Radio and television mirror (July-Dec 1950)

Then it happened. Television, I mean. (Television — that's a Brownie camera with a five thousand dollar lens!) A lot of actors were waiting for it to blow over. Just a fad, they said. But I loved it from the first. It took me right back to where I started — working to a few people grouped together, expecting to be entertained. Back to the neighborhood parties where they'd asked me to perform. To the folks sitting in their own living room. I felt right at home. Milton Berle put me on as a guest on his NBC-TV Texaco show in the summer of 1948, and I was interlocutor on the Pick and Pat Minstrel show on ABC-TV. When Berle took an unscheduled vacation in the middle of the season I got my first big TV job, as substitute emcee. Everybody thought I ought to be scared of taking over where Berle left off, but I was too dumb to worry about it. So they couldn't have Berle, I figured — they had to take me. I didn't try to do what he did, but what I could do, so it worked out. Then DuMont took me, for Cavalcade, for seven weeks that stretched on and on until NBC signed me to a long-term TV contract and my present program, the Jack Carter Show, on Saturdays. You still think you want to be a comedian? To be called on for half a dozen benefits a month? (I once played a meat market opening and they gave me a blue ribbon-tied ham. My father didn't sell it, because he was retired. This time I could eat the loot.) So you want to listen to jokes all day? Like the guy who meets you and says he has a brand-new joke for you. Of course you couldn't use it on television but you could clean it up. After you clean it up, there's only one word left: "Hello." You find the best way to test a joke is to tell it to your wife. If she laughs, you don't use it. Then, of course, there's the sponsor's joke — the one he starts with, "A funny thing happened, Jack, at our board meeting this morning." The only way you can get out of using this one is to change sponsors. Now, do you still want to be a comedian? On television? Where you can't even see most of your audience? And you don't know whether they're laughing or yawning? Where you hear a little click on the stage, and it reminds you of all the dials that may be clicking away from you? If you're me, yes! Would I give up television? I should say not ... unless they're tiring of a pianist in the White House and are interested in fresh routines by an up and coming comic! (^yfflft/j&fy the fit, uplift and separation . . . Compare the design and * needlework, the self-lined inner cop and self-binding . . . Compare the Sensational year's wearing and washing guarantee! Once you try Stardust Bras, you'll wear no other! WANT TO BE A PRACTICAL ACT NOW— HELP FILL THE NEED r you can prepare for practical experience _j a Trained Practical Nurse in spare time. [ Many earn while learning. Ages 18 to 65. High > school not necessary. Easy payments, write for free information and sample lesson pages. WAYNE SCHOOL OF PRACTICAL NURSING, INC. >2525 Sheffield Ave.. Desk E-53, Chicago 14, 111. To'RE NO-COST TRIAL OFFER! IP YOU SUFFER FROM BRONCHIAL ASTHMA PAROXYSMS, from coughs, gasping wheezing . . . write quick for daring No-Risk, No-Cost Trial Offer. No matter if you consider your case "hopeless" — Write Todayl NACOR, 1072-F State Life Bldg., Indianapolis 4. Ind. $1,275.00 IN PRIZES! 5 PRIZES! 5 Complete $255 Art Courses, including Drawing Outfits! Here's your big chance, if you want to become a commercial artist, designer, or illustrator! An easy-to-try way to win FREE art training! Whether you win or not we send you our comments on your work, if your drawing shows promise! Trained illustrators, artists and cartoonists now making big money. Find out now if YOU have profitable art talent. You've nothing to lose — everything to gain. Start your drawing now. Mail it today. Amateurs Only! Our students not eligible. Make copy of girl 5 ins. high. Pencil or pen only. Omit the lettering. All drawings must be received by Jan. 31, 1951. None returned. Winners notified. Latest Winner List! Free course winners in previous contest — from list just released: J. West, Dodd Field, San Antonio, Tex.; R. Parks. 305 S. Urbana, Urbana, 111.; K. Balodis, CPR Sec. Kinogama. Kormak, Ont., Canada; J. Bazin, 305 E. 87th, N. Y. City; E. Melecinsky, 1549 Corbm. New Britain, Conn. Copy this girl t*M<MllllllO [Mill i II UIII MID I i ! L [JIIIMMMn inilll! IMMMin 1 11' Hi Mil j I ART INSTRUCTION, INC., Dept. 12960 I 500 S. 4th St., Minneapolis 15, Minn. Please enter my attached drawing in your January drawing contest. (PLEASE PRINT) | Name -Age MINNEAPOLIS • NEW YORK • CHICAGO MEMBER NATIONAL HOME STUDY COUNCIL AddressCity -Phone -Zone County State -Occupation n M 83