NBC transmitter (Jan 1943-Sept 1944)

NOVEMBER 1943 15 HITCHIN' THEIR GAGGIN' TO A SPECTRAL STAR • NEW YORK.— On the occasion of the first anniversary of “Can You Top This?” (the famed joke-swapping program) over NBC it seemed only natural that Joe Miller should come in for his share of belated glory. And it was an opportunity for top promotional lie-ins for sponsor and network. It was arranged that Joe, patron saint of comedians, was to be “ghost of honor at a dinner in one of Gotham’s oldfashioned hostelries, and a plaque unveiled in memory of the man alleged to have written “Joe Miller’s Jests,” source hook of zanies the world over. The joke savants of “Can You Top Ihis?” — “Senator” Ed Ford, Harry Hershfield and Joe Laurie, Jr.— sent out invitations to the country’s foremost funnymen asking their presence at the long overdue testimonial to Miller. The dinner menu was in an antique pattern with corny jokes on the inside, all the oldies credited to good old Joe. As was expected, hits of ham and — yes — devilled eggs, were served, and there was corn on the menu. An unoccupied oakcarved throne for the absent “ghost of honor” was at the head of the speakers’ table. The plaque rested on the seat. Guest speakers included Frank Fay, Tex O'Rourke, Bert Wheeler, Lew Lehr, Fred Stone, Tom Howard and George Shelton, Jay C. Flippen and, of course, the three Can You Toppers. Hershfield was the master-of-ceremonies. The Miller plaque was presented to the theatrical wing of the New York Public Library, and the NBC general library was recipient of one of the early editions of “Joe Miller's Jests.” It was given to the library by “Senator ' Ford, with the following inscription: “May NBC last as long as these jokes!” The plaque represents a permanent promotional item. The Miller ceremony resulted in a goodly amount of trade and general publicity. Time Magazine, for example, devoted two columns to the “Can You Top This?” program and Miller’s contribution to show business; PM gave over a page of photographs of celebrities present at the affair, and Variety carried a detailed story of the party. Newscaster Turns Author • PHOENIX, ARIZ.— From way out in Arizona comes this season’s surprise in the literary field. KTAR Production Manager and Newscaster Paul Hughes has written a hook that amazes the critics. I ts name : “Retreat from Rostov.” To quote from the hook’s attractive jacket, “...Hughes’ panoramic first novel encompasses the decisive moment in history when PAUL HUGHES the people, for the first time, stopped Nazism in its tracks and then forced it into humiliating defeat.” Uniquely, the chapters are dated . . . the 34 days of surging action of November-December, 1941. during which the Germans won and lost Rostov-on-the-Don. Random House, the publisher, predicts it will be a best-seller. The critics have received it favorably. Hughes, who is only 27, is a native of Roff, Oklahoma, and has had extensive experience in radio. Prior to his association with KTAR. he held various positions with KADA, Ada, Oklahoma, and KVOR, Colorado Springs. Chicago Production Head 9 CHICAGO.— Arthur Jacobson, member of the NBC central division production staff for the past year, has been appointed production manager of the division succeeding Charles Urquhart, who resigned to eidist in the Army. Prior to his career as a director, Jacobson spent 16 years as an actor in radio, movies and on the stage. He appeared in motion pictures under the name of Henry Hunter. He has appeared with such artists as Sylvia Sidney, Alice Brady, the Lunts, and Eva LaGallienne. •jfi* ARTHUR JACORSON KGW Continues on Air as Fire Sweeps Studio Layout 9 PORTLAND, ORE. — Fire completely destroyed the studios of Radio Stations KGW-KEX in The Oregonian Building in downtown Portland, Oregon, just before midnight September 23, causing damage estimated at from $75,000 to $90,000. Despite the destructive fire, only one minute and thirty seconds of broadcasting time was lost on KGW, and ten seconds on KEX. Prompt action on the part of announcers Mel Bailey, Don Green and Mel Baldwin, and technician Oscar Anderson, was credited with w7hat was described as “this amazing feat.” KEX regularly signs off the air at midnight. KGW broadcasts continuous!) except for a two-hour period between 2 and 4 a. m. When it became apparent that the fire would make it impossible to continue broadcasting from the studios, Anderson switched the station to the transmitter, several miles away in North Portland. There the technician on duty, Tom Ely, played transcriptions and announced. By 6 a. m. the following morning, arrangements had been completed for KGW and KEX to use the studios of KWJJ, a Portland independent station. Much equipment, including news printers, was transferred to KWJJ. just four blocks awa\. A crew of 35 telephone company employees labored through the night, installing eight circuits at the KWJJ studios for convening network programs to KGW and KEX. Arden X. Pangborn, KGW-KEX managing director, was in San Francisco, but H. Quenton Cox, assistant manager, said future plans were yet to be made. AFTER THE FIRE — Lillian Davis, music librarian oj KGW-KEX (Portland, Oregon), kneels beside the remains of the stations’ organ console, destroyed along with two grand pianos, much technical equipment and a transcription library in a $75,000 fire which completely gutted the studios.