Variety (May 1946)

Wedncwby, May 8, 1946 27 IT'S BLOW-BY-BLOW AT OHIO IER's Back-to-Back Lament Columbus, May 7. "Wc shoulda brought a bicycle" was a recurrent theme at the Ohio Stale Institute, with the parleying of so many sessions back-to-back cueing a number of beefs from attendees at the seminars. ■Large attendance this year necessitated staging meetings at two hotcls-^the Deshler-Wallick,* and the Neil House a half-block away— which was taken in good grace. But it was the simultaneous spotting of sessions holding overall interest that irked a number of people. As an example, seven discussions of more or less timely interest to a majority of the attendees were all spotted 9:30 a. m. cross-the-board. Monday morning. These were: Radio Critics Talk to Program'Direc- tors: What Services Can Foreign Information Centers Render Ameri- can Radio?; Radio and Adult' Education; Social Responsibility of Radio Public Relations; Religious Broadcasts; Television Programming; and Social Responsibility of Radio Writers. Having traveled great distances, in many instances, a large number 0 r those registered felt that the Institute "format"' was in need of drastic revision. Negro Problem Sizzles Ohio Confab; Shows, Unions/Guilds Found Guilty Columbus, May 7. ♦ Participants in the volatile "Radio and Negro" session at Ohio State pulled no punches in making clear to radio broadcasters present that, programwise, radio had .failed to give a balanced picture of the Negro as a human being and that it was high time; the industry moved to re- move the stigma. One of the frankest meetings held here, the experts on the panel cited chapter and verse to prove their point that radio was dishing up numerous air features which do-not encourage" good intercultural rela- tions. Speakers took over the coals "Great Gildersleeve," "Life Can Be Beautiful," "When A Girl Marries," "Amos V Andy," "The Johnson Family," Jack Benny program, the Judy Canova show, and "Right to Happiness," among others, 89 por- traying the Negro in a menial ca- pacity. , With Anne M. Cooke of Howard University as chairman, the speak- ers included Gertrude Broderick of Federal Radio Education Committee, U.S. Office of Education; Abram Hill. American Negro Theatre; Prof. B. A Jones of Talladega College; Walter N. Ridley, president- of American Teachers Association; Paul ' Cooke of Washington Veterans' Con- gress; and Sidney Williams, secre- tary of Cleveland Urban League, No Broadcaster* Complaint as to the composition of the panel came from many attendees who felt that the meeting, would have been far more successful had one or two working broadcasters (Continued on page 42) Today, at Last, WEAFIsaMan WEAF, NBC's New York flagship, has graduated from the status of network stepchild and has become an entity of its own. Under the new setup, as James M. Gaines, station manager, explains: "We operate just •s if we were in Cleveland or any- where else, entirely on bur own, as •n affiliate of the network and not •s part of the actual national opera tipns." Nearly 30 staff members who, until now, were assigned to WEAF but worked for the net on NBC pay- rolls are now on WEAF's payroll. They have been brought together physically, placed in a new stream- lined office on the fourth floor of the RCA building in N. Y., and now de vote their entire time to WEAF. Programming and all other prac tices of the stations are being re examined and revamped where necessary. Morning shows, par- ticularly, are being given the once- over for their suitability to the N. Y. market. Inference is that any show on the net may be dropped—no mat- ter how successful nationally—if it doesn't shape up as profitable or suitable for the N. Y. audience and Jne area served by WEAF itself. Opening of the Jinx Falkenburg show as an ayem stanza was the first move in the direction of local Programming'-said Gaines. A.B.C. of Mutuality Columbus, May 7. Chalk this one up to NBC and CBS learning their abe's. on mu- tual cooperation. At least it's one for the books, probably set- ting a precedent. : • Parlayed back-to-back on Sun- day (5) were two coast-to-coast shows from the Ohio State In- stitute, CBS' "People's Plat- form" and NBC's atom show. And on both the same facil- ities, equipment (lines, mikes, etc.) the same studio—and even the same audience, was used. Cowan Starts % Profits Deal For Scripters Lou Cowan, Inc.. is inaugurating a special basic-price-plus-shaiing terms for raido writers. In connection with new Cowan platter series, "Murder at Midnight," the practice is to pay $150 down per script and cut the writer in for 10% of the net profits on the bookings. Cowan, owner of "Quiz Kids," opened his own offices recently and plans to apply the principle gen- erally of salary-plus-cut-on-proflts for writers and directors alike. "Murder"' deal is unusual in an- other respect, in that it will be scripted by a group of writers, who will be alternating on stanzas. Head- ed by Robert Newman, scripting team includes Sigmund Miller, Will- iam Morewood. Peter Martin, and Max Ehrlich. Anton M. Leader is directing the show, with Charles Paul conducting the music. Raymond Morgan heads the cast as narrator, others