Variety (Jul 1948)

Wedneaday, Jnfy 7, 1M« 23^ TEX AND JDOC MTith Tex MeCeaiT. Jinx ratten- bur$r, nOett Camdl and the Escorts, JcSmay Guaniieri and quintet; cuestiurs InriB^ fierlin, Fred Astaire. Jniy GaitaMd, Attn Miller; Baa Scrmiur, uuMoneer Producer: Cy Pitts 30 Mins.; Wed^ 9 PJB. BRISTOIvIttYE&S NBC. from Neir Xi»ifc (Young It Bubicofli) FiDiiig IB for theii' second season as summer sub for "Duffy's Tav- ern," TvK and Jinx (FaOtenbarg) McCrary present again their in- dividual brand of informal pro- giain which fits happfly into the season. The impromptu qosdity and .easy feeling permeating their program—plus the "inside" on celebs with their hair down—make for a charming baIf4H>ur. And Wednesday's (30) opener was no exception. Progn'am was given over largely to Irving Berlin in what \vas a beautii'ut plug for his new film "Easter Parade" opening concur- ■ rently that, etenmg in New York. But the plug was perfectly legiti- mate, and program had sufficient originality and appeal to offset the sameness of these evenings of tribute. Berlin was present in the N. Y. studio and there was a tienp with the Coast. Judy Garland and Fred Astaire (the film's stars) pip- ing in fi-om Hollywood with songs from the pic. Ann Miller, another of the pie's features, not only sang but tap-dsnced. The air was filled with badinage from the persons Involved, with McCrary and Jinx guiding the conversational-ball cleverly. Old and new Berlin tunes were repiiacd- in brief, by the principals and by Johnny Gnamieci and liis quintet, and Helen Carodl and tbe. Escorts. Commercials were vmven in tieatly, one in particiilar.. a iingle sung by Tex and Jinx, bong par- ticularly cnte. 6nm. DR. STANSnSB, MEDICAL EX- With Canr mentUitv Aadrer Chris- tie, Erie Dressier; MUMnAieer^ Lee Vises Writers: •fieeicre. HatiBMB Coxe, Charles & Maaufee. Ckarles Gbss- man ProdiHser-Direcfor: Albert Ward Sustaiiuns CBS. fr«B New Yetk Breezily written' and airily played by a good cast, "Dr. Standish. Medical Rxaminer," moved into CBS' 8 p.m. slot last Thursday (1) replacing the net's "F.B.r. in Peace and War," previously in that time segment and now on an eight-week: summer layoff. This whodunit sert&s is not:gcni of originality, but its production and general makeup should afford it a fair share of at- tention from nqrsteiy fansw Last week's initial installment revolved around the usual corpse, three suspects including a politi- cian's pretty daughter, :i^us the ef- forts of the authorities to solve the situation. Of course there's the rivalry between medical examiner Gary Merrill and homicide ini^pec- tor Eric Dressier as to wholl crack the case first. Comj^eations crop up whc.i Merrill has his fenune assistant, Audrey Christie, hustle olf with the .gal suspect, but the M.E 's expert sherloeking pins the crime on the right gity in time for the fadeout. A trio of seripters—Charles S. Monroe, Charles Gussman and George Harmon Coxe—packed an average amount of suspoise in the yam which was based, ttpon the latter's Dr.,Peter Stanilz:^, a char- acter who's well known to mystery piece readers in the national mags. Merrill was suave and methodical in portraying the title role. Miss Christie was believable as his aide while Eric Dressier did a standard i job as the inspector. Others in minor roles measured up to the principals. Gilb. SEATTLE STOBY IS nfins., 7:3a pun.. Viridaar I*roduGers: SlePberscHi-Croekett KOMO. Seattle ^ ■ v . This series on. the history of Seattle not only gives listeners some solid entertaining informa- tion on what the town was like in the old days, hut also does a fine job both in the straiglit narration and in some dramatized spots m wljich he changes voice to fit the character. . .. . • Script and produclvon by Marje McPherson and Dave Crockett are of topdrawer quality, with this epi- sode, on Seattle's loss of the ter- minus of the Great Northern Rail- road to Tacoma and resultant start of eonsU-uclion of a railroad by the town's few hundred inhabitants With pick and .shovel, hol«Js in- terest from the start. Use of real pstate agent who has been cleaning Sp on ^le of land which that road might buv; his decision to move to Tawma and conversion to never- sav-die spirit of town, ending up with a pick i^Wshjn^j^cre^^^^ bility andreaBSmt» Pi»8'am'' ' .HOLE. CALL WUh Burecss MeiedUb. K*r Shields Orek; SB we tMe *; Mar- leiie Dietrich. Irvinir BerUii, Joey Faye, gwests Writers: Jeba Cecil IMa, EdwslRl Eaeer Producer: Georee Voutaas 3tt Siins.. Thurs.