Variety (July 1956)

30 RADIO REVIEWS Wednesday, July 11, 1956 BANDSTAND, U.S.A. With Guy Wallace, Duke Elling¬ ton, George Shearing, Teddy Wilson, Bud Shank, Count Basie, others Producer-director: Tommy Rey¬ nolds 120 Mins.; Sat., 8 p.m. MBS, from N. Y. Kudos goes to Mutual for bringing back live on radio some of the top bands and musical talent in the country for a regular Saturday night two-hour stanza of swing, pop and rock ’n’ roll. It is the only such program on radio today, al¬ though NBC is offering a similar programming plan to. its affiliates for morning weekday airing. The preem show hit its high- point with a live pickup from the American Jazz Festival at New¬ port, R. I., airing Duke. Ellington and his band, the Bud Shank Quartet and pianist Teddy Wil¬ liams. The live quality of the en¬ tire format adds excitement and intimacy, qualities which radio can use in its bid to retain and expand its audience. Enhancing the flavor of live music with«American audi¬ ences also could be of economic advantage to U.S. musicians, prob¬ ably one factor why the program¬ mer won the endorsement of the American Federation of Musi¬ cians, a facet which was mentioned on the program. Initial show was strictly jazz, al¬ though future Saturday ' nights promise to include pop music and rock ’n’ roll. Despite its overall appeal, the show is not without its weakness¬ es. One, there is no regular intro¬ duction of the numbers to be played, or a recapitulation of tunes already aired. Two, on the remote pickups, an announcer could be utilized to advantage for local col¬ or and intros. But these are weak¬ nesses which could easily be cor¬ rected. As is, the show offers socko musical entertainment. Guy Wal¬ lace functions ably as emcee, tell¬ ing a little of the background and style of each band. The lineup of orchs, etc., is being handled by former maestro Tommy Reynolds, now Mutual’s music coordinator. On the preem, pianist George Shearing opened with a half-hour of individualized jazz improvising on a number of tunes. The show then switched to the Jazz Festival, where Rev. Father Norman O’Con¬ nor, an instructor of jazz at Bos¬ ton U., was on hand to tell of fes¬ tival activities. Duke Ellington, after introducing members of his band, swung into “Black and Tan Fantasy” and “Tea for Two.” The Budd Shank Quartet and pianist Teddy Wilson also did some heady performing. In fitting style, the program closed with Count Basie, picking him up at his Broadway Birdland stand for the last half- hour. Horo. OUT OF YOUR MIND With Hal Stark Producer: Pat Weaver Writer: Laurence Alexander 30 Mins.; Sun., 4:30 p.m. LOCAL LOAN WBBM, Chicago Leave it to the WBBM program¬ ming braintrust to come up with something unique in the prowl for offbeat material that’ll titilate the apathetic radio audience. At least a few ears ought to prick up at the sound on local radio of Dylan Thomas and Archibald MacLeish reading a couple of their poems, as was the case on session checked ( 8 ). Transcribed voices of the two poets were part of the unusual programming scheme whereby the words and/or writing of famous authors are used to dramatize the emotions common to everyone. For instance, narrator Hal Stark gave a polished reading to excerpts from Poe’s "The Cask Of Amontillado” as a classical delineation of re¬ venge. One of Thomas’ "Recollec¬ tions of Childhood” was used to delightfully recall the daily ad¬ ventures of kiddom and MacLeish read his definition of beauty — “Not Marble Nor the Gilded Monu¬ ments.” Stark handles the live gabbing with professional polish. It was good, if specialized, listening, and certainly different. Local Loan, with its discreet institutional plugs, is apparently using the rather erudite vehicle to avoid the "loan shark” onus. Dave. •64G’ Now in Canada Canadian distributor for Revlon, the Thomas Sales Agency Ltd., has set Revlon’s “$64,000 Question” on Canadian