Variety (October 1953)

RADIO REVIEWS Vtdnmlay, October 28, 1953 HOUSE OF GLASS With Gertrude Berg, Joseph BulofT, Arnold Stanf, Gene Baylos, Harold Stone, Ann Thomas, others; music director, Milton Katims Producer-composer: Cheroey Berg Director: Ken MacGregor Writer: Gertrude Berg; lyrics, An- nold H. Ilorwltt 25 Mins.: Iri„ 9:25 p.m. Sustaining NBC. from N. Y. „ , Gertrude Berg has gone* Cat ski 1 i Mountains to provide a framework inr her return to radio after her unfortunate n« - time - for - comedy liquidation on TV. In "House of Class." which is a punful refer- ence to Barney Glass, proprietor ot a resort hotel '"one hour from \ v City—three hours to be exact"'. the inspiration stems from some o! Mrs. Berg's incidents in her teeveed “The Goldbergs.” The reference frame there was i'ineus in the Bines, the i'ineus being played by Joseph BulofT, as is the Glass character. But the cook now is Mrs. Berg in the guise Of Sophie. Just as i'ineus was romantically linked with his kitchen slavie, so is Barney vis-a-vis Sophie. The difference in chapter I is that Sophie is doing it out of habit and not for the money, and the main situation centered around the fact that she had to quick-change into a guest because her son and daughter-in-law, believing her to he on vacation, arrived at the spot upon their European return. With Barney swiftly proposing marriage CAMEL CARAVAN With Vaughn Monroe, Sauter-Fin- egan Orch, Sally Sweetland 30 Mins., Mon., 10 p.m. R. J. REYNOLDS CBS, from Pittsburgh (transcribed) < Esfy) “Camel Caravan” has estab- lished itself as a song-packed half- hour and this season's outing is no exception. Series has Vaughn Mon- roe back at the helm but this time sans baton. Monroe gave up his band earlier this year for solo crooning and in its stead the "Car- avan” is sporting the new Sauter- Finegan orch. A welcome addition. With Monroe handling the bulk of the vocal chores and the S-F »orch backing and whipping out I several of its own novel instru- ' mental ideas, series is a lively mu- ! sical fest. The 30 minutes moves at a neat clip with only a few | Camel commercials interrupting the steady flow of song. On show caught Monday '2Gi eight tunes were showcased, enough to satisfy even the most captious of the pop tune devotees. Monroe belts ’em out with em- phasis on his hefty lung power and the S-F arrangements are gay and colorful. Sally Sweetland. band’s thrush, also registers solidly. Show originates from a different college campus each week. Mon- day’s stanza came from the U. of Piilsburgh and wound up with nifty song tribute to the school. Gros. Radio Follow-Up +»♦« ******* Eddie Cantor devoted his Thurs- day night <22) NBC radio show to a tribute to the memory of A1 Jolson, who died three years ago this month. It was a simple tribute, coming straight from the heart of a friend and admirer, and its sim- plicity made it all the more moving. A subdued and reverent Cantor culled the memories of his per- sonal relations with Jolson and brought forth anecdotes and inci- dents to fioint up the magnetism and attractiveness of Jolson, the man and the entertainer. But more wisely, he let Jolson speak— or rather sing—for himself, play- ing some of Jolie’s memorable disks. The memories were still warm, but Cantor didn't play them for the customary nostalgia. There might have been an occasional catch in Cantor’s throat, but it was for real. “ Chan. From the Production Centres /i\ ISEW YORK CITY JACK’S PLACE ikii m ii i ijf p/i iiicit i in^v — 7 .. .. to his cook of cooks without whom ! With Jack Gregson, Mary Majo, the inn would collapse for want of such Jewish delicacies as kreplach, inal/.oh hall soup and blintzes, everything comes out Jiunky-dory. Betwixt this and other incidents of a borscht belt summer, Mrs. Berg A: Co. interpolate musical re- vue vignettes which are not hard to take. “The Guest Is Always Bight" has a cute lyric by Arnold B liorw itt to the music of Cherne? i add up to okay afternooni progra Berg, who is also the producer and i l™. 