Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1937)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY New National Air Network Is Reported in Formation 6 RADIO Hearing Dates Set by FCC on New Stations By BERTRAM F. LINZ Washington, March 2. — Hearings on the application of the Johnson City Broadcasting Co. for a 1,200kilocycle station at Johnson City, Tenn., will be held before an examiner of the F. C. C. at Johnson City, March 8, it was announced today. A number of other hearings have been scheduled for next week, to be held in Washington. On March 9 the tentative calendar calls for hearings before an examiner on the application of the Northern Broadcasting Co. for an 830-kilocycle station at Traverse City, Mich., to use 500 watts power ; H. A. Hamilton for a 1,420kilocycle station at Spartanburg, S. C, using 100 watts night and 250 watts day; and Leonard A. Versluis for an 830-kilocycle, 500-watt daytime station at Grand Rapids. On March 10 examiners' hearings will be held on the applications of the North Georgia Broadcasting Co. for a 1,200-kilocycle, 100-watt daytime station at Rossville, Ga. ; James D. Scannell for a 1,420-kilocycle, 100watt station unlimited time station at Lewiston, Me., and the Ogdensburg Publishing Co. for a 1,500-kilocycle, 100-watt unlimited time station at Ogdensburg, N. Y. Examiners' hearings also will be held March 12 on applications of the Elmira Star-Gazette for a 1,200-kilocycle, 250-watt daytime station at Elmira, N. Y. ; Radio Enterprises for a 1,310-kilocycle, 100-watt daytime station at Lufkin, Tex., and Redlands Broadcasting Ass'n for a 1,310kilocycle, 100-watt daytime station, also at Lufkin, Tex. FCC Grants Five Station Licenses Washington, March 2. — Operating licenses -today were granted to five broadcasting stations by the Federal Communications Commission, as follows : WSAU, Northern Broadcasting Co., Wausau, Wis., 1,370 kilocycles, 100 watts, daytime only; WWAE, Hammond-Calumet Broadcasting Corp., Hammond, Ind., 1,200 kilocycles, 100 watts; WGNY, Peter Goelet, Newburgh, N. Y., 1,210 kilocycles, 100 watts, WBAX, John H. Stenger, Jr., Wilkes Barre, Pa., 1,210 kilocycles, 100 watts, limited time ; and KCMC, KCMC, Inc., Texarkana, Tex., 1,420 kilocycles, 100 watts. At its regular weekly meeting the broadcast division also granted a construction permit to WJNO, West Palm Beach, Fla., to increase its day power to 250 watts ; authorized WKRC, Cincinnati, to operate on 550 kilocycles with 1,000 watts night and 5,000 watts day power, subject to reduction of day power to 1,000 watts when WOSU is operating; approved the voluntary assignment of the license of KANS, Wichita, Kan., from Charles G. Theis, to the KANS Broadcasting Co. and authorized WCKY, Covington, Ky., to increase power to 10,000 watts. Hearings were ordered on a num (Continued on page 7) {Continued from page 1) yesterday. Patterson's office reported that he was in Washington and was expected back here about Friday. High's office said he was "out of town," but was expected back either Friday or Monday. His whereabouts were not disclosed and it was said that he could not be reached prior to his return as he was "traveling." Inquiries at Goldman, Sachs were referred to a partner of the investment firm. The official's secretary said that he was out of town, but expected back on Friday or Monday. At each office it was stated that it was not known whether or not the principals were traveling together. All previous attempts to form coastto-coast chains in competition with NBC and CBS have ended in failure, with the exception of Mutual's. Back in 1934 Al Smith and Vincent Astor, representing a powerful Wall Street combine, bought WMCA from Donald Flamm and set up the American Network. Some 20-odd stations comprised the network, which reached as far as St. Louis and Memphis. The web operated unsuccessfuly for a period and finally was disbanded. Ed Wynn Web Recalled Shortly thereafter Ed Wynn formed his ill-fated Amalgamated Network, which operated for but two days. Wynn is reported to have invested and lost much of his personal fortune in the venture. Most tragic attempt of all to formulate a new national attempt was George McClelland's. He was the original manager of WEAF and later vice-president in charge of sales of the NBC network. When it became apparent that his attempt was to end in failure, McClelland committed suicide. Samuel Insull, former utilities tycoon, made two attempts to form national radio webs, both of which ended in failure. There is still talk of an additional coast-to-coast network supposedly to be formed by Warners and the Transamerican Broadcasting Co. This plan, it is understood, is still very much alive and may materialize shortly. New Fitch Program Ready "Fitch Romances" is the title of a new program which will be heard on a split NBC-Red network beginning March 13. Sponsored by the Fitch Co., the series will be aired from 11 :45 to 12 P. M., E.S.T. on the following stations : WEAF, New York ; WCAE, Pittsburgh; WTAM, Cleveland; WWJ, Detroit, and WMAQ, Chicago. The series will feature Gene Arnold, the "Ranch Boys," and an instrumental trio. Listeners will be asked to