Variety (Sep 1947)

22 RADIO Wednesday, September 3, 1947 * FMA's First Annual Get-Together To Push Sharp Plans for FM Expansion Washington, Sept. 2. Savvy FM'ers are counting on the NAB convention date of Sept. 15 in Atlantic City to swell attendance at their first annual convention, skedd- ed for two full days Sept. 12-13 at the Hotel Roosevelt in New York City. The infant FM Assn., less than a year old, is counting on at least 400 FM enthusiasts to turn out for its sessions in Manhattan and then to catch the Sunday train for the j shore. Not to be outdone by the plushier ! NAB meet, the FM boys have signed Dillard in Line Washington. Sept. 2. Everett Dillard, flywheel of the pioneer Continental FM net- work and owner of indie FM stations WASH. Washington and KOZY, Kansas City, Mo. has the inside track to become the next prexy of the FM Assn., accord- ing to word here. FMA prexy Roy Hofheinz could have the job a second year if he wanted it, it was reported, but is rumored ready to swing his support behind Dillard at the upcoming elections during the FMA con- vention in New York, Sept. 12-13. Dillard is now vice-prez of FMA. Other officers are Frank Gun- . ther of Radio Engineering Labs, secretary, and Arthur Freed, prexy of Freed-Eiseman Corp., treasurer. Neither has indicated whether he will make a play to retain his post next year. Dillard has support of majority of FM contingent who point to his record as proof of his ability to continue promoting FM. up-ECC..Chairman Charles R. Denny, Jr., to headline their get-together. Denny, having accepted the NAB in- ■vite, could not very well have turned down the. bid from FMA. Agenda for the FM parleys is jam- packed and FMA hopes to make up in enthusiasm what it lacks in num- bers. Convention will feature an FM progress report by prexy Roy Hofheinz, KTHT and KTHT-FM, Houston; launching of the first com- mercial FM network show over the Continental FM web; demonstrations of FM's high-fidelity from Major Edwin Armstrong's Alpine, N. J., sta- tion W2XMN; and a round-robin of discussions on that all-important •ubject of how to make FM pay off. Here is the way the schedule looks now: Convention Agenda Friday's morning session will open With address by prexy Roy Hofheinz, continue with appointment of new' FM committees; showing of the Gen- (Continued on page 40) Network Premieres (SEPT. 4-14) 'First Nighter In Chi Exit for Coast Chicago, Sept. 2. Chicago radiodom's struggle to re- cover its former standing as a pro- fram production center wasn't elped last we^ek when the Wallace Ferry-Hanley agency let it be known that "The First Nighter" program ■will originate from Hollywood when it returns to the air <CBS) Oct. 4. What makes the pill particularly bit- ter is the fact that the leads, Barbara Luddy and Olan Soule, and the di- rector, Joe Ainley, have all been residents of Chicago and developed their careers in local radio. The agency's headquarters are also in Chicago. Reason given for the leads' migra- tion to the Coast is that they will be in a better positionto find additional •work. Ainley's actress-wife, Betty Lou Gerson, also formerly of Chi- cago, is reported doing well in Hol- lywood radio. The central divisions of the net- works look on this continued exodus to the Coast with grim reproach They recall that for years many of the player-migrants waxed rich off the Chicago soap operas and now, when they get a crack at a program lead which could originate from Chi- cago, they immediately prevail upon the agency to move the show to Hol- lywood, with the twin view of living in more dulcet climes and picking up Vhat they can pick up in Hollywood radio