Variety (September 1952)

REVIEWSt Wedneeday, SepleiiilM;i* 17, 1952 COUHTESY HOU» With llm Mor«)i, Fred Casper, Ed-» die Garr, Senator Murphy, Gloria Van, dohnny Martin, Gregory & Cheri, Bud & Oece Robinson; Bruce Chase orch Producer: Hal Barkunt Director: Grover J. Allen 60 Mins.; Frl, 10 p.m. COURTESY MOTORS WENR-TV, Chicago iMalcolm-Howard) Going now into its third year, this hour-long vaudeo display con- tinues one of the unique offerings in Windy City video. Its develop- ment through its round-the-calen- dar course has consistently set the patterns for local TV, especially as they pertain to car dealer sponsor- ship, long a major source of home- town tele revenue. Moran, who has never used any other ad medium and who now bills himself as the No. 1 car mer- chant in the country, was the first to take over the emcee’s chair on his own shows; the first to gamble on relatively high-budgeted variety programs, and the first to show the actual cars on TV. He’s been flat- tered plenty the past couple of years by imitation by his competi- tors. Moran is still hosting the show and on the evidence of the ver- sion viewed (12) his poise and fi- nesse has grown with the medium. He’s still laying out big coin, as witness the six-act bill unveiled this time out. Major difference is that the early-day hard sell has been replaced by an easy-going pitch on service and economy jointly delivered by Moran and an-' nouncer Fred Casper. Except for some audio trouble that marred Eddie Garr’s monolog, it wasr a smoothly turned produc- tion from Bud & Cece Robinson’s terp warmup to Gregory & Cheri’s musical gadgetry closer. Garr re- covered like a pro he is after the mike mixup and played for full pathos his bewildered refugee bit. Senator Murphy “dropped in’’ to supply another strong segment with his takeoff on the blustering politico. Musical department was staffed by singers Gloria Van and Johnny Martin who have become more or less “Courtesy Hour’’ regulars, and demonstrated why they keep getting repeat nods from talent booker Leo Salkin. Producer Hal Barkum’s production showcasing of Miss Van and Martin was strictly big league. A better audio bal- ance, however, between the Bruce Chase orch and the singers, would have helped. Moran takes an obvious pride in his showman role. And well he might. All in all, the 60 minutes of live entertainment he provides every Friday night consistently rates as a top local TV attraction. Dave, THE FrrZGHnttAtiDS Director: William Beal 15' Mins., Moit-Fri, 3:15 p.m. Participating WJ2-TV, N.Y. Ed and Pegecn Fitzgerald, who returned to video Monday (15) fol- lowing their summer layoff in that medium, continue on their literate and engaging manner on this stanza. Creators of the Mr. and Mrs. forijaula, AM and TV, have hit upon a formula which makes them attractive sponsor bait. The duo’s discussions seem to concentrate more on books than on any other theme. They have the knack of im- parting information, without being pedantic. They luiow how to infuse their subject with interest. Hence their participating commercials have a natural casualness (“Snows of Kilamanjero’’ and Home Fur- nishings were -the kickoff spon- sors). The Fitzgeralds selected Hedda Hopper’s “From Under My Hat’’ for discussion on the initial show. Book’s tell-all technique seemed to have startled Ed. Nonetheless, he admitted to the book’s interest and popular appeal. His treatment of the tome indicated good taste and restraint, since^ this is a book that can make for some racy con- versation. The Fitzgeralds concentrate on the aural values. Format is one that could easily be simulcast since they hold the Viewer with words alone. Their delivery of commer- cials was so well integrated that it might have passed for part of the script. The Fitzgeralds kept in practice during the summer. They did their radio show from their summer place at Hay Island, Darien, Conn. Jose. STABS IN KHAKI & BLUE With Wendy Barrie, U. S. service- men Director: Craig G. Allen 3D Mins.; Sat., 7:30 p.m. NBC-TV, from N. Y. NBC/ must highly regard the potential of this GI show to berth it in the lush Saturday night at 7:30 