11 *; **a<k kiegson impressed Mrs. Berg’s son. Mrs. Berg’s solo is “I See You Through My Glass.” A Peggy Lee—if you'll excuse the expression—she is not; but as a chantootsie of the cuisine, the j promise is bright in such a setting I as the chopped liver circuit. Aiding the erstwhile Molly Gold- j berg in the skein of shenanigans j «.<-h i.ssorte.1 characters »» ! ' Kalth . orch leader and music arranger, guested on show. His chit-chatting with Gregson re- John Hicks, announcer Producer: Bob Moss Director: Bill MacCallum Writer: Jerry Bowne 85 Mins.; Mon.-thru-Fri., 2:35 p.m. ABC, from N. Y. A parlay of music, interviews and informal chatter are the basic elements in this lengthy cross-the- board entry. Show's ingredients progra m- as being an amiable host on show- caught, Thursday '22>, though he; occasionally showed a tendency to become a little schmaltzy in his home-spun flavored gab. J Program was nicely paced. Mary Mayo vocalled a number of tunes for good effect, while instrumen- talizations by the Bobby Hackett quintet provided a solid beat. Fred Ahlert was saluted with a i iMlf-hour medley via NBC <N. Y.) i Sunday noon, playing a pot pourri ( of the late songsmith’s works. Former ASC’AP prexy Otto Har- baeh read a poem in tribute, which was symbolic of Ahlert’s credo of life and death, and from the Coast Bing Crosby (transcription) factu- (ally mentioned and sang “Blue of the Night,” which he coauthored with Ahlert and Hoy Turk, latter also now dead. NBC’s announcer spoke of Ahlert’s capabilities as a leader in the songsmith circles; it was while he was incumbent pres- ident of ASCAP that the Society’s i TV contract was successfully ne- gotiated and which realized" that ; much additional revenue 'over $4,- j 000.000) to the music business. It was a warm sentimental half-hour, excepting for the Crosby tie-in which, possibly because of the me- chanical interpolation via disking, seemed too matter-of-fact and aloof and out of spirit with the warmth of the event. Abel. Arnold Slang. Gene Baylos, Ann 1 Thomas and Harold Stone. BulofT is. of course, made for the role, or for that matter any part he essays, j Mrs. Berg is her wonderful self as actress and writer. Milton Katims 1 does well by the score, with ar- rangements by James Timmins, j Ken MacGregor's direction is okay. Tran. Orch, OUTWARD BOUND WITH COLUMBUS With The Turin Symphony others Producer: Eugenio Salussolia Composer: Ricardo Nielsen 55 Mins.. Sun.. 4 p.m. WNYC. N. Y. (transcribed) Hicardo Nielsen’s opera for radio. "Outward Bound With Columbus.” which won last year’s Prix Italians, was given its preem l . S. airing over WNYC. New York indie. Sunday '25*. 'Opera will be aired by other stations around the country under the aegis of the National Assn, of Educational Broadcasters.) “Outward Bound” is a toughie. even for longhairs. It’s a modern- istic piece that’ll take plenty of hearings before the ear gets used to i!. Another barrier is the text, which is sung 'and spoken) in Italian. Without a pony, it’s doubt- lid if the run-of-the-mill dialer will know what’s going on. The Turin Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Nino Sanzogno, handled the score eonunendably and the recording was first rate. Gros. suited in some interesting gab rela- tive to his background and present activities. Several of Faith's plat- ters, such as "Swedish Rhapsody” and 'Tve, Got Rhythm" were played to highlight certain aspects of the conversation. Besides directing comments to program’s listeners. Gregson I kidded with other personnel on the I airer which aided in fostering an overall friendly atmosphere. This, incidentally, is the “warmup" show for Martin Block, who'll take it over on Jan. 1. when he moves to the web from WNEW. N. Y. Net- work. meanwhile, is making other plans for Gregson, and deservedly so. Martin Block’s utilization of a coin-machine trade sheet as “au- : thority” for his jukebox picks, on ' one of his WNEW <N.Y.) shows, ; was militated against by