Variety (Jan 1949)

RAOia BBVnBWS W*dHigsJay» January' 26, 194,9 «. PAUL. tth RuMidl HbsUfBrn, Vttts Web^ ber, Janet loKUi, Gloria Gordon, Vic Peraln, Sam Edwards, Jean Olivet, Bob Holton, Wlllard Wa- terman, Henry Blair Director: Gil Faust iVrlter: Virginia Crosby is mins.; Mon.-Frl., 11 a.m. SustaininK KBC, from Hollywood This HoUywood-iproduced soaper appears to liave the virtues and most of the vices of the usual run of daytime dramas. According to its own admissiont it is "radio's Wonderful story of love and service to humanity," which seems lilce a field of dramatics which can en- compass any situation and develop ment liked by the housewife. . Opening stanza (24) . sounded promising. Show starts off in a Frisco hospital with a tiff between • virtuous nurse and her runaround sister and segues into a scene be- tween Dr. Paul and his ambitious and scheming wife who wants him to desert the smalltown institution for a fancy practice in New York. The announcer warns that distance Is no barrier-^fate is bound to bring them together. Show promises some transcour tinental tantrums until that's car- ried Out. From then on in, it's probably a battle by the virtuous liiurse to reclaim the good medico from his wife and big-city ambi- tions for a humanitarian role m the sticks. • The cast sounds like a prize crop from an elocution school. "Dr. Paul" hits par fpr the daytime icourse, but can he compete against ••Young Dr. Malone?" Jose. TIME AND HER LIFE With Pete French Producer- writer: Dorcas Ruthen- bws'' ■ Bireotor: Peter R. Disney 60 Mins.; Sun., 9 p.m. (CST) Sustaining WHAS, Louisville Subject of this true stosy be- came frightened when her hus- band discovered a lump on her breast. Action begins with record- ed dialog in the home* later fol- lowing the case to the clinic for examination. Background of the womah is given in narrative form, tracing the history of cancer in her parents, etc. Complete case history is fol- lowed, from private interview with hospital physicians, then diagnosis, operation, and the report of the surgeon who operated. Then follows the natural queS' tion, "What happens now?" After 18 days of X-ray treatments, the patient is ready for the prognosis. Doctor told her that in dealing with cancer, time is all important. That in the.patient's case; time;was her life, Finale had the womSn giving he9 name and address. Facts were transcribed step 'by step on the scene as the events took place, over a penod of several months. Kentucky Division of the Ameri- man Cancer Society cooperated, also St. Joseph Inflrmai-y, doctors, nurses and technicians, many of whose voices were heard on the program. . Show had swell job of direction by Peter Disney,'impersonal nar- ration by Pete French, and writ- ing job by Dorcas Ruthenburg. Strictly not in the commercial idi- om this was a tremendous undertak- ing in public service, and while the subject of cancer of the breast might make some listeners wince, bringing the facts into the open has been beneficial. Reports have come to this reviewer that many of the town's doctors were be- sieged by women on days follow- ing the cancer airing, for exam- inations of possible cancerous growths. Airing was a standout public service effort of the WHAS staff. Hold. FAMILY CLOSEUP With Betty Garde, Martin WoKson, Bethel' Leslie; music, Bernard Green Writer: Abram iS. Ginnes Producer-director: Martin Andrews 30 Mins.; Sun., 6 p.m. Sustaining ABC, from New York "Family Closeup" represents an honest attempt of ABC, in coopera- tion with the Jevrish Family Serv- ice, to prdbe the underlying rea- sons behind the public's personal, marital and parental problems. In a well conceived half-hour airer, the series boils down case histories into living examples of how fami- lies and individuals have trapped themselves with their own tragic mistslcfis Sixth . installment as dramatized Sunday (23) touched on a couple's unwitting neglect of their adoles- cent daughter. Jntent upon things material the husband worked nights during the war while his wife toiled'days in order to pile up coin for their) own business. With mom and pop' constantly away, the girl never knew true parental love and thus drifted away from them. While scripter Abram S. Ginnes was shooting at a good point, his characters in this particular in- stance were almost unbelievably naive. Solution to the family's difficul- ties came when the trio sought the aid of a family consultation service; And that's the purpose of the pro- gram—to show that treatment and advice for domestic and individual dilemmas is available to all denom- inations from the Jewish Family Service, "one of several family agencies in New York City." In "Family Gloseup's" most re- cent shot,. Betty Garde and Martin Wolfson were effective 'as the pa- rents while Bethel Leslie regis- tered