« S pju. ARIHY, AIR FORCES NBC, fraa New Vmtk (N. W. Ayer) While the "Aldridi Family" va- cations, NBC has slotted this "Roil Call" series into tbC' Tlmcsdiay. at 8 segment, with, the V. S. Army and Air Force Recruitment services picking up the talent tab. It's a musical potpourri with a military flavor, with Burgess Meredith emcecing the program and other- wise making himself generally use- ful. The initial broadcast was a tribute to Irving Berlin to com- memorate the sixth anni of the i birth of "This Is the Army," with ; Berlin guesting, along with Marlene f Dietrich and Joey Faye. There will j be diifere&t guests each week (Bea i Lillie and Herb Shriner this week) , iwith Roy Shields and a 28-piece orch as the musical backbone and, as it turned out, the show's top asset. If "Boll Call" wasn't a particu- larly tempting morsel on the initial stanza, Uamc it on the fact that it suggested something h a s ti ly whipped togetheri with no definite pattern or continuity and a. particu- larly slipshod job on the scripting end. On the nostal^c, sentimental side, it had its moments of value, as when Berlin reprised his "How f Hate to Get Up in the Morning" and the 30-year-old "Kit<dien Police" song from tlie first war's "Yip, Yip Yaphank." A three-way banter routine with Bferedith, Mi^ Dietrich and Joey Faye was something less than in- sphred comedy, in. fact mostly corny, witfa a Dietrich song tte only saving grace. Dot wtiai tS^ found time to permit Shields atnd his musiokers to toss off some Berlin and other melees, then "Ron Call" really «otHtded like somethiag worth resptrnding to; . fiose. ON YOUR ftlARK With Bad CUIartar; aUMHneer, Pasl litritaef Prodneer: Luther lH«ii.-tbni-Fri., 2:30'i>jn> SBSTAINING WOR. N. Y. Here's the umpteenth audience participation, show: Malaiig.its bow on WOR, N. Y., Monday afternoon (5), "On Your Mark"- emerged as no better than the usual quizzer. Contestants were banded three questions tor quizniiaster Bud Coll- yer and if successfully hurdling the trio were eligibte for a fourth, or jackpot question. Oa the receiving end of the queries were a housewife from Massachusetts, a bricklayer from Astoria. L. I.; a lady .fiKou- Hart- ford, Conn., and a letter carrier; frwn the Bronx. None was particn- iariy articulate. Prizes for the preliminary ctueS' tions included cash awards up to $5, depeBdtnj< upon the spin of a wheel, plus two tickets to "Al- legro." Jackpot was a $430 Ansley tetevision set, but no (me qaalifiied for it. As an extra incentite it was announced at the program's close that a $35 overnight case was be- ing added to the loot. Sample, questions: "What's the fourth largest city in the U. S.? Name three magazines whose titles j^tart with the letter 'L"." One way of improving the show would be to assemble more literate questions along with more literate contest- ants. CoUyer handles the quizzees with a rapid« ixrafessional glibness while tbe proditetion sheen is negligible. Gilb, SONGS BT VINCENT FLAIR With Maity llbma OtA; CmiB Davis. amiMBecr Pradnecr-dicecter: ABxa. C. New- roth IS .afiBS.: SOS pjm. FLAK & VIVIAN DANCE STimio WINS, N. Y. {Allied Radio Adv. Associates} This is a quarter-hour of song warbled by Vincent Flair on be- half of a Brooklyn dance studio he operates in association with bis partner, Vivian. Show is a modest one signatured appropriately enough by "Ballerina." A former vocalist With Chris Cross' band, Flair relied almost entirely upon ballads for his stint. Some num- bers in a faster tempo would tend to eliminate a soporific tinge lent lo the stanza by Flair's soft, sirupy delivery. Accompanying Flair is Marty Alma's small combo. It did well enough by the singer but when on its ovra with "Tea for Two," failed to do justice to the Vincent You* man's piece. Geoff Davis bandied three lengthy plugs for the danc- fog iteademy. '■' '<?ilb. ■>■ Wltlt Snooky LanMB, Darathy Dti- iard. Dixie Dwis. Vaxi^eers, Beasiey l&ttfth mn^i amMincer. Emte-Ktilty 30 Hilts.: Wed., I0:3« Pwm. . Smrtainiifg NBC. Iswa NaiAvine Whipped upf by Nashville's WSM, "Appointment With Music" is a fas- cry from that station's homey perennial, "Grand Ole Op'ry,*' and likewise tbe show's melodies hear little resemblance to the lifUbiily laments of another Tennessee radio fave, Boy Acuff. Keynote of this summer replacement for Jimmy Durante time is "someeesy Ustenin' and no giveaways." •' ■ In making a surprise departure from an accepted, bucolic format, WSM in general made good on its promise to hand dialers some "Southern Comfort" in its musical layout. Session was hosted by war- bler Snooky Lanson, who contrib- uted a braee o£ tunes as well as proving himself an affable emcee. The soft lights-sweet music theme is accented throughout by a lengthy cast welded around Beasley Smith's orch. Vocal quin- tet of the "Dixie Darlin's'' bandies "Mary Lou" in solid fashion while the band creditably gives out with other times retaining the smooth vein. Lanson polished off "Where Uie Apple Blossoms Fall" along with "That Ole Black Magic." Dorothy Dillard's delivery of "Yesterdays" proved a bit tedious inasmuch as the number was too long drawn out. Varieteers, a Negro vocal group, did a standard "AU Dressed Up in a Broken Heart." In short, listeners in search of quiet and mental calmness wiU -find this half hour df song and nmsie a .wel- come appeasement from the rau- cous qinzzers. WHO SAID THAT? VWk Bob' TroKt, madenten H. V. Kannbom, Kabert Saark, Le- land Stawe, John^Smjae; Peter RMerts. awMNBcer. Dineetar: Dan GBlfit Editais: Fred and Darathj FiieBdlr. ■ 3* JliMs,: Fri.. tm pjm. NBC firoB New Torfc It's a sprightly, novel summer session NBC has here. No doubt its appeal is somewhat limited, since it caters to the intelligence of well-informed.listeners. But it is a refreshing departure from mn- of-the-rmill entertainment. The format is that of an "Infor- mation Please" devoted entirely to quotations from the current week's news, except for a listener-parti- cipation ai^e (which seems to be vital to eveiy program these days) offering prizes for historical .quotes. Bob Trout, from his long experience as aif oa-the-t^t re- porter, proved himself a handy- man with the adlib on tbe kickoff session last Friday (2). The four- man panel, studded with wJfc. per- sonalities, p&eformed brightly, tossing in a nice measure of fast quips. (As when, referring to Gov. Warren's remark upon nominatiort that he "knew how it felt to be Mt by a streetcar," one of the panel suggested it was "Streetcar Named Desire.") Strang^ enough, H. V. Kaltenbom, while be put in a couple of good bits, shined leaf^ among the panel members in guessing the authors of recently publicized remarks. Ttout's easy, offhand manner in presiding lent a warmly informal atmosphere to tl^e proceedings. Stanza offers a teaser test for any daily newjspaper reader and highli g h ts significant comments on current affairs. As such, it makes a lot more sense than most of the coimtless and aimless quizzes cluttering up the ether. Doan. TBE.HOPE or imjux WKh Eati GMMbi: Gel Badires. annaweer Writer: Harl God^n Dliectan JaaeiHk Graham Praducer: WUHaai Templetan IS Mlns;: S<ui„ C:3* 9Jh. ARABIAN AMSaEHCAN OIL CO. ABC front New Tack (Kudiier) It was clear, with the teeoff of this program last Sunday (4), that the Arabian American Oil Co., which has figured in news of the lisrael-Arab confiict, is out to do a public relations job for itself. The firm, which has no products to sell the American listening public, ac- claimed in the opening and closing announcements that the program was being aired "in the interest of better understanding of the prob- lems of our time." It explained that it is an American outfit which "sends 400,000 barrels of oil week- ly into world trade." It observed, indisputably, that "oil from the Middle East can be a big factor in the peace," but did not say how it was being so employed. The impli- ■ cation, it seemed, was that AA, being American-OKmed, was natur- ally on the side of the angels and would contribute in no way to the- outcome of the Arab-Jewish war. Earl Godwin, ABCTs top Wash- ington observer, apparently felt called upon to ex|dain that his hands weren't tied by his sponsor. He noted that ABC commentators are "presumed to be capable" of interpreting the news as they see fit, and annoanced that he would ' express ''an independent view- point." The {KTOgram. he stid. was "intended to be instructive" and. would look upon "tbe cfae«fal side" wfaUe try&s not to be "Poly- anna .