Variety (June 1956)

26 RADIO-TELEVISION vstemr? Wednesday, June 27, 1956 Radio Reviews SECURITY AND CIVIL RIGHTS With Phil Gelb, Sheldon Goldstein, others Producer-director-writer: Gelb 15 Mins.: Tues., 7 p.m. KUOM, Minneapolis This “Security and Civil Rights summer series of 13 U. of Min¬ nesota non - commercial station KUOM, conceived and engineered by daring, resourceful and able Phil Gelb, one of its main cog¬ wheels, is based on his research and interviews. Designed to show that while U. S. citizens must be protected they don’t wish to be tyrannized In the process, it probably marks the first time that the timely, con¬ troversial and delicate subject ever has been handled in such an air- lane series and thus represents a pioneering endeavor. It will be submitted to the National Associa¬ tion of Educational Broadcasters for possible release to other edu¬ cational radio stations. During the series attention will be given all sides of the question in the effort to show the essential¬ ness of obtaining a balance of both freedom and security so that each will be protected, Gelb explained at the outset. His position, he said. Is that a security program demand's some risk of individual rights, just as a program of maximum rights would risk .some national security. Series is both live and tran¬ scribed. Program caught, second in the series, indicates an interest¬ ing and thought-provoking presen¬ tation of the subject. Sheldon Goldstein. KUOM program direc¬ tor, was narrator and illuminating- ly. introduced the panel guests pro¬ viding this program’s discussion— New York “U” psychology profes¬ sor and Human Relations Center assistant director Dr. Marie Jahoda and Washington, D. C„ attorney Joseph Fanelli. They had been ex¬ pertly quizzed during a recent east¬ ern trip by Gelb, a former Minne¬ sota faculty member and a play¬ wright and present KUOM special events director, who taped their conversations and then skilfully assembled the results for this show. _ The New York “U Human Re¬ lations Center conducted an exten¬ sive survey among all types of federal employees to determine whether or not a security-loyalty program’s general climate has any effects upon the ordinary such workers, qualifying Prof. Jahoda as an expert on the subject under discussion. Fanelli was defense counsel in the much publicized cases of Abraham Chasanow and “Scientist X’’ who were eventually cleared of the charges of being se¬ curity risks after long, expensive and humiliating experiences. Each of the talkers delivered their well developed material suc¬ cinctly. Prof. Jahoda devoted herself plainly to a review of the New York “U” survey. In conclusion, however, she expressed the feeling that the suspicion directed toward Jewish and Negro government em¬ ployees and those with foreign- sounding names who -joined organi¬ zations creates a general security climate which is a real threat to democratic concepts and actions. An effect, she asserted, was that these people “pull in their horns” and become cautious as far as ex¬ pressing themselves, etc., is con¬ cerned. Series stacks up as meriting se¬ rious-minded persons’ attention— in fact, all desiring to keep abreast of vital problems and to hear them discussed. In this instance, the sub¬ ject is, of course, of vital concern to all U. S. citizens. A goodly audi¬ ence loomsf recruited, too, from many of those who have already formed their opinions regarding the' federal security program, but who like thought-provocative fare. Rees. SPEAKING OF SPORTS With Howard Cosell, guests Producer-Director: Cosell 5 Mins., Sat., Sun., (various times) ABC, from New York “Speaking of Sports” is a flashy batch of 10 weekend capsules which ABC has been airing since June 9. Howard Cosell, who does the news and interviews on the several segs, is too rapidfire in his roundups, but he more than com¬ pensates by running some straight forward interviews with some of the moment’s hottest names. The radio web is trying to re¬ peat the commercial success of “It’s Time,” the series of short weekend segments which U.S, Royal Tire owns. “Sports'’ doesn’t have the production values— smooth integration of narrator, actors, music or story line—of “Time,” but in its elementary way it still creates interest. Cosell, who also produces-directs the pro¬ gram, usually begins his capsules with the quick news recapitula¬ tions. If the interview is short, he also closes with them. His voice isn’t the best and his delivery doesn’t allow for distinct breaks between news items. Yet when he gets down to feeding the ques¬ tions, they are