as the headstrong, lonely adolescent. Ginnes' writing; while not exceptional in this instance, gave : indications of better efforts. Production values of Martin An- drews were good as was the musi- cal background supplied by Bern- ard Green. Although aired only via WJZ, understood the Jewish Family Service plans placing the show on other outlets on a co-op basis. Gilb. Frmn the ProdndioB Centres ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦4*»«i<««««« «>««♦♦« n »»^ BEN LUDLOW MUSIC GET MORE OUT OF LIFE With Jane^ Jordan, Sidney Walton, announcer Writer: Alice Gershon Director: Jacqueline James 15 Mins: 11 a.m. Men; tlwu Fri. WILLIAM H. WISE ABC, from New York (Thvnng & AUman) This is substantially the same stanza heard locally on WOR, N. Y., seven times a week. Sponsor has found Jt successful, and is airing it nationally on ABC. Program is listenable and offers valuable hints to thrift-wise wives, plugging the message "sew more, save more." Jane Jordan, editor of sponsor's New Encyclopedia of -Modern Sewing," chats with announcer Sid- ney Walton, answers queries from listeners with money-saving tips. On show caught Monday (24) Miss Jordan told women how they could whip up an entire ensemble for $20 ^good air fare in these inflation days. However, although program was headlined as covering home fur- nishing and food as well as fashions, all hints on the preem broadcast concerned sewing. Un- derstandably, sponsor is plugging needlework, but a few decorating and kitchen tips would probably be welcomed. C o m m er c i a Is are smooth and a hem-gauge premium is a smart come-on offer. PROUDLY WE HAIL With Audrey Totter; C. P. Mac- Gregor; Wendell Niles Producer: MacGregor 30 Mins., Sat., 3 p.m. U. S. ARMY AIR FORCE WOR, N, Y. New dramatic series over WOR, N. Y., is an excellent sales point. Slotted at 3 p^m., it appeals to the matinee soap, opera trade, while having the added lure of a Coast film name. Judged by Saturday's (22) opener; series is soundly scripted and produced, to stand on its own as entertainjnent. ■ Opener on the series was a drama titled "The Templeton Castle," with Audrey Totter as the star. Drama tells the story of an invalid woman who high-pressures a marriage for herself, then brings the law career of her husband to ruin through her self-centered search for position and wealth. Miss Totter played the scheming dame with bite and conviction, and supporting cast was good. ' Series Is transcribed. C. P. Mac- Gregor, its producer, spoke in a prblog to explain the series* aims.. Mid-program recruiting commer- cial was dignified, short and ef- fective. Bron. THE WEEK IN REVIEW With Jim Healey 15 Mins., Sun., 2 p.m. SAVE-THE-BABY WOKO-UNION BROADCASTING SYSTEM ; (George R. Nchon, Inc.) Twentyrseven stations in upstate New York and in New England are hooked together for the first time as the Union Broadcasting System, to air a commentary by Jim Healey, veteran news analyst, pres- ident-general manager of WOKO and progenitor of the web. Healey did a 30-minute review of the week over a special and smaller net- Work, from WSNY, for the cough- croup manufacturer; several years ago. Present one has a similar v^-t format, but eliminates the poetry- fihilosophy and a consideration of he week in the economic enter- tainment, musical and art worlds >r^at least the initial shot did. Healey still uses an announcer as queryist^to break the voice mpAotony. Lyle Bosley handled ' (Continued on page 42) JOHN GONELLA 15 Mins., Sun., S p.m. Sustaining WPTR, Albany The clipped accent and the slightly impersonal delivery of a former British Broadcasting Corp. announcer now ride the air waves from this old Dutch city, in a new Sunday afternoon program, Gon- nella, a Scotchman, had been a part-time: newscaster since the 10,000-watter made its debut last August; he recently became a full- time employee. Most fittingly—in view of his service and travels in the Far East—Gonella chose the Indonesian Republic squabble for the second commentary. He presented a clear, perceptive and .searching analysis of the present situation and the past his- tory of Dutch rule of Java and Sumatra. Both sides Of the ques- tion were outlined, along with its probable implications for the United States in Japan and other Far East countries. Gonella's script was splendidly written. He possesses a good voice, fine diction and an apparently sound back- ground. The English accent pre- sumably will not be a drawback for intelligent listeners. A closer bond with his audience, in phraseology and approach, might be desirable. J'aco. FOLIiOW THE LEADER With Red Ingle; announcer, Lonnie ■•■ Starr;' .v , Producer: Ted Cott Director: Jack Groga*!!'. . 