television via a spot- booked lineup of 18 indie Canadian outlets. Series started on the sta¬ tions this week. Harold F. Stanfield Ltd., agency for Thomas, handled the deal,.. Chi’s Alex Dreier Gets ‘Monitor’ Slot to Sound Off on His USSR Visit Alex Dreier, in an unusually terse, sharp commentary from Chi¬ cago on NBC’s Saturday (7) “Moni¬ tor,” said on his recent visit to Russia: there are no night clubs in Moscow and only a few motion pic¬ ture houses (including one for 3-D); the only place he observed laughter was at a one-ring circus in the heart of the city; opera and ballet are the “rage” and rightly so, because they are “excellent”; a dinner at Praga Restaurant, which in the U. S. would cost $25 for several persons, brought a check for $122; it took “a week” to obtain a drink of vodka; people line up to buy any type of soft drink, even though it contains “coal tar” (Dreier’s words so sounded); chocolate costs $5, or¬ anges $3, and lemons, 75c. Dreier added that he and an Illinois photographer had shot al¬ most 4,000 feet of color film, and many still pictures, which were not censored, even inspected, be¬ cause Krushchev and Bulganin wish to prove conditions in the So¬ viet are much different now. Mos¬ cow, whose streets are washed down each morning by women, is the “cleanest” city Dreier ever visited. Body soap, he continued, is “bad, and there are no deodor¬ ants”; Russian women wear no makeup. Dreier did not notice a single new suit in Russia, except some worn by Army men and high officials. B & K are giving the Russian people a slight bit more or different each week, although neither the latter nor newspaper¬ men “know for sure what is going on.” Observing that he had principal¬ ly seen Moscow, which is used “as a showcase” and therefore may not be typical of Russia as a whole, the NBC commentator reported a Soviet air show witnessed was far inferior to American ones he had caught. This comment came at the end. Morgan Beatty, a “Monitor” communicator, called attention to the fact it was a layman’s impres¬ sion, and not that of “our military experts.” Jaco. JUST ENTERTAINMENT With Pat Buttram, Betty Martin, Jack Halloran, Singers (4), But¬ tram Band Producer: Jerry Sperling Director: Lee Armentrout Writer: Dale Harrison 15 Mins., Mon.-thru-Fri., 1:45 p.m. (CDT) WRIGLEY CBS, from Chicago (Ruthrauff & Ryan ) When Wrigley dropped Gene Autry recently, the gum maker latched on to this Ruthrauff & Ryan package. It’s a pleasantly diverting quarter-hour mixture of cornball humor, homegpun phil¬ osophy, music and lciw-pressure commercials. Pat Buttram delivered well with a straight countryboy accent, a welcome change from the cracked voice he used on the Autry radio and tv entries. Musical segments of the show fitted the format well. Vocalist Betty Martin did okay on her two numbers on the opener (she’ll alternate with singer Garry Wells), the Buttram Band beat out "South of the Border,” and Jack Halloran’s quartet ended the show with “When Shadows Fall.” The hausfrau should find this an agreeable change from the day¬ time soapers. It should sell gum, too, with the commercials cleverly woven irfto Buttram’s gabbing. Don. CAPITOL SHOWCASE With Pete Dreyer 150 Mins.; Mon.-thru-Fri., 3:15 p.m. PARTICIPATING WROW, Albany A wide variety of music is turn- tabled on this afternoon marathon paced by Pete Dreyer. During 4 to 5 p.m. segment, Dreyer features a rate-the-records contest in which he plays four new platters and re¬ quests dialers to postcard their evaluations. Each day’s winner receives a chosen album. On a show of this length, some drag is almost inevitable, allowing for that, "Capitol Showcase” is listenable. Dreyer has a deep, rather pleasant voice and a good knowledge of music. He might strive for more tonal color and de¬ livery flexibility. The personality phase is not pressed. Spot an¬ nouncements are capably handled. There are timeouts for news roundups. Jaco. Memphis — Dick Covington, Memphis disk jockey, has been upped to program director of WCAO, Baltimore.' PSkiETY EDDY ARNOLD SHOW* With Marvin Hughes, Joan Hager, Anita Kerr Vocal Quartet, Dotty Dillard; Bill Allen, announcer Producer: Clifford Thomas 30 Mins., Mon.