Variety (May 1946)

34 RADIO REVIEWS Wednesday, May 15, 1946 •PRIVATE SHOWING" With Walter Hampden, Nancy Doug- lass, Patsy Campbell, Guy Sorel, Phil Clarke, Carl Emory, Mary Lou Forater; Don Fredericks an- nouncer Writer: Noel B. Gei-son Producer-Director: Jock MacGregor 3t Mlns., Sun., 2 p. m. Sustaining' WOR-Mutual, N. Y. WOR's programming dept., fishing around lor fresh twists to show for- mats, has come up with some neat ones lately as in the nightclub-music angle to mysteries in-the Carl Bris- son "Voice In The Night" series, and now the art museum exhibition angle to drama thrillers in "Private Showing." Latter series, preeming Sunday (12), looks like a likely prospect, the opening program having a good suspenseful story to tell. But WOR is missing, a double opportunity here! Series, presented jointly with the N. Y. Metropolitan Museum of Art, is supposed to combine drama with art appreciation, program open- ing with a narrator: (Walter Hamp- den) describing some art treasure at the museum, then launching a radio- play suggested by. the art subject. A good idea, with lots of possibilities. But Hampden opener devoted a minute of talk to a picture (Degas' "Rehearsal On The Stage"); the show immediately segued into a sen- timental drama about . unrequited love and passion backstage in a bal- let company, and Hampden finished with another half-minute cursory reference to Degas as artist and-man; Here was ooportunity to talk a bit at length about the Met's treasure, without being highbrow or neglect- ing the ■ drama entertainment part. Instead the Met was sloughed off, as if the Met name and the Hamp- den rep were a sort of phoney , build- up for just, another drama series. Proportions of instruction and drama could be quite a bit better. As it was, Hampden proved an in feresting narrator, strolling through the Met gallery, reminiscing about the ballet story as a group of comr petent players then acted it out. A good program' which can be much belter. Bron, "KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES" With Johnny Davis 15 Mlns ; dally 7:15 p.m. Sustaining WWSW, Pittsburgh Pittsburgh's only indie station . is putting in another bid for . public .service preeminence among Smoky City broadcasters with this program v designed to acquaint public with who's running for what prior to pri- maries at end of this month. Show's a man-in-lhe-street interview thing, wire-recorded early in day at pub- lic places and then played back in the evening. There's a cash bite for the inter viewee who knows at least two can' didates for governor in Pennsyl vania. and an extra slice if the per- son can name''candidates"Tor other offices in his or her own district. Every one is given copy of an elec- tors' manual piit out by a voters league in which every candidate for every office is listed. Show is easily handled and it's been bringing ont some 'shocking facts about the ignorance of the electorate and its apparent disincli- nation to show any interest in who's running for what. WWSW may be helping some to overcome this leth- argy. Colien. "TIME FOR DECISION" With Everett Holies, moderator; an- nouncer, Jack McCermick Writer: Elizabeth Woolcolt Producer: Jerry Dee Director: Oren Weaver 25 Mins.; Monday, 11:05 p.m. Sustaining WBBM, Chicago Only drawback for this show, which is. the nearest thing to the ultimate in FCC conception of pub- lic service that Chicago has, is its time slot, which doesn't exactly mean heavy listening. Program deals with public problems, both national and locnl, but always on the local ^ level. Thus, the first five discussions ■t were devoted to housing, but only as ■f it affects, the Chicago area. Round- W fablers are people influential in the particular field covered, as in the case of housing, when government agency man, real estate representa- tive, and a builder, were all fea- tured. Last show covered question of government settlement Of labor dis- putes, with following local lights: Abraham Plotkin, midwest rep of Lady Garment Workers: L. E. Roark, veepee of National Founder's Assn.; and Dr. John A. Lapp, labor-man- agement arbiter. Everett' Holies proves okay in the wire-walking moderator spot, never . projecting himself loo heavily into the discus- sion. Program is presented under the auspices of Chi Junior Assn. of Com- merce, but is' carried on a sustain- ing basis. Format, has been laid out with spaces left for middle and end commercials, into which the station •people inject their time requests for the week, spotting Red Cross or whatever agency has the most im- portant campaign for the period. Although present time is not good, show is due