Variety (June 1950)

so RADIO REVIEWS PfiaSHSTt Wednesday, June 21, 1950 BKITCH HENDERSON SHOW With Skitch Henderson, guest* Producer: Ted Cott Director: Scott Buckley Writer: Jeff Seldin 150 Mins.; Mon.-thru-Sat., 6 a.m. 45 Mins.; Mon.-thru-Fri., 12:15 pan. Participating WNBC, New York Following one of the biggest promotional buildups given to a personality on a non-network show —and particularly an early-morn- ing airer—WNBC, N.Y., unveiled its much-advertised Skitch Hender- son program last week. The un- veiling, and subsequent stanzas, disclosed the not surprising fact that in this pianist-bandleader- turned-disk-jockey WNBC* has a talent bet capable of grabbing off a considerable slice of early a.m. listening in the metropolitan area. In his first week of operations Henderson more than justified the advance buildup, as well as WNBC’s confidence in giving him the largest time slot ever granted a single personality on the station. Henderson’s weekly airtime totals 18-14 hours, 15 of them between 6 and 8:30 a.m. Mondays 'through Saturdays, the remainder a daily Monday-through-Friday 45 minutes at 12:15 p.m. The sunrise session is, in fundamental format, the usual platter-spinning inter- spersed with time signals, weather reports, news headlines, chatter and participating commercials —• but with a difference. Latter lies in the fact that Henderson jockeys not only disks but a Stein way as well, giving his stint a musical interest, continuity and cohesion not often found on d.j. programs. While the basic pattern of the morning stanza follows other such shows—with the exception of the Hende’rson pianistlcs — the noon segment is designed for soothing music to lunch by. Chatter is held to a minimum, and platter selec- tion leans heavily toward lush string arrangements and disks of the David Rose-Gordon Jenkins genre. Henderson's piano work also carries through the luncheon-music idea. Ted Cott, making his first major WNBC program innovation with this show since coming to the station, had a known quantity in Henderson's keyboarding, pianist having worked with a number of name bands, as accompanist for Frank Sinatra, and as music direc- tor of the Sinatra NBC “Light Up Time” show. Lesser known was Henderson's ability to tie together as a personality more than three hours of broadcasting daily. If his first shows are any criterion, there’s now no doubt of his capa- bility in that direction. Equipped with a pleasant, genial voice and mike manner, an informally friend- ly approach to an audience, and an unforced sense of humor, he’s a natural platter emcee. Program will present guests on occasion, with New York’s Mayor O’Dwyer, among others, having lent his presence to the leadoff show. His Honor was spared the necessity of getting up at dawn through the program’s being taped for the initial morning, but his appearance indicated the extent to which WNBC has gone to ballyhoo Henderson. Airer probably will have difficulty getting name guests because of its ungodly hour (for show biz. people), but it doesn’t really need them. With far better- than-average gabbing, in content and delivery, shrewd record selec- tion, the unusual angle of an in- strument-playing d.j., plus the quality of the 88’ing, Henderson’s ultimate success with this spot- lighted WNBC feature ought to be assured. SARA'S PRIVATE CAPER With Sara Berner, Bob Sweeney, others Writers: Morton Fine, David Freedin Director; Joe Parker 30 Mins., Thurs., 10:30 p.m. GENERAL MILLS NBC, from Hollywood (Knox-Reeved) Radio's assorted attempts to | develop stooge or supporting bit [Players into major league entries I on their own have invariably met { with more success in the male divi- sion (Phil Harris, Dennis Day, Gildersleeve, et al.), while the distaffers invariably have come a cropper. They tried it with Vera Vague a couple seasons back, giv- ing her a nighttime comedy show- case of her own, but it practically died a’bornin’. Now NBC is playing around with Sara Berner, perhaps best known as the Ingrid Mataratza of the Jimmy Durante show, and whose occasional