-about tlte news." ' Having issued these disclaimers and explanations, Godwin "begged indolgsice" to dis^eose virith the news <a the day! It was the Fourth of July, he pointed 'Out. and an oc- casion to recaR' tbe first Fourth -and its histaie sienificance. He devoted the xcnainder of the pe- riod to a xamlding ^discourse open the oeeasi^ and (dosed .wittt the* word that he'd originate next week's edition from theXtemo con- vention headquarters in Philly. Which meaos that Godwin won't get aroottd to his independent in- terpretation «{ .the situation so near to his spaasHfs intexests un^ til at least the vjeek following. J>03R, Traoserflioi Review THE NATIONAL SINGERS Wttt Fred Webher Male Ch^ DjbmittHrs: Iris Hasan, Hal Sawn- dcrs Pntdncer: Charics TWifhrhwn 15 ''BliBa.' V This new Mtchelscm series, an e.t. package of 104 I5-minpte shows, introduces to U. S.' audi-' ences an English male octet'which has become well known ahroad through tours of Britain, the conti- nent and Australia. The series, released by Michelson's outfit June 15, includes special Christmas and Easter programs. Featured vocal- ists are Albert Miller, Arthur Ward and NesI Easton. The program vriU strike V. S. listeners as sort of a British- accented double barbershop quar- tet affair. It wilt no doubt come as an amusing surprise to dialers, to hear "I'm Headin' for the Last' Roundup" with a Broad A. Never- theless, the octet presents eight of numbers is 'Strictly in the old fave gteore. Dottmi ■ ' well-tuhed pipes in crystal-clear close harmony, and the selection phone her only instrument of res« RADIO CRT PLil^VHOIISE With Jan ma»v; Kay Shie!d.<:, ma- sical direetar Prodiieer: Riebaxd IKcDanach Direetar: Harry W. Jmrikbi 3* Mins.. Sat.. I* pJB. Svsiainins NBC. from New Yaik The "Playhouse" edifice has been installed in this spot to cover the ground during tbe summer ab- sence of Kay Kfsee (Colgate). As explained in advance by NBC, the filler will have no set formula or format but merely offer in straight dramatic fashiim scripts that Bicii- ard McDona^ and Harry W. Jun- kin, producer and director, respec- tively, of the series, consider worth auring. The teeoff program (3) would have merited an extx»-£vecial huz- zah for wiitine. direction and per- formance were not all these ele- ments restiniseent of a poredecessor presentation which through the years had earned CBS mucb-bat- tipping. Junkin's own "Long Dis- tance" was the opening narra- tive here, and hard as one might try to lean in his favor, be- eaiuse of bis twofold skill in writing and directing oC the piece, there would he no es- caping from iMtting its close similarity to "Sorry, Wrong Num- ber." Even Jan Minor, who play ed the hysterical woman with the tele^Hmie in Junkin's version, sounded at times very much like Agnes Mo<nrebead, with whom the lead of "Wrong Number" is in- delibly associate. If it weren't for the artificial finish tiiat Junkin fastened on his work, "Long Distance" might have even, fkom-tiie vwvQMnnt of. sns- pense dtnd general pacing, deserved recognition as a better piece of ^imtbig than: its predecessor. Junkin, in any event, pacowed that as a director he not only knows how to handle his material with maximum effect but has a style of his own. Thi,<? Canadian, who also marks himself as stickler for realism, should in time move into that limited circle of topnotcb dra- matic radio directors on this side of the border. With all tbe obvious comparison. Miss Minor is deserving of a Ing hand for the performance she gave of a woman who bad but 30 min- utes in which to save her husband from electrocution for a crime he did not commit and'-with a tele- LETS TALK HOLLYWOOD With; GearjE* iimitefr « ^ ,, James Stewart, {idtth Gwytm By Aveibaelc an a—ce r , _^ ^ Writus: Btarthi Wail^ Saul Stdt Direetar: WObit*. fiiariBt. . 