Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1957)

Just in! Seattle • San Diego San Francisco OUTRATES ALL COMPETITION FIRST RATED TELECASTS 22.3 KING, Pulse 2/6/57 23.5 KFMB, Pulse 2/6/57 16.4 KPIX, Vldeodex 2/5/57 Television Programs of America, Inc. 488 Madison Ave., N. Y. 22 • PLaza 5-2100 BOOKS HISTORY AS YOU HEARD IT, by Lowell Thomas. Foreword by William S. Paley. 486 pp., $4.95, Doubleday & Co., New York, 1957. LOWELL THOMAS may not be the best radio commentator of the lot, but he certainly appears the most durable one. This book does not pretend to be an anthology of Mr. Thomas' "best broadcasts." Neither does it live up to its rather grandiose promise (as stated on the book jacket) of trying to cram between hard covers "25 years of history reported day-to-day as it happened," but then it doesn't have to. There's just enough in this book to give the casual reader a fairly good idea of what happened between Sept. 29, 1930 — Lowell Thomas' first CBS Radio newscast — and Sept. 26, 1955, where he rather abruptly leaves us to wonder whether President Eisenhower will survive his heart attack. There's also enough in the book to see why Mr. Thomas has become an institution of sort — the little homey touches such as calling dictators by their first names ("it looks like Adolf . . .") or using his tonal inflections to cast just enough doubt on someone's statement to make him out a liar ("The Russians have broken through ... so says Moscow . . ."). Perhaps the most interesting part of the book is to be found in the foreword. In it, CBS Board Chairman William S. Paley explains how the network came to find the golden voice of Mr. Thomas. It appears that after Floyd Gibbons and his sponsor, The Literary Digest (swallowed up by Time Inc. after the rout of Al Landon by FDR in '36) reached a parting of the ways in 1930, the network found itself in a corporate pickle. Then along came Thomas, hailed far and wide as the discoverer of T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia fame), only he didn't know how to do a news broadcast. Lent a braintrust by the sponsor consisting of Ogden Nash, Jesse Butcher, Dale Carnegie and Prosper Buranelli, Mr. Thomas sent the first three away, kept Mr. Buranelli, and has, despite the pun, prospered ever since. TELEVISION ENGINEERING HANDBOOK, edited by Donald G. Fink. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York. $18. FIRST handbook on television engineering is the designation the publisher gives this compendium of the engineering aspects of the visual art. Written by 33 specialists, the volume runs the gamut from tv standards to colorimetry, from camera to the latest 21 -inch color receiver. Not only are U. S. systems , and standards dissected, but also those of Great Britain, France and other CCIR countries. The contributors number outstanding authorities in both the manufacturing and broadcast field. Not the least recommendation for this handbook is the editorship of Don Fink. Mr. Fink, now director of research for the Philco Corp., was formerly editor of Electronics Magazine and of the Proceedings of the Institute of Radio Engineers; vice chairman, National Television System Committee, and a man who has done yeoman service in professional activities in television. OPEN MIKE Bouquet editor: Thanks for your carefully handled story concerning the editorializing issue [involving CBS actions in regard to commentators Ed Murrow and Eric Sevareid; B«T, March 11]. I appreciate your taking the time to go into the matter thoroughly, and to write a fair and accurate story. John Day Director of News CBS New York How High the Moon? editor: I was pondering the future of radio recently, and here is what one of your Classified ads might look like in the year 2057. Help Wanted Small market network affiliate on Moon has opening for morning man. Must be able to run own board and space car. No drifters, floaters, or space-bums need apply. Good opportunity for sober, reliable man with highly developed respiratory system. Phil Painter WSOU-FM South Orange, N. J. Half Right editor: In re your story [B«T, March 18] about Mr. Reveal who likes his tv set so well that he shot three slugs into it: I hasten to point out that WCHS-TV is in Charleston, West Virginia, rather than South Carolina as reported in your story. Bruce M. Johns Promotion Director WCHS-TV Charleston, W. Va. editor: Your article on the Pittsburgh address of Walter B. Dunn of H-R Representatives [B»T, March 18] was gratifying, but as a member of the Pittsburgh Radio & Tv Club. I would like to point out that it was this organization and not, as was stated, the Pittsburgh Ad Club which Mr. Dunn addressed. The Pittsburgh Radio & Tv Club has been meeting every other week for more than 10 years and has been largely responsible for the congenial relations among officials and staff members of Pittsburgh district stations. Philip L. Davis Promotion Manager WWSW Pittsburgh Chevalier Fan editor: As an admirer of your television reviews. I was disappointed in your comments on Maurice Chevalier's Paris. One reason it appealed to me was the fact that he didn't play up the usual stereotypes of France. If Chevalier had appeared in his usual singing role, it would have made this into an ordinary musical. I think you missed the point. Elizabeth Turnell Greencastle, Ind. Page 18 • March 25, 1957 Broadcasting • Telecasting