30 Mins.: Sat., 1 p.mj ' WNEW, N. Y. "Match your musical opinion with that of an orchestra leader" is the keynote of WNEW's new audi- ence-participation Saturday after- noon disk jockey show. Format ap- pears to bC: a ingeniovis way of in- troing platters on what would or- dinarily be just another half-hour show of recorded pops. Guest ba- toner for session caught Saturday. (22) was Red Ingle whose current stand at the Village Barn, N. Y., came in for more than a passing reference. Of some six tunes turntabledi lis- teners were to record the titles in order Of their own preference and mail their choices: to the station. The five dialers whose selections most nearly jibe with those'of Ingle would receive an autographed disk from the maestro for "following the leader.". Basic idea is all very lightweight, but in view of the modest prizes and probable cuffo guest stints ot the stick-swishers, the show repre- sents an ideal means of stimulating listener interest in early afternoon platter programs for only a nomin- al outley. Announcer Lonnie Starr kept things moving briskly and final station break enterprisingly tied in with, "This is the leader, WNEW, your favorite station for music etc,.." Gilb. BABY TALK With Jerry Lee* Dick Perry, Mel- vin Winters, Bill Mcfleynolds Writers: Lee, Perry IS Min., Sat., 8:45 a.m. WOAI, San Antonio There have been many programs for and by children, but this one has a .new approach to the sub- ject. The entire program is han- dled by men and is their view- point of their and other offspring in, general, Jerry Lee and Dick Perry, both adlibbers of the first degree,, bandy sprightly and infor- mal remarks about the small fi-y, their" doings and sayings; with every now and then a serious hint on child care wrapped up in a small capsule, easy to take. Format of the program includes bright sayings of children sent in by proud parents for prizes. On the program caught, sugges- tions offered where and: how to bathe a baby, and how to Induce junior to take his first solid food. Theme song is naturally "Baby Face." Show is smartly paced, en- tertaining and instructive. Andy, m NEW YORK CITY . . . Irving Mansfield shoving off to Florida for some sun and rest . .. CBS insiders wondering what's happened to the veepee cljevrons that were being readied for Harry Aokerman. the net's Coast program head.,..Philip Morris, via,Cecil & Presbry agency, \vill probably make kno^t'n its decision this week on whether to bankroll the Morey Amsterdam daytime show on CBS, auditioned a couple vreeks back. Mack Millar in from the Coast for some'exploitation on Eddie Cantor and Bob Hope.. . .Phil Harris and Alice Faye trained in to N. Y. from Washington after their ''Gala" appearance without waiting around for President Truman's Inauguration ceremonies. Matter of agency huddles and rehearsals for their N. Y,-originating show last Sunday cued the ha$ty D. C. retreat. WOV's Anne Baldwin basking under the Florida sun Another boy —their second—born to the Al Durantes (J. Walter Thompson) at Hark- ness Pavillion last week. Named Jay Cornwall Jackson in from the Coast for JWT huddles... .Murray Harris, publicity director of WNBC- WNBT, promoted to post of director of advertising and promotion. He replaces Charles Vaill, who resigned last week. Harris' spot taken over by Schuyler Chapin, who was field promotion supervisor NBC- BBD&O Still wondering how they got out 100 people for the Saturday morning brunch at 21 to fete Phil Harris and Alice Faye Richard Kane hew-assistant to Dick Pack on WNEW'Publicity, replacing Bert Brilier, who left to join Variety. . .. Arthur Altsohul has switched from the N. Y. Times newsroom to Jack Gould's department to handle tele for the Sunday section, cued to Times' expansion in video coverage. .. . Forty-five WOR staffers headed by John Rudley have adopted three war-orphaned children through the Foster Parents Plan. Two more groups of 15 each are donated enough to add two more kids:... Martha Deane packing her microphone and taking oft for France and Middle East via Air France for a fortnight in February—Roger Bower, vet. producer^ has taken over directorial chores on WOH's "Bill Williams ■, Show"... .Bert Harkins, WOR engineering exec, celebrated his 20th year with station last week.... Raphael Hayes moves from NBC to WINS continuity dept.. . . Jack (Juvenile Jury) Barry sporting ajuvenile nose.. . .Chester Rhodes has joined staff of Dudley, Anderson & Yutzy, public relations counselors, as radio producer and writer. He was for- merly assistant program director at WGAY, Washington, D; C; Radio commentator Linton Wells and his wife, aviatrix Fay Gillis to. San Juan and St. Thomas for vacation... . Concert pianist Earl Wild, featured soloist on ABC's "Piano Playhouse" and "Coffee Concert," will give a keyboard recital at Cai^egie Hall Jan. 29 .. .John Stanley added to cast of' "Backstage Wife"... vHenry Morgan on the NBC Sun- day night agenda Anne Russell, femme