30 MIns.; Sun.. 7 p.m. Amerietm Tobacco Co. and BBDftO ««ency really dag into d»' lend4eaBe barrel in borrowing this, one. CTnfortnnately, its entertain- ment quotient is about on a par with its origfaiality. "Let's .TJdk Hollywood" is the Lucky StrflM : summer replacement for the Sua-. day night Jack Benny show. It turns out to be a Hollywood-slasteo' version of "Information, Please." But in keeping with the current giveaway trend, it goes in for mar* elaborate payoffs. For example, the guy who submits the questioiE that stumps the experts (there's a different panel each week and on the , initial broadcast the panel. skidded three times in a rowF gets RCA's top-priced tele set. a year's pass (for two) fox bis favoiltn hometown fi3bnhouse^ and a veter- ans' ho^ital he designates is the recipient of enough cigarets to tafcn care of all its patients. And to ' further accentuate tbe giveawaqr angle, therefs a .ttcan with FI|«I»- play mag, with a ISve-year cuh"' scription for everyoste who sulmuts a question that gets used. George Murpliy is tlie permancnz emcee.who presides ovcr^tbe panel and does his best to fadiman tba proceedings (first panel was oom- prised of , James Stewart. Eddie ' Bracken. JSditb Gwynn and David ButlerL One'would snspect; that, out of such a parlay would eoaae some gUb banter and the siart at light, airy exxhange tbsA, toe ear- ample, has heen "Info's" ^tieC stock in trade. ' However, the feeling was ' in» escapsble that the Oscar Leviutt- John Kieran combo was Sftrely missing, not only inhelphig adiievc • a qualitative honMH;. hot in hetpinc ' to extricate Onsse supposedly i^al- in-the^wool Hollywoodites from a lot of fruatratii^ moments, even ' though the questioas taemed aa. "eiementary, nqr dear Watsna" tsK- Murphy pSajs the whole thins straight. Summertime or wintertime, it's still the same- trip-iianunered - Lucky commercials, bniit ancmad '' the Feccnt]ir<iKqaiiied "first agaia with tobacco bmH''* musteal bar. . Rose.; cne. It was an admirably etched, characterization. Odec. - NEW ADVENTUKBS OF THIN MAN With I^ TTeaKome. daHfia can. matoiK .gieacKr, .athwwt iilHl' Hevlihjr, annaaaxen'RCA-Kgii*', km. oiefa emiaiiteA» Pradneer-dircetor; BIBtmm Writer: Mffton Lewis Ssperviswv DaaUett BaaaOfM 3t niins;; TaeK, 9 ikaiL PABSr NBC, from New YaA (Wturwick Ic Legiler) Nick Charles is in tBe woost box of his entire caareeF—sad it^s m long and fandllax we. -He cair^ chase crocfts because of NBC's no- crime-before4:30 mle. So he's se- duced to coming into very sli^bt contact with some sttady eharaetera out of his exciting post, while try- ing to make an amusing extstemea- out of what used to be some fleet- ing encounters with his charming frau, Nora, About all the listener who rememb«rs4nnt-wiwn can da is mourn, altmg with JHUk, the good old days when, he was "the "Beerfflr ,of Third avenue.. who made the : underworld tremble." In the second rouud last wedt (29) of his "^ew;" strictly on the domestic side, adveitores as sum- mer st<mdlin for Eddie Cantor., about tbe only recognizable rem- iiant of the Thin Man's former existence was his opening and clos- ing scenes—in bed with Nora. In between, lie got mixed up in smna almost too extraordinary conse- quences of becoming an involim- tary baby-sitter. Some tough gxcyii and cops, including Sheriff Eh Wil- liams (Parker Fenneily). crossed " the crime-lese scen& Just one of the few faard-to-believe develop- ments was that, whereas thcra wasn't a cop living wlm didnt know tbe old Nick Charles, now not a single mie recognized htOL That just shows how much the poor guy changed. Lcs Tremayne (in the role Les Damon did for so long) sod Claudia Morgan (who's had the role before) struggled valiantly with their Kaes as the new Kick and Nora, but tbe material didn't give them much, of a chance, it was'so superficial jffid ' unrealistic. Rest of the cast w*» easily recognizable "characters.'* The striving for brittle, sophisti- cated dialog left the sequ^ice witlii ffiily a shred o£ credibility. . Fiabsfs plugs are inoffeusfvehr >(h>tby. ''^JMoil.'' >'*