period. Talent is drawn from the various services and on the bow was only- fairish in appeal, though every enlistee tried hard to make like a bigtime civilian pro. Four contestants were lined up to fight it out for prizes which were heavily plugged (flying trip to Bermuda, a TV set, watches, etc.). Winner was Pfc. Don Mullen, dipsy comic with good git-gat-scat singing and mugging style, much of it (plus material) borrowed but with okay delivery. Wendy Barrie served as femcee- interviewer in her charming groove. With a bigger talent search among the military services, this stanza can be considerably hypoed. Trau. ♦♦ ♦♦ » 4 4 ♦ M » »♦ » » » » » » M M M M » » ♦ » Tele Follow-Up Comment S6 THE GEORGE JESSEL SHOW (AH Star Hevoe) With Jimmy Durante, Dorothy Kir- sten, Tony Martin,. Joe DiMag- gio, Terty Ryan & Ray Mc- Donald, The Skylarks, others Producer-director: Ernest Glucks- man Writers: Mannie Manheim, Larry Gelbart DEL MONTE NBC-TV, from Hollywood ( McCann-^rickson ) “Old bits never die—they mere- ly relive for television,’’ said George Jessel Saturday night on the “All Star Revue’’ (NBC). Ditto bid comedians. Perhaps “old” is not exactly the right word with which to identi^ an ever- prancing stallion like Jessel, though he, too, like the old bits, relives for TV in a manner that indicates he has almost caught up with the newest medium. Some of the old bits that have stood up well through the years in their association with Jessel survived what was billed as the comedian’s video debut. There was Mama on the telephone, with Georgie straightening out her malapropisms. The “Professor Gantzermacher’’ bit, with Jessel attired as the refugee prof, was a watered-down version of the “Prof. Larbermacher’’ routine, which in its original form would not have served well on TV’s family time. And, of course, there was Jessel in what has become his most trademarked identification, that of “Toastmaster General of the U, S.’’ The “Toastmaster’’ bit, incidentally, was the fulcrum for the show’s format, laid in a hotel banquet hall, with Jessel’s toastmastering as the peg for his emcee Chores. It can be made a permanent for- mat—a natural for Jessel. There were also the sock name values of the show’s guests. Jimmy IDurante nosed in to welcome a great pal on a weekly show of which he is an alternating star. Joe DiMaggio presented Jessel with a lifetime baseball pass. It served suspiciously as nothing more than a cue for Jessel’s quip that he hoped the ex-baseball star, on the verge of matrimony, would he as happy as he, Jessel, might have been on several occasipns. Tony Martin chirped a couple of songs as no pop singer can, and there was Dorothy Kirsten for the oper- atics. Carmen . Cavallaro ivoried “Rhapsody in Blue,” and Ray McDonald and Peggy Ryan terped breezily. There has hardly been any single TV show within mem- ory that could have embraced a greater lineup of names within a 60-minute period. Added to this was the versatility of Jessel, which included a song or two, a sketch, a joke or two, and a commercial for Del Monte. (The subtle sales bit. with the French chef, with interwoven comedy, was somewhat overdone). It was a show that catered to varied tastes, going from the nifty operatics of Miss Kirsten (Vissi D’Arti from “Tosca”) to “The Poor Little Scotch Girl” bit between Jessel and Miss Kirsten; from Jes- sel’s Jolson impersonation. (“Cali- fornia, Here I Come”) to an in- evitable song takeoff on Cantor (“Susie”). It couldn’t have been a more crowded entertainment, and almost all of it diverting. If there was a single off-base choice in material, it was in Jes- sel’s characterization of the Czech refugee professor. Pressed in ill- fitting tails, with * thickly-lensed glasses indicating the* refugee’s acute myopia, Jessel played the pathetic-looking character for the wrong kind of laughs. Playing up the misfortunes of others for com- edy purposes has never been taste- ful humcTr. Certainly this is not the intent, but that’s the way it in- evitably plays. Kahn, SUNDAY PAINTERS With Jack Gleason, emcee, guests Writer: Dorothy Rudolph Producers: Tom and Alice Kearney Director: Don Leftig 30 Mins.; Wed., 