his ex- planation that Jerry Murad's “Story of Three Loves" is a com- position which the publisher (not identified as Charles Foley) objects to being broadcast excepting in its original form. He didn’t explain why and how Murad’s harmonica group was able to wax it for Mer- cury on the mouth-organ. Another inside stuff item volunteered by Block was that the “Dear John Letter,” another jukebox best- seller. is not considered “in good taste by the management of sta- tion WNEW. and I must comply by their decision.” “Dear John” bestsellers are about equally divided between MGM’s Pat O’Day & 4 Horsemen, and Capitol’s Jean Sheppard. Abel. Radio version of "Almost a Hero.” one of 20 stories by M-G publicist Bill Ornsteln in his “Ma and Me.” was presented Sunday *25) on WMGM’s “American-Jewish Caravan of Stars.” Sam Dann adapted the story and Mickey Freeman played the lead . . . Joyce Gordon doing a running part on ABC’s new nighttime soaper. "Hollywood Starways" . . . Harry S. Goodman, head of the transcription outfit bearing his name, oft for a vacation in Florida, his first in 25 years . . . Kal Ross, WMGM sportscaster. spent 10 days in Milwaukee helping Lou Poller, owner of WCAN-TV, set up his programming structure. Poller gave Ross his first job some years ago, hiring him as an announcer at WPWA, Chester, Pa. . . . Harry Wismer, director Mel Bailey and rest of the east of Mutual's “Wonderful City" show tossing a Hallowe’en party for ailing youngsters at Irvington House . . . Mutual employees presented Ted Streibert (ex-Mutual president and now director of the U. S. In- formation Service) with a plaque of appreciation and well wishes. Award was given him in Washington by a committee headed by Nat Abramson, head of the WOR <N. Y.) entertainment bureau. Jules Seebach, Mutual program operations v.p. and Charles Singer, WOR chief engineer. NBC Radio will devote two hours on Saturday, Nov. 7 to the RCA Victor dramatic platter of “Romeo and Juliet.” Victor pressed the Shakespearean work in London where Claire Bloom and Alan Badel played the title roles in the recent production at the Old Vic. H. Maier advanced to account exec of CBS Spot Sales, reporting to general sales manager Henry Flynn. Maier was formerly of Atlanta office, with David Kittrell replacing him there . . . Patricia (Pat) Gabany joined radio-TV dept, of N. W. Ayer agency in N. Y. office, coming over from NBC where she was a writer in program promotion . . . G. W. (Johnny) Johnstone, NAM’s radio-TV director, in Washington for three-day annual conclave of Assn, of Radio-TV News Directors . . . Bob Doherty and Jack Parker to engineering staff of Fulton Re- cording Co. in latter's expansion move . . . John Karol, CBS Radio sales v.p., on jury duty . . . Cathy & Elliott Lewis heading Haven Radio Properties, new packaging outpit on the Coast . . . Before Robert Q. Lewis took off for Europe today <Wed.) on vacation, he was given a dinner at Gilmore’s by members of his CBS staff . . . "Stella Dallas” has just completed its 16th year of broadcasting ... In the new "Front Page Farrell” sequence are Ed Jerome, Bill Quinn, Charita Bauer, Doris Dalton, Harold Huber and Irene Hubbard . . . Ronald Long and Elizabeth Morgan new to "Young Widder Brown” . . . Andy Donnelly into "Stella Dallas.’’ Robert Alden, formerly with Sales Management mag, joined WOR staff . . . WQXR is changing the cover design of its Monthly Program Guide for the first time since 1942 . . . American Assn, of Advertising Agencies announced election of its 300th member. Vance Pidgeon & Associates of Minneapolis . . , Trudi Cowlan, wife of actor-announcer Bert Cowlan, joined the N. Y. office of American Research Bureau as assistant of Jack L. Gross, manager of the office . . . George Ball, pub- lic affairs director of WHIL, cited by United Cerebral Palsy for “Cere- bral Palsy Quiz,” which the station aired during the summer. Roger Sullivan cast as regular on CBS’ "Hilltop House” and also dailied on NBC’s "Three Steps to Heaven” . . . Margaret