Variety (January 1952)

KABIO-TELEVISIOTV yotodhy, hmmtrr 30, 1952 Television Reviews ii^i Continued from page 31 cameras seem to be right on top pf the fighters, There also is one pointing up from ringside through the ropes to give an interesting perspective. Commentary, however, is not oh a par with the camera-work. Spor tscaster Fred Wolf makes far too many mistakes and then, realizing it, laughs etnbarrassedly. What’s worse, he takes himself to task for his all-too-frequent slips of the tongue, so that it gets to a point where the viewer wonders whom he’s talking about most, himself or the fighters. Wolf doesn’t make the mistake, however, of trying to gab all the time. It's not the quantity, of his commentary that’s at fault, it’s the quality. He makes other mistakes, too, which may not be entirely his fault. Between rounds he talks about the background of the contestants and more often than not is not talking about the boxer on Whom the camera is focused, Tew. BILL BALLANCE SHOW With Harry Suekman, Jean Cordell, Henri Foshee Producer: Ballance Director: Phil Bondelll 30 Mins.; Mon.-thru-Fri., 10:30 p.m. Sustaining WBKB, Chicago Strictly a lightweight affair, this nightly half-hour headlined by Bill Ballance is casual to the point. .of carelessness. Viewer reaction is liable to be likewise, with chances seemingly dim of capturing anything but a casual clientele. Ballance is a gagster who leans heavily on the incongruous, farfetched puns, greybeard jokes and switches that have been developed better and earlier by Others. On the stanza viewed (23), an occasional gleam of wit broke through to earn a chuckle, and to indicate that once the lad gets his TV bearings he’ll score more consistently. Working with the comic are pianist Harry Suekman and singers Eileen BARTON BILL GOODWIN SHOW — NBC-TY — Coral Recording Artist Direction! M. C. A. Jean Cordell and Henri Foshee. Suekman displayed some staunch keyboarding and his assists on Ballance’s gags hinted that maybe -the wrong guy is billed as the show’s comedian. Miss Cordell is an attractive young lass Who’s beginning to find herself in the medium/ Foshee is a pleasant looking and sounding baritonewho smoothly handled his song. Ballance also writes and produces the session. Perhaps his best solution would be to write himself a regular half-hour script, discard all but five or 10 minutes of the best material, and let Suekmah knd the. two singers fill the': rest. Certainly that gagged soap commercial he and Suekman unraveled should have been .left in Bob and Ray’s discard. Dave. THE HUBBARDS Producers-writers: Eddie and Jackie Hubbard Director: John Berg. 60 Mins.; Sat., 11 p.hi. Participating WENR-TV, Chicago Eddie and Jackie Hubbard have put together a loosely-knit hubby and wife chin session that has two things in its favor. It’s the Only local show of its type being beamed on Saturdays, whereas the weekdays are cluttered with Mr. and Mrs. formats, and it’s the only live show on the local ether at that particular hour— other three stations are channeling feature films. ' Other than that, "Segment viewed (26) indicated it’s a routine affair, with the usual parade of guests and assorted devices presented in a casual, rambling fashion. . The Hubbards work the show in a pleasantly relaxed manner, but handicapped themselves this time by attempting to spread about a half hour of material into a full hour. Program’s chief claim to individuality is the mystery guest whom viewers are invited to identify by phone. Idea seems ungainly, since it means that the main name attraction either has to be interviewed with his back to the camera or with just his shirtfront and necktie exposed. Even so, practically all the callers correctly pegged the guest as Burr Tillstrom, campaign manager for presidential candidate Oliver -J. Dragon. The payoff on-camera chinfest with the creator of “Kukla, Frail and Ollie” was disappointingly brief because of lack, of time. The other interviews, however, seemed overly padded, although they were fairly interesting. Adolph Valonis, police artist, demonstrated his sketching by drawing a picture of one of the guests fromJb description provided by the other guests. Bob Maclntire, editor of Photography mag, came On to plug the latest issue with Some stills that came off okay. Dave. Detroit— James H. Quello, director of public relations and advertising for WJR, has been appointed to the Detroit Housing Commission by Mayor Cobb. Ken Murray’* ‘Go West* Yen; Plan* Spring Shift Illustrating how more and