Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1956)

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Television Today A CONCISE REPORT AND ANALYSIS OF THE SIGNIFICANT NEWS AND EVENTS Spotlighting the News Campaign Costs ► Tabulated in Washington last week, by a special Senate elections subcommittee, were the Radio-television costs of the current Presidential campaign. Chairman Albert Gore (D., Tenn.) reported that the Republicans and Democrats have together arranged to spend a total of $2,976,000 on radio and television between the first of September and election day. The breakdown is $1,901,319 for the Republicans and $1,074,644 for the Democrats. Currently being tabulated, Dut not in Washington, are the effects of the increasing numbers of rive-minute TV spots plugging the respective candidates. The general opinion seems to be that these spots do not convince anybody who was not previously convinced — that they embarrass loyal partisans — that candidates cannot be confused with ordinary detergents. Religion & Showmanship ► One of the least often discussed of television's many important aspects is the use of television by religious broadcasters. Last week in Cincinnati, Sig Miekelson, CBS vice-president in charge of news and public affairs, faced the subject squarely in an address that keynoted the annual meeting of the Radio, Television and Film Commission of the Methodist Church. Three questions face churchmenbroadcasters, said Mr. Miekelson. What is the important message of the church today? To whom should it be broadcast? How can it best be presented on television? Broadcasters' "uncertainty of purpose," he said, "stems mainly from their indecision to address the "sinners ... or the pious." He cited examples where jazz groups had been used on CBS-TV's religious-dramatic programs and the network had received complaints of "how could you?" Later, however, there had been apologies when the parents found their children absorbed not ON EVERY CHANNEL BROOKS COSTUMES 3 Weil 6lil Si., N Y C, -Tel. PL. 7-5100 only by the entertainment but by the religious-philosophical discussions that followed. "In such a situation, it is all too easy for the broadcasters to shrug meekly and give the pious what they want. Heaven knows, the sinners do not object. They turn happily to another station." Mr. Miekelson said too that basic religious themes often are treated best by "those serious dramatists" who write for the various commercially-sponsored live shows. Churchmen need to be reminded in addition, he said, that television "is neither sanctuary nor Sunday School. It is . . . both advertising and showmanship. . . ." Vatican Meeting ► Sources in the Vatican report that the recent conclusion of a three-day meeting of the Committee for Radio and Television, a bi-anch of the Pontifical Commission for Motion Pictures, Radio & Television, means that the Holy Father may soon give an important speech on radio and TV. The meeting, comprised of representatives from the United States, Great Britain Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, featured a wide exchange of information on the progress being made by television in the various countries and on its relationship to the Church and its aims. A speech on the subject by the Pope would be made probably on the occasion of an audience of television industry representatives. Birthday ► Last week CBS Newfilm marked its third anniversary of providing news footage to stations for locally originated news programs. In its three years of operations, Newsfilm has been sold to 100 stations throughout the United States and the rest of the world, and is currently servicing more than 80 of those stations, comprising an existing potential audience of about 70 million people. ABC Sales Setup ► The ABC Radio and Television Network sales departments, effective November 1, will represent their respective western networks, previously represented by Edward Petry & Company, it was announced last week. ABC-TV west ern network sales in the west will be handled by Vincent Francis, western division sales manager, with headquarters in San Francisco. ABC Radio western network sales in the west will be handled by Harry Woodworth, director of radio for the western division, with headquarters in Hollywood. ABC Radio and Television Network sales offices in New York and Chicago will represent the western networks in those cities. Kicking Off ► Beginning operations this week is that highly publicized new phenomenon, the NTA Film Network which this morning starts feeding programs to its 105 affiliated stations. Handling the advertising for the network is Maxon, Inc., which, under the direction of NTA's Kermit Kahn, will direct the nation wide ad campaign. The latter i eludes multiple insertions of fi page ads in 15 newspapers in major cities, as well as stri trade and consumer publicatj representation. Incidentally, NTA package of 52 20th-Fox fill has just been sold in 18 more ml kets, bringing the grand total to 125 markets. Primrose Plans ► Luke Short, author of man J many western stories, is makii] t the big switch. With Frank u » Teurette and James Moser, famoi i for Medic, Mr. Short has form] i Primrose Productions for the pis } duction of a western series baa I. on his stories. It's reported that ti program format already has b( t set to "emphasize truthful bai « ground color and dramatic hum H relationships." In Our View A RECENT issue of the "Television Code Subscriber Bulletin," published monthly by the National As sociation of Radio and Television Broadcasters makes specific note of the dangers inherent in the constani activity on the part of unscrupulous advertisers attempt ing to needle their way into television. At the risk of bela boring a point, this observer reiterates a contention made before that there can be no compromise with the eterna vigilance necessary to keep television's skirts clean. The publication refers to the matter in part as "over commercialization." That strikes us as rather an inade quate term and one which is also an over-simplification. There is a great deal more to the problem than that. It is not for a moment to be assumed that the phonies, the freeand-easies, the fly-by-nights and the con men are going to overlook such a prime, proved and productive advertising medium as television. The woods are full of suckers, of course, and it is reasonable to suppose that a fair share of them look at television, probably quite frequently. The sharp-shooters will be ever-alert to crack the field, and it is vitally necessary, therefore, that the industry be just as ever-alert to throw a block at the approaching chiselers before they get too close to the goal line. The good name of television is its most valuable asset, and if that sentiment, as expressed here, is repetitious, it is one statement which cannot be over-stated, over-emohasized or overlooked. In the final analysis, it represents the, whole industry's prime asset. Thus far it has been main tained in a remarkably high state of polish, which is a dis tinct tribute to the men responsible. That condition carj only be continued by unrelenting care and foresight. It i| decidedly worth any possible effort. — Charles S. Aaronsoti 6