phone operator bits on the Jack Benny stanza have become one of the best of the standards in the latter’s comic repertory. There’s no denying Miss Berner’s distinctive talents in these three-- or-four-minute „ capsule contribs. But trying to sustain the multi- dialect comedienne’s brave attempt at comedies overna half-hour period is something else again. And some- thing far from successful. In “Sara’s Private Caper,” NBC is trying to come off with a comedy show and a whodunit rolled in one. As a police department stenog- rapher who isn't averse to some ! private-Cyeing on her own, Miss Berner was handed a pretty sorry j script in her first time up last Thursday (15). This particular in- stallment dealt with a theft of a precious book of poems, with the! ensuing inevitable murders. Miss ‘ Berner and her supporting cast played it strictly for laughs, but they were laughs stemming from some hoary gags, some incredible slapstick and contrived business (show is a field day for the sound effects man), rather than providing the more genuine type of guffaw derived from the situations them- selves This is one of the summer bundle of NBC shows purchased by Gen- eral Mills to plug Wheaties, the kind of strong, nourishing food needed to take this stuff. Rose. INSIDE ISRAEL With Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Rosenfeld Producer: Sam Elfert 15 Mins.; Sun., 5:45 p.m. Sustaining WLIB, N. Y. “Inside Israel.” is an unusual Mr. and Mrs. airer inasmuch as it's a program recorded in Jerusalem telling of life in the world’s new- est democracy. The Alvin Rosen- felds (he’s the N. Y. Post’s Israel correspondent) give the feeling that they’re a couple who are try- ing to help this country maike good. They seem to be taking the hardships of living amidst acute scarcity of elementary require- ments will) good humor. Their descriptions of the housing and water shortages would make the New York inconveniences seem in- significant. The pair have the knack of talk- ing in terms of interesting copy. They're good at description and analysis and thus provide interest- ing insight into Israeli problems. Naturally, they’re partisan to the entire project, but what they speak of is in keeping with what has already been printed on the sub- ject. Jose. YEAR OF DECISION With John Garfield, others Writer-Director: Mayor Moore Producer: Gerald Kean 60 Mins.; Sun. (18), 9 p.m. Sustaining MUTUAL, from N. Y. In association with the United Nations radio division, Mutual presented another documentary on the atomic energy question Sun- day (18). Probably because of the UN tieup, this show stretched its point over 60 minutes of well-in- tentioned commonplaces. Little new information was offered and, like most previous programs on the subject, this documentary only shadow-boxed with the vital prob- lems raised by atomic energy and weapons. Program opened promisingly with a statement by John Garfield that: “Frankly we are not here to entertain ... we are here to pre- sent the facts of a case.” The selection of the facts, however, led to more confusion than enlighten- ment. The lack of a clear ap- proach stemmed from the pro- gram's attempt to give identical | weight to the positive and nega- tive implications of the atomic energy development. The program shuttled between threats of world destruction and promises of a new civilization. Just as the listener was getting a healthy scare from the depiction of the political ineptitude in the current handling of the question of atomic energy control, there 1 was a shift to a rose-tinted focus* j on fission’s boon to medicine, sci-.; ence, industry, etc. Far from ■ frightening dialers, this program j seemed to be frightened of foliov\>. i ing an idea to a legitimate con- i elusion. That may be “objective” i reporting, but the net sum-up of ; this program led to a near-zero ' impact. Hcrm . TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT With Jack Paar, other* Producer-Director: Ed Feldman 30 Mins.; Sun., 10 p.m. EVERSIIAKP NBC, from Hollywood ( Biow) Jack Paar, one of the fresher wits in