which the show is performed could be used to better advantage. Ben Atlas. (Billboard, Dec. 27)
New York.—There are now between 9000 and 9500 television receivers in the Los Angeles area, according to a Paramount television executive. These figures, compiled about 10 days ago, compare with around 350 sets in this market at the beginning of the year. The tremendous jump in video circulation puts L.A. almost on a par with Chicago, which has about 9600 sets. Paramount has television stations in both cities. Though no authoritative figure for the whole country is available from the Television Broadcasters Association, latest statistics of the Radio Manufacturers Association reveal that 125,081 receivers were manufactured by Oct. 31: this total breaks down from 5437 made in January to 23,693 in October. TBA’s commercial operations committee is still trying to arrive at an authentic nation-wide amount, because a number of the small video manufacturers do not belong to the RMA. However, an estimate of140,000 for all sets in existence through the end of October is reasonable . . . Conflicting claims mark Gotham estimates ranging from 70,000 to 85,000 at the beginning of the month. (Hollywood Reporter, Dec. 11)
The soldier-singer behind the mike is T/Sgt. Charles W. Conroy, of the Southern New York U. S. Army and U. S. Air Force Recruiting District, whose vocalizing is an entertainment highlight on several Army radio programs that emanate from Manhattan, and Long Island. His more routine duties are performed in the Jamaica, L.I., recruiting station.Sgt. Conroy, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Yost, 109 Osborn St., Keyport, will be seen and hear on the first sustaining Army television show, which will be broadcast next Thursday [11] over radio station W2XJT, Jamaica. Tentative arrangements have been made for a 9:30 p.m. airing.
His popular tenor renditions are heard each Tuesday evening, at 9:30, over radio station WEVD, Manhattan. The program is entitled “Take-Off” and presents music by the Mitchel Field Air Force Band, and interviews with outstanding military personalities.
A first sergeant with the Signal Corps during the war, Conroy starred in the Army show “Hi, Yank,” which toured the Mediterranean Theater of Operations.
He has studied voice with Paul Kwartin, nephew of the well-known Jewish cantor, and with Betty Horton, the voice coach. Among celebrities with whom he has appeared in radio and concert work are Marjorie Gateson, of musical comedy and the screen, and singer Del Casino.
A radio veteran, Sgt. Conroy was heard, before the war, on station WBRB, Red Bank.
Among war decorations he wears are the American Defense ribbon, World War II Victory medal and the Europe-Africa-Middle East campaign ribbon. (Keyport, N.J. Weekly, Dec. 4)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1947
WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City
Off the air.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
1:00—Swift Home Service Club with Tex and Jinx, and Martha Logan, home economist; Sandra Gahle, decorator and home planner.
1:30—NBC Television Newsreel.
8:00—“Campus Hoopla,” with Bob Stanton and coach Lou Little, sponsored by U.S. Rubber (last show of series).
8:15—“The World in Your Home,” film program sponsored by RCA Victor.
8:30—“A Glamorous Christmas Morning,” department store shopping tips.
8:45—Billiard Show, with Willie Hopps, Willie Mosconi.
9:15—“Gillette Cavalcade of Sports,” Boxing from Madison Square Garden. Feature bout: Ike Williams vs. Tony Palomi (ten rounds), Roman Alvarez vs. Dorsey Lay (eight rounds).
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35—Film shorts.
6:45—Walter Compton, news (from WTTG), sponsored by General Electric.
7:00—Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30—Film shorts or Hubert Brill’s “Penthouse” (until 8:00).
7:35—Film: “Love and Kisses.”
8:00—Film shorts.
8:54—Sports Names to Remember, sponsored by Moquin Wine.
9:00—Wrestling from Jamaica Arena, with Dennis James.
WRGB (NBC) Channel 4, Schenectady
7:05—Program Announcements.
7:15—News Page.
7:30—Grandma Also Wore Hats.
7:45—Sportsreel.
7:55—Pictorial News Feature.
8:00—NBC programs.
