Variety (March 1950)

Wednesday, March 22, 1950 Ip the wake of last week’s can-^ cellation of Paul Robeson as a panel participant on Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt’s Sunday afternoon NBC Video show, industry pro and con ] sentiment projected the Conflicting issues; ' 1) iyas NBC’s action high-handed and ; indicative of “radio’s latest crime against freedom of the air” as charged by the Voice of Freedom Committee in a telegram des* patched by Dorothy Parker, chairman? or 2) Did Elliott Roosevelt, as Owner of the show, put his mother in an embarrassing position and administer a setback to the whole cause of liberalism on radio-TV? . As far as NBC is concerned, the web has a special gripe of its own. On ; the basis of the stature achieved by Mrs. Roosevelt's program in its initial few telecasts, there were three sponsorship nibbles, with indications that the show would wind up* in the> commercial Double Feature? Washington, March 21. WTQP, the 50,000-watt CBS affiliate here, has booked in a piie-shot documentary for next April 11 under the title of “Sex Offenses in Washington.” With a perfectly straight face the station discloses that the show will be substituted in the 10:30 p.rti, slot normally occupied by the web meller, “Pursuit.” M Philadelphia, March 21. Judge William H. Fitzpatrick in columns shortly. On the heels of U. S; District Court dismissed libel the Robeson notoriety, however, suits brought, against four PhilaNBC execs fear that the show’s a delphia radio stations**by Attorney “dead duck” so far as snaring a David H. H. Felix,; who asked dam RUFE DAVIS Hoi ly wood’s Favorite Hillbilly. Featured thi« season In Gene Autry’s Road Show. Appearing. Saturday, March 26th, Max Liebirian’s “Show of ShowsTela vi sio h, Chao nel 4— ?NBT. Week March 30, RKO Palace, New York. Peraonal4 Management KALCHEIM AND SMITH RKQ Building, uiMag s z-way not dwai NBC sees a two-way radio-TV future in Joe DiMaggio’s career, the network last week finalizing plans for inheritance of the ex-. CBS Saturday morning stanza. Effective April 15, the -Yankee star moves into the Saturday evening 7:30 to 8 slot. Only the quiz insert will be retained from the Old show; with the kids-only format to he dropped and the program slanted toward adult listeners, NBC also signed DiMaggio for TV arid is even thinking of a Second radio sports show. bankrolled is concerned. Web ages of $200,000 from the stations spokesmen argue that Elliott because pf a political speech aL Roosevelt and his package partner, legedly made during the iast muMartin Jones, not only put Mrs. nicipal election campaign. Roosevelt in an awkward and em . Felix demanded payment from MctS ft? u ^ nrn^rtinh the owners of stations WCAU, WFIL, WPEN and KYW, each of of controversial issues, and partic „’ .... ». ularly the Negro problem, on radioTV programming. which carried an address by Republican City Chairman William F. Meade. In; the broadcast Meade KALCHEIM AND SMITH Networks and stations are tak RKQ Building, ing a “let’s .wait and see” attitude to the proposed Broadcast Audience Measurement, Inc.k which win seek approval of Broadcast Measurement Bureau’s board to <1 1 A .. ■ take over the iatter’s assets. De i AvH I WlAyoflAll clsion to incorporate BAM came liUI (I VllCI AllUll last week when committees of the A Assn, of National Advertisers, It looks like “no dice” in the American Assn, of Advertising m Within the trade there’s the charged Felix had been a member negotiations between Phillips Lord Agencies and National Assn, pf mounting conviction that too 0f the Socialist party and added and CBS whereby the latter would Broadcasters met to hash* out the many flaunting the banner of lib that “socialists and communists are acquire Lord’s package operation, plan for continuing BMB s. work eralism via their programs are -cir the same thing ” it Was alleged Which is on the market for $900, after the bureau is dissolved next cusing” public a opinion because Felix was a member of the 000. This involves a takeover of July. w „ ing the cries of “censorship,” and thus harming the sincere liberals who also get it in the neck. the