more of the top television talent are turning their faces westward, Ken Murray, who was most outspoken a year ago about his desire to retain N. Y. as his TV headquarters, said this week that he hopes to return to Hollywood some time this spring. He may do his last 10 or 13 shows of this season from the Coast and then alternate in N. Y. and Hollywood next year. Murray, whose show is aired Saturday nights; via CBS-TV, stressed that there are numerous advantages to be found in both video centres, but he still has his home.: in California, which he’d like to get back to. He noted, for example, that his “Movietime” program, scheduled for this week (2), could have' been lined up far . easier in Hollywood, since it requires cooperation of the film studios. On the other hand, many of his civic programs, such as his tributes to the Marine Corps, Air Force, etc., would be impossible to do from Hollywood. Comedian pointed out, too, that, as a variety show entrepreneur, he must still depend to a large extent on novelty acts to provide the necessary variety. And such ; acts, h> said, are to be found far more in the east than on the Coast E 45G Loeb Paynoat Continued from page 35 I’s the Rave Wave On WFIL-adelphia Sets! Best . 4/5 buy in Philly these days isn’t 90 proof; It’s WFIL’s share of the city’s radio audience —and it’s 100 per cent proved! Says Broadcast Measurement Bureau’s latest survey: fourfifths of Philadelphia radio owners regularly set their dials to WFIL at 5.60 kilocycles. That means when you schedule WFIL; 1,400,000 people are listening in the city alone. That means people with 33 ,682 ,770,000 In disposable cash hear your pitch. And if you want to spread around a bit, count the ears lent to WFIL outside the city— in all the 14-Oounty Retail Trading Xrea. Here are a million more prospects . . . another $3 billion In buying power. And then there’s the huge bonus area beyond . . .bufwhy go on? just remember, you’re first on the dial in America's third market when you schedule WFIL. dom from control by any bankroller or medium-owner; (2) its rejection of rebates, since commissions paid to agency should be used for servicing and developing advertising; (3) adequate experience, which affects ani ad campaign’s chances of success; and (4) its financial solvency.; Gamble said that the 2% cash discount is the industry*!? financial safeguard, with the agencies passing it on to bankrollers to spur prompt payment. While the 2% is allowed by 95% of newspapers, 93% of mags and a form of it is in effect at the four webs,, less than 10% of stations permit it, Gamble said, “It is little wonder that broadcasters have suffered, heavy credit losses, far worse than any other medium,” the 4A chief said. Most of the confab expressed confidence in radio’s vitality, typified in the address by Frank E. Pellegrin, veepee of H-R Representatives. Reiterating suggestions he made two years ago, that AM stop supporting rating services until publications offer something similar and that advertisers and agencies demand comparable data from printed media, the station rep represented this summary: (1) radio is bigger than ever; (2) TV has cut into readership of ads in printed media; (3) the longer people own tele sets, the more they return to AM; (4) print media Should be forced to produce inchby-inch readership figures on ads; (5) AM: should raise rates and publications Should cut them; and (6) AM remains the most effective, most economical ad medium. Pellegrin cited the paradox that although print media have been losing ad readership, income increase In ’51 over ’50 was greater than the total TV revenue of all tele stations, and the same is true for mags. He said that both AM and TV Should train their guns on the print media. Calling for more showmanship in AM, Michael Hanna, topper of WHCU, Ithaca, said, “Broadcasters must put their facilities to use with greater imagination, showmanship and: courage. Without sacrifice of income, in this crucial election year, we must assume a real responsibility in our communities. Life in a democracy is controversial. Controversy in a democracy is. settled by understanding. Radio alone can reinstate the town meeting.” Charles Baltin, veepee of WHOM, N. Y., plugged the Value of specialized programming, citing the experience of his Italian-slanted outlet. He said that a Chinese language series, beamed only on WHOM-FM, had brought so heavy; a demand for FM sets in Chinatown the area couldn’t get enough sets. Borne surveys,, he said, reveal more listeners