Ettinger ar- rived in to headquarter at her N. Y. office for four weeks. ADVENTURES IN JAZZ With Sidney Gross 25 Mins.: Sat., 9:30 p.m. WNYC. N. Y. WNYC has a slick show for jaz- zophiles and the general listening public in this 25-minute stanza which bowed over the New York City station Saturday '24). It’s a program with an appeal that ex- tends beyond this local outlet’s limited audience. Moderated with finnese b> Sidney Gross, billed as the International Disk Jockey, show adds up to a rhythmic and colorful stanza. In keeping with his tag. Gross ga\e opener an international flavor by spotlighting recordings from at least a hall-dozen foreign locales. Groups from France. Sweden. Hol- land. England. Australia and Japan were represented on wax. Gross' suave commentary fitted in per- frctlv with the j-a/z itiood. Deejay aKo devoted a segment of the pro- giam to illustrating the relation- ship of jazz to classical music. Future programs will be geared •long the -ame lines as initialer oi will he devoted to profiling ccr- LUNCHEON AT THE TEN EYCK With Ken Parker, guests 15 Mins.: Mon.-thru-Fri., 12:45 p.m. WPTR. Albany Program, originating in Ten Eyck Room of same name hotel and presenting visitors as well as area guests, has a new conductor, Ken Parker. A public service fea- ture covering a wide variety of subjects and range of causes, it varies in interest and appeal. Line- up of four blocks recently caught: Ken Drage, King Features artist; Earl Wingart, 20th-Fox merchan- dising manager, here to arrange a premiere of "The Robe” at Palace Theatre; James J. Warren, chair- man of Albany Community Chest drive; Alice C. Dodge, president of New York Library Assn, 'hold- ing its 16th conference), and Prof. William S. Dix, president of Univ. Library 'with rather provocative "Reflections On Book Burning”). Parker proved most articulate in a lively exchange with Drake on comic strips and artists: least so. with Miss Dodge. He floundered with her—perhaps because there had been insufficient preparation time. Parker let Wingart beat the drums, smartly, for “The Robe.” Cinemascope and Frank Ross. Deep voiced and friendly man- nered. WPTR miker occasionally gets tangled in verbiage, and com- ments rather than questions. Ja co. CBC in Guild Pact Ottawa., Oct. 27. AH 60 newsroom employees. AM and TV ot the. Canadian Broad- casting C»»rp. are now covered bv their first American Newspaper Guild contract. It gives them ;n overall pay boost, the 40-hour v.c«k with over- time- pav n-gl.it •■hill differential. DATELINE OTTAWA With Davidson Dunton, Mac Lipson, others Producer: Bob Blackburn 30 Mins., Thurs., 10 p.m. Sustaining CKOY. Ottawa Taking ideas from panel, quiz and interview shows, “Dateline Ot- j tawa" places a quartet of nevvs- ! papermen and a guest around a table and mulls matters of general and local interest. Originating in the new clubrooms of the Ottawa Press Club, the show’s emcee. CKOY 'Indie) news staffer Mac Lipson is it* only permanent mem- ber. Panel caught <22> headlined as guest the chairman of the Cana- dian Broadcasting Corp., Davidson Dunton. with panelites Ainslie Kerr, city hall reporter for the Ottawa Journal, Ken Kelly of Canadian Press, Austin Cross. Evening Citizen columnist, and Paul Gormlev. Variety mugg. The subject was television and although Dunton had some quizzing that could have been embarrassing, he handled it diplomatically and in- formatively. Emcee Lipson joined the session a few times with ques- tions of his own. and the stint as a v. hole was a bright spot of the Capital’s radio evening. Show aims at highlighting local problems, such as traffic, civil service, but guests lined up 'Nicho- las Monsarrat, “Cruel Sea” author, and Margaret Truman), indicate the gab line will go international now and then. Pace of the airing kept high and smooth with Lipson maintaining a clicko level. Gorin. Kansas City—Martha Bolilsen. home economist of KMA, and KMA-TV, Shenandoah. Ia.. was elected president of the Heart of America