radio, has taken over the stewardship of “Take It or Leave It.” He imparts an easy and breezy approach in handling those seeking the $64 awards. He has the knack of getting the contest- ants to feel at ease, speak freely without getting out of hand, and gets the maximum results with the material at hand. At the same time, Paar fits into the, groove of this show, estab- lished by a series of predecessors, Eddie Cantor being the last. He doesn’t punch as hard as most of the others that have gone before him, but the comedic results are just as high. Paar also provides a fairly literate brand of humor that’s easy to take. Format of the show, of course, remains unchanged. The jackpot of $64 has withstood the inflation- ary influences from many of its competing displays, without losing j basic interest. On the initial show, the questions didn’t require an en- cyclopedic mind. They faere fairly simple and Paa'r was extremely tolerant, even in the face of wrong answers. There were no losers, a fact that will probably help Paar further ingratiate himself with the majority of his listeners. Jose. TO THE LADIES With Jinx Falkenburg, Fleur Cowles, Maurice Evans, Mrs. j Eleanor Roosevelt, Dorothy Md- ' Cullough Lee; John Savage, em- cee Producer: Seymour N. Siegel 55 Mins.: Mon., 11 a.m. WNYC, N. Y. “To the Ladies,” a new 55-min- ute morning show which preemed over WNYC, N. Y., Monday (19), may succeed in snaring attention of the more literate members of tire femme audience. However, on the basis of the initialer it’s doubt- ful that the mass housewife audi- ence will be attracted to the airer in view of competition from the quizzers and soapers elsewhere on the dial at the same time. Most of the subjects discussed were on too high a plane for the average listener. From an educa- tional standpoint, “Ladies” is top- rung. However, in order to bring about a wider listenership, mixing in a light topic with a dash of humor here and there would help offset heavier issues. Among guests on Monday’s ses- sion were Jinx Falkenburg, Flair editor F-leui* • Cowles, Maurice Evans, Dorothy McCullough Lee, Mayor of Portland, Ore., and Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt. Miss Falken- burg, as a chairman of the Cere- bral Palsy drive, discussed varied aspects that helped clarify the background of the seldom-pub- licized disease. Mrs, Cowles’ description of liow she guides her “complicated ani- mal” (Flair) was quite interesting, as was Miss Lee’s reactions as a femme mayor in a field that’s al- most exclusively in the male realm. In these recorded interviews, em- cee John Savage posed his ques- tions well and was generally com- petent. Somewhat of a letdown was the Maurice Evans transcribed insert. Tape was merely a speech in sup- port of a bill to amend the N. Y. theatre building code which the actor recently delivered before a Citizens Union luncheon. It was important in itself, but too dry a topic for hausfraus. Mrs, Roose- velt's contribution (also tran- scribed' was a plea for funds to support the Wiltwyck School for Boys. Sandwiched between inter- views were platters of such tunes as “Deep Purple” and “Only a Rose.” Glib. OPEN MIKE With W’ilton Clary, Kenny Delmar, Betty Jane Watson, Kate Mur- tah. Cameron Andrews, Joe Shipley; moderator, Hal Kirk Producer-director: JKirk 60 Mins.; Tues., 11 p.m. ’ Sustaining WEVD, N. Y. , “Open Mike,” which was to have ■ been a one-hour informal discus- sion of the theatre, began weakly last Tuesday (13) on WEVD, N. Y. Members of the cast of “Texas L’il Darlin’ ” were gucsters on the initial program. Unfortunately, I however, they failed to arrive un- i til 11:45 p:m. and during their ab- 1 sence moderator Hal Kirk filled in 1 (Continued on page 34) LET THE CHILDREN SPEAK With Helen Parkliurst: Warren Austin, guest Producer: Miss Parkhurst Director: Clay Daniel 30 Mins.: Tliurs., 7:30 p.m; Sustaining WNBC, New York, Helen Parkhurst. noted progres- sive educator whose “Child’s World” on ABC was at all times provocative, has wrapped up a similar stanza for WNBC. This, however, was not as successful, judging from the initialer Thurs- day (If)', largely because of the subject matter. On the first show a half-dozen youngsters, aged 8-12, gave their views on peace, unaware that a tape recorder was picking up their discussion. They were sharp and surprisingly vocal. Their gab had both feeling and sense, as when one moppet declared, “Peace is more than just ‘not war.’ It’s trusting, knowing and having fun, >♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦♦ ♦ ♦♦♦♦ ♦ ♦ ♦♦ ♦♦♦♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ * 4 * From the Production Centres IN NEW YORK CITY . . . Ed Kobak back from five-week European tour. He’s added the West- inghouse stations to his consultant list.... Stephen Courtleigh and Lotte Stavisky, into “Linda’s First Love”.... Arthur Godfrey tossed a gala birthday shindig for his maestro Archie Bleyer at the Stork Club last week.. . ABC newswriter Vincent Dempsey has been pacted by Coward-McCann to pen three novels... . Johnny Harper, for- merly of WJZ, has rejoined WWRL announcery, as Vic Roby left for Charles King productions... . ABC announcer Gene Hamilton resigning to freelance.... Paul Robert, Benton & Bowles staffer, now directing “Life Can Be Beautiful”.... Harry Ingram has taken over the direction of MBS’ “The Shadow”... .Treva Frazee featured on “Armstrong The- atre” Saturday (24).... Ray Johnson added to cast of “Our Gal Sunday” ... .Lili Valenty new to “Front Page Farrell”.. . .Maxine Keith, after four months of southern hospitalization, now doing a short stint at the Polyclinic hosp, following which she’ll resume publicity... .Patsy Camp- bell, winding up three years as “The Second Mrs. Burton,” has been inked to another pact (for two years).... .Joe Graham takes over direc- tion of “Mr. President,” which will originate in New York, and “Cross- roads” . .. .Bill Marshall to direct ABC’s “Detour,” starting today (’21) ... .Doris Hibbard, former Phillips H. Lord production ass’t, has switched to the Goodson-Todman staff. Carroll Carroll due in next week from Coast... .Morton WishengradV “Portrait of a Rabbi,” hour-long transcriber starring Sam Jaffe, will be beamed by WLIB Sunday (25) at 6 p.m Bill (WCBS) Leonard, who has four sdns. will call it quits if the upcoming youngster is a girl.. .. WWRL sales staffer Selvln Donneson wed to Seen* Sand, fashion de- signer. ., .Arnold Hartley, WOV program director, told a Broadcast Music, Inc., clinic yesterday (Tues.) that “Foreign Music is Domestic.” The indie’s Rosalie Allen was guest star.. . .Bob Pfeiffer added to CBS network announcery.. . .Col. Harry C. Wilder, of WSYR, Syracuse, Europeing in September with his wife, following general rest period ordered by his medicos in April. Compton’s John Dean will play the father in Kurt Weill's “Down in the Valley” at Lewisohn Stadium July 10.... Jo Lyons will be a panelite on Mutual’s “Limerick Show” tomorrow (22).... Jeanne Carroll, for- merly of Compton, and Esther Ojala, ex-Doherty, Clifford & Sheffield, are now SSC&B radio time buyers... .Bert Lomu, Associated Program Service station relations veepee, off to Myrtle Beach to attend South Carolina Broadcasters’ meet July 5. Lown will be guest of Mel Purvis, new manager of WOLS 2 Florence, former G-man who caught Dillinger. IN HOLLYWOOD ... Stu Reynolds, former agency and network exec, is now packaging shows and made his first sale to Don Lee-Mutual of Harrison Wood’s “This Changing World”... .Charlie Isaacs and Hal Goodman, gag writers, had their lawyer sue Dean Martin and Jerry Leiwis for $5,000 as reasonable payoff for some bits they wrote for the team- which, they claim, were used but never paid for. ...Amos Baron returned to his post a* KECA sales manager after being out 15 months with a broken leg....Lux reinstated “Bride Goes Wild” as season finale June 26. Show was previously cancelled because of Metro’s beef with CBS over credits, since composed... .Milton Merlin, C.oast head of Radio Writers Guild, became a papa last week. Mother is Barbara Smitten, late of the agencies, and his