-thru-Fri., 8 p.m. PARTICIPATING CBS, from Nashville (transcribed) "Eddy Arnold Show,” which be¬ gan last week vice the Jack Carson presentation as CBS’ 8 p.m. cross- the-boarder, was trying to offer a little bit to satisfy everybody along the radio network’s hookup. But despite Joan Hager’s rich rendition of "It Only Hurts for a Little While” and her theatrical "I’m In Love With a Wonderful Guy,” and despite the offbeat jazzism of "In the Good Old Summer Time,” the program’s broad appeal was for lovers of the country & western approach. Arnold’s small range was wide enough for him to punch home a couple of songs, the hillbilly "But You Don’t Know Me” to the in¬ spirational “He.” But his manner of speech was forced and insincere; the hammy yocks and amiable chatter were penned for a host bet¬ ter used to delivering in the casual style of an ad liber. Marvin Hughes, who does musical arrange¬ ments on the radio half-hour, also sang on Thursday’s (5) program. Though not endowed with a voice of distinction, he made a go of it with “I Got Nothing to Sing the Blues About Blues.” Best of the chirping on this particular stanza was done by the Anita Kerr Quar¬ tet—very professional in “Standing on the Corner” and in support of Arnold in “Summertime.” Dotty Dillard strained at a couple of bad jokes. Bill Allen, the announcer, was much more successful in lend¬ ing his deep voice vis-a-vis Arnold. This Nashville production went in for all the corny “gang” re¬ sponse (hoots, laughter and atmos¬ phere of confusion) that typifies country & western shows. Some listeners might call it “folksy.” Art. SYMPHONY FUND SHOW 360 Mins.; Sat. 6 p.m. KHON, Honolulu Hawaii’s longhair and medium- longhair disk jocks got together last week for a six-hour sustainer on behalf of the Honolulu Sym¬ phony orchestra’s annual fund drive. Show emerged as a neat ex¬ ample of the sort of cooperation that’s being fostered by Honolulu’s radio stations these days. It also ran entirely too long for maximum effect. Spinning disks during the mara¬ thon were Ben Hyams, Ed Sheehan and Ned Will, of KGMB; Owen Cunningham, KGU; Gene Taylor, KIKI; Bob Miller, KAHU; Tad Eto, KHON; Tom Lonergan, KAIM-FM. The lads deserve an E for effort, though not necessarily an A for achievement. One of the partici¬ pating jocks showed signs of want¬ ing to turn the program into a talkathon rather than a musical marathon. Ben Hyams and Ed Sheehan seemed most at home, Hyams hav¬ ing prepared a competent script just as he does for his weekly “American Factors Music Hour” and Sheehan making with the ad i libs and occasional chuckles in his role as host. Gene Taylor, seldom at a loss for words on his own KIKI programs, held his voicing to a minimum and let the music carry the load. Each jock picked music repre¬ sentative of his own type of show but it’s doubtful if many listeners held on for all six hours. Tighter packaging would have made the cooperative effort more effective. Walt, ROCK ROLL CALL With Pee Wee Harris* Marty Ross 30 Mins.; Mon.-thru»Sat., 7:30 p.m. PARTICIPATING WABY, Albany Program, said to be the first of its kind aired here six nights a week with sponsors, is announced by Pee Wee Harris, who has brought many Negro bands to Al¬ bany, and Marty Ross, a regular dee jay at the station. Although titled as “Rock ’n’ Roll,” half-hour is equivalent to a rhythm-and- blues stanza. Audience targeted is wider and older than teenagers, based on two blocks heard. Show should please the group liking the styles of recorded music presented. The orchs and vocalists featured do not seem to be pri¬ marily of the mass appeal type, which is