TV Guide (December 31, 1955)

as we see it In a recent speech, Chairman George C. McConnaughey of the Federal Communications Commission criticized television programming material which is “more appropriate for the barroom or midway,” and such advertising abuses as spurious product offers, overlong commercials and too many commercials. He emphasized that the FCC has no power of censorship over broadcast programs, and indicated that “forces other than government” must seek improvement in all areas of broadcasting. “Whe best guidance and discipline is self-guidance and self-discipline,” he said. “It is my sincere hope that the industry will be able to solve its own program problems and maintain high standards.” To which we can only add, “Amen.” The industry does have the machinery for policing itself. The National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters has a Code covering program and advertising practices. All networks and most stations have agreed to abide by the Code and have been awarded a seal Saying that they do obey its provisions. If a station violates the Code, the seal may be withdrawn. This has not yet happened, even though it is evident that there have been many, many violations, not only of its spirit, but of actual provisions it contains. Since the only alternative to selfregulation by the television industry would be some form of superimposed government or public censorship, and since censorship is repugnant to all of us, it would behoove the industry representatives who administer the Code to make it a truly workable and effective instrument. The best means of doing that is to enforce it. LL CONTENTS WEEK OF DEC. 31-JAN. 6 Local Program Guide (= : | TV Opens Opposite Page 12 \G UID EY America’s Television Magazine TELETYPES New Tet oo ag ee Hollywood 5 ae Srbe ey & | ARTICLES Come And Get It! gg It Shouldn't Happen FOUR, Dog se eg Nine-To-Five? Not For Joanne SOROGIN ogee Be cD Television Comes By Plane From: Havana 220 ...20 CLOSE-UP Herb Shriner: He Wants 10-Go-Batk 2 eg SPECIAL FEATURE TV GUIDE Previews 10) PICTURE FEATURES TV GUIDE’s TV Square Dance __16 Count The Monte Cristos 222 REVIEWS Medical Horizons i OF Spee se COLUMN Fine Tuning * By Ollie Crawford _19 Cover Photo By Elmer Holloway, NBC Vol. 3, No. 53 © Dec. 31, 1955 Issue £144 Walter H. Annenberg, Editor Merrill Panitt, Managing Editor Alexander H. Joseph, Associate Editor Harry Harris, Associate Editor Oliver H. Crawford, Programming Editor Michael J. O'Neill, Advertising Director Donald P. Kahn, Promotion Director Henry H. Oschay, Circulation Director James T. Quirk, Publisher 4 3 4 TV GUIDE is published weekly by Triangle Publications, Inc., é 400 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia 1, Pa. Rittenhouse 6-1600. : National Advertising Office, 400 N. Broad St, Philadelphia j 1, Pa, Entered as second class matter at the Post Office at Philadelphia, Pa. Subscription Rates: In the U. S. and Canada, 1 year $5.00, 2 years $8.00, 3 years $11.00, single copy 15c; In Pan-American Countries 1 year $7.00, 2 years $12.00. 3 years $17.C0; In other Foreign Countries 1 year 38.00, 2 years $14.00, 3 years $20.00. Copyright 1955 by Triangle Publications, Inc. No material in TY GUIDE, includ ing program information, may be reprinted without permission of the copyright owner. Address subscriptions ond changes of address : to Box 8019, Philadelphia 1, Pa. Please allow four weeks for change of address.