NBC Transmitter (Jan-Nov 1936)

JANUARY Let’s Get Acquainted ■ You ought to know Thomas (we think of him as Tommy) Tart of the Bronx. — because it was through his effort and cooperation as Reception Supervisor that the very Review which you now are reading was established and has grown to its present size. — because he is fully deserving of the progress he has shown. From the “littlest shaver” in a small Italian village he has come to be Reception Supervisor at the NBC. He has arrived via Evander Childs High School, a time at Fordham University, six months as a page, a sojourn in the old Concert Bureau and as Mr. Almonte’s representative at the old Times Square studio. — because he, too, likes to have four coat hangers in his locker. — because he shows more than a mere academic interest in the problems of “the men in blue,” we give you Thomas Tart. And he is the “Tops.” Static ■ Definition of a town crier: A guide who can’t take it. * * * TOUR TOPICS Leaving the Radio Tubes exhibit a woman asked Jim Goode if sound came in any other color but green. * * * Ed. Note: For Facts and Figures see Foster. * * * MAN ABOUT TOWN Over the holidays Tony Faillace happened to take a tour into a rehearsal of a girls’ choir. One of the tourists asked who they were. Don Juan replied, “I don’t know the girls, so they must be from some college west of the Mississippi.” * * * Aftermath of Christmas — Link the name of a motion picture with that of one of our potential executives, e.g. “The Littlest Rebel” — Leak. “I Dream Too Much” — Gibney. “Crime Without Passion” — Davis. “Death Takes a Holiday” — Mercer. — How many can you think of? * * * Short Short Story — The Boones were an old Kentucky family. But we never heard of the Doggie before. Boondoggling means: making something useful out of odds and ends. Famous Finales — Characters that are used in this column are fictitious. If the name of any living person is used, it is a coincidence . . . * * * EMERGENCY EXIT A History of the Reception Staff Review ( Continued from page 1 ) conscious of the Review’s purpose and function. This netted results. Contributions soon overflowed the Review copy drawer, showing that the majority were interested and willing to do their share in helping to make the Reception Staff Review a more accurate and authentic reflector of life in the NBC studios. The article by Mr. E. P. H. James dealing with the functions of the Sales Promotion Department was the most significant story of the fifth number. It demonstrated how the Review was fulfilling its purpose of mirroring Reception life as well as practicing what it preached — “To know NBC is to know how NBC functions.” The idea of encouraging lectures on interdepartmental activity which Mr. Burke Boyce had inaugurated was taking form. In the sixth issue Mr. A. L. Ashby, Vice President and General Counsel, not only described the activities of the Legal Department at length, but was one of the first executives openly to recognize the feasability of promoting pages and guides to positions within the company which would otherwise be offered to people outside. In September, 1935, with an editorial staff of thirteen, the Reception Staff Review proudly announced its seventh issue — which was legible, compact, pertinent, and well-organized. It contained a scoop on television (as outlined by Mr. 0. B. Hanson), and a new column called “Let’s Get Acquainted.” The eighth edition carried on with the editor’s policy of hoosting'the Reception Staff under the very capable guidance of Mr. Tart and the endeavor to simplify the mechanics of publication. Many of the problems of making head-lines, setting up copy, getting the paper back from the printer in less than two weeks, and keeping within the budget, had meanwhile been solved. Mr. Frank S. Reynolds, manager of the Drafting Department, helped with the head lines; Mr. Wayne Randall of Press made valuable suggestions as to the make-up; Mr. Patterson, Mr. Kobak, and Mr. Rosenblum saw to it that the paper was financially possible. Mr. Carey helped to eliminate most of the obstacles which the paper had to hurdle on its way from the editorial office (which was then more of a dream than a reality) to the readers. Through the cooperation of Mr. Roux of Advertising, and Messrs. Chizzini and Bullard of Sales Promotion, No. 9 proved to be tbe best-looking issue to date. Finally, instead of the usual four-page edition, the December and last issue of the Review for 1935 blossomed forth as an 8-page, printed journal, reaching, for the first time, the high standard of presentation which the staff had long sought to achieve. Letters of commendation poured in from all quarters. It seemed from all indications that the Review definitely had set the proper course and was bound for a pleasant voyage. The editors hoped that perhaps the time would come soon when our little paper would be something more than a luxury.