Variety (September 1952)

iTEiJKimsioiv mmwmwn 1% I Tele FoUow-Up Comment 4» - * *♦»♦* ” »♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦*♦♦* ♦-4-4 -f * I * I 4 f 11» » ♦4 . »4** ♦* * »♦ * ♦ ♦ Ed SiiUlvim'g pre-Labor Day sketches. Mis* CaifoU clicked Mi'ith brawl, while devoid of the top material on home life plus coUitch names, nonetheless carried lots of interest, Show played In the man- ner x)f a vaude program. Speed arid-were given by a quick succession' of act* Sunday night (31) pn.,CBS-TV. ■ Most noteworthy event on this session was the introduction by the vet comics, Smith and Dale, of a new skit written for them by Lasz- lo Vadney, The comics^ are a couple of; pinochle players in heav- en., Tfjere's lots of good lusty hu- mor and comedy writing. Skit still needs a more socfco ending, but what there is is plenty funny for the circuits.^. Other top performers were Hal Leroy and the De Marco Sisters (5), • Leroy had two spottings, first in a state fair sequence in which there were surrounding production dancers. Staging detracted from Leroy’s stint inasmuch as he was" obscured by other personnel. Other hit employed trick camera work to good effect. Two femmes assisted him in a bit that called for pseudo magic. A second camera was used to bring the girls off and on and have them 0*1 Leroy’s out- stretched hands. It added up to imaginative telecasting. De Marco girls suffered faulty camera work inasmuch as one of their numbdr was- constantly, ob- scured during their first offering. They sounded good,. however, in their rendition of, '‘Watermelon Time.” ,^nd “Take Me Out to the Ball panve.” Quintet are energetic and hVve eye-appeal. , The State Fair set used during most of the show provided a legiti- mate excuse for bringing on acts that would do well on the rural circuits. Scotty Burbank, playing the piano with shod feet and blow- ing two., trumpets simultaneously, provided an interesting note. Jeanne Charlebols with her imita- tions of various instruments and impression of a small girl and de- livery of a French yodel made the mark. •She’s doubling from the Palace, N. Y. Elimar, doubling from the New Yorker Hotel's ice show, impressed with his juggling on a slack wire. Sullivan Interviewed Bobby Shantz, the diminutive Athletics’ pitcher. Gabfest was nicely con- ducted. * Jose. Gregory Raioff is getting to be the TV road company of Oscar Levant on the video version of “In- formation Please.” Like Levant he is constantly making character and, it must be conceded, to' good results. Totally uninhibited, it re* lieves some of the show’s stuffiness which, in a large measure, is given considerable warmth b y John Kieran, a regular. Cornelia Otis Skinner, another returner, is a solid panelist and, like Ratoff, in- variably surefire on the IQ. John K. M. McCaffrey was guest quiz- master vice the absentee Clifton Fadiman. Show is trying to appre- ciate its values to conform with the new rnedium but still requires more visible gimmicks. On the foxtrot, boogie and beguine varia- tions of the classics, one wondered why some actual, current Hit Par- ade pop song material wasn't per- formed, as culled from the classics (there’s a whole wave of it) instead of the contrived tempos. For one thing It would have made for more authenticity. Abel, curriculum, showing up as one of the most' engaging comics (of either sex) in video. Of necessity, Armus and Cassidy were spotted early, the former in the tuner’s “Don Jose from Rocka- way” and latter baritonlng the title song, for a pair of fine entiies. Miss Darling, shapely looker, chirped “Lemonade” to the- free wheeling tapology interpolations of Hoctor & Byrd. Barry did Italo “Sorrento” in nifty operatic style, with fore and aft portions going to Dick Himber and Wheeler for semi-integrated commercials, best one being a Pet Milk invention -with magico trimmings. Joe Stein and Will Gliokman came-through with the long script to the fast moving production-direction of vet- eran Joseph Santley. Trau. James Wechsler, New York Post editor, returned to DuMont’s “Starring the Editors’* last Wed- nesday (27) after" having been dropped from the show in a con- troversy over his political past. An outspoken anti-Communist, he ad- mits; having had Red tie? over a decade ago, which had brought some protests. Question of his re- turn to the stanza didn’t come up on the broadcast. Other ghestS wore Tom Schroth of the Brooklyn Eagle -and Lowell Limpus of the N. Y. Daily News. Along with moderator Erwin D. Canham, of ,the Christian Science Monitor, they kicked around ques- tions such as: Did Ike or Adlai score more favorably with their their speeches before the Ameri- can Legion? How carefully is edi- torial opinion kept out of news columns? Are reporters more probing with their questioning of Truman than they are of Eisen- hower?, etc. Most of it was interesting and down-to-earth. But, as can be ex- pected, the editors tend to portray their sheets as models of objective journalism. More ,of the critical .approach, which Don Hollenbeck’s CBS Radio stanza of a few years back had, would help balance the diet. Bril. f BINAH BHOEE ' With tlie VieUr SchoeM Fisoditeer-wHier-^ireciisr: Alan AanAley IS Mina.; Tues.-Tliilra., TT;!# pan. CHEVEOLET. KNBH-NBC, ifoll^ond {Camph^l-Etwild) ■ Few singers have captured the Intimacy of television, with the aplomb of Dinah Shore. She steps up to the cameras, moves in close and pours out her golden tones with relaxed and friendly flourish. Her wide range of repertoire makes all the more effective her musical vignettes. She opened with the jumpy “Am I in Love” and segued smoothly into “You Be- long to Me,” slow, sweet and velvety. After* the Notables, a .quintet of harmonizers, took, off in “Tunnel of Iiove,” she closed the chapter with a lively rendition of “All of Me;’ Her themers, “So Long For Now” and “See the USA in a, Chevrolet” are richly melodic. If Miss Shore bypasses stylizing it’s because she doesn’t need it. Her native gift of vocal talent has carried her through the years and should stand her in good stead for many more. The showmanly touches, subtly applied, have been invaluable aids to her long span of success,. Miss Shore knows full well that standing out front and just singing won’t stand up for a full season so she and her producer-director, Alan Handley, have mounted her turn with productive skill.^ Super of a waterfall and ornate trappings spot the singer in settings that si>eU class to match her exquisite gowns. Vic Schoen's musical ac- comp is of high order as ate the arrangements of Ticker Freeman. Dignity and impact distinguish Art Baker’s salesmanship. There’s no final! than Dinah on the sing- song circuit and Chevy is riding with a winner. Helm. “All Star Summer Revue” has kept the NBC-TV 8 to 9 p.m. Sat- urday oven fairly warm for the ■parent show which reopens tlie regular skeds this week (6) when Dennis Day comes front and cen tre. The final hot weather outing (30) had a bit of everything in the tri-sponsored setup (Kellogg’s, Pet Milk, U. S. Army Reserve). Official toppers were Jean Car- roll and Bert ‘Wheeler, filling the comedy slots in two divergent veins. • The song department was loaded with Sidney Armus and Jack Cassidy of the Broadway mu- sical “Wish You Were Here,” Jean Darling, Robert Barry, and Pfc. Vic Damone. Damone was cyno- sured at windup in but one item, his followup “(Sod Bless America” being but an abbreviated lead-in to the interview of 11 Medal of Honor winners from the Korean fronts who served to point up the need for enlistments, blood donor- ship, etc. I,atching on to show’s back-to college theme. Miss Carroll bowed in with rah-rah patter blending with dance patterns of Hoctor & Byrd group. Wheeler got into the school act off and on, partnered by Milt Frome in a couple of good Producer Warren Wade stepped into the breach last week (25-29), taking the lead role in “Jenny Kissed Me” on WOR-TV's (N. Y.) “Broadway Theatre.” Wade took over for Melville Cooper, who be- came ill during rehearsal. Judg- ing from the enthusiasm with which Wade, a former actor, threw himself into the part, he had