timely and unin¬ hibited. For instance, on a recent weekend, he cornered Phil Rizzuto to find out just how it felt to be a “faded veteran.” It could have been like pulling teeth, but Cosell deftly got his answer. Maybe he has a predeliction for finding out how long the oldtimers think they’re going to last, but he hit jockey Eddy Arcaro with that tack too, and again got his answer. Pro¬ gram is not without it’s spot news value, since Cosell nailed new Mil¬ waukee Braves manager Fred Haney the day he was named to the job. It was a transcribed tele¬ phone interview, so close after the fact that it amounted to a news beat among all media. Art Radio Followups Ted Lewis should kudo his diskery ballyhooist judging by the concentrated impact this past post¬ midnight week oh New York’s deejay shows. Keyed to Lewis’ debut at the Waldorf’s Starlight Roof next week, and in keeping with the veteran showman's 45th anni, it is surprising how effective his style is projected on wax. He has beeii a prolific recording artist and the platter-chatterers have more than risen to the occasion with kudos and small-talk for the “highhat.ted • tragedian of jazz.” Airing of his wax works discloses an impressive catalog of standards over the years. Abel. Heatherton to WABD Ray Heatherton is moving to WABD, N.Y., on July 9 to do a noon to 1 strip for Darling Stores. The “Merry Mailman” of longtime association with rival WOR-TV, will appear as a fireman. Stanza, inked via Getschal agency for Darling, which has half spon¬ sorship, replaces the three-week old juve program fronted by Paul Ashley and his puppets. WOR re¬ ports Heatherton will do a show for them this fall. Schenectady—Don Blair, former program director of WPTR in Al¬ bany, has joined the announcing staff of WRGB-TV. He worked in midwest television before affiliat¬ ing with WPTR. NBC-TV’s Tennis Wrapup NBC-TV will carry the National Singles Championship tennis matches from Forest Hills on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 8 and 9, from 2 to 5 p.m. on both days Network is scratching around for some sponsor interest now that it has the telecasts pinned down. Pickup will mark the ninth suc¬ cessive year the network has carried the matches, probably a record for any sporting event. TV Webs Set Camera Directors for Pooled Coverage of Conventions Latest step in wrapping up this summer’s political convention cov¬ erage is the appointment by the networks of executive camera di¬ rectors for the pooled camera cov¬ erage of the Chicago and San Francisco meetings, with CBS-TV's Don Quinlan getting the nod for the Republican setto in San Fran¬ cisco and NBS-TV’s Robert Doyle tapped for the same role at the Demo meet in Chicago. ABC will handle pooled radio coverage for both conventions, with chief oper¬ ating engineer Bill Trevarthen in charge of the operation. Both Quinlan and Doyle are vet special events directors, the lat¬ ter having handled the pooled cov¬ erage of both conventions in 1952. Doyle, currently a member of NBC’s Washington news staff, was also in on the ’48 conventions and also has handled White House tele¬ casts for both Presidents Eisen¬ hower and Truman. Quinlan, for¬ mer exec producer at KNXT, Los Angeles, directed the pooled pick¬ up of the A-Bomb tests in Nevada, the dedication of CBS Television City in Hollywood and other Coast specials. Trevarthen is another convention veteran, besides, which he’s worked on the development of miniature transmission devices to be used on the convention floor, like the pocket-lighter-sized radio receiver brought out by Philco for •use by ABC in this years conven¬ tions. Oakland’s New AM’er San Francisco, June 26. Construction has begun on ; new 10,000-watt radio station, in Oakland and the independent out¬ let, tentatively called KPOO, ex¬ pects to be on the air within three months. Owner is Grant R. Wrathall, of Aptos, Calif., who applied to the FCC for a construction permit al¬ most five years ago. His permit would have expired in August if he hadn’t started building. Inside Stuff—Radio-TV For the fifth consecutive year, New York indie WLIB will cover the national convention of the National Association for the Advance¬ ment of Colored People, to be held in the Civic Auditorium, San Fran¬ cisco, June 26-July 1. Henry Lee Moon, NAACP public relations director, will act as com¬ mentator, taping a 15-minute account of the proceedings, which will be flown to New York nightly. WLIB will spot the tape 9 to 9:15 p.m., June 27 to July 2. As in previous years, the convention coverage is expected to be sponsored by an