International photographer (Jan-Dec 1935)

March, 1935 The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Three Television Up To Date [Mr. Lubcke needs no introduction to the readers of THE INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER, nor to the widely spreading world of Television, nor to Radio. Since 1930 he has been director of Television of the Don Lee Broadcasting System, which has pioneered in Television on the West Coast. This latest interview with Mr. Lubcke is both timely and ex cathedra. There is something in it for all concerned, not forgetting the movies. — EDITOR'S NOTE.] Question : We have been reading much about Television in the press in the last few months. We have been told that Television is here ; and that it will never come. We have been told that there is no barrier to its immediate commercial use ; that the barrier is a financial one ; and again that it is a technical one. Mr. Lubcke, what are we to believe ? Answer: Some people tell us that technically, television is now at the same point as it was at its inception. This, of course, is false. Television is governed by the same basic laws that have always existed, but the applications thereof have been greatly refined. Problems that were thought to be impossible five years ago are now solved. The demonstratable results have greatly improved, as will be acknowledged by anyone who has followed the art for any period of time. Some people tell us that we must have a complete television network throughout the United States. In this case the problem is surely financial, regardless of whether or not a technical question is involved. The immediate construction, installation, and operation of a national television system would be a monumental achievement. It would be fine to have television come to our people in tin's way. But things have not been done this way before. Radio broadcasting started with a few scattered stations of inferior quality and low power. Radio chains were hesitatingly put together by combined established individual stations. The General Motors organization grew from small beginnings, and Henry Ford started his present immense enterprise in a backyard garage. If it had been proposed or insisted that any of theset enterprises be launched on their present scale, none oj them would have been started. It is to be noted that the English are starting with a single television station, although they probably envision a system as pretentious as the proposed American network. A sane review of the facts naturally reveals that a modest initial launching of television in accordance with an ambitious ultimate plan, if needs be, is the only solution. The time for commercial overtures in this regard draws nigh. But before any gainful endeavors can be realized from television, its commercialization must be allowed by the Federal Communications Commission. The Federal Communications Commission cannot properly allow commercialization until they see definite indications of its existence. On the other hand, financiers are reluctant to engage in enterprises of national scope in which the opportunity for profit is prohibited by statute. Consequently we have a vicious circle which prevents the activity it proposes to establish. Through the efforts of the few forward looking pioneers engaged in television research at the present time, this circle will be broken. They are on the inside, of course, because they are "making" the inside. Being pioneers in experimental television they will be pioneers plus in commercial television. They will not make large expenditures unwisely, as is often done by the uninitiated. Some motion picture studios did this in the first days of sound, we are told. Question: How is television coming? The Editor Interviews Harry R. Lubcke Answer: This seems to be pretty well answered by current reports. They are all about television as an adjunct to radio broadcasting. England is following this plan. Free radio broadcasting, made possible by advertising sponsorship, is preeminently an American institution. Surely we will follow this plan, regardless of what some say about the cost. The American advertiser lives on his ability to do something "bigger and better," and this is what television-radio broadcasting offers him. Will he take it ? He cannot afford to do otherwise, any more than a metropolitan store can afford to deliver by horse and buggy. Question: How will the coming of commercial television affect the stage and the motion picture industry? Answer: This can still be answered by the reasoning of our last interview. (July, 1933, International Photographer.) To quote: "I believe television will find its sphere of activity as a home entertainment, and as such will not directly compete with the stage or motion picture theatre. It will, undoubtedly, change the type of presentation that we will go to the legitimate and the motion picture theatre to see. Many people believed that the telephone would destroy the usefulness of the telegraph, but we all know this was not the case. The telephone restricted the field of the telegraph because it handled certain situations in a better way, but they both enjoy a proper field of activity at the present time. "The attraction of a crowd will still cause the American public to go to the theatre and the attraction of the living presentation will cause the stage to survive for all time. Football stadiums are still filled by folks who want to be there, although they could probably find out more about what was happening by staying home and listening to the radio." Question : What will be the part of films in television ? Answer: A big part. By reason of their natural adaptability for television broadcasting, because several prints can be made of a production and these economically sent on a tour of the countries' television outlets, and because the production of the show can be done in piecemeal style, as is usual in motion picture work, films will play an important part in the television scheme of things. Studios will find a new avenue of activity in producing films for television. Production will not be in the usual way, but when the procedure is shown, there will be just as great artistic and commercial opportunities as now exist. Studio executives are beginning to wonder about radio broadcasting. Television offers an opportunity to weld these two great entertainment industries closer together, into an understanding and profitable whole. Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.