to move up in the eve- ning schedule • •here it can garner wider Iistenershlp. Jack McCoi-mick okay as an- nouncer, To »im. SATURDAY NIGHT REVUE" With, Bill Harrington, Elsa Miran- da,, Henny Youngman, Vera Hol- Ity, Art Tatum, John Gart Orch & trio, Robert Q Lewis, emcee; Ted Brown, announcer. Writer: Herbert Rikles Producer: Herbert Rice 30 Mlns.; 8:30 p.m., Sat. Sustaining WOR-Mutual, N.Y. If this show can maintain - the standard set by its kickoff slanaA. then Mutual has gone a. long way in brightening up its Saturday night schedule. Without springing any- thing that could be called a novel approach, ■ the program breezed through the half-hour period with fresh humor, lislcnablc music, and a roster of lop-notch guest stars, headed by Henny Youngman. Rob- ert Q. Lewis' handling of the emcee chore set' the appropriately light lone, deftly' segueing into each feature of the show and managing to be funny without being cute. Youngman's stint at the pro- gram's midway mark will prob- ably be difficult io match in audi- ence appeal for future shows. The comic opened a bit Uneasily but quickly relaxed into his w.k. gag routine. His patter was bright, cur- rent, and delivered in casual, dry style at a trigger-fast pace. Another comedy bit in. the show that was put across effectively was Lewis* by-play with warbler Elsa Miranda on his mad desire to disobey the in-, junction "Never Put Bananas in the Refrigerator". which Miranda sings. John Gart's orch and trio provided a smooth musical finish although the show was not standout in this de- partment. Bill Harrington and Vera Holley's pop vocalizing were com- petent but without distinction. But Art Tatum. the Negro jazz pianist, taking his turn with a rendition of "Body and Soul" would up the broadcast oh a decided upbeat. Problem faced in this show is to bring in . equivalent group of talent before the mike each week and if this is licked, selling should, be.no worry. "WOMAN'S CLUB" With Isabel Leighton, emcee; Hallet Abend, guest; George Bryan, an- nouncer Producer: Richard Erstine Writers: James Hart, Helen Kandel 15 Mins.; Mon. through Fri., 5:15 p.m. Sustaining WABC-CBS, N. Y. CBS'- new afternoon show, de- signed to catch the women listeners after they've finished preparing din- ner and have a few minutes to re- lax, is as commendable for its pur- pose as, for its production.' Rather than ddvoting the quarter-hour to inane gabbing about non-important things, the show brings up topics of worldwide importance that must make the women stop and think And this is something .that's been too often lacking from any women's shows. ' Indicative of the new program's good qualities was the preem per- formance on Monday (13). Isabel Leighton, herself a noted author, lecturer and former- war correspond- ent, brought to the. mike as her guest Hallet Abend, another author lecturer and North American News- paper Alliance correspondent. Abend, who returns to Tokyo this week to testify at the. Japanese war crimes trials, gave out with some informa- tive and interesting aspects of the rejuvenatioh of Japanese women tin der the MacArthur occupation. Subjects such as this should do a great deal of good in helping achieve an understanding of America's erst- while enemies. Abend gave'his lis- teners much to think about, includ- ing the very pertinent point that, even (hough the Japanese women have been given the franchise, they're still subservient to their men, who still hafe the United States for defeating Ihcm in war. Production .mountings on the show were good.. Miss Leighton proved a good emcee, maintaining a constant informal note during the proceed ings. Both she and her guest were apparently reading from a script, but did so in an ad lib manner that helped get across the intimacy of the program. If Monday's preem was any Indi cation of things to come, this new venture should attract many listen- ers. ; Quality of the subjects dis- cussed makes the. show equally in- formative' for the men and kids, as well as the women for whom it's basically intended. Stal EUNICE GREENWOOD Talk 5 Mlns., Mon-Frld., 8:55 a.m. WTHT-Hartford ■'. Each morning .Eunice Greenwood gives a five minute spiel on how to make, the little things in life make for a better world to live in. Ferrimc word gabber gives out with homey philosophy on how to make the lives of neighbors a' more pleas- ant one. Cites misdeeds of 'hasty world, in effort to prove point for. more chivalry, pointing out its lack, etc. It's all built- around the boy scout formula of "do a good deed every day." Package is neatly pre- sented with accolades due Miss Greenwood for her manner of wrap- ping and delivering it to consumer. . Eck. "A VOICE IN THE NIGHT" With Carl Brlsson, Alan Bunre, Ger- trude Warner, Anna Karen, Ausie Strickland, Jason Johnson Writers: Bob Arthur, David Kogan Producer:'Roger Bower Muslo: Emerson Buckley and Orch 30 Mlns., Frl.