institutional-minded advertiser. Howard Berk has joined CBS Radio as trade editor, replacing Harry Feeney, who moved over to the trade post at CBS Television several weeks ago. Berk, who reports to CBS press chief George Crandall, is former eastern publicity director of MCA-TV. He also worked with the Dave Alber flackery and did publicity for a couple of years for the New York Yankees. Locale for the NARTB annual conventions were projected for the next four years by the Assn, board of directors last week. Next year’s powwow will be held in Chicago, April 7-11, at the Conrad Hilton Hotel. In 1958 the convention shifts to Los Angeles, April 28-May 1, at the Biltmore and Statler hotels. For 1959 and 1960, it’s back to Chicago at the Conrad Hilton. The 1959 assembly takes place March 15-19. The following year it’s April 3-7. Dennis James will stroll through a fully-set stage for two-and-a-half minutes Saturday night (30) with a live cut-in on “Damon Runyon Theatre” on CBS-TV to plug his “High Finance” audience-partici- pationer which bows In the same time slot the following week. James will stroll through the “High Finance” set, explaining how the game will work. Believed the first such live pickup of its kind, the James stint will originate from the Maxine Elliott Theatre, which will house the show. James will come on for his plug stint right after the opening billboard of “Runyon,” which Is being sponsored for its last couple of outings by Mennen, the “High Finance” bankroller. Radio Advertising Bureau is engaging in a streak of sales “blitzes” in 22 large radio cities beginning this week. Special pitches have been prepared for advertisers in 40 different product categories. In attempting to pinpoint the specific ad problems of a given area, RAB hopes to influence regional advertisers into spending more radio coin. Sessions open this week and continue for five days, in Boston. RAB’s veep John Hardesty and salesmen Ted Maxwell, Jim Baker and John Curry will do the .alking. From the Production Centres -— ■■ - ■■ Continued from page 24 — host for the films and will stay in the segment Monday through Friday . . . WBZ-TV’s “Big Brother” Bob Emery presents “The Salem Story” at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday (27), part of a series featuring outstanding historical events in the development of N. E. ’. . . Ruthann Faber of WN4C-TV p.r. staff and Frances Greenberg of Embassy Pictures vaca¬ tioning at Miami Beach . .. WEEI sales department added Patti O’Con¬ nell to secretarial staff this week . . . Ralph Morse, WEEI newscaster, taking the 6 p.m. news while Ed Myers is on vacation . .. W*. H. Robin¬ son, WEEI transmitter and studio engineer for 14 years, ankled Satur¬ day (23) to become project engineer with Sylvania Electric Co. . . . Don Sherman joined W.BOS Monday Monday (25) after a stint disk jocking at WAFB, Baton Rouge, La. . . . Gerry Bottorff, continuity editor for WEEI, out ‘of the hospital after a bout with “strep” throat . . . “I Search for Adventure” film series bought for WNAC-TV by Jim Pike, film director, this week . . . WBZ-TV bought five half-hour films featuring key UN personalities, “Guest of Honor” this week . . . Charles Ashley, WEEI news editor, vacationing on his boat. KV PHILADELPHIA . . . Fred Bennett, WPEN early morning deejay for past five years, ankles to “Voice of America,” Washington in Mid-July . . . Gregory Simonsen, musical maitre’d and winner on the “$64,000 Question” exited Belle- vue-Stratford Hotel here for job on West Coast with Kaiser Industriei . . . “Gangbuster” team of Jerry Williams and Harry Smith will be reunited this week at the Embers, uptown nightspot . . . Ed' McMahon, Bill.'Hart and Carney C. Carney, WCAU-TV personalities, to make appearances at various home developments . . . Bud Brees, WPEN disk jockey, made guest appearances on Wilson Line Cruise (22, 23) . . . Donn Bennett’s “Big Idea,” one of town’s oldest live sessions, takes a summer vacation, returning in the fall on film . . . Paul Parker, re¬ places Howard Burnett as production manager at WIP. Burnett has been moved to station’s sales staff . . . Final round of the Daily News golf tournament carried on “Monitor” (23, 24) over WRCV . . . Bill Taylor, recently from Buffalo, subbing for WIP deejay Bob Minifee . . . Eddie Felbin (Frank Ford) co-producer of the Valley Forge Music Fair and emcee of a daily WPEN stanza, has added a Sat. a.m. program of show tunes on WIP to his chores. IN SAN FRANCISCO . . . Joe Thompson, NBC-TV exec, made a pitch for privilege denied Frisco dailies, was turned down last