10 p.m. Sustaining WATV, Newark WATV, Newark, is treading on fertile fields with* “Sunday Paint- ers.” For this half-hour show Is aimed at the amateur painter, and who hasn’t given the brush and palette a whirl at one time or an- other? Mail response for the first three programs reportedly was heavy. Purpose of the stanza, as out- lined by emcee Jack Gleason Wednesday (10), is to explain and explore painting techniques. This Is done by selecting three individ- uals each week for appearances on the show. They’re chosen on the basis of sample sketches sub:nil Gleason, incidentally, is not CBS- TV’s Jackie Gleason. On hand for last Wednesday’s broadcast was professional ’-n- , azine illustrator Stephen Kidd. He exhibited some of his ov.^i works (Continued on page 46) Ed Sullivan in the final week in which he had the Sunday 8 to 9 field to himself, made his CBS-TV “Toast of the Town” a sprightly affair, one in which he contributed handily to the laugh department. Sullivan did a bit with Phil Sil- vers and Walter Dare Wahl. After Silvers tied up the show in a knot by attempting to' disengage himself from the duo, N. Y. Daily News syndicated columnist got enmeshed with the trio and the show exited while the foursome was attempt- ing to untangle themselves. This sock ending capped a di- verting show 'which had the bene- fit of suitable production. Aside from Silvers, who followed himself two weeks in a row on this show, there was little name value to en- tice the customers. Next week, it’ll be different as Sullivan himself trailerlzed. Stacked up against Mar- tin & Lewis who kick off the Col- gate series that evening, he has lined up an exceedingly strong show w’lieh will include the Bali- nese Dancers. One of the top names on the show was Toni Arden, who has appeared to better advantage. Al- though there was delicacy in her presentation of “Sorrento” the raucous opening took the edge off any pretense to fragility. Other major performer was Ron- ny Graham, doubling from “New Faces.” Graham’s interpretation of a bopster bad its moments. It wasn’t one of his major efforts in- asmuch as he’s done better. Production on' show was better than usual. The opening hoard- walk scene showed some imagina- tion in which were presented Lou Wills, Jr., in a fast bit of acro- terping, and Capt. Post who came with a well-behaved monkey. It was a mild turn. The introduc- tion of a five-harp accompaniment took the curse off of the steady succession of dance teams compris- ing the “Haiwest Moon Ball” win- ners. Tyro terpers were on and off with" a chorus, but harps in the background made a pretty pic- ture for them. Slack wire worker Hubert Cas- tle didn’t show his full act, but what he did display was well done. Jose. “Philco ^ Television Playhouse” came up with one of its more mov- ing vehicles in “Holiday Song” Sunday (14), a production which had a positive note of Interfaith brotherhood and timeliness (com- ing a week before the Jewish New Year). Paddy Chayepsky’s script dealt with a cantor who had lost his faith in God and people (as a result of an anti-Semitic Incident) and fdlt he would be unable to sing the holiday service. Urged j by an old friend to see the head I rabbis in Manhattan, he was twice misdirected by a mysterious sub- way guard into a Brooklyn train. The first time he got to talking with a woman refugee from a Nazi concentration camp; the second time he chanced on her long-lost husband, who thought her dead. As a result he was able to bring them together. The implication was that the near-miraculous co- incidence proved the power of God and, of course, the cantor did sing the New Year’s “Holiday Song.” Starring as the cantor was Jo- seph Buloff, who has appeared with generally similar characterizations on “Philco” In the past. How- ever, he projects an appealing personality and had some genu- inely moving moments. He was assisted by a fine cast including Irja Jensen and Warner KJempner as the reunited refugees, Joseph' Berghoff, Frances Cheney, Dora Weissman and David Opatoshu. Production team included Fred Coe as producer and Gordon '^uff as director. Bril, QUIZ KIDS With Joe