> 8:30 p.m. Sustaining . WOR-MBS, N. Y. WOR-Mutual has come up with a very entertaining program in "A Voice in the Night.'' New musical, mystery series which teed off Fri- day (10) is novel, pleasant and piquant. It's a good mix of music and mystery, with the quick switches from one to the other flow- ing naturally and intriguingly. Part of the success lies in the idea; part of it in Carl Brissbn. . The Danish nitery favorite, on his first full network show, makes a dis- tinct impressidn in the role of a nightclub owner with a penchant for mysteries. He has an appealing per- sonality that projects; an informal, easy manner with his emcceinfi chores; a continental (lair with his accent and mannerisms; and quite a way with a song. Format of the show is good, permitting Brisson to set the picture with a couple of songs in the first five minutes, then switch- ing into narration and dramatization to surprise effect, back for another song, then into the mystery story again. Program is a good variation on both musical and mystery shows, retaining the best features of each. It sounds fresh. Bron. VICTOR RIESEL Charles LoCasto. announcer 15 Mins.; Wed., 1 p.m. Sustaining WLTB N Y Victor 'Riesel, N. Y- Post labor editor, shapes up as an excellent commentator on basis of his WLIB stint. His radio comment is refresh- ingly plain, outspoken and hep, like his newspaper column. His voice is good, with the reassurance of a man-of-the-street rather, than a cloistered quality. Delivery of his script is simple, with "no flourishes or deolamatory overtones. Talk, or script, itself is intelligent, timely and bold. It has the feel of inside stuff, dished up with dis- criminate interpretation. Wednes- day's (8) session discussed John L, Lewis and the coal strike: the situa- tion in industry throughout the country as result of the strike, and the Amalgamated convention m At- lantic City, with the union's political and industrial plans. Talking from 15 years of newspaper experience, Riesel set the facts forth plainly, then gave his impression, of. the background, significance and likely results. He might be sticking his neck out, but Trie took sides and made predictions. He spoke of the dismantling of Atlantic City's vet hospital as something "shameful." It was ail to the good. Bron. "JUVENILE JURY" Jack Barry, emcee: others Producer: Dan Ehrenrelch 30 Mins., Sat., 2 p.m. Sustaining WOR, N. Y. Mutual's N. Y. flagship. WOR,. got itself a real contender for the kid trade audience with the new Satur- day afternoon "Juvenile Jury." Be- tween Dan Ehrenreicn's sensible production and Jack Barry's easy on-the-e'ar emceeing, a batch of kids ranging from seven years bid to double that ripe age puts on a live- ly, at times amusing but never con- descending,- type of show. These are just ordinary kids, no longhair intellectuals or oversmart know-it-alls; the "problems" set be- fore them are of such stuff as the ordinary moppet's life is made of— are boys belter monitors than girls, how ' much should Johnny's allow- ance be, and is sister justified in wanting to wear all her parly dress- es to school daily. But precisely be- cause the "issues" are homely, the show turns out. to be a natural for copping attention of both kids and their parents. Incidentally, a couple of the kids were real showmen. Cars. "COMMAND ASSEMBLY" With Helen Hayes, Mary MacArthur, Roddy McDowall, Ireehe Wicker, Ed Jerome, Martin Wblfson; Basil O'Connor, John W. Sludebaker; Harry Marble, announcer . Writer: William Kemball Cooke Directors: Richard Sanville, Chet • Huntley 30 Mlns.; Frl. (10), 3 p.m. Sustaining * WABC-CBS, N. Y. CBS' special broadcast Friday (ID) in cooperation with the Famine Emergency Committee, and the American Red Cross was - a com mendable public service. Basil O'Connor, Red Cross chairman, re minding ' listeners that the world faced the'worst famine in its history, stressed the need to save food. John W. Studebaker. U. S. Commissioner of Education, also spoke, and Ireene Wicker read an appropriate prayer which Irving Caesar wrote for the occasion. Roddy McDowall was heard in a playlet from KNX. Los Angeles, while Helen Hayes and 'her.'15-year- old daughter, Mary MacAilhur. np-: peared 'as leads in a-playlet, "Left- over," from New York. Latler play was somewhat sentimental and sol- emn, but then the occasion was sol- emn. Play dramatized the dire food problem