Broadcasting (Jan - Mar 1949)

To One Million People CBS leans DURHAM North Carolina 5,000 WATTS 620 Kc PAUL H. RAYMER, REP. Page 64 • January 17, 1949 On All Accounts (Continued from page 16) "This seemed the best way to get the most out of two sides." After transcribing a special NAR birthday show, using the same talent but with the added fillip of birthday greetings to reservists from Rear Admr. Edward C. Ewen, then chief of the command, Commdr. Kimmell went to bat for a radio budget. By November 1947 he had the $22,000 grant, and work on the first 26-week series was started. Progress was slow due to limited studio availability preceding the record ban, but early last year (1948) activity picked up when AFM Czar Petrillo cleared the project. The 15-minute show presented Jim Ameche as m.c, the Honey Dreamers, the George Barnes instrumental octet — plus a guest spot featuring name stars who chanced to be in Chicago, 18 miles from the Glenview base. "The show was built first for the broadcaster and listener and second for the Navy," Commdr. Kimmell says. "This paid dividends as later reports indicated the show not only captured but held attention. Our one plug per show, with an occasional boost from the guest artist as to the importance of a strong air reserve, was designed to be attractive to the listener." The first 26-week series was followed by a spot announcement project featuring movie actors who had served in the Navy and Marines (Robert Montgomery, Robert Taylor, Tyrone Power, Buddy Rogers, Gene Kelly, Wayne Morris). Also participating were actress Janis Paige, who had been "Miss Naval Air Reserve" when the command was activated in 1946, and baseball stars Johnny Mize, Walker Cooper, and Mel Ott. Five hundred stations now are using the spots. Casting for Series Basic casting for the new 1949 series is the same as last year but "certain weak spots have been beefed up," the commander reveals. The Barnes octet has become a 16piece orchestra, and these guests stars already have been signed: Skitch Henderson, Skip Farrell, Frankie Masters and Phyllis Myles, the King's Jesters, Georgie Goebel, Andy Roberts and Nancy Reed, Julie Wilson, Jerry Colonna, Jack Carson, and Marion Hutton. Walt Kimmell, who is 36 years old, entered radio following his graduation from Wichita Falls Junior College in 1933. His first job was on KGKO, then located in his native city. By 1938, he had added flying to his talents, and this landed him in the Navy in 1942 as a primary flight instructor at Dallas and Memphis Naval Air Stations. After V-J Day he became a Navy public information officer and has been attached to the NARTC staff at headquarters ever since, with the exception of several months in the Hollywood area. In addition to his radio work, he travels extensively for and with his boss, Rear Admr. R. F. Whitehead, present commander of NARTC, acting as advance representative for annual inspections of reserve activities. During last years' tour, 70 live broadcasts were producedj^ each featuring the admiral but pointed toward the local NAR operation. On such trips, he instructs local PIOs in the use of radio. Son of a Texas oil operator, Commdr. Kimmell is married to the former Ruth Brannon of Amarillo, whom he met while at KFDA. COMEDY RATING New High in Decency — RAP COLLEGE students of all creeds rated radio comedy as hitting a new high in decency in the Oct. 17Nov. 13 period. The students, comprising the Radio Acceptance Poll, represented 63 colleges and universities. Scoring programs on the basis of "good taste and all-around family acceptability," they rated the Life of Riley and Jack Benny shows at the top of the list as "highly acceptable." Eddie Cantor and Fred Allen programs tied for third with high "acceptable" ratings. Close behind the top four, according to the college pollsters, were: Red Skelton, Burns and Allen, Charlie McCarthy, Bob Hope, Phil Harris and Duffy's Tavern. All were adjudged "acceptable." Duffy's Tavern, which placed tenth in the ten-program list, was rated well above the halfway mark between "barely acceptable" and "highly acceptable." The Radio Acceptance Poll is conducted by the National Federation of Catholic College Students through its press commission, with headquarters at St. Joseph's College, Collegeville, Ind. In 30 weeks of balloting last year Fibber McGee and Molly was the only comedy program to win a "highly acceptable" rating for the entire season. The college pollsters said that Fibber and Molly have been "graduated" from RAP this year and vdll not be monitored. Ratings for the Oct 17-Nov. 13 period, with figures indicating Hot Interview A HOT time was experienced by the staff of WRNL Richmond, Va., Jan. 6 when a twoalarm fire threatened the second floor studios. The blaze, which was brought under control after a two-hour battle, forced operation from the . transmitter when smoke be j came too thick for the station's announcing staff. When studio operation was resumed, announcer Al Reynolds interviewed Richmond's Fire Chief Finnagan who took time out from his fire fighting duties to appear on the air. composite scores for the four weeks, were : (1) "Life of Riley," 78; (2) Jack Benny, 75; (3) Eddie Cantor, 68; (3) Fred Allen, 68; (5) Red Skelton, 65; (6) Burns and Allen, 63; (7) "Charlie McCarthy," 61; (8) Bob Hope, 60; (9) Phil Harris, 59; (10) "Duffy's Tavern," 56. RADIO AS MEDIA Seattle Ad Club to Study RADIO'S place among the major; media of Seattle advertising was described last Thursday in Seattle Advertising and Sales Club's winter course, "Media of Advertising." The classes started Jan. 10. An outline of the media to be studied was given by L. J. Johnson account executive with Ruthrauff & Ryan and associate coordinator of the course. Tom Jones Parry of Western Agency gave a discussion of general magazines. Ray Baker, commercial manager of KOMO Seattle, is conducting the radio session this week. The present course is part of a series, with "The Production of Advertising" scheduled for the spring semester and "General Advertising" planned for fall. Harry Pearson, partner in Pearson and Morgan Adv. Agency, is chairman of the course planning committer, which is guided by the Ad Club'i^ educational advisory board, with H. 0. Stone, secretary of Pacific National Adv. Agency, as chairman. i aid opii 50.000 WATTS. 890 KC, ABC AFFILIATE Represented by JOHN BLAIR & CO CHICAGO 7 FARMER SIAilON BROADCASTING • Telecasting