Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1960)

Jelevision Joday Motion Picture Daily Thursday, October 13, 1960 Phonevision AROUND THE ( Continued from page 1 ) ford petition "could hinder the establishment of subscription television in other markets." Hartford Phonevision, in its answer, denies that the exhibitors have any right to demand that programming plans be given in detail. It says that the FCC itself has earlier recognized that one purpose of a test is to find out what sort of programs could be had for pay-tv, and states that "the nature of the programming that it intended to broadcast" has already been supplied. This included first-run movies, Broadway plays, sports events and other features not available on free tv. To Give 'Full Responses' At the hearing, Hartford's reply states, the company "will be prepared to furnish full responses with respect" to its stated programming plans "including its intentions and hopes with respect to subscription programs." But "it will be unprepared to do what the commission recognized as impossible" in its basic reports on pay-tv— "that is, fully outline with particularity and in detail the exact programs or the detailed schedule of programs that it may be able to obtain and broadcast by subscription television." It would "have no objection to the addition of a limited issue" covering this in broad outline. It goes on to say that until FCC authorizes it to proceed so that it can seriously negotiate for program product "and is able to bind itself to exhibit the product it seeks, it cannot be certain as to the specific programs it will be able to procure." Cites 'Press Notices' Making a direct comment on Cohn and the motion picture exhibitors, the Hartford brief refers to "press notices" which have reported that the opponents of pay-tv hope to crossexamine the witnesses that favor tolltv on commitments for programs. The implication, according to the brief, is that "failure to prove firm commitments is fatally defective" to the Hartford application. The reply then bluntly says: "applicant has no firm commitments, for the simple reason that it is unable to firmly commit itself in return for a firm commitment of any program supplier until it knows when and whether it is going to operate." It adds that if FCC had imposed such a requirement "as a condition precedent to the issuance of an authorization," applications would be effectively blocked. The Hartford reply also takes exception to some aspects of Cohn's proposal for clarification of competitive impact. Hartford agrees that this musif ex co 45 w. 45 st. n.y.c. industrial lusic scoring TV CIRCUIT with PINKY HERMAN. San Francisco, Oct. 12 A55-minute trip by jetbrought us to this beautiful city and early next morning we drove to the fabulous Fairmont Hotel atop California St. Don Sherwood wasn't in (he's the town's beloved "Peck's Bad Boy" heard mornings over KSFO and seen evenings TVia KTVU ) so we ascended the carpeted stair to station KSAY (also headquartered at this hotel) where Sales Mgr. Hal Hoffman showed us around and introduced us to the P.D. Dan Solo, a tall dark and handsome engineer, disk jockey, announcer and authority on dress, customs, dialects and life in the West during the close of the' 19th Century. Brother Sam, who lives in nearby Millbrae drove us to KFRC where back in 1945 we first heard and encouraged Merv Griffin, then featured vocalist with Lyle Bardo's Ork. Lyle is now teaching music but his efficient and charming "Gal Friday," Amy Lawrence, (now ass't. to P. D. George Crowell) is still here KFRChecking music and records with the aid of pretty Maureen Nerli. Genial Gene Backer, mgr. of C. & C. Distributors and Don Graham assured us that the Martin Walker recording (PINKY RECORDS) of "Where Can You Be?" is getting a concentrated plug by the local deejays. Returning to KSFO we learned that Patti Newbegin was succeeded as Rec. Lib. by Elma Greer, whose ken of record artists is exceeded only by her charm, wit and popularity with the local music fraternity. Del Courtney, whose orchestra, played years ago in Chicago and whom we often visited back in the thirties and forties, is now spinning wax at KSFO and he told us the King Sisters Trio (he's married to Bonnie King) have again resumed their singing career are featured on Capitol Records, and will open an engagement starting next month at the Sahara in Las Vegas. # & This pillar has been touting the artistry of Polly Bergen ever since she appeared with Bill Harrington on an ABC-TV series back in 1954. Last CBSaturday Polly and Phil Silvers teamed up in a program, "Polly & Me" which just about proved to be one of the funniest, zippiest and entertainingest hours of the year. And incidentally, last week, while we