in; a European village, in . (Continued on page 44) Television Reviews HOUR GLASS" With Evelyn Knight, Paul Douglas. James Monks, Enrica ie . Novrllo, Joe Besser & Co,, Doodles Weaver, Miriam LaValle; Evelyn Eaton,/ Producer: Howard Rellly Director: Ed Sobol Writer: Ed Rice 50 Mlns.; Sunday,- 8 p.m. STANDARD BRANDS WNBT-NBC, n. y. (J. Waller Thompson) When Standard B»a»ds /list an- nounced two weeks ago that it was going into television in a big way via a weekly variety show over, WNBT, the sponsors mads : 1t clear- that; Iheiv chief reason for-taking' the plunge at this time was to learn the video ropes while the medium is still in an experimental stage. First edi- tion- of "Hour Glass," for -which S-B is paying, out an average of $4,000 weekly for talent alone, proved that there is plenty to be learned. De- spite the show's faults, however, S-B rales a nod for having enough faith in. the medium to invest ;o heavily when the returns, from the stand- point of increased-product sales, arc almost certain to be negligible. Top money expended for the show Thursday (9) night' brought several of the top names in shdw.biz before the video cameras for the first time. That, however, is-about as much as can be said for the show .from a production arid entertainment view- point. Chief fault, and a glaring one, was the utter lack of Imagination evidenced in ihf way the producers passed tip any semblance of produc- tion know-how. The stars were ap- parently just set out in front of the cameras arid told to do their stuff. Program followed the usual va- riety format, with songs, dances, comedy and a short dramatic sketch. There was nothing, however, to tic the different sequences together, and the bad points w*»re numerous. Hie same set was used for all acts, which became monotonous; cameras" on the two dance acts, featuring Enrica and Novello and Miriam LaValle, never properly introduced the. dancers to the viewing audience and too often cut the dancers off above the,feet: Evelyn Eaton as emcee introduced each act merely by naming the per- formers, at-all times keeping, a set. smile oh her face, which also be- came monotonous, and the commer-. cials were too long arid not too hep. -Latter consisted of one live set. in which the actors spoke lines that were ludicrous to the. extreme, and a film sequence demonstrating the way Chase & Sanborn coffee is grown, Film would have done very well for a travelog but.was top bor- ing to use iii a show that supposedly had entertainment to offer. . Interesting angle of the program, and one on the credit side, was the success the producers obtained In getting around the AFM's. ban on the use of live musicians in video. With Evelyn Knight to sing, the pro- ducers merely played one of Miss- Knight's recordings. All the singer had to do was move her lips in. syn- chronization, the same system used in recording film sound tracks. Suc- cess of the experiment indicated that television might be able to do with- out live musicians entirely. Show also evidenced that a per- former used to playing to 'mall audi- ences in an intimate nitery soes over very well in television, a fact thai S-B reportedly wanted to ascertain. The sponsors have signed n year's contract with NBC for this show, and the Thompson agency should certain- ly be able to learn other thinjfs dur- ing that time, which will give it and its client an edge on other adver- tisers who are still sitting on the sidelines. Stal. "BLITHE SPIRIT" With Leonora Corbett, Estelle Win- wood, Carol Goodner, Philip Tonge, Alex Clark; Valerie C'os- sart, Doreen Lang Producer: Edward Sobol Sets: Robert Wade Technical Director: Albert r-rotz- man 90 Mins,; Sun. (12) 8:30 p.m. Sustaining WNBT-NBC, N. Y. Video's challenge to .the rest, of showbusiness ■ was unmistakably contained in this full-dress, full- length production of Noel Coward's sparkling comedy. Here was a play that was a Winner in both the stage and screen mediums, and WNBT's decision to tackle a television adap- tation is an invitation to make com- parisons. By every standard, video has demonstrated with this produc- tion of "Blithe Spirit" that it can equal the best of stage and screen entertainment. And tele, by evi- dencing this ability to pul on shows of such topnotch caliber, has;by this, fact evolved a new and tougher cri- terion by which to judge its future working. From the technical viewpoint,. "Blithe Spirit" was transferred to the fluorescent screen like a finished product with polish, fluency, and compactness. Technical director Al- bert Protzman manipulated the cam- eras flawlessly, keeping the main line of the play in the center of the