been long waiting for the chance to thesp again (when the series started last spring, he made inter- mission curtain ,talks). He acquitted himself fairly well as Father Moynihan, a strict priest who tries to reform the orphan Jenny only to learn that she has a mind of her own and that he will be a lot happier and more effec tive if he takes a more tolerant, warm attitude to the people around him. The petulant characteriza- tion of the Father in the early scenes seemed to have particular appeal for Wade, and he sharply 'Scolded his maid, girls who wore lipstick, people who called asking the schedule of Masses, etc. And, for contrast, he was all sweetness in the final scenes after his refor- mation. He was hesitant with some lines (possibly, because he had only two days of rehearsal), but the blustering act covered the slips. “Jeiiny,” an-unsuccessful roman- tic comedy on Broadway in T948- 49, is a telegraphed but pleasant vehicle with a religious setting and made acceptable fare. Competent cast included Christine White, who did^^icely as Jenny, and Ben Coop- er, John O’Hare, Eva Condon, Janet Degore and June Connolly. Bril. TREASURY MEN IN ACTION With Walter Greasa, Henry Jones, Adelald Bean, Robert Donley, Rusty Slocum Producer: Everett Rosenthal Direeto^t Arthur Rdsenblum 30 Mins.; Thun., 8:30 p,in. BORDEN’S NBC-TV, from New York (Doherty, Clifford Sc Shenfield) “Treasury Men In Action,” which is a live show, had to use a standby film version on its preem Thursday (28), due to the fact that the principal in the case originally scheduled is appealing' {ip next wek^^^ his conviction. At the last minute ‘ * he threatened litigation if the script was aired. It wasn’t a good break for the series, since the han- dling of the film medium was not up to the standard the B. J. Prock- ter production had shown last sea- son. The yarn had appeal. It was the story of a lonely woman who watched a lonely neighbor for a year and finally guessed that he was a counterfeiter. After she told him she knew his secret, love bloomed while they passed tlie bo- gus bills. When they got enough to feather a little nest in the mid- west, he put aside his homemade plates and press. Unfortunately, however, there was a leaky faucet and in order to buy a new bathtub they made “just one more batch,” passing the phoney money direct- ly to the T man who was working in the general store. Stanza strived for a light touch, but for the most part it didn’t come over. It was marred also by the slow, deliberate manner of speak- ing of the counterfeiters, played by Henry Jones and Adelald Bean, their speech-spiannerisms presum- ably supposed to show their foreign backgrounds. While not effective overall, the couple did get a sense of warmth from the lonely little people in love. Robert Donley reg- istered naturally as the Treasury Agent and Walter Greaza was be- lievable as the secret service chief. Bril. ROBERT MONTGOMERY SHOW (Unclouded Summez) With Sloe EJ«liai 4 KUey, ls«b«l Elsom, BraMwMI neteh* er, AdrleitMe Cotti, St«M- irel, Charles Audre, ChrlstlsHe Felamann Brbdoieex: Mmitireiiterjr Directer: Herbert B, Swojse, Jr, •• Mina.; Mou., p.m. JOHNSON’S WAX NBC-TV, frem N. Y. (Needham, Louis Ic Brorby) Robert Montgomery got off to a sluggish start on the new season of his hour-long dramatic series Monday night (1) via NBC-TV. Show, an adaptation by Denis Green of Alec Waugh’s “Uncloud- ed Summer,” had the usual lush Montgomery production mount- ings but the yarn itself was peo- pled with uninteresting characters giving out with trite dialog. Cast, topped by Signe Hasso and Rich- ard Kiley, was a good one but they couldn’t pull Waugh’s “Smnmer” out of its summer doldrums. Besides the fact that the show generally was cUched and slow- moving, Montgomery’s production and the direction by Herb Swope, Jr., did nothing to ease the wa;^. Probably because of the nuttierous sets Involved, forcing the actors to race from one to another, the show bridged each scene change with a blank screen, which at times seemed interminably long. In addition, there