10:30—Pictorial Spot News.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:45—Test Chart.
12:45—INS Television News.
1:00 to 1:40—NBC programming.
1:40—Christmas Gift Wrapping.
2:00—Your Television Shopper.
3:45—INS Television News.
4:00—Children’s Matinee: cartoon, Clyde Beatty serial Chapter 10, and Western Feature.
7:30—INS Television News.
7:45—Eavesdropping on Santa, from Gimbels, sponsored by Gimbels.
8:00—NBC program.
8:20—Short subject.
8:30—“Handy Man” with Jack Creamer, sponsored by Gimbels.
8:45—Motion Picture Short.
8:55—Sunshine Sportsman’s Show.
9:10—NBC programming, sponsored by Gillette.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. to noon, 1 to 5 p.m. and 7:00—Test Pattern.
7:30—DuMont gospel program (from WTTG).
8:00—Inquirer Television News, with Wally Sheldon.
8:15—South on Camac, with Patti Marsh and Charles Swier.
8:40—Wrestling from Philadelphia Arena. Ernie Dusek vs. Don Evans (two out of three falls), Rudy Dusek and Wally Dusek vs. Tony Martinelli and George Becker (two of three falls), Felix Miquet vs. Geoge Lennehan, Al Alexander vs. Dutch Schweiger.
WMAR Channel 2, Baltimore
6:35—DuMont (WABD) program.
6:45—DuMont (WTTG) program.
7:00—DuMont (WABD program), sponsored by General Electric.
7:30—DuMont (WTTG) programs to signoff.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
12:45—Coming Attractions.
1:00—NBC programming.
1:45—Musical Interlude.
4:00—The Local Crowd.
5:00—Film Features.
5:30—Play: “Energy to Burn” with Cathryn Elwood.
5:45—Musical Interlude.
8:00—NBC programming.
8:20—Story of the Week, with Richard C. Harkness.
8:40—NBC programming.
9:10—Let’s Learn To Dance, sponsored by Georges Radio and Television Stores.
9:25—News in Review
9:30—NBC programming, sponsored by Gillette.
10:45—Telesports Show.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
3:30—Afternoon Musicale.
4:00—Santa Claus in Toyland, from the Hecht Co. department store.
6:15—Dinner Music.
6:30—Preview Time.
6:35—DuMont programming.
6:45—Walter Compton, news, sponsored by General Electric (to DuMont).
7:00—NBC program with Bob Emery.
7:30—Elder Michaux and the “Happy I Am” Choir (to WMAR).
8:00—Film Featurette (to WMAR).
8:30—Ice Capades from Uline Arena (to WMAR).
WMAL-TV (CBS) Channel 7, Washington
10:00 a.m. to noon, and 1:00 to 5:00—Test Pattern.
W8XCT Channel 4, Cincinnati1:30 to 5:00—Test Pattern.
7:30—Cartoon: “Fly Frolic” (1932, Van Beuren).
7:45—Film: “Realm of Ghosts” (1936, First Division).
8:00—Film: “Ride Along Dude” (1936, First Division).
8:15—Wrestling from the Music Hall Sports Arena: John Demchuck vs. Bobby Nelson, Pierre LaBelle and Billy Fox vs. Gil LaCrosse and Bill Cazzell, Paul Steuer vs. Bob Anderson.
WWJ-TV Channel 4, Detroit
2:30—Television Matinee, Richard Satterfield.
8:45—News, Ted Grace, sponsored by Detroit Edison.
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, Channel 3 (incomplete)
7:55 to 10—High School Basketball, sponsored by Broadway House of Music.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
3:00—Chicago Television Showcase.
4:00—Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
7:30—News, Today’s World Picture, sponsored by Reed’s Candy and Television Specialists.
7:40—Animal Crackers.
7:55—Film shorts.
8:00—Telechats, sponsored by The Fair.
8:15—Film shorts.
8:30—Barn Dance, sponsored by New Era Potato Chips.