same thing,’* it Was alleged, Which is on the market for $900, after the bureau is dissolved next Felix was a member; of the 000. This involves a Takeover of Ju^r. ,v . ■; . . • . __ Americans for Democratic Action, such properties as “Counterspy, Among those incorporating BAM a group which backed the Demo “Gangbusters,” “Mr. District At^ would be the agencies, advertisers cratic candidate, Richardson pil tomey” arid “We, Pie People^ plus and bro^casters wflo are injavor worth, for city treasurer. The suit one TV entrant, The Black Robe., of the kind ^ of studies BMB has was tiled Nov. 18 (Latter, however, is bemg dropped made. Details of the B AM’s setup In ruling for the defendants by NBC after a year’s unsuccessful have not been officially released, Judge Kirkpatrick found that the effort to wrap up a sponsor.) but the broadcasters will be given they’re primarily concerned with Americans for Democratic Action, such properties as “Counters parlaying sensationalism into big a jn.0UD which backed the Demo “Gangbusters,” "Mr. District ger and better Hoopers. Xhese“ex cratiHanmdKichardion ^ tomey’’ and worth, for city treasurer. The suit JY eJ1‘Y?.Yt’. T!*t5Ia-c^5‘ was filed Nov. 18. •VolCexT«fwFreeiom P°mmittee 8 FCC forbids radio stations to CBS nix is said to stem from a more of a say in BAM than they censor the speeches of political feeling that, while “Gangbusters” had hi BMB, ^ The latter, many 'f552?2L1 S candidates. The fact that Meade (sponsored by General Foods) and radioites feel, has control .divided ®t himself was not a candidate Was “Mf. District Attorney” (Bristol between AAAA, ANA and NAB, not a factor. Since candidates Myers) can be classified as sure although the broadcasters provide must be permitted the uncensored Are bankroll deals, “We, the Peo allfhe financial .backing, show because Paul ^Robeson was uge ^ radio, the same privilege pie” has always Involved a succes Radioites control of BAM would Wp must be extended to their cam sion of option-time huddles with be assured through broadcasters We are horrified that NBC permits ^ managers arid spokesmen, the sponsor, Gulf, and Pepsi-Cola’s constituting nine of the 15 mcor Kirtpatrickteld; P ' ‘^Counterspy” coin is reported porators,v, with advertisers and Cincinnati, March 21. Time bonuses of up to 25% for AM and 50% for TV spot advertisers on Crosley stations to keep them on the air during the summer are offered under a bonus plan announced by Robert E. Dunville, president. The plan was set up at the Crosley Broadcasting Corp, sales meeting here last week, it is said to be the first such major station inducement. V Dunville said the brinus plan will be more than justified if it . helps solve the “recurring summer problem of the hiatus, Which for years has meant poorer summer programriiing, added expense; and a three-month anarchy in schedules for station owners generally.” A spot advertiser’s regular billing is not reduced by the bonus plan, Dunville said, For example; he explained, an advertiser spending $1,000 weekly on 50,000-watt WLW Would receive $250 ; Weekly additional time; arid an advertiser spending the same $1 ,000 on WLW video stations would receive a bonus in time of ..up to $500 to be used during July/ August and September.. The plan is not applicable to network accounts^ For current 52-week advertisers on WLW, said Harry Mason, veepee iri charge of sales, the bonus would be 20% of their gross billing during the three summer months. For new accounts using any time between April and Sept. 30, for less than 10 weeks, 20% in added facilities. New accounts who will broadcast not less than five months from May through Sept;, 25% in additional time. Regular accounts buying additional facilities will also be entitled to a 25% facilities bonus. On . Crosley TV stations in Cincy, Dayton arid Columbus, O., advertisers can use either the established 40% summer cash discount or the 50% bonus in extra time. all the financial backing. Radioites’ control of BAM would be assured through broadcasters On Its Hooper Pull, As who shall or shall not be heard on • , Its network as a public service fea* r # vir# lf 1# Ewing Wins 23G Verdict vice^hrirman of the Progressive VS. Former WJBW Owner shaky, agencies the other six. AAAA and It’s understood that Bernard L. ANA would not participate ofSchubert, another bigieague pack -ficially in the incorporation, ^but age operator, may negotiate a deal agencies and sponsors would take It’s understood that Bernard L. enubert, another bigieague pack with Lord for a takeover. “Mr. Robeson is eminently quali New Orleans, March 21. Red to discuss the question ofVThe pt K. Ewing, former gen. mgr. Negro m American Political Life,” WTn«r . both as an outstanding leader of .