perhaps as expected. Har¬ ris. who knows this particular field of jazz and who speaks on the basis of personal contacts with some of its -artists, might sharpen his dic¬ tion, watch mike stance and check difficult pronunciations. A relative newcomer to radio, he teams well with Ross. The latter registers surely, if sometimes in kidding fashion and a bit verbose; punches the commercials authoritatively. There are six sponsors. Events for particular areas and groups are tabbed. • Jaco. From the Production Centres . Continued from pi'ge 26 — « post to head up the web’s Detroit office, replacing Bud Swats, who ha« joined Life mag . . . WBKB exec producer Grover J. Allen, producer- directors Richy Victor and Carl Tubbs and director Herb Cuniff has drawn assignments for ABC-TV’s coverage of the Demo nominating convention here next month . . . Andy Murphy, former CBS publicitor, now with the Quaker Oats public relations department . . . NBC cen¬ tral division news chief Chet Hagen, who’ll direct the web’s radio coverage of the GOP Frisco convention, flies to the Coast next week to check up on the Cow Palace broadcasting layout. IN BOSTON . . . Big switch in radio format upcoming at WBZ following new WBZ- TV programming start which came Saturday (7) night with preem of new tv show, “Saturday Night Hop,” with disk jocks Norm Prescott and Allan Dary co-hosting, live singers Pat Boone, Johnnie Ray, Teddi King and Steve Lawrence, songwriters and publishers and film clips . . . Special films of N. E. vacation spots set for WBZ-TV’s “Victor Best” news program at 6:30 p.m. . . . WBZ-WBZA signed this frame to broadcast Harvard football games next fall with Leo Egan and Lirtdy Miller broadcasting the entire eight-game sked . . . Carl Desuze, WBZ personality, back from vacash , . . W. C. Swartley, veep of Westinghouse and formerly gen. mgr. of WBZ-WBZ-TV, retired as prexy of the Rotary Club of Boston and was appointed a director . . . Dave Rodman from WEIM, Fitchburg, to WNAC this week . . . WEEI’s traveling re¬ porter Priscilla Fortesque, back from Hollywood, taping interviews with summer theatre circuit stars . . . Marie Houlihan, WEEI pressagent, readying for west coast vacash . . . Louise Morgan, WNAC-TV hostess of “Dear Homemaker,” will be feted at Foxboro Racetrack y;ith feature race named in her honor, “Louise Morgan” Trophy Race, with Miss Morgan presenting the trophy to the winning sulky rider on Saturday, July 21. She Joined other broadcasters in New York Monday and Tues¬ day (9-10) for the annual New York Fashion Show at the New York Dress Institute. /JV PHILADELPHIA ... Lloyd E. Yoder, v.p. and general manager for NBC’s Philadelphia station’s, WRCV and WRCV-TV, was named to two civic posts during the past week, to the board of corporators of the Women’s Medical College and to the board of directors of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia . . . Charles Vanda, v.p, in charge of tv for WCAU, is having circus talent of Europe scouted by Leo Grund for future appear¬ ances on “Big Top,” the weekly circus show he produced for the CBS network . . . Radio Station WIP has been presented with the Poor Richard Club Almanack Medal and Certificate in recognition of its cooperation in promoting the Benjamin Franklin 250th anniversary celebration. Benedict Gimbel Jr., prexy and general manager of WIP, accepted the medal . . . WDAS’ Mitch Thomas and WHAT’s Kae Wil¬ iams have formed a partnership in a record firm of their own— K & M Records . . . WRCV announced three appointments this week. John P. Wiley was named director of advertising and" promotion for WRCV- TV; Robert Fillmore, director of advertising and promotion for WRCV, and Gene E. Stout director of publicity for both stations . . . Rumors to the contrary there will be no return teamup for WIP’s former gag- buster, Jerry Williams and Harry Smith. Smith is working at a Wil¬ mington station and summer