weekend. For Arlene Francis “Home” show NBC intended to film political and domestic life of Elizabeth Smith, zealous Adlai worker in Frisco area, planned to take pix of her washing dishes at home, then making policy in session of Stevenson delegates in Monterey last Saturday. But California Attor¬ ney General Pat Brown, Stevenson’s state chief, had told press meet¬ ing was closed, refused to grant NBC a right denied the dailies . . . Don Sherwood vacationing with his newly-discovered ulcer; Ray Goman Jr. is filling in on “San Francisco Tonight” at KGO . . . Big question in Wanda Ramey’s (KCBS's Jane Todd) mind is what’s going to happen to new portrait of her which Warner Philip just finished . . . TV Car¬ toon Productions has contracted with Marty Links, creator of news-' paper cartoon “Bobby Sox,” for use of panel characters in animated tv commercials . . . Arthur Godfrey’s doing five shows in Frisco area . . . KRON bought 150 Old Warner Bros, pix from Associated Artists —it was KRON’s biggest purchase to date. IN PITTSBURGH . . . Harold C, Lund, g.m. of KDKA-TV, named to board of directors of local branch of Pennsylvania School for the Blind . . . Deejay Jay Michael has taken his family on a two-week motor tour through New England and Canada . . . Johnny McFadden now doing his W^AKU platter show every Tuesday from musician Joey Vance’s roadside eat¬ ery . Lloyd Chapman, sales manager at Channel 2, dons his major’s uniform and goes to Indiantown Gap, Pa., first two weeks In July for his annual army reserve training . . . Jack Henry, news chief at KQV, began his 10th year at station . . . Stephanie Diamond Cohen and her daughter, Barbara, off to Provincjftown, Mass., for a vacation . . . Car¬ men Conderato, of KQV secretariat, shoved off for a fortnight in Florida ... Ed and Wendy King, of KDKA “Party Line,” to Cuba and Nassau, with Bill Nesbit taking over their nightly chat-and-telephone stanza. IN CLEVELAND . . . Ron Penfound joins Paul Wilcox in a new WEWS sports-news stint . . . WICA-TV folded its UHF operation . . . Clyde Horn, known as “Hunky Mike,” started a series of telecasts on KYW-TV . . . Chris and Bill Gordon have legally split matrimonially. Gordon’s a WHK deejay . . . Louis Hardin of New York filed $75,000 suit against Storer Broad¬ casting asking for an injunction to prevent WJW from using the name “Moondog” . . . Sam Levine pacted to emcee new hour-long series of bowling films • . , WDOK’s Dottle Mallin doing her spiels from home where she’s recuperating from pneumonia , . . Cleveland Press radio¬ tv editor Stan Anderson conducting his annual “guest writers” drive . . . Ethel Boros, assistant radio-tv editor, The News, into New York . .. Lew Russell resigned from WJW “Moondog House” chores. IN DALLAS ... . Bob Lidz, KFJZ-TV, Fort Worth, flack, resigned for a N. Y. ad agency venture. Edith Milliken took his post . . . Bruce Hayes, pro¬ gram director-deejay at KLIF, gave up the p.d. slot, assumed by Ken Knox, another d.j. . . . Tom Amoury, KRLD-TV announcer, left his slot to return to N. Y. Gordon Sanders, ex-KGKO d.j. and lately a KLIF mobile news truck reporter, joined the KRLD-TV announcing staff . , . King Calder, in the new national company of “No Time for Sergeants” at State Fair Musicals, guested with Julie Benell on her WFAA-TV daily show. Both were in a Broadway play together years ago . . . Jack Gordon, Forth Worth Press columnist, promoted his city’s annual Soap Box Derby for kids on Ann Alden’s KLFJZ-TV show. IN MINNEAPOLIS . . . Warblers Felicia Sanders and Don Cherry and the Toppers Inked for annual WCCO Radio Aquatennial July 21 summer festival show to be headlined by Peter Lind Hayes and Mary Healy. Show is played before large live audiences of payees and also goes out over air . . , KSTP’s softball team victorious over WCCO . . . KSTP-TV director John Degan to march to altar June 30 with Renee Ann Berg, Arthur Murray dance instructor. Another KSTP staffer, Roger Rude, night tv production facilities coordinator, wedded to Margaret Logan . . . Excelsior Amusement Park scheduled second annual “Axel Day” for Clellan Card, WCCO-TV personality whose kid show, “Axel and His Dog,” has attained high rating . . . Mel Jass of WCCO-TV emceed 24th annual Svenskaras Dag celebration . . . Dr. Paul Johnson, Twin Cities* first radio announcer, now an Albany, Ore., physician, a recent guest on Bob DeHaven’s WCCO Radio “As You Like It” program. Through DeHaven’s efforts on same show 20 Stillwater state prison inmates now have obtained jobs, qualifying for parole. DeHaven is continuing his good work.