Kelly; Melvin Miles, j^ankle Vander Ploeg, Janet Ahern, Pat Conlon, Sally Ann Wilhelm; Ed Cooper, announcer Pr^ucer; Rachael Stevenson Director: Scott Young 30 Mins.; Sun., 3 p.m. (CDT) CATSPAW RUBBER CBS-TV, from Chicago (Levyne) Much-traveled “Quiz Kids” who made their original TV debut on NBC, then switched to CBS. re- turned to NBC for a summer ride, are now back in their regular CBS Sunday afternoon berth with Cats- paw Rubber paying the bills every other week. Formatwise, the panel of young mental sharpies has also made the big circle. As witness the CBS curtain raiser (14) emphasis has swung back to a straight tele dis- play of the youngsters’ amazing ability to make with the grey mat- ter and away from the previous abortive attempts to “videoize” the half-hour with a lot of sight activities. The current straight- forward presentation is the more effective, capturing as it does the warmth and appeal of the unso- phisticated precociousness of the .quintet. Questions fired at fhe kids by the always affable quizmaster Joe Kelly ranged the gamut from the topically political to the scientific. JHigh spot which unleased the mop- pets’ imaginations off on a delight- ful flight was a request for their explanation of flying saucers. These free-wheeling gab sessions by the articulate group mix youthful com- mon sense with youthful whimsi- cality. Technically, the opener Indicated that the WBKB crew shooting the show for the network needs some more practice at lensing the bounc- ing panel. Switches were hesitant, especially the break for tl^e middle plug which found somebody look- ing out the window. Blurbs were voiced by Ed Coop- er in fine fashion once the cameras located him. Dave, LETTER TO LEE GRAHAM ^ Producer* Jirector: Roger Baur 15 Mins.; Mon.-Fri., 3 p.m. Participating WJZ-TV, N. Y. (Hilton & Riggio) Deep-seated social problems have apparently piled up considerably since John J. Anthony stopped solving tangles over the air some time ago and A. L. Alexander re- tired temporarily. Lee Graham, who has co-au- thored “Your Way to Popularity -and Personal Power,” has stepped into the social problem field. Un- fortunately, in her 15-minute stint, she cannot possibly begin to solve the marital problems and deep- rooted complexes that have piled up since Anthony vacated the domain. Miss Graham’s format is close to the Anthony setup. A person with a problem is seated in front of the interviewer so that her face isn’t visible. This way her friends and those she’s talking about couldn’t possibly know her except by her voice, figure and occasional Cos- tello-like shots of her hands. At conclusion of the show, the inter- viewee is asked whether she’d care to have her phizz photoed. It’s re- miniscent of Anthony’s “No names, please.” Miss Graham’s advice appears sound, but that may be because the problem on the show caught was so simple that It could have been solved without any consultation. She makes a nice appearance and her sp^aljlng voice carries convic- tion. However, no matter what Miss Graham’s intention and qualifica- tions are, it’s unlikely that anyone, except those who are exhibitionists, will appear on this show. Jose, INSIDE OUR SCHOOLS With Bernard F. Haakc, Dr. Harry J. Linton, others 15 mins.; Wed., 12:45 p.m. Sustaining WRGB, Schenectady Programs taking viewers Inside Schenectady public schools for a look at problems specific to that system and general in education, opened its second season with a new moderator, in Bernard F. Haake, a familiar panelist, super- intendent, Harry J. Linton,' and a slightly changed format. Remain- ing participants on teeoff were Kay Ellis, president of Schenec- tady PTA; H. E. Schneider, Citi- zens Committee for Public Schools; Mrs. Ralph Marwill, president of vSchenectady chapter, Assn, of American University "Women. They discussed “The Crisis In Education” knowingly if a bit ex- pansively. Quarter-hour started at a slow pace, but accelerated in final seven minutes. A longer warmup, a compacting of ques- tions and a general tightening by the moderator, were indicated. NEW YORK TIMES YOUTH FGRUM ^ With Dorothy Gordon, femci>i >4 Gen. Carlos Romulo, guest * Producer: A1 Hollander Director: Arnee Nocks GO Mins.; Sun., 5 p.m. Sustaining DuMont, from New York “New York Times Youth Forum” is one of the better known teenage panel programs, having won sev- eral awards In the public service and educational fields. It has at- tracted national attention, altliough previously heard only over WQXR N.y. Its entrance Into video, there- fore, with a network airing via Du- Mont should please parents and educators, since young viewers will get a good discussion program in an excellent spot (Sundays at 5- 6 p.m.). The hour gabfest is taped and trimmed to 45 minutes for broadcast on'its regular berth on WQXR. On the initialer Sunday lU) moderator Dorothy Gordon had as her-guest Gen. Carlos Romulo, the United Nations rep from the Phil- ippines. The general is an articu- late spokesman for the new nation and an effective orator. Under questioning from the panel of youngsters he did an excellent job in presenting the point of view of the Pacific nation. Teenagers were fairly representative and their give- and-'take on international problems and peace held interest, although not probing the questions deeply. Miss Gordon guides the discus- sion in a maternal fashion. Kickoff broadcast originated from the UN headquarters and she spent some time talking about the furnishings and decor of the room, which have little to do with the subjects under debate. Presumably Miss Gordon and the panelites were as much im- pressed by tlie trappings as by the underlying forces at work in the international organization. Bril, STAGE A NUMBER With BUi Wendell, guests Producer: Roger Gerry 60 Mins.; Wed., 8:30 pjn. Sustaining DUMONT, from N. Y. Showcasing of new talent has been one of the more laudable attributes of video’. It’s something that has to be done for the pro- tection of the medium, inasmuch as video burns out more • material and more acts than any other form of show business. In “Stage a Number,” the DuMont network presents a batch of new faces, most of them still In tyro ranks. The show looks like it’s being put on in a budget-wise manner. There aren’t^ any refinements to enhance Indmdual appearances. If an act clicks, it’s entirely on its own. Unfortunately, some of the amateurs need consideralile help, both in Introduction, sets, musical hacking and atmosphere. ^ Modus operand! has conferen- cier BilhWendell introducing some- ope connected with the competing ams, who suggest the method in which the talent should be pre- sented. A few props and backstage projection create a degree oi at- mosphere, and the talent goes to work. An organ or piano accom- paniment provides the background. There’s a^ judges panel, which on the initial display comprised Herb (“Twenty Questions”) Polesi; producer Charles Freedman and Leonard (“New Faces”) Sillman. A fairly high level of tyro talent took part. There was a trio of Gilbert & Sullivan singers, a duo specializing in Shakespeare, dance teams and such. There was suffi- cient variation In the type of per- formance presented to maintain a degree of variety. However, the successful amateur show apparently needs a little more than is available here. It’s most valuable function Is that of a show- case, and as such deserves a long career on this network. Jose. TRADER TUELL With Gordon Tuell 30 Mins.; Mon.-thni-Frl., 2:30 p.m. Sustaining WRGB-TV, Schenectady Sell-and-swap program conducted by Gordon Tuell, a WRGB pro- ducer-director, Is one of the few straight public service features originated hereabouts that also earns a rating for human interest and entertainment. Unobtrusively but skillfully han- dled by Tuell, it whets the natural instinct for bargains—especially among women—through the ap- pearance of a wide variety of peo- ple and the filming of articles, sometimes odd or rare, occasion- ally with intriguing stories about them. Show is. probably a station’s dream: it not only serves and builds goodwill, but it costs noth- ing to present Guests photograph sharply, mod- erately well or poorly—depending on many factors. Children and dogs are always natural. Tuell should strive to lower pitch of voice and a mild twang. Jaco.