fill-in at WIP. IN MINNEAPOLIS . . . Harry Zimmerman’s KSTP Sunday all-night disk jockey show switched from “country style” to “sweet and low, soft and slow” music . . . WLOL brought in singer Russ Miller for its sponsored dance at Excelsior Amusement Park . . . WTCN and Dick and Don Maw orch combining to turn local Hotel Park Plaza ballroom into a teenager night club . . . J. E. McNaughton, Effingham, Ill., Daily News president and F. F. and W. D. McNaughton, Pekin, Ill., Daily Times publishers, launching tv station at Aberdeen, S. D. It’ll be the 18th in the Minne¬ apolis territory . . . Sherm Booen, WCCO-TV aviation expert and star of “World of Aviation” show, flies once a week to American Legion School Patrol Camp at Brainerd, Minn., • to conduct an “aviation night,” a combination of films, panel session and question and answer period . . . Johnny Morris' KSTP radio daytime musical show being extended two hours . . . KEYD-TV launching weekly show that reveals history and achievements of 50 prominent Minneapolis area indu cf ””s . . . KSTP-TV introducing “The Whistler” series to area . . , With Halsey Hall, vet newspaper sports writer and radio announcer at < .± mike, WCCO Radio broadcast the U. of Minnesota’s final two games in the college 1 world series at Omaha, won by the Goph" IN SAN FRANCISCO . . . The first week of July was Arthur Godfrey Week in Frisco, with Godfrey grabbing plenty of newspaper space—favorable, for a change —with six shows in Frisco, and one at Castle Air Base from nearby Merced. Godfrey did only one show, from the Frisco Opera House, publicly, but he brought 3,000 persons out for that one at 5 o’clock in the afternoon. Among the 3,000 was George Rosen, vacationing radio-tv editor of Variety. Happy publicity breaks were due in large part to Henry Untfermeyer, new KCBS boss, KCBS flack Bill Cullen- ward and KPIX flack Don Mills . . . Replacing Don Sherwood in KYA’s early afternoon deejay slot is Bruce Vanderhoof, ex-Seattle and Salt Lake City platter-spinner . . . Channel 8, Salinas, got the FCC’s go- ahead to increase power, install color equipment, will move its trans¬ mitter ... New directors of KQED are Paul Bissinger, W. P. Fuller Brawner, Mrs. Stuart Rawlings Jr. and Harold Spears . . . Frisco super¬ visors commended KNBC’s Marjorie King for her “Careers Unlimited for Women” ... a Stamford graduate student, William Wente, is spending a six-week “interneship” at KRON in preparation for writing a thesis on tv . . . Dave Baxter, out as a KSFO deejay, picked up with KYA . . . new KFRC salesman is Ben Munson, late of Omaha . . . Joseph L. Canlan has left KCCC-TV, Sacramento, to join H-R Repre¬ sentatives, Frisco . . . KYA’s general manager, Irv Phillips, signed up with Nilsen’s Broadcasting Service, Melbourne, for a half-hour daily relay during the Olympic Games—Aussies’ Fred Tupper will air the shortwave reports. IN CLEVELAND . . . WJW radio and tv signed NABET contract with maximums ranging from $119 in radio to $145 in tv . . . Bob Evans moving out of WDOK spots directorship . . . Virgil Wolff joined KYW-TV sales . . . KYW dropped NBC afternoon radio network . . . Joe Mulvlhill’s new all-night KYW radio disk show picked up Hillside Dairy spot campaign and Shell Oil pacted 12 five-minute weekend newscasts on KYW’s “Open Road Ohio” . . . Alleen Green named promotion-publicity director for Office Gal mag . . . Joe Gilmore of Lorain Journal named editor of Cleveland TV Guide, and Vie Smigel, promotion manager . . . Jack Silverthorne, Hippodrome, and Maurice Condon, TV Guide, named edi¬ tors of “Page One” book of Newspaper' Guild and Press Club . . . WSRS launched $5,000 contest on “Why I Listen to WSRS” . . . Don McGannon, Westinghouse B’casting president, in town ifor visit . . . Phil McLean did ship-to-shore jockey stint and Louise Winslow acted as hostess in WERE’s opening night promotional with sailing of Aquarama.