collaborator... .NBC will whoop it up with show to salute the return of Richfield Reporter after two years on ABC. In half-hour special preceding the 19-year-old newscast will be Bob Hope, Penny Singleton, Lucille Norman and Gregg Mitchell.... Homer Boel- ter is the next prexy of Hollywood Ad Club. .. .KFWB, the town's public service station, is now giving the listing of available jobs every night with Phil Kent presiding.. . .Vick Knight now lias Eddie Stanley as an associate in his agency Dorothy Gordon, who moderates tho N. Y. Times Youth Forum, taped a show here and moved to Frisco for another. , . .Tom McKnight directed the Diana Lynn audition for CBS ... ,Jo Gilbert back on the home grounds after two years of emoting on eastern dramatic shows... Joe Rines got “Satan’s Waitin’ ” off the ground for Colgate and turned over the direction to George Allen so he can devote more time to NBC’s William Powell starrer, “My Mother’s Husband,’' which kicks off July 2....Busiest network exec last week was Austin Joscelyn, key man in keeping this end of CBS on the air during the IBEW strike. He left his desk for only a few hours at night to catch some shut-eye on an office couch and even found time to work a few shows. IN CHICAGO . . . Fred Swanson joins Russel Seeds agency as veepee and account exec. He formerly held the same post with Goodkind, Joice & Morgan.... Paul McCluer, Chi NBC sales manager, came up with 52-week full net renewals for “Smilin’ Ed McConnell” and “Quiz Kids,” for Brown Shoo Co., and Miles Labs, respectively Franklin Graf, A. C. Nielsen vee- pee, is heading up newly-organized western branch office set up by surveying agency in Sant Francisco... .Ransom Sherman re-introduced to old Chi radio friends at a cocktail party Friday tabbed by NBC at the M&M club.,. Quincy Howe, CBS news analyst, exits network Sept. 1 after eight years to become associate professor at University of Illi- nois school of journalism Bruce MacFarlane, Mutual newsreel writ- er, initiated into Chi Headline club Chirper Barbara Sims is latest addition to WBBM-CBS musical staff,., .Academy of Charm (modeling school), through Sidney Clayton and Assocs., moved in as first partici- pating sponsor on Mike Wallace and Buff Cobb’s d.j. show aired on WMAQ from the Chez Paree Paul Visser of the NBC agriculture department attended meeting of Radio Farm Directors in Washington last week.... Frank Black batoned the Chi Symphony in a “Harvest of Stars” salute to Quad Cities aired Sunday (18) on NBC via WOC, Davenport. la,.. . FM station WXRT off the air temporarily while moving studios and transmitter from Sheraton hotel to 2400 W, Madison j* ■ Chi ABC publicity chief Ell Henry in N. Y. ttys week helping with Breakfast Club gang’s Gotham appearances.. . Charles Pcttenglll, for- rner veepee of W. Earl Bothwell agency, has been named head of new Chi offices of Meld i'u m & I 1 ewsmith agency... .Robert prestegaard is continuity staff.. . .Don Schneider transfers from WCN script typing dept., to traffic division. and getting together with the other fellow.” Nevertheless, war and politics are far removed from their direct experience, and (as was to be ex- pected) their views were merely echoes of ideas gleaned from par- ents and* the press. Where “Child’s World” dealt with problems the kids knew at first hand—lying, truancy, juvenile delinquency— and thereby turned up much valu- able material, the present show proved less interesting. Suppose, instead of the abstract talk, there had been the dramatic words of a kid whose father was killed in tne* war or a European refugee w had seen its ravages himself. Still and all, the airer made go listening and an eye-opener i those who think kids are blind the world around them. M Parkhurst let the children heard, and she has a remarkal facility for drawing them out. a recorded intro, U. S. delegate the United Nations Warren Ausl spoke of the program’s value helping us look into the minds children and in giving us hope t the future through their toleran and understanding for their neig .b.ors. ...... . . , , J •