supply their personal romance stories for re-enactment on the program. L. W. Ramsey Co., Davenport, la., is the agency. Brown, Williamson on Derby Although confirmation still is lacking from NBC and Batten, Barton, Durstine and Osborn, it has been definitely established that the Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corp. will sponsor this year's running of the Kentucky Derby. Radio and Films The "Insiders' Outlook" column on page 2 today includes an editorial discussion on cooperation between radio and films and the turn it has taken. Jennings in New Job With WSAI at Cincy Cincinnati, March 2. — Robert G. Jennings, for the past two years sales manager of WSAI, has been appointed assistant manager in charge of sales and programs, according to William S. Hedges, general manager for Crosley Radio Corp. Hedges also has announced a new policy for WSAI, involving a series of civic, educational and historical programs about Greater Cincinnati. "Know Your City," a proposed educational feature, will be broadcast from important factories and industrial plants. The station will use many remote lines and mobile units for civic events. Lines will be installed in the City Hall to broadcast governmental affairs. Complete facilities of WLW have been placed at the disposal of WSAI. Set Series on Milkmen "Adventures of Dari Dan," serialized story of the life of milkmen, begins March 8, on the NBC-Red network, and will be heard for 15 minutes three times weekly at 5 P. M., E.S.T. This new series replaces "While the City Sleeps," which has been heard Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5 P. M., E.S.T. on the Red network for the past year. The sponsor is the same, Bowey's, Inc. Ken Robinson, assistant continuity editor of the NBC central division, is the author of the new serial. Wood Joins Taplinger Robert S. Wood, formerly associate editor of the old Evening World, and more recently editor of Radio Guide, has joined the Robert S. Taplinger publicity office as executive assistant to Taplinger. Wood is regarded as the dean of radio editors, having conducted the first daily radio column in a metropolitan newspaper. He also was an executive of old WJZ when that station was formed back in the pioneer days of broadcasting. Taplinger Leaves Rosenthal Sylvan Taplinger, for three years assistant to Herbert Rosenthal, CBS program director, has resigned to accept a post with Kated, Inc., to aid in producing the Kate Smith-A. & P. "Bandwagon" program. The resignation becomes effective March 8. Fitzgerald Starting Series Ed Fitzgerald will start a series of 15-minute programs, Mondays through Saturdays, for the L. Bamberger Store on WOR, beginning March 15. The series will be broadcast from 9 to 9:15 A. M., E.S.T. Fitzgerald's contract is for 52-weeks. Wednesday, March 3, 1937 Chevrolet's Sunday Show Fades Apr. 11 The Sunday night Chevrolet series which is heard over CBS, will fade from the air following its broadcast on April 11. The account is handled by Campbell-Ewald. A note of irony is lent to this development by the fact that Chevrolet renewed its transcribed program almost simultaneously with the cancelling of the "live show." Call Series "Spirit of America" Hollywood, March 2. — "The Spirit of America" will be the title of the series of 13 coast-to-coast programs on which Hollywood, leading divines and public figures will cooperate in the cause of philanthropy and tolerance. NBC will air the program. They will be sponsored by the Radio Committee of All Faiths and the movement is headed by Dr. Everett R. Clinchy of New York. Liggett & Myers Adds Two Effective immediately, Liggett & Myers Tobacco Corp., sponsors of CBS programs featuring Andre Kostelanetz and Nino Martini on Wednesdays, and Hal Kemp and Kay Thompson on Fridays, will add two stations to the outlets now carrying the programs. The stations are located in Dubuque, la., and Phoenix, Ariz. With the new additions, 93 stations will carry the programs. Refuses Dictograph Review The U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals has decided that a subpoena calling for the production of records before the S. E. C. in connection with an investigation, is not reviewable. The court upheld U. S. District Court Judge Julian W. Mack, who refused to enjoin the commission in its investigation of the sale of stock of the Dictograph Products Co., Inc. "Garden" Series to Start March 7 is the starting date for the "Your Garden" talks by John Zollinger over WJZ for the Wright Seed Co. Al and Lee Reiser will furnish piano interludes. The program, placed through the H. B. Le Quatte advertising agency, will be aired from 11 :05 to 11:15 A. M., E.S.T. Delv Renews Berch Jack Berch, heard on WOR, has been renewed for another 13 week period by his sponsor, Delv cosmetic creams. Wilson Paramount Announcer Hollywood, March 2. — Don Wilson today was chosen as announcer for the "Paramount on Parade" program. PRIVACY, plus expert recording is guaranteed, when you build an Electrical Transcription in our Studios. UNITED ARTISTS and GAUMONT BRITISH and many others use this famous service. RADIO & FILM METHODS 101 Park Ave. New York CAledonia 5-7530