were several dis- eonceriing camera fluffs, which proved Confusing. Story was one of those dull af- fairs. which Hollyowod abandoned yeabs ago, about the young and frisky .wife of a staid Brftlsh diplo- mat, who made a hobby of collect- ing young lovers to perk up her ego. Such stuff just doesn’t bear interest in this day and age. ;Signe Hasso, as the wife, over-emoted, looking at times as though she had just received her dramatic school diploma. Kiley was much better as the* poor young artist who finally gave her her comeup- pance. Bramwell Fletcher, as the diplomat, proved he’s a competent actor but his role was too incred- ible. Adrienne Corri topped an okay supporting cast with an ap- pealing characterization as Fletch- er’s young daughter. Under the alternate-week spon- sorship setup on this series, John- son’s Wax had the honors on the initialer, presenting some sales- worthy blurbs. Lucky Strike 5tal. ART LINKLETTER’S HOUSE PARTY With iiinkletter. Muzzy Marcellino Trio, guests Producer: John Guedel Director: Marty Hill 3Q Mins.; Mon.-thru-Frl., 2:45 p*m. Participating CBS-TV, from Hollywood Art Linkletter, after seven years of “House Party” on radio, Is now dangling his interviews and give- aways before the television audi- ence. It’s basically the format of the radio show—interviews and in- expensive giveaways. (Taped ver- sions of TV show is heard half- hour later on radio.) Interviewees range In age from three to 83, and the prizes range in value from a string of hot dogs to a string of dollar bills. Show is gimmicked up with a search for the woman with the longest hair (won by a miss with five foot tress- es) and a hausfrau looking for her missing actress daughter. To keep the show from being all talk, Muzzy Marcellinos Trio opened the second quarter hour of the 30-minute show with an ex- cellent "You May Not Be An An- gel,” Linkletter is adept in handling the studio audience in front of the cameras, and his affability keeps the q«5ca sessions from seeming (Continued on page 34) NEWS IN REVIEW With Jerry Coyle, June Youman, Howard Reig 15 Mins.; Sim., 10:30 p.m. WRGB, Schenectady (Goldman, Walter Sc Kanna) Jerry Coyle reads five minutes of live news to supplement film- and-voice stuff on this small- budgeted program. June Youman and Howard Reig presented two advertising sketches — in costume — when block was last viewed. The photogenic Coyle started off smoothly, but 90 seconds before closing, he began looking off cam- era. apparently for signals. (Z!anned ■ shots are so-so. Attractive, intelligent Miss You- man slightly overpushes sweetness and persuasiveness. Reig holds up his end adequately., ‘Jaco. Adlai as 'TV Matinee IdoT Gov. Adlai Stevenson’s appearances Ih the N. Y. area last week for the first time as Democratic presidential candidate (on WOR-TV for the New Jersey Demo get-together; on WJZ-TV for the Lib- eral Party nomination, etc.), has keyed a lot of unusual interest— from a show biz angle as well as political. Candidate’s ease and poise before the lens; the quick, ready smile that's already made him a “TV matinee idol” for the femmes; the sharp wit and run- ning gags, have made Stevenson loom as a definite video person- ality, so much so that one exec remarked last week: “If he loses the election in November, he can get a job anyday en TV as emcee or commentator.” Nominee seems to have a fund of stories to suit different occasions, and with a trigger wit to adjust to all situations. His speech is soft, conversational, but rising in in- flectipn and authority to make a punch line zing. He also knows when to drop the rough-and-ready stuff and get serious, as evi- denced at Thursday’s (28) Liberty Party rally, when just as some viewers thought he was overdoing the “political Bob Hope” routine, he shifted gears into the more serious discussion of world prob- lems and the need for action. Viewers, too. have noticed how the Governor adjusts himself to different groups, in type of speech, attitude and handling. Bron. YOUR HIT BARADE WHh D^irathjr Colliii*, Lumom, Jtme V«UI, lUynMiii