9:00—Boxing from Madison Athletic Club.
KSD-TV (NBC) Channel 5, St. Louis3:00—Associated Press News and Views.
3:15—Film musicals: “Canine Capers” and “Montana Plains.”
3:30—Behind the Fashion Scene with Marjorie Wilten.
3:45—Film: “California Picture Book.”
4:00—Cartoon: “Jack Frost” (Iwerks ComiColor, 1934).
4:15—Films: “Mickey the Detective” (1928, Mickey McGuire comedy) and “Demon of the Deep.”
8:15—Basketball: St. Louis University Billikins vs. Baylor. [Originally scheduled but not on the schedule in that day's Post-Dispatch].
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
10:30 a.m.—Test Pattern.
11:00—Queen For a Day.
11:30 to noon—Test Pattern and Music.
8:00—Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
8:25—Boxing Card and Announcements.8:30—Boxing at the Hollywood Legion Stadium. Fabela Chavez vs. Buddy Jackich (10 rounds), Bob Ferris vs. Charlie Daniels (six rounds), Freddie Babe Herman vs. Ramon Alva, Pert Glenn vs. Eddie Buchanan, Richard Lopez vs. Ray Thomas, Ben Makasoni vs. Johnny Clark (all four rounds).
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
12:30-1:00—“On the Town,” sponsored by local television set distributors.
3:00-5:00—World Wide News and Music.
7:00—“Uncle Phil,” with ventriloquist Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philo.
7:10—Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
7:30—“Looking at Music” with Al Jarvis, sponsored by Philco.
8:00—Tele-Newsreel, sponsored by Buchanan Co.
8:15—Short subject: "Tennis by Profession."
8:30—Hockey from the Pan Pacific Auditorium: Los Angeles Monarchs vs. Fresno Falcons.
On the Town
Reviewed Friday (12), 12:30-1:30 p.m. Style, sports interview, remote from Pan-Pacific Auditorium. Sponsored jointly by Los Angeles tele set distributors. Agency, J. Walter Thompson. Produced by Doc Livingstone. Over KTLA (Paramount), Hollywood.
Area's tele set distribs have realized the need for additional afternoon tele programing and have pitched their pennies together into one pot (amounting to an initial budget of $35,000) to bank-roll more daytime tele segs. This seg, a remote pick-up from Pan-Pacific, is one in a daily series to be tagged On the Town. With the sponsor's purpose in mind, today's scanning seems to fit the bill as far as giving local tele screens additional eye material is concerned. As to its entertainment value, their [sic] is some doubt since subject, by its nature, limits interest to the somewhat restricted audience of the sports-minded clan.
No single tele set brand name or dealer is plugged. Instead, commercial is offered in calling-card fashion, mentioning only that seg was sponsored by the Los Angeles tele receiver distributors.
For this pick-up KTLA brought its cameras down to the Pan-Pacific Ice Arena, giving viewers a glimpse of figure and hockey skaters in practice. These are capably reviewed by announcer Stu Wilson. In the case of the hockey team, elements of the game are explained by members of the team. In general, seg is a switch on the old man-on-the-street format, only in this case it is ice. J. Walter Thompson intends to inject a thread of continuity between the afternoon remotes, hence adding to their interest. Panning and dollying was handled in KTLA's typical skilled man. Lee Zhito. (Billboard, Dec. 27)
A Glamorous Christmas Morning
Reviewed Friday (12), 8:30-45 p.m. Sponsor, McCreery Department Store. Director, Ernest Colling. Technical director, Dick Pickard. Cast: Raye and Naldi, Irene Murphy, Walter Dever and Cheryl Archer. Via WNBT, New York.
This is one of three pre-Christmas programs placed by the McCreery Department Store on WNBT. This program ran 15 minutes. Thirteen minutes were commercial. Two were entertainment, and how they managed to get it in, no one can say.