to Some language shows, than there are people speaking the tongue in the community. The reason is that Italians, who may not Understand the language, may tune in on Spanish shows for the music. Continued from pace *4 unfair status. A committee of nine was elected to implement the resolution. Video union is also attempting to provide a “fair and impartial” hearing for Loeb oh charges made against him. TVA exec secretary George Heller went to American Arbitration AsSn. yesterday (Tues.) with request that AAA choose a panel to hear the case*. However, this was turned down by the arbitration group which said that it vdoesn't handle hassles in which there are hot two parties contending. Union doesn’t want to choose a panel, since that might result in the panel’s being labeled “handpicked.” It’s now trying to find a non industry, nOn union body which could select a fact-finding board. Defend Mrs. Berg TVA position On the question of tagging the series -‘unfair” was that Mrs. Berg, who is also a TVA member, 'Should not be penalized after having backed up LOeb for 39 weeks and for publicly admitting the reasons for dropping the actor. Union’s board felt that Mrs. Berg Was not “the real culprit.” Mrs. Berg said she believes in the American principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty and said Loeb was dropped because of “the failure of anyone to assure employment to persons who are merely controversial as contrasted With those who are Coin. munists.” She added she regretted that her efforts to make the distinction were unavailing “since this is a problem which can. be solved only by the industry” and not by an individual. Loeb reiterated his belief that a* “grave injustice is being done to myself and to others in the indus-r try by blacklisting,” but added' he appreciated Mrs. Berg’s position. He said nothing would be gained by forcing “Goldbergs” off the air. “I have felt compelled to accept a resolution of my case which is, unsatisfactory to me,” Loeb stated. “This does nOt mean that I regard the vicious practice of blacklisting as inevitable. “I believe that the industry and unions must, and Can if the will is there, evolve a policy and procedure by which an actor who wishes to maintain his lawful independence of thought , and action cannot be deprived of the opportunity to practice his profession. I feel completely. free to continue the fight against blacklisting. I will Continue to press for a fair and impartial hearing of my case so that my innocence of unlawful or subversive conduct can be demonstrated.” Committee to implement the TVA resolution comprises Bill Marshall, Michael Lewin, Clifford Carpenter, John Randolph, Leon Janney, Frank Maxwell, Alan Manson, Larry Gates and Loeb. Albany — John F. Jennings, comptroller of WPTR since the station went on the air In August, 1948, resigned to join a public accounting firm here. Set for Col Feb. 9 Cincinnati, Jan. 29. Finals In the second WLW-TelaVision wrestling tourneys for men and women will be staged Feb. 9 in the Coliseum at Columbus, which lias a larger capacity than the University of Dayton fieldhouse where a turnaway occurred last year. Jack Dempsey will be referee. Series of Saturday elimination bouts has been carried for some weeks on Crosley’s TV stations in Cincy, Columbus and Dayton, springing from the WLW-D studios in the latter city. Challengers meet Ruffy Silverstein and Mildred Burke, last year’s title holders, for belts and purses of $1,500 for the man. and $1,000 for the woman champion. ■ Continued from page 24 news, promotion, publicity, programming, research, etc. It’s figured that some streamlining may be effected, Next Mutual board meeting may prove a crucial one, since it will be the first at which: O’Neil, who also has, the Don Lee and Yankee networks’ ballots, will have a total of 58% of the votes. : Although present rules bar any stockholder from voting; more £han 30% of the stock, this restriction is expected to be lifted. . Another question expected to be examined is a new contract for MBS prexy Frank White. White, who in 1949 succeeded Edgar Kobak, now k consultant, has a threeyear pact which expires in May. ATTENTION VETERANS! NO DOWN PAYMENT 34 Months to Pay Reg. W. 1952 KAISER HENRY J MIDTOWN K-F SALES, INC, 1710 Broadway, N.Y.C. 0L. 7-0*10 NBC -TV Mat,: GUMMO MARX ( Formerly MAX GORDON) “WANTED!”— A JOB! TELEVISION PRODUCTION Experience in Theatre Product! , TV Packaging and Radio Operation LOTS TO LEARN— LOTS TO OFFER Salary Unimportant— Need a Start Oall OR 7-657S