Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1956)

occur. But the unit also was said to already have plans enough to keep it hopping from late February until the Democratic National Convention opens Aug. 13. CBS newsmen slated for service with the unit at one time or another include Eric Sevareid, chief Washington correspondent; Griffing Bancroft, Ned Calmer, Wells Church, Lou Cioffi, Ron Cochran, Charles Collingwood, Walter Cronkite, Douglas Edwards, George Herman, Allan Jackson, Larry Lesueur, Bill Shadel, Neil Strawser, Dallas Townsend, Robert Trout, and Charles Von Fremd. Husband-Wife Team Signed For NBC-TV Spectaculars HUSBAND AND WIFE, producer-composer team Lester Cowan and Ann Ronell have been signed by NBC-TV to create and produce a series of color tv spectaculars, Thomas A. McAvity, vice president in charge of NBC-TV, disclosed last week. First show that producer Cowan and composer Ronell have planned for the network is an original musical comedy entitled, "Oh! Susanna," which is based on the lives and songs of Stephen Foster and E. P. Christy. Another slated for the production team is "The Story of G.I. Joe," based on the motion picture produced by Mr. Cowan and for which Miss Ronell received an Academy Award nomination for her musical direction. NBC also signed Bob Finkel, formerly coproducer and director of the Colgate Variety Hour, as a producer-director, the third, for the new NBC Comedy Hour (three out of four Sundays, 8-9 p.m. EST). 450 Stations Used In Mutual Promotion IN a "pro-radio" campaign said to be the most extensive in its history, Mutual is using its facilities to sell radio in general and MBS in particular by means of a series of 60-second announcements broadcast more than 20 times each day. The campaign, prepared by Francis X. Zuzulo and Hal Gold, in charge of audience promotion at Mutual, is aimed at impressing listeners that radio is the accepted mass communications medium, filling the basic needs of the family unit for news and entertainment no matter where the family may be — in the living room, bedroom, kitchen or outdoors. The announcements, started by some stations last week, will be presented on about 150 Mutual stations during the daytime and about 450 at night. The copy of the 12 one-minute announcements initially establishes the vast breadth of radio broadcasting with a statement such as this: "The set over which you're hearing my voice right now may be one of 46 million consoles or table models — one of 40 million in cars and trucks — one of the more than 20 million portables and clock radios in use throughout the land. . . . More than 20 million homes boast at least three radio sets. Multiply and add — and you've got the astounding number that approximates the 160 million people living in our fair land." From this general "pro-radio" approach, the copy switches to a boost for Mutual, such as this: "You're right there on top of the news — on top of the best in entertainment — you're keeping pace with millions of other Americans if you've got your radio set right now and tuned regularly to Mutual. To keep pace with your friends, with your neighbors — make sure your radio is always set for Mutual — the radio service that's best in broadcasting." The segments of the announcements devoted to Mutual cover such phases of programming as news shows, mystery, musical programming, quiz shows and general programming. Mutual also has prepared a kit of shorter announcements on specific Mutual programs, which have been distributed to affiliated stations for local presentation. Blake Moves to Hollywood ROBERT F. BLAKE, director of special projects for CBS-TV press information department, will transfer from New York to Hollywood in February, it was announced last week by Charles Oppenheim, director of CBS-TV information services. Mr. Blake will continue in his present post. Ted Wick is manager of special projects in Hollywood and John Walsh remains as New York representative of the section. CBS-TV Signs Orson Welles ORSON WELLES has been signed by CBS-TV to star in "Twentieth Century," a comedy by Ben Hecht and Charles McArthur, that will be presented April 7 on the Ford Star Jubilee color series every fourth Sat. (9:30-11 p.m. EST), Hubbell Robinson Jr., vice president in charge of CBS-TV programs, announced Tuesday. With the New DAGE Model 320A Camera CUT PRODUCTION COSTS FOR USE IN: STUDIO • REMOTE TELECASTING • FILM PICKUP • KINESCOPING PROGRAMS Enjoy greater handling ease and high telecasting quality without the need for extensive operator training and experience. The Dage Model 320A Vidicon Camera is a greatly improved version of the Model 300D camera which has been widely used for studio, remote and film pickups. • Sweep failure protection for Vidicon pickup tube. • Removable Electronic Viewfinder. 5" tube. White phosphor. • 8 MC bandwidth with adjustable phase and aperture correction and adjustable peaking coils. • Overscan switch. • Switch-selected control of electrical focus at either camera or control unit. • Four-lens turret operated from rear of camera. • Relay operated tally lights in hood and end panels. • Camera control consoles include 10" aluminized picture tube and 5" waveform monitor. Built-in target calibration, regulated kinescope high voltage supply. EXCLUSIVE NEW DAGE .master monitor Model 635A includes 10" aluminized picture tube with inter-laced pulse-cross display, 5" wave form monitor, built-in calibration pulse for level adjustments. Dage produces complete studio, pickup, switching and distribution equipment. DAGE T E VISION LEVISION D Michigan City, Indiana In Canada, distributed by: Rogers Majestic Electronics, Ltd., Toronto A«tt I tllllsMil Product Broadcasting • Telecasting January 23, 1956 • Page 77