jobs. Thursday, Sept. 4 Burns and Allen, comedy, spon- sored by General Foods for Max- well House coffee (Benton & Bowles); NBC, from Hollywood; Thur., 8:30-9 p. m. EDT. Friday, Sept. 5 "Baby Snooks," comedy, with Fannie Brice, sponsored by Gen- eral Foods for Jello (Young & Rubicam); CBS, from Holly- wood; Fri., 8-8:30 p. m., EDT. Saturday, Sept. 6 '"Life of BHey," comedy, with William Bendix; sponsored by Procter & Gamble for Prell shampoo (Benton & Bowles); NBC, from Hollywood; Sat., 8- 8:30 p. m., EDT. . "Truth or Consequences,'*.audi- dience participation, with Ralph Edwards; sponsored by Procter & Gamble for Duz soap (Comp- ton); NBC, from Hollywood; Sat., 8:30-9 p. m., EDT. Sunday, Sept'l "Juvenile Jury," kid discussion; sponsored by General Foods for Gaines dog. food (Benton & Bowles); MBS, from New York; Sun., 3:30-4 p. m., EDT. Phil. Spitalny orcta, music; sponsored by Electric Companies Advertising Co. (Ayer); CBS, from New. York; - Sun., 4:30-5 5:30 p. mf, EDT. "The Shadow," mystery, spon- sored by D. L. & W. Coal Co. for blueeoal. (Ruthrauff & Ryan); MBS, from New York; Sun., 5- 5:30 p. m., EDT. "Quick as a Flash," audience participation, sponsored by Hel- bros watches (Weintraub); MBS, from New York; Sun., 5:30-6 p. m., EDT. Drevv Pearson, comment, spon- sored by Lee hats (Weintraub); ABC.from Washington; Sun., 6- 6:15 p. m., EDT. "Clwrliei McCarthy," with Ed- gar Bergen, sponsored by Stand- ard Brands for Chase & Sanborn coffee;. NBC, from Hollywood; Sun., 8-8:30 p. m.', EDT. "Theatre Guild of the Air," drama, sponsored by U. S. Steel (B.B.D&O.); ABC, from New York; Sun., 9:30-10:30 p. m., EDT. Monday, Sept. 8 "Charlie Chan," mystery, spon- sored by Pharmaco Co. (Ruth- rauff & Ryan); MBS, from New York; 8:30-9 p. m., EDT. Tuesday,- Sept. 9 Bed Skclton, comedy, spon- sored by Brown & Williamson tobacco (Seeds): NBC, from Hol- lywood; Tues., 10:30-11 p. m. EDT. Wednesday, Sept. 10 "Great Gildersleeve," comedy, with Hal Peary, sponsored by Kraft cheese (Thompson); NBC, from Hollywood; Wed., 8:30-9 p. m., EDT. ( Thursday, Sept. 11 Dick Haymes, music, spon- sored by Auto-Lite (Ruthrauff & Ryan); CBS, from Hollywood; Thur:, 9-9:30 p. m., EDT. '•" "Village Store," comedy, with Jack Carson and Eve Arden, sponsored by Sealtest (McKee & Albright); NBC, from Holly- wood; Thur.. 9:30-10 p. m., EDT. Sunday, Sept 14 Eddy Howard orch, music, sponsored by Sheaffer pen (Seeds); NBC, from New York; "Sun., 8-8:30 p. m'., EDT. KLZ's '"Budget Brigadier" PALMO FULLER In addition to miscellaneous scripting duties, Palmo Fuller writes and appears as '"Sue Carson" on KLZ's popular daily participating program, "Budget Brigade." KLZ, DENVER. Stations Balk At Golenpaul Terms Set for Info' Chicago, Sept. 2. Number of Mutual's midwest af- filiates have expressed themselves to their reps as somewhat stymied by the sales conditions imposed by Dan Golenpaul in his co-op deal on "In formation,,,. Please," with the net- work. Provision the stations partic ularly don't like is that requiring i firm 44-week contract from the local or national spot account buying the program. The complaining stations feel that they will have a tough enough time trying to get away with Golenpaul restrictions on commercial copy without having to insist on a 44- week noncancellable contract. The demand, they point out, runs counter to the custom of local radio : which is bought with the privilege of cancelling on two or four weeks' notice. An influential factor in local and spot broadcasting has always been its flexibility. As for the plug angle in the "In- formation" co-op contract, commer- cials must be sent to Golenpaul when requested. If the finds them