Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1958)

PROGRAMS & PROMOTIONS continued WMT Booklet 'Spreads Conviction' A new 16-page booklet, titled "Melodies for a Timebuyer's Mandolin," is being distributed to the trade by WMT Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The booklet is written in a light partlimerick vein and subtitled "A collection of incidents, wholesome facts and embroidered embellishments designed to spread conviction about a certain radio station in eastern Iowa." It covers such factors as geographical area, market characteristics, sponsor success stories and station personalities. 'Fastest Gun' New KPIX Sport A tournament was run by KPIX (TV) San Francisco Feb. 1 to find the "Fastest Gun Alive." The station expected a dozen or so would enter the tourney after "Deputy Dave" had announced it would be telecast on his Roundup show, but reports 40 people arrived for the eliminating rounds before the program. Ex-cowboy Frank Kapica (real name, Frank James; he changed it because of the ribbing he got) drew his gun and fired five shots in less than one second to win the title. An Ampex tape recorder was adapted for timing participants' reactions in drawing and firing. Such is the interest in this western sport-hobby that Deputy Dave has formed a club for "gunslingers" who think they are fast on the draw. Middle East Series on WRC-TV America's foreign policy in relation to the Middle East was explained in the first of WRC-TV Washington's educational series Perpetual Crisis in the Middle East (Feb. 2, noon-1 p.m. EST). A film showing Iranian village life was aired typifying the problems of the Middle East peoples. The program's guests were Dr. Roderick Davison, professor of European History, George Washington U., and Dr. John Badeau, president of the Near East Foundation. The rest of the series consists of 13 weekly (Sunday, noon) half-hour shows. KXOK Opens Washington Bureau Part of KXOK St. Louis' newscasts originate from Washington, D. C, in its new First Person News (half-hourly between 5:30 ART WORK was spread over two WFMY-TV Greensboro, N. C, studios and three conference rooms after that station assumed regional sponsorship of Scholastic Magazine's annual art awards project. The station's staff unpacked and catalogued more than 1,200 entries from students in 100 high schools. WFMY-TV originated two telecasts Feb. 8 of the regional judges selecting the 380 pieces of work to receive certificates of merit. From these, the top 100 (Gold Key winners) will go on display at Elliott Hall College, N. C, Feb. 24-Mar. 8 before being sent to New York and the national competition for $20,000 and art scholarships. Gaines Kelley, WFMYTV's general manager, said that the station undertook regional sponsorship of the art awards because "the business of tv is to make pictures; and what better way to provide recognition to our . . . students' creative achievements . . . than through the medium of television?" 9 a.m.). Jock Laurence, head of KXOK's newly-opened Washington news bureau, brings listeners interviews with people in the news from the Nation's Capital. A feature of First Person is the station's "SonicQuotes." Special microphones replace the "quote and unquote," generally used by newscasters. 45s All Played-Out by WATO The 10th anniversary of WATO Oak Ridge, Tenn., was celebrated with a WATOThon contest. At sign-on Feb. 3 the station began playing 45 rpm records and continued to work its way through the discs, 24 hours a day, until the 45s were all played. Listeners submitted estimates of the time the last one would be aired. The person who sent in the closest guess received $200. WATO also awarded 100 prizes for other guests. Cincinnati's Most Powerful Independent Radio Station 50,000 watts of SALES POWER WC KY CINCINNATI, OHIO STATION §n the Air everywhere 24 hours a day— seven days a week Page, 104 • February 17, 1958 Judge Quits Commercial Show KABC-TV Los Angeles will continue its Traffic Court telecasts (Fri. 6:30-7 p.m. PST) despite the withdrawal of Municipal Judge Evelle Younger. The judge's decision to leave after the March 7 telecast followed an opinion by the advisory committee of a California lawyers' group (by a 14-1 vote) that his appearance on the program sponsored by Southern Calif. Chevrolet Dealers Assn. "justifies a reasonable suspicion that the power and prestige of his office are being utilized to promote a commercial product." The successor to Judge Younger had not been picked Feb. 7. The program re-enacts traffic court cases designed to educate the public on traffic safety. Grey-Samsonite's Steak Breakfast NBC-TV's Arlene Francis Show (MonFri. 10-10:30 a.m.) originated from the new Trans World Airlines "$15 million jet age" terminal facilities at New York's International Airport Tuesday as a setting for the introduction of Samsonite Luggage Co.'s new "silhouette" line. Samsonite and its agency, Grey Adv., New York, were hosts to industry representatives at a steak breakfast prior to the telecast. WRR's 'Tag Patrol' for Safety Bumper stickers imprinted with WRR Dallas call letters which read, "Slow Down and Live," are being issued in connection with its "Tag Patrol" proomotion. Tag Patrol is a mobile unit which tours Dallas and awards cash to motorists listening to WRR. Additional prizes are given the drivers of automobiles bearing luminescent stickers. Broadcasting