half of the "Anne and Bill Russell',' WOR midnight show which preems from Reubens bistro on Feb. 14, gets a big video buildup via WJZ-TV starting Feb. 10. She'll be featured on "Market Melodies," cross-the-board program, two hours, a day. ...WOR's annual sales meeting set for Feb. 1, with sales, pub- licity, program and research staffs and Hub, Chi and D. C. reps joining to outline '49 sales goals.. . .Ted Brown, ex-WOR announcer, switching to WNEW. . V. Over 900 stations have been lined up to carry the newest transcribed show packaged by the Citizens Committee for Displaced Persons. Titled "Arrival of the Delayed Pilgrims," program was writ» ten by Pete Lyon, produced by Ted Hudes and directed by Frank Papp. Ben Grauer is narrator. . fiV HOLLYWOOD .... C. E; Hooper in town to make a few contacts and restore Don Lee to- his subscription list.... ; George Burns has his opening ready should he return to vaude. It goes like this: "A funny thing happened to me on the way to NBC. I passed CBS and no one made me an offer" Neil McDonald, radio publicist, tangled with a speeding auto and laid up at home with leg and.hip injuries.. . .Peggy Wood named public re- rations director of Zeder-Talbott agency, how expanding its Coast oper- ations with the acquisition of two beverage accounts.... Jim and Marian Jordan ("The McGees") go serious on Feb. 3 broadcast of Suspense in a dramatic piece called "Back Seat Driver". . . .Herb Shriner's Alka- Seltzer show is now airing on the Coast... John Swallow, a stranger to the local scene after years as a top program exec, came to town to put on a March of Dimes special, which Phil Cohan produced.. . . After long absence due to illness, Mark Warnow takes up the baton again to score and conduct Harry Ackerman's new CBS mystery series, "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar". . . .Jimmy Stewart, who long shied away from radio, admits he kinda likes it now and wants CBS to whip up a comedy series for him.. . ."Lynn Looks At Hollywood," 15-minute cross-the-board commentary on KHJ, the Mutual-Don Lee outlet, renewed for another 13-week cycle by Metro. Show has rated kudoes for projecting the warm, human side of Hollywood' news rather than the conventional what-marriage-is-at-the-breaking-point chitchat. Lynn Castile (on Broadway she was known as Lynn Canter) does the commentary. IN CHICAGO . . . Don Kelley, WBBM public relations director, named chairman for press-radio-video in Chi Heart Assn. campaign... .Warbler Joanell James in lead on ''Music From the Heart Of America" debut Feb. 3.... William Boyne new general manager of Zenith Radio Corp., N. Y. ... Jack Benny's covered wagon on nation-wide tour for polio fund, reached Chi Thurs. (20)...; WBBM producer Bill Seymour in radio discussion of Lombard (111.) Parent-teachers assn... WMAQ's Jim Hurlbut hosted Mayor Martin Kennelly Sun. (23) on "Report To the People". .., Nadlne Martines of Biggie Levin production office recouping at Wesley hospital ... .Seven-day series on blue baby operation started Mon. 24) by"It's Your Life", ... Frances Normal with Maraleita Dutton Associates doing special promotion for Radio Talent, Inc.;.. WIND'S Rey Blanco and family back from Memphis vacash. . Andy Christian, Charles Bomine and June Marlowe took bows when "Melody Lane" copped grand prize In retail advertising for sponsor Wieboldt Stores.... WBBM production manager Al Morey on biz jaunt west.... Helen Schoppert back on the WIND musicians' staff WGN commentator Paul Nielson taking con- sular attache berth in Indonesia Bob Livingston, WBBM sales rep, home from Gotham on biz Bex Allen, WLS singer, inked seven-year contract with Republic. First pic skedded March 1. . . Bee Schooler moderating "Let's Talk It Over" series, WJJD-Sun-Times public ser- vicer. ... WBBM's Radio Sales traded visits last week with Carl Burk- land, general manager, stopping here and western manager Gordon Hayes going New Yorkward. Warbler Billy Leach debuts five-minute series over WBBM Valentine day. . . .Two more agencies in A; C. Nielson fold; Kenyon & Eckhardt and Ruthrauff &' Ryan....Gene Autry airs from WBBM Sat. (29) on stopover....David Krause, radio writer for local station, honored as "blind student showing greatest intellectual achievement of year" •■• I. E. Showerman and Gene Hoge of NBC central d.'vision visited Minne- apolis on biz last week... .Hirsch Clothing renewed tab pickup on Two Ton Baker and "The Passing Parade" for year... Shirley Decker; former WBBM trafficker, will become Mrs. Freidell March 19 • • NBl- press chief Jack Ryan bedded with cold last week.. . . Jim Mahoney, MBS station relations manager, to Gotham on biz... NBC spot sales- man William Brewer sparked vocational forum at McHenry county n>gn school.. . Horace Schweriu of the research company here last we?*.