Se^i, •reh. Hit Bart^eni iu4 Daii«eri; Andre an- ueuncer Brodueera: Dsn Leunsbery, Ted Fetter Director; Clark Jones ' Writer: WUIIam Nichols 3* Mins., Sat., I#:30 LUCKY STRIKE NBC-TV, from New York (B3P&0) In its first time out for the ’82- ’53 season, which is officially launched this week, “Your Hit Pa- rade” immediately reestablished It- self as one of television’s classiest productions. This is the third sea- son for tlie sight-and-somid edition of one of broadcasting’s lorignin- ning musical fiestas. Judging from Saturday night’s premiere. Its a cinch to repeat as one of. video s unqualified hits as the 30-minute afterpiece, to the Sid Caesar-Imn- gene Coca “Show of Shows.” “Hit parade” bespeaks its- ap-. proximate $40,000 weekly investt- ture. It has depth, dimension and taste and is imaginatively con- ceived and executed. It is a swift- paced musical melange that sel- dom stops for breath, telescoping handsome visualizations of the week’s seven top tunes (with the inevitable J'extras”) into 30 min- utes of slick prod.uctiop. values, ft seldom lacks for stunning camera effects and innovations, as witness the rear screen film projection stunt as background for Dorothy Collins’ “Wish You Were Here” number; or again the free camera play in roaming the avenue out- side the Center Theatre, N.Y., for the opening “Strike Up the Band” (as an extra) as the cast assembled for the new season. This season finds a newcomer to “Parade’s” perfea’mer ranks—June Valli, a brunet beaut currently on the RCA Victor dl^k ascendancy. In rounding out the show’s trium- virate of soloists, along With Snooky Lanson and Miss Collins, she’s a distinct visual and Vocal asset. She achieved a finesse in her “Half As Much” and “Some- where Along the Way” vocaliza- tions that were on a par with the seasoned Collins-Lanson confribs. For the commercials, they’re still tearing apart the seams of Luckies for the tight-packed vs. empty air space gab. The opening dancing clg sequence is a lot more refreshing. Rose, BIG STORY With Leo Penn, Joe DUteda, Terry Becker, Madeleine Sherwood, others; Bob Sloane, narrator; Wladimir Selinsky, music Producer: Bernard J, Broekter Director: Dick Schneider Writer: Alvin Boretz 30 Mins.^ Fri., 9 p.m, PALL MALL NBC-TV, from N, Y, (SSCScB)- Video version of Bernard J. Prockter’s “Big Story” kicked off its fourth season on NBC-TV Fri- day night (29) with an interesting yarn of how Emile Gauvreau, of the new Haven Journal-Courier, helped solve a murder in his Ham- den (Conn.) hometown. Neatly scripted.and enacted, the story had several added'touches which made it gripping viewing all the way. On the basis of the new season’s ini- tialer, “Big Story” should repeat this year the success it’s had In previous seasons on TV. Suspenseful script told of Gauv- reau’s being sent back to his home- town by bis editor to get a story on the murder of a local business- man. Through a series of circum- stances, he discovered the crime must have been committed by either one .of his two boyhood chums, one a frustrated and de- mented playwright and the other a more stable-^ salesman. In a sur- prise* ending, he nailed down the killer as the playwright who was seeking to achieve the fame al- ways denied him in his. town. Cast worked exceedingly well un- der the surefire direction of Dick Schneider, with Leo Penn turning in a fine bit of under-playing as the reporter, Joe DiReda was be- lievable in the more difficult role of the mad playwright, and Terry Becker scored as the third friend. Madeleine Sherwood likewise reg- istered as the greedy femme wlio spurred the playwright to ’his crime. Supporting cast was good. Show had top-drawer production mountings, including some film clips lensed on the actual locales, which were integrated strictly on cue into the storj'. Bob Sloane, as narrator, did his usual fine job and Wladimir Selinsky turned in a workmanlike stint batonning the musical backing. Plugs for Pall Mall overempha.sized the ciggie's king-sized length; the routine be came tiresome by the final spot. Stal.