set for opening stanzas including Barry Hop- kins, Betty Caine, Berry Kroegeri Agnes Young. Amzie Strickland. Frank Behrens, Lawson Zerbe, and Robert Lynn. Show will be produced in N.Y. studios of World Broadcasting sys- tem and will be marketed by that organization. FOR FREE AIR By GEORGE ROSEN Columbus, May 7. The Ohio Stale University's 16th Institute for Education by Radio which closed here on Monday (6) again offered evidence that it still remains today the only place that can attract a cross-section turnout from all parts of the country for a tossing around of problems not only facing educator broadcasters but all other aspects of radio in its relation to the public. Yet it was significant that neither the cream of the educator clement nor the executive brass of the in- dustry made any appreciable show- ing. For instance, Ed Kobak, of Mu- tual, was the only prexy to put in an appearance. Of the 1,300-odd at- tendees that represented a record turnout, about 30% were newcom- ers to the Columbus meet. But the vast majority that turned up came prepared for—in fact were hopeful that—the Institute, taking its cue from the FCC Blue Book vs. Radio's Status Quo controversy would, after a. year's layoff, pick up a- lot of steam and pop off with no holds barred. That this year's participants brought a healthy curiosity and de- sire to "let's have it out" was re- flected in their reactions to the opening-night session, when the In- stitute "lines" were drawn. Thrown sharply into focus was the divided thinking of the audience, with a preponderance of sentiment favoring the Clifford Durr-FCC school. Yet at one instance, when NAB prexy Justin Miller threw the' Mayflower book, at the .opposition, and revived the "we-want-no-encroachments-or- infringements - to-interfere - with - freedom-of-expression-bver-the - ra- (Continued on page 42) Top Spot in Agency BiD'ngs Heap May Be Taken Away From Y&R, JWT As Bankrollers Bow Out of Me Strict Party Line Columbus, May 7. That the schism between com- mercial radio and opponents of the status quo in broadcasting isn't being taken any too lightly by the industry in the wake of the FCC's Blue Book ultimatum was, particularly highlighted in New York last week. One of the major networks assembled its . entire delegation to the Columbus Institute for an offical "briefing" as to their conduct, behavior and .'the "line" to follow throughout: the Insti- tute, It was the first time that protocol was dictated in advance of the big cducalional-radio show. '■ '. ■ Daffies Don't Boy Razors, Let 'Lights' Alone, Sez Oboler Hollywood, May 7. Arch Oboler has been called a genius, non-commercial and sub- jected to other uncomplimentary in- dignities. Now it turns out the man has the honesty of his convictions. That came to the surface last week when Milton Biow "worked on" him to get a fresh cutting of "Lights Out" for Eversharp-Schick. Spoke up Oboler: "You must be mad. That show was only for warped minds and near psychopathies. II might gel you a rating, yes. but it won't sell mer- chandise, so what good is it?" Biow remembered' that "Lights Out'' on a $1,500 budget posted a Hooperaling of 15 when Oboler de- cided to flip the switch. Flesh- creeper is owned jointly by Oboler and NBC, but even Niles. Trammell couldn't change Oboler's mind. 60-Min. Mission Se t by CBS For Atomic Fission CBS is blueprinting one of the most magnificent public service shows of the year, which ■ will out- line the implications of atomic energy. It'll be a 60-minute show! tabbed "Operaton Crossroads,"' and will be broadcast Tuesday night, May 28. Show has been conceived, and Will be produced arid directed, by Robert Lewis Shayon, who is currently on a coast-to-coast swing preparing material so that the story of atomic fission can be told in terms'of the average American- and what it means to him and civilization in general. A notable roster of Americans will appear on the show to give the answer to what the average citizen wants to know about the..,implica-- tions of the atom bomb. Lined up thus far arc: Vice Admiral W. H; P. Blandy. commander of the ■ Joint Army-Navy "Operation Crossroads" Task Force No. 1, in charge of the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Island; George C. Kiney, U. S. Air Forces, rep to the United Nations military committee: Prof. Harold C. Urey, of Univ. of Chi; Sen. Brien McMahon: There's a strong likelihood Hint, in the wake of the multiple-million loss in business being encountered by the ad agencies, the end of the year may witness a drastic reshuffling of agency standing on billings. For the last five or sin years, .1. Waller Thompson and Young Si Rub'icum have pretty much battled it out for No. 1 and No. 2 position on overall billings. It was consid- erably of a standoff, too. as they wciil into 1946, with the two agen- cies up in the $50,O(IO,0OO-$55:0O0,O0O brackets on all. media. (That's ex- clusive of international biz, where JWT lias quite, an edge.) But the manner in which the two agencies have been affected over the past three months (and it's a condi- tion that will probably get worse through the summer), as advertisers run for cover in the wake of eco- nomic. - production