objec- tionable, the station is required to have them changed, and if the client refuses to conform with Golenpaul's requirements the contract may be cancelled on Golenpaul's part on four weeks' notice. Midwest broadcasters are also ex- pressing themselves as puzzled by the yardstick, or whatever it is, that the networks are using in determin- ing co-op programs costs for the various markets. ABC is operating on the basis of 80% of the gross nighttime hour rate of a station and CBS is asking 60% of that rate.. The local price of an MBC co-op differs with the program. Using Chicago as an illustration, Abbott & Costello on WENR or WLS will cost $720, Joan Davis on WBBM would figure $540 and Mutual is asking $625 for "Meet Me at Parky"s" on WGN. All three stations have the same rate, namely, $900. For "Parky's" it's 39 weeks, play or pay. Following are some sample com- parative prices on "Information, Please" and "Meet Me at Parky's." Town "Info" "Parky's" N. Y, $2,500 $1,000—- CBS to Capsulize Howard K. Smith News Howard K. Smith, CBS' European news chief whose weekly roundups of events and trends in his area have long been aired Sundays at 1:45, will boil down his commentary to fit into intermission time on the CBS Symphony, Sundays at 3, start- ing Oct. 12. Net has appropriated the 1:30-2 p.m. Sunday segment for its "Door- way to Life," effective Oct. 5, which also knocks out Lyman Bryson's "Time for Reaso n" ta lks which oc- cupy the first half of this period. Bryson, currently in Paris on loan as advisor to UNESCO, is expected to become permanent chairman of CBS' "People's Platform" when he returns from Europe next month. He formerly moderated the "Plat- form" airers. L A. to N. Y. Production Swing For the first time in several years, the production trend in commer- cial radio is from Hollywood to New Vork. According Jto the /all schedule, there will be 88 network evening <and Saturday and Sunday daytime, which are in the same talent and production category) pro- grams originating pom New York, compared to only 57 from the Coast. Even excluding news and miscellaneous shows, which involve rela- tively little production, Manhattan will have 69, as against Hollywood's 51 Last season, there were 63 stanzas originating on the Coast and only 57 in New York. In 1937, the figures were New York 54, Holly- wood 14. In comedy shows alone, Hollywood holds a big edge over New York. Because of its preponderence of talent, both writer and performer, Hol- lywood has 27 comedy shows, compared to only six in New York. However, because of its lower production costs and the presence of most of the ad agencies here, Manhattan dominates in the other cate- gories, as follows: Drama, New York, nine, Hollywood seven; Mystery, New York 24, Hollywood seven; Music, New York 20, Hollywood 10; Audience Participation and Quiz, New York 11, Hollywood three; News and Miscellaneous, New York 18, Hollywood twp. Chicago ........ 1,800 Phila. Boston ..... Detroit .... St. Louis .. Mpls Des Moines Omaha .... 600 400 400 250 175 90 100 625 250 250 250 200 150 60 44 Chi RDG's Victory Chicago, Sept. 2. Chicago Radio Directors Guild won a last-minute victory over the Taft-Hartley bill last week. CRDG signed a contract with WLS, day before the bill became effective that would have banned guild shop. New pact that expires Dec. 31, 1949, calls for 8% to 10% raises. It sets a basic salary for new directors at $82.50; eliminates split shifts; sets up a 40- hour week with time and half for overtime. , . Contract also covers for 10% cost of living increase next June if prices rise. NEW YORK 1 Comedy Aldrich Family Can You Top This? Fred Allen Henry Morgan