^0I1 a suit against the Negro people and one of the foremost Americans of oUr time* Millions of listeners would like the breach Charles C. Carlson, former owner of station, for damages for alleged SHOW VICE ‘R mm contract. was Frarico-American Division part as individuals. They would also have an important say on committees, etc., in determining (Continued on page 38) It Still Scares ’Em Berlin, N. H., March 21. This area had a scare reminiscent privilege of hearing Mr. Robeson’s awarded judgment of $23,799.68 Campbell Soups, via Dancer, Fitz This area had a scare reminiscent views on the subject. We urge Wednesday (15). Originally Carl gerald, Sample agency, is still in pf the Orson Welles “Men From that you remember that the air son filed suit in civil district court the market for a show (in addi Mars” broadcast of some years ago still belongs to the people, and is in May, 1946,. asking cancellation tion to its present sponsorship of when a forest fire prevention pro only leased to the broadcaster; We of a contract entered in December, Ed Murrow cross-the-board on gram became too realistic over demand a rescheduling of the orig 1943, under Which Ewing was to CBS). WMOU here last week. Inal show, including Mr. Robeson, serve as gen.mgr. for five years. Outfit originally wanted to pact • Although the real nature of the or we shall be obliged to petition The contract was offered in evi Rochester (of the Jack Benny stan program had been announced in demand a rescheduling of the orig 1943, under which Ewing was to CBS ) . Inal show, including Mr. Robeson, serve as gen.mgr. for five years. Outfit originally wanted to pacl or we shall be obliged to petition The contract was offered in evi Rochester (of the Jack Benny stan the FCC.” U.S. Secret Service To Secret Service New Secret Servi NBC is all set to roll (with an j audition platter coining up in two weeks) on the new Douglas Fairbanks “Silent Men” series, based on U. S. Secret Service files,; But for the privilege of having access to the* Government documents, NBC will; have to submit to a bit of snooping on the part of the Secret Service agency. Actually, the scripts will be based on the mccoy records of the Immigration, Secret Service arid Narcotics Divisions of the U. S. Government, but in each instance the agencies reserve the right to double-check on script material and all NBC production details. Furthermore, without the stamped seal of the agency, no script gets by. To add to the show’s authenticity, NBC has passed along the word to its special events men in all parts of the world to record sound , events on the key thoroughfares in the major cities. Thus a “sound library” will be held in reserve and utilized when the proper •cript— Raris, London, Berlin, Shanghai, etc., comes up for airing. deuce in the suit. In his answer arid re-conventional demand Ewing charged that Carlson had violated numerous provisions of the contract and had forced him (Ewing) out of his position, Ewing asked judgment of $63,666, his estimated earnings during the life of the contract. za) to a deal, but American To advance, many listeners were still Waaaa If . A ’ll _ a 1. • ***'— . bacco, Benny’s sponsor, nixed it. The ASCAP Decree Details of the analysis and interpretation of the ASCAP decree in the Music Dept . startled when announcer Phil Brown came on the air with an “on-the-spot” newscast of a fictitious Inferno raging in; the area with orders to evacuate. The entire eastern half of Coos county was in an uproar until the excitement died down NBC is taking over, the “Falcon,” beginning in May, arid it will go into the Sunday afternoon at 4 period, back-to-back with the web’s “High Adventure” show. Chief factor in the web’s decision to buy the Bernard Schubert mysteribso package has been its ability to snare a better than 9 rating in the Mutual Sunday at 7 niche despite the competition of CBS’s Jack Benny. NBC figures it will also be eliminating some of the Sunday at 7 competition in its own bid to make a respectable rating dent. In a further reshuffle of its Sunday afternoon schedule, NBC moves Dick Powell’s “Richard Diamond” (which Rexall is picking up for a summer ride), out of the 5 p. m. segment and into Wednesday night at 10:30, succeeding “Curtain Time,” Which Mars Candy is dropping. The web’s “Voices and Events/’ now heard Saturday afternoons, will be returned to the Sunday at 5 time, but with a revitalized format using a name emcee and getting a “March of Time* format dressing. With the following breakdown on New York City ratings C. E. Hooper is hack in business-like Henry Ford, when he replaced Model T with. Model A, except we didn't stop to retool,” as Hooper explains it. On the premise that uthe big differences are no longer between networks or between programs; the big differences are between markets,'* Hooper in this. New York breakdown claims the u shift of accent" is to pinpoint the radical audience differences 'between such markets as N:. Y; (with 44% of the evening audience: devoted to TV) arid Portland, Ore* (with 0% of the evening audience devoted to TV ) . The following N. Y. Hoqperatings are fot February: ALL HOMES Sponsored Network Programs Milton Berle . . . .... 25.5 TV Talent Scouts . . , . . . 17.6 TV Toast Of the Town. . .16.2 TV Talent Scouts .... ... .14.5 Rad Radio Theatre , . . . , .14.0 Rad The Goldbergs ...... 13.9 TV ‘RADIO-ONLY’ HOMES Sponsored Network Programs TV HOMES Sponsored Network Programs Talent Scouts . . .. ...14.5 Radio My Friend Irma Radio Theatre . . . . . .14.0 Radio Jack Benny . The Goldbergs 13.9 TV Walter Winchell My Friend Irma . .... 12.9 Radio . Gtoucho Marx Bing Crosby .......12.9 Radio Louella Parsons Godfrey & Friends. . .12.7 TV Suspense . . , , . Studio One . . . 12.3 TV ... . Mr. Keen . . . . . Talent Scouts . . , . . ; .21.3 Milton Berle . ; . . . , . . . . . .\ .68,3 Radio Theatre .21.1 Talent Scouts .45,3 Bing Crosby ; : . . . . ... . . v. . ; . 19.3 Toast of the Town ; .... . , 42.4 My Friend Irma ....... i .... .18.9 The Goldbergs . ;35.1 Jack Benny . . .... . . .12.2 Radio Bob Hawk Philco Playhouse . . . .12.0 TV Fat Man . . • t • •••• • • • •lOiSJ. ihe Goldbergs . . * , , , , , p * ; . 35.1/. • • • . . ••« . ... • .18.4 Godfrey Sc. Friends . ........ .33.9 . .. • • • *,i • • • ... 16.1 -Studio One . .. . , , . 33.8< » • • • ., • « ♦ • • « . .15.5 Philco Playhouse ... .... . , ... 31.1 • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 15.2 Man Against Crime ... • • . . . 30.7 .•••••••••• .. . 14.4 Lights Out . 30.5 • • ••• • »• • • ;,i .14,1 Suspense . , , . , » . ♦ > ,. . , , ,28.8 . . . 1 1 « • i . . .. . 13.6 Silver. Theatre • , 27.0 Philco Playhouse . . . .12.0 TV Fat Man ..13.6 Kraft Theatre ............ .26 9 Walter Winchell .. .11.8 Radio Fibber & Molly ...... .......13.4 Lone Ranger ...... ....... .26 5 Lights Out .... . . ....11.8 TV The Sheriff .12.8 Stop the Music ...25.5 Suspense ... ..... • 11,5 TV Phil Harris.... ....*»•*•• , . . . •12.3 Break -the Bank 25.4 Robert Montgomery ...... . 25.4 “Counterspy,” currently sponsored on Tuesday and Thursdny nights on ABC under Pepsi-Cola bankroll auspices, may soori emerge on a three-times-a-vveek basis, with the network peddling it for Saturday airing, too. Pepsi has expressed willingness to let another sponsor ride on the third niglit, although there have been some reports that the soft drink may bow out of its participation at the season’s end. Lee Tra.cy’s WOR Show Lee Tracy will launch a 15-minute weekly theatrical gossip and news stanza for Baker Brushes on WOR, N. Y., April 5 at 9:15 ami. Show will deal with Broadway but bypass the film field; . • 1 Baker has used radio previously On test campaigns in New England,