Uncertainties, OPA ceilings, etc.; the pins could very well be knocked out from un- der the Y&R-JWT dominance, it's contended. It's not only a question of radio billings being lopped off, but magazines and other media have been experiencing the axe applica- tion. . Right now, it's argued, 'it's any- body's guess who will come out on top, and the picture may not shape itself clearly until the fall. But with one or two accounts frequently rep- resenting many millions 'of dollars in billings, runner-up agencies seem to be in a position/for the first time since before the war, to reshuffle the standings. Solons Mull New Radio Curb Bis Washington, May 7. New restrictive radio legislation, aimed partly at commentators, partly ' at Government spokesmen and part- ly at the FCC, is being mulled over by a group of House Republicans, with some Southern Democrats re- ported in full sympathy: One item which may gel into the bill would require that common.-, lators be bonded to make them- financially responsible for libel suits and, that they also be required to 20TH TAKING WALK ON CBS 'STAR TIME' Chicago, May 7. Switch will be pulled in the exclu- sive . star-story . agreement between Frigidaire, sponsors of "Hollywood Star Time," and 20th-Fox, which has been supplying both material and thespers lor the CBS dramat show. Effective June 30. when tin present 13-week cycle runs out, sponsor, through its agency, Foote, Cone k Belding, will go on the open market for guests, stars and story material, hilling all studios, with 20'.h taking a walk. There are ionflicting reports here concerning the cause oi the shift; with low Hooper leading the parade. Talks of rift between 20th and GM arc also heard. MUTUAL SETS 'WORDS' WHILE CBS TALKS While CBS is auditioning a word- origin show, "Speak Up," WOR, Mutual's N. Y.. flagship, has come Out with one. Program, titled "Take a Word,'* will preem Sunday (12) 1-1:15 p.m. Featuring George Hogah and Carlton Warren, series will be based on Joseph T- Shipley's book "The Dictionary of Word Origins." Pro- grains will informally discuss how and why words came into use, with facts as to their relation lo one's daily routine. , , . , _ ,, . .name their sponsors and to explain Haro d Ickes; Congressman H. Jerry the view £ expi . esset , arc cnt ^ cly Voorliis. of California; Assoc. Jus- - • - c * tice William O. Douglas of the Su- preme Court; Mrs. Wendell Willkie; Minnesota's ex-Gov. Harold Stassen; Albert Einstein: Sec. of Commerce Henry A. Wallace; and. Archibald MacLcish. . In addition to this line-up of military, scientific and political brass, however, the show will also voice the feelings of America's lit- tle guy. Among the "little people" scheduled to participate arc a Wash- ington fireman, a gold star mother who lost three children in the war, a worker at the atom-bomb plant at Oak Ridge. Tenn:, the mother of a 10-months-old baby, a Texas farmer, a New England octogen- arian, a college, co-ed, . a Chicago elevator operator, and a tail gunner (Continued on page 40) Add Execs at Work Bob Novak, Mutual's director of talent and program development, is now directing "True Confessions" twice a week. Mondays and Thurs- days. Rest of the cros.-'-the-board stanzas are directed by Ernest Ricca. • t BLUE BOOK AGAIN, CORWIN IN IT NOW Clifford J. Durr. FCC member: A. D. "Jess" Williard. Jr., exec, vec- pee of the National Assn. of Broad- casters: William Lewis, veepee of Kenyon & Eckhardt: and Dick Red- mond, program director of WIIP. Harrisburg. will air their views of the FCC Blue Book at a meeting Monday (13) at the Henry Hudson hotel, N. Y.. Forum is siK>nsorect by the Radio Division of the Independent Citizens' Committee of the Arts, Sciences and Professions, with Norman Corwin presiding. their own. To some extent this is similar to the Wood bill which got nowhere a few months ago. Since the legislators are anti-Ad- ministration, they feel thai the leg- islation should also prevent high officials of Federal departments and agencies from taking to the air on highly controversial issues pending in Congress. The Congressmen are hot under the collar because of the fight Chester Bowles has made via radio for the continuation of OPA. Finally, broadcasters could not claim tax exemption for any non- sponsored public service shows which would be oi a "propaganda" nature; This would be a headache to stations and webs, since the defini- tion of "propaganda" is, itself, highly controversial. For instance, the Con- gressmen favoring the proposed bill consider a Chester Bowles speech on OPA as "propaganda," while other members of Congress do not. The Republicans haven't figured out yet what they want lo do to FCC. However a couple of llicm believe there should be a Constf- j lutional amendment "guaranteeing radio the same freedom as is guaran- teed to the press." Here the lccling is that FCC has gone loo far with . its Blue Book on programming However the prospects of any such legislation getting through Congress this year is virtually nil. The Douse and Senate are trying to complete work on "must" lcgislatio-i iii the next few months, so that His' ncm- bers can go home to campaign for re-election. ;