frame throughout and at the same I ime getting an easy rhythm' for the lens' shifting axis. Completely avoiding the momentary blur on the screen that is caused by camera switchovers for long shots and close- ups; the technique depended here on highly mobile camera units for a fluid vision. The trick shots de-i marided by the story with its ma- . Icr.ialized ghosts were also neatly processed with typical Hollywood expertness. Likewise with the three settings which were laid, out to maximize the impression of depth and solidity. Only one word can describe the show's thesping—superlative.. Head- ed by Leonora Corbett, who played the lead part in the Broadway pro- duction, the cast was loaded with talent from top . to bottom. Cow- ard's brittle humor and sophistica- tion were caught on the wing by the players. who sustained the airy mood unfalteringly during the 90- niinute show. The. four major roles of. the two wives, the harassed husband, and the zany medium were handled by Miss Corbett, Carol Goodner. Philip Tonge, and Estelle Win wood. Alex Clark, Valerie Cossart and Doreen La14! also contributed heavily in minor parts. Edward Sobol, the pro- ducer, merits strong praise for his job of assembling the-, component elements for a sure-fire success and blending them together into an in- tegrated piece of video-cratl. This is television as it should be. "CAVALCADE OF MEDICINE" With Ronald. Fraser. Peter CHne, Dr. John Bolton Writer: Felloe Kerrigan Director: Gladys Lundberg 15 Mlns., Thurs. (2.1), 8:15 p.m. AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSN. WBKB, Chicago Exploitation of video as a means of increasing popular knowledge of medicine was first attempted hcr.e during the Sister Kenny polio cam- ■paign,-with a demonstration. of the. Australian nurse's methods. The 13- week American Medical Assn. series currently running is n further de- velopment of the same material. Each program deals with a differ- ent invention, now in use, which has served to further the cause of medi- cine. Format widely includes a dramatic inlro. with a conversation between "patient" and "doctor." former staling symptoms and latler making a diagnosis which must, of course, be checked by whatever ma- chine is being covered in the show. Drama segues Into a lecture by Dr.. Bolton, telling the use of the gadget (metabolism tester when caught) and illustrating the history of its development with slides. Might be wise lo have a pro lecturer, since the emcee is a litllei dry and pe- dantic in style. Program smartly gels over AMA point: i.e., see doctor regularly and don't be scared. So far X-ray and stethoscope have been treated. Not always entertaining, but a good shot. Tomm. 'TALES TO REMEMBER" With Milton Bacon, narrator: Dick Wilder, Doreen Lang, Elmer I.chr Producers: Lee Wallace Group and CBS Director: Frances Buss Cameras: Howard Hayes, P. M. Slew- art 15 Mins., Thurs., 8:45 p.m. Sustaining WCBW-CBS, N. Y. There was some skepticism around the trade a week ago when Ben Fciner, CBS' tele program director, announced he Would try to solve the rehearsal problem on video by using a group of actors keen arid quick enough to Improvise dialog as well as business. As a matter of fact, Fci- ner has not solved the problem in a general way. But he has indicated a partial sQlution through the use of the. Lee Wallace group of enlhusiasr I ic young performers. "Talcs to Remember" Is a short lake wherein Milton Baron, acting as narrator, talk9 informally about some varn or other which is resolved through an O. Henry type of switch- eroo. In this case the Wallace group enacted the story. It was a thm piece, w;th little plot. But the in- terest lay in watching the group im- provise. The Wallacitcs did the job neallv; competently, with an under- standing of the business at hand. But one Wallace group docsn t make a trend, and that's where Fei- ners "solution" is weak. This.groin? happens to be thoroughly integrated, composed us it is of an ambitious handful of thoroughly competent young performers Who are banded together on a semi-permanent basis, living together, studying each part together, re-enacting in life the. ideal of the old Group Theatre u-ven. at times, talking in ultra-high-lre<4i , «'»- cy terms of the Stanislawsky meth- od'!. The term "improvisation in (his instance is a very loose. one. True, they don't rehearse before a camera. But they spend more time than any other group of profession- als, rehearsing constantly by living every part, no matter how. insig- nificant. At AFRA rates their-' re- hearsal time would actually be much more expensive than.the old method (Continued oh page "44).