The program opened with an exterior film shot of the store, faded to a toy counter and thereafter consisted of shots of various toys and dolls, with Irene Murphy in the guise of a sales clerk explaining the details and prices of the items shown. Two youngsters, a boy and a girl, played with the gadgets as Miss Murphy chattered along. Then just before the end of the program an abrupt cut from a candle display led to a shot of Mary Raye and Naldi who did a brief ballroom terp routine.
No one doubts that department stores can use television with signal success, but certainly more fertile and imaginative treatment is both necessary and possible. Jerry Frankel. (Billboard, Dec. 27)
U. S. RUBBER CO., New York, on Dec. 19 started a new series of Friday night telecasts on the NBC television network. Company’s Campus Hoopla series ended Dec. 12. Following three special film programs, a new series entitled Sports Know-How will begin Jan. 9. Series is placed by Campbell-Ewald Co., New York. (Broadcasting, Dec. 22)
New York.—CBS has signed agreements for television with Film Polski, official Police newsreel organization, and Australian News and Information Bureau, government film distributor. The Polish film service already has released “Warsaw,” a documentary, and a newsreel which have been shown on WCBS-TV, network video station here. Australian documentaries, features and newsreels are said to be coming through soon. (Hollywood Reporter, Dec. 12)
NEW YORK, Dec. 13.—The long-awaited agreement assigning specific times for use of the Washington-New York coaxial cable to the evolving television network broadcasters became a reality yesterday (12). The agreement, hammered out by tele execs and representatives of the American Telephone & Telegraph Company (AT&T) at an all-day session Tuesday (9) and another meeting yesterday, provides for regularly scheduled week-long use of the cable, both north and southbound. Final settlement of the knotty sked problem is expected to result in greater video web activity, with increased program emphasis, scurrying for affiliates and hypoed sales drives.
The new cable agreement, which takes effect January 1, supersedes the current set-up, which, by and large, assigned use of the coax on a full evening rather than time-seg basis to the stations. The new assignments split the evenings into time periods, with the broadcasters having themselves formulated the schedule division. The agreement, which has not yet taken the form of a contract, will cover a 90-day trial period. AT&T will, for the present, continue its old policy of making no charge for the use of the cable during the current "experimental" era. AT&T recently submitted proposed cable charges to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), but later withdrew them when video men beefed that the charges were exorbitant.
Four Nets Repped
At the session were executives of National Broadcasting Company (NBC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), DuMont, American Broadcasting Company (ABC), and WMAR, Baltimore and WFIL, Philadelphia.
Hottest fight centered around division of southbound time for Sundays, regarded as the choice audience plum. The day-long session Tuesday reached no agreement on the Sunday sked and, following a two-day "cooling off" period, the broadcasters met again Friday and finally set the Sabbath schedule. Major bone was the 8 to 10 p.m. period coveted both by NBC, which airs the Theater Guild and American National Theater Academy (ANTA) dramatic shows, and CBS, which broadcasts sporting events from Madison Square Garden.
Southbound Sked
Ultimate agreement for Sunday's southbound schedule follows:
2 to 4 p.m.—WFIL
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.—CBS
6:30 to 7 p.m.—NBC
7 to 8 p.m.—DuMont
8 to 9:15 p.m.—NBC
9:15 to sign-off—CBS
The broadcasters had considerable less difficulty in setting up the northbound schedule for Sunday:
4:30 to 6 p.m.—CBS
6:15 to 7 p.m.—ABC
7 to 8 p.m.—NBC
8 to 9:15 p.m.—CBS
9:15 to sign-off—DuMont
Schedules for week night use were wrapped up Tuesday; all were settled amicably, with a minimum of bargaining. Broadcasters agreed to set the early time segs, up to 8 p.m., on an across-the-board basis, for simplicity of operation. Late evening hours were arrived at on the basis of each broadcaster's current or projected program. For example, CBS gained virtually all of Saturday night for use in broadcasting events from Madison Square Garden. By the same token NBC acquired the bulk of Friday evening for transmission of boxing from the Garden. (Billboard, Dec. 20)