The Sheriff Milton Berle Drama Theatre Guild Ford Theatre Reader's Digest Real Stories Big Story Greatest Story Let's Pretend Theatre of Today Grand Central Station • Mystery Mystery Theatre Shadow Charlie Chan Gangbusters Mr. District Attorney Big Town Inner Sanctum Thin Man F.'B. I. in Peace and War Crime Photographer Mr. Keen ' % Crime Doctor Ellery Queen Nick Carter Falcon Counterspy Famous Jury Trials Fat Man Green Hornet Mr. & Mrs. North Warden Lawes Deadline Mystery House of Mystery True Detective Mystery Music Voice of Firestone Telephone Hour Phil Spitalny Contented Program Merry-Go-Round Album Familiar Music Arthur, Godfrey Saturday Nite Serenade American Melody Hour Waltz Time • Jack Smith Highways in Melody Guy Lombardo Big Break Fred Waring Sammy Kaye RCA Show Carmen Cavallero Teentimers Club Supper Club Audience Participation, Quiz Quick as a Flash Juvenile Jury Information, Please Bob Hawk Break the Bank 20 Questions Fish & Hunt Club Prof. Quiz Darts for Dough County Fair Give & Take Strike It Rich News. Miscellaneous America's Town Meeting We, the People . Walter JtVinchell Lowell Thomas Arthur Hale Bill Stern * News of the World Doctors Talk Elmer Davis Fish & Hunt Club Gabriel Heatter Henry J. Taylor H. V. Kaltenborn Edward R. Murrow Inside Sports Leland Stowe Boxing Bouts Monday Morning Headlines SCHWARTZ A F-C-B VEEPEE . Chicago, Sept. 2. When Milt Schwartz rejoins the FooTe, Cone "SFBelding agency in Chicago late this month he will take the title of v.p. in charge of radio. Dick Fonda, who comes from FCB's Hollywood office Sept, 15, will be production head. Schwartz's connection with the agency dates back many years. HOLLYWOOD Comedy Burns & Allen Life of Riley Edgar Bergen Red Skelton Great Gildersleeve Fannie Brice ViUage Store Duffy's Tavern Jimmy Durante Judy Canova Bob Hope Jack Benny Ozzig & Harriet Jack Paar My Friend Irma Abbott & Costello Faye & Harris Fibber & Molly Amos 'n* Andy Date with Judy Dennis Day Eddie Cantor Morgan-Ameche-Langford Blondie Corliss Archer Lum 'n" Abner Those Websters Show of the Year Drama Lux Theatre Screen Guild » v One Man's Family Dr. Christian Mayor of the Town .Cavalcade of America Stars over Hollywood First Nighter Mystery This Is Your F. B. I. Man Called X Murder & Mr. Malone Suspense Whistler SHerlock Holmes Sam Spade Music Your Hit Parade Dick Haymes Nelson Eddy Al Jolson Kay Kyser Meredith Willson Burl Ives Club 15 Gene Autry Tony Martin Audience Participation, Quiz Truth or Consequences People Are Funny Take It or Leave It News, Miscellaneous Louella Parsons Jimmy Fidler "Show of the Year" will theoretic- ally originate from both Hollywood and New York, according to what program is selected for rebroadcast, but most of the top-rating shows are comedies from the Coast, so it is in- cluded in the Hollywood* list. In addition to the above programs, Vaughn Monroe, "Dr. I. Q." and "Vox Pop" broadcast from different locations each' week; "Quiz JCids/| "Adventurer's Club," ' "Meet '" the" Meeks" and "Curtain Time" are from Chicago; Elmer Davis, Eric Sevareid, Fulton Lewis and Drew Pearson are from Washington; "Lone Ranger" is from Detroit and "Grand Ol' Opry" is from Louisville. Chi Pact Stalemate On Staff Continuity Writers Chicago, Sept. 2. Ben Myers, counsel for Chicago Radio Writers Guild, declared last week that the webs were refusing to negotiate for contracts covering staff continuity writers, Lawyer claimed that webs fooled around until T-H act banned cer- tain phases of the proposed contract. Officials of the nets responded that it was not their fault, If many of the people involved in the nego- tiations, were on vacation during August.