were in Hollywood, we saw the huddles between La Bergen and several Columbia Pix biggies so don't be surprised if she'll soon be signed to star in moom pitchers. . . . A most unusual young man named Ted Randal (printer, one "L" please) has earned himself quite a rep, not only as d.j. at KEWB but for the successful shows which he as Prexy of T. R. Productions, creates and forwards to a local and northwest radio net of about 30 stations, so, out to his office where his good-looking young secretary Wendy Blake honored us with her company for lunch after which we met Randal; after but 15 minutes, we learned the secret of his success. Really a simple formula. Learn the biz, dream up novel and unusual programs, utilize the music of the masters, past and present and serenade the listener. At KQBY, we talked to Mgr. Charles Black, an old friend of our pal Jonathan (KSON, San Diego) Kirby. We said he appears so young to have such a responsible position and learned that Black is quite a radio vet having started his career at WSAI in Cincinnati in 1947. "Do you know our friend Jon (Big Jon & Sparky) Arthur?" we asked. "Know him?" he replied, "I was the producer of that program and we always were grateful to FAME Magazine because in 1953, 54 and 55 our program was one of the winners" in the Radio Poll. "Charlie also told us that Jon is currently in Korea working for the U.S. Government with near Ambassadorial rating." Polly Bergen ci-6-4061 is a legitimate issue to the extent that FCC might want to inquire into the "possible deprivation of television program services presently available without charge in Hartford." But it "strongly objects" to expanding the issue to include determination of paytv's impact "upon the program services available through other media, including theatres, night clubs, sports stadia, educational institutions, etc." FCC "does not have jurisdiction over these other enterprises, has no burden under the statue to shield them from competitive effects, and any attempt to make such a determination here would only give rise to speculation and conjectures without bound and with respect to which no cogent proof could be offered until after the trial is completed," the brief declares. : Name Hayward ( Continued from page 1 ) operations using Zenith's Phonevision system. "Teco intends to pioneer in the field of top quality subscription television programming," van Beek said. "In the event the Federal Communications Commission authorizes the proposed test of Phonevision's overthe-air system in Hartford, Connecticut, our association with Mr. Hayward will permit us to become one of the program suppliers for the Hartford test." Zenith and Teco earlier this year completed arrangements with RKO General, Inc. for the latter to conduct a three-year trial of subscription I tv in Hartford. RKO General has| pledged itself to the expenditure of up to $10,000,000 in the three-year period of the Hartford test. Gives His Formula Commenting on his new affiliation Hayward said: "There are 50,000,000 American families waiting to have box office entertainment delivered at home. If it is good enough, they will buy it. And if it is not, they will spend their money on some other recreation. It is as simply as that." Hayward said subscription televi sion in essence is the largest theatre ever built. "If we can produce the| entertainment people are willing to buy, and I have no doubt that we Can, subscription television will give1 us the largest number of box office customers the entertainment industry has ever had. If you translate this in terms of new opportunities for create ing entertainment, we may well be standing on the threshold of a completely new era in the history of en tertainment. As far as I am con-i cerned, I want to be part of it," he said. Sees Hard Struggle Hayward warned that subscription television's success will not come easily, and pointed out that it will tak( imagination and courage and a will ingness to experiment. He said, "It requires the support of everyone whr belongs in show business, but I am certain we will all respond to thij new challenge." One of the most famous personal^ ities in the entertainment world, Hay^ ward achieved fame with a long lis^ of theatrical productions. He is cur, rently represented on Broadway wit! "The Sound of Music" and "Gypsy. 'j Among others, he has been associated with the production of "A Bel for Adano," "State of the Union,' "Mister Roberts," "Point of No Return," "'Call Me Madam," "Soutl Pacific" and "Ballets USA." EAST COAST MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION, EDITORIAL and TECHNICAL SERVICES R FOR BETTER FILMS CREATIVE EDITING AND COMPLETE PERSONAL SUPERVISION JOSEPH JOSEPHSON 45 West 45th St. Circle 6-2146 New York 36 I