Chapter of the American Women in Radio and Television at IN HOLLYWOOD , , the chapter’s annual meeting held , jj'M iw*,.. Hal "Gildersleeve” Peary goes back to his old trade of whirling disks after a "hiatus” of 26 years. He has taken a six-month test deal with WMGM, N. Y., starting Nov. 2. He was a deejay with Ralph Edwards in Frisco back in 1927. His telepix series, "Call Me Papa,” marks time meanwhile . . . Max Roby of CBS was elected to presidency of Radio and TV News Club of So. Cal. He succeeds NBC’s George Martin, Jr., who goes on the board ... It was a case of "two many beers” with Jose Hernandez, race caller on California's six tracks. When he sold the filmed playback of the races to Goebel’s in Frisco after being committed to Brew 102 in L.A., the latter cancelled him for Hal Moore. Brew 102 doesn’t promote in the Frisco market but its amber does get around . . . Stan Spero moved up to the top sales perch at KMPC . . . Lou Derman, former "Luigi” scripter, putting together p daily column to be called "Only Human,” which McNaught will syndicate. It will have comedy overtones of foibles that he’s done for so many years on radio . . . For some reason or other his identity is sub rosa but KECA has an early morning commercial spieler who is a dead ringer vocally for Arthur Godfrey. They’ll only admit that it isn’t AG. He even twits the blurbs . . . NBC's Ted Cott around for program parleys with Tom McCray and Harry Bubeck. IN CHICAGO r Farrel Davisson (Dare), who covered the Chi radio-TV beat for Variety for three years until he joined Zenith Radio Corp.'s public* relations department, returns to the paper next Monday '2). He’ll, cover legit as well as radio-TV. Jack McGuire *Jack\ current radio- TV staffer, checks out Friday <30) to devote his entire time to freelance writing. Bill Irvin from radio-TV editorship of Sun-Times to freelance writ- ing status with Lucia Carter stepping in . . . Herb Howard from pro- gram director position with WNAX, Yankton, S. D., to exec director of WLS’ "National Bam Dance” , . . Austin Kipllnger replacing ailing Elmer Davis on 6:15 to 6:30 ABC news strip . . . C.E.T. picking up the tabs locally for Mutual’s "The Shadow” in the 7:30 to 8 p.m. Wednes- day slot . . * ABC flack chief Ell Henry on two week vacation . . • Shirley Glenn Patton to Mutual midwest operations traffic dept. . . . WGN commercial mgr. Bill McGulneas taking part in panel discussion for Equitable Life Assurance at Bradley U. in Peoria, 111., Nov. 10 . . . Olson Travel Co. renewing Norm Ross, Jr., Saturday morning d.j. show for third successive year . . . Fairbanks Morse & Co. picking up the tabs for "The Nation's Business” via WGN thru Buchen agency IN SAN FRANCISCO I.ocalite Dorris Carr did a commercial stint on Ralph Edward's “This Is Your Life” program . . . KCBS is switching its FM voice to the former KJBS-FM transmitter atop the Clay-Jones Apartments . . • Don DeFore will headline the "Do It Yourself” at Oakland's Exposition Bldg. . . . Lee Giroux will be feted by El Sobrante citizens for his work on behalf of their "March of Dimes” drive . . . KGO-TV’s Les Malloy doubling with daily deejay chores on KYA . . . Western star Cottonseed Clark corraled Peggy Martin as his KPIX "Hoffman Hayride” assistant . . . KGO-TV, is revamping its schedule—lopped off Judy Deane, “Mr. Blare and Korla Pandit, added Wanda Ramey; extended “Melodies and Money” cross the board, added 15 mins, to Evangeline Baker and Jack LaLanne shows . . . San Mateo station KCSM-FM returned to the air . . . Biggs. Cal., invited KFRC's "Breakrast Gang” to participate in tluir “March of Dimes” hoe down. IN PITTSBURGH ) • t » * Adelaide Lasner Sachs, well-known in radio here for years, making her TV debut in a new quarter-hour show every Friday morning at 11 over WDTV. It's called “Beauty Spot" and a wall-paper company is the bankroller. Announcer Otto Krenn's on it. too . . . Morry Alien, who was connected with the campus station. WDUQ, while a student mciim. ...... PPtt?.341