Variety (October 1958)

50 RABIO-mETISIOX Vednegday, October 8, 1958 PKnXBFr Foreign TV Reviews \ CoBtisned from pat* 35 ; as chairman, are lively Individual¬ ists who speak their minds frankly and never miss a debating trick. In the current panel are two ex- Cabinet Ministers—one on each side of the political fence. One is Peter Thomeycroft, who resigned his position as Chancellor of the Exchequer at the beginning of this year because he didn’t see eye to eye with his Government col¬ leagues. The other is Emanuel Shin well, who held office in the Labor Governments from 1945 until they were defeated by the Tories some years later. W. J. Brown, a rugged Independent, is on the Conservative side and An¬ thony Wedgwood Benn, a cultured Socialist completes the Opposition team. Chairman Frank Byers plays no part other than to present the problem to be discussed. In program'reviewed there were only two topics for discussion — Archbishop Makarios’s latest pro¬ posal for a settlement of the Cyprus crisis and the brighter picture pre¬ sented by the latest balance of pay¬ ments returns. Surprisingly, it was the latter subject that led to the more vigorous argy-bargy between the two teams. The program may be a little hard to digest immedi¬ ately after the traditional Sunday luneh and could easily justify a better slot. Myro. WHACK-O! With Jimmy Edwards, Arthur Howard, Peter Qlase, June Whit¬ field, Christopher Hey, Frank Middleman, John Stirling, David Langford, Edwin Apps, Michael Stalnton, Hugo de Vernier, John Lewis, others. Writers: Frank Muir and Denis Norden Producer: Douglas Moodie. 30 miiis., Tues., 7:30 pan. BfiC-TV, from London. Based on the events at a shady British private school, this follow¬ up BBC-TV serifes starring come¬ dian Jimmy Edwards, is good slap¬ stick fun. Edwards, who was at one time a school teacher, plays his role as headmaster with plenty of gusto and spits out the gags in his inimitable manner. He’s a natural for the part and is. ably backed by a well picked supporting cast. The script, by one .of Britain's top comedy writing teams, Frank Muir and Denis Norden, is tailored to the comic's style. New series kicked off with a yarn about a SundSy paper drive to clean up the private school racket Edwards discovered that one of his new pupils had been planted by the paper and with the aid of his crazy second in-charge, played by Arthur Howard, saved the day via several hilarious situations.. DDS ABWERBUNG (The Resignation) With Rosel Schaefer, Arne Madin, Lotte Braekebusch, Frits Schmiedel, Horst Tappert Director: Rolf Haedrich Producer: Hessischer Rundfnk Writer: Erich Kuby €0 Mins.; Tlmrs., 8:20 pjn. West German TV, from Frankfurt This one, intelligently written by Erich Kuby on request by Hessi- •cher Rundfunk. is another (the fourth on local tv) contribution to • the unholy German postwar situa¬ tion. It’s an ideological drama about the divided Germany and its tragic consequences, depicted via the fate of an East German family in a very convincing manner. Story concerns a well-situated West German architect who visits a befriended family in East Ger¬ many. There is nothing but talk along the 60 minutes, but the dia¬ log between the West German and the East Germans is so tight and powerful that the audience’s in¬ terest never lets up. It reveals the tragedy of freedom-abiding people who are forced to live under a re- ,«««* ^ .^ 1 ^, gime which their view upon life ^generous he revealed. Another vic- simply cannot accept. The East German woman in this temporarily plays with the thought to flee with her son to W-Germany, but then realizes that she must stay for the sake of her family and (she still owns an enterprise) also her em¬ ployees who believe in her. Piece ends without much hope. Author doesn't know how to solve this East-West problem. One East German thinks that war would be the only solution (since only war would make them get rid of the regime), but the author rejects such a ’‘solution.” War would prob¬ ably mean the end of everything. He hopes for another solution, even if many, many years (for many perhaps too many?) may pass by. It’s a piece that forces upon meditation. It may also open the eyes of those, who have it so good that they are inclined to forget about those unfortunate people who know the word freedom only in connection with propaganda slogans. Acting was satisfactory. Direction by Rolf Haedrich de¬ served the compliment of being outstanding. Technical credits were very good Hans. KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY With Bill Owen, others Producer: John Irwin Director: Colin Clews 30 Mins., Mon., 8 pjn. Associated Television from. London Making its bow. In the fall sched¬ ules, the British Version of this American game will have to over¬ come many teething troubles to justify its peak viewing slot. On its first outing, “Keep It In The Family” lacked any spirit of com¬ petition, chiefly because questions were far too simple. In his first resident role as emcee of a quiz show, actor and panelist Bill Owen muffed his chores and displayed nerves. The rules of the game were not clearly or completely ex¬ plained and Owen was never mas¬ ter of the situation. The families contesting in the opening show each comprising five members, were hardly taxed by the questions which included listing 10 male names beginning with “A”; 10 types of footwear; and 10 games played with one ball Prizes, however, were attractive, ranging from a complete suite of dining room furniture, to a fully comprehensive sports outfit. This game has the makings of a solid quiz offering, but first the rough patches will have to he smoothed out. Bary. PEOPLE IN TROUBLE With Daniel Fanon, others Writer*: Stanley Craig, Nikola Sterne Director: Roll* Gamble 15 Min*., Toes., 18:45 pjn. Associated-Rediffusion from Lon¬ don B The effects of poliomyelitis and how victims cope with resultant disabilities was the subject for the first in a new series of Associated- Rediffusion's “People In Trouble.” The program has earned a worthy high reputation in the past for its forthrightness and candid, approach to a number of delicate subjects ranging from nudism to homesex- nality and, -under several different titles, has explored comical and serious facets of life. The offering is smoothly filmed and edited and the probe is conducted by Daniel Farson who has a likeable manner and doesn’t pull his punches. Program reviewed had Farson talking to some polio victims who had adapted themselves to *a new way of life. One, an ex-Army offi¬ cer completely paralyzed except for his head and permanently in an iron lung, demonstrated how he followed his new hobby between his teeth. He was completely de¬ pendent on his Army pension— and the authorities weren’t too tins, a doctor, confined to a wheel chair, said he now felt better adapted to practicing because he had more, sympathy with his pa¬ tients. Farson handled the inter¬ views with tact and a firth hand to make it an absorbing program. Bary. THE LARKINS With Peggy Mount, David Kosoff, Ronan O’Casey, Ruth Trovneer, Hilary Bamberger, Shaun O’Rl- ordan, others , Writer: Fred Robinson 45 Mins., Fri., 10:15 pan. Associated Television, from Lon¬ don i Scripter Fred Robinson makes his first entry into tv with a domes¬ tic comedy series about a cockney family which smacks of authentic¬ ity and has a lot of laugh mate¬ rial Offering has two very com¬ petent headliners in Peggy Mount and David Kossoff and there’s a solid supporting cast Both pro¬ duction and sets are good and the show looks set to capture a fair slice of the late night audience. FirsT situation, subtitled “Wide Open House,” had Peggy Mount staging a welcome home party for tiie son of the house who’d just completed his National Service. Kossoff opposed the idea on the grounds that it would be expensive and thht the boy had never been more than just a few miles from home. But mother, the tough member of the household, golfer way while pa acted as doorman. Bary. CAMERA TEST With Leslie Mitchell, others Director: Graham Watts 7 Mins., Tues., Wed., 6:53 pjn. Assoclated-Rediffusion from Lon¬ don Associated-Rediffuslon has com* up with an ambitious piece of tv in this short offering. Program, is designed to put little known pro¬ fessional performers before the cameras to do their stuff , as an au¬ dition in the hope that important show biz folk might be watching— and perhaps like what they see. Show has all the informality of an auditioning session and has Leslie Mitchell introducing the acts quick¬ ly and without any trimmings. Performers in the program caught included a song duo, a folk singer and a songstress. Before each-act, the artist’s name and agent was revealed. Accompani¬ ments were supplied by a piano. Acts were nothing outstanding, but a little coaching and polish could have turned any one of them into goodish bill fillers. Bary. Foreign TV Followup Sunday Night at the London Palladium With this entry, “Sunday Night at the London Palladium” returns with big league talent in its best bill of the season. Paul Robeson wax the headliner and the array of supporting acts was consistently good to make it a lively and en¬ tertaining program. On his initial tv program a few weeks back, Robeson made little or no concession to popular taste, but this time his program had wide appeal. WithXawrence Brown ac¬ companying on the invories his songalog started with “The Bon¬ nie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond” and finished with “Ole Man River,” the number with which he has al¬ ways been personally identified. His stint was completed with "Wa¬ ter Boy” and “Just A’Wearying For You” and provided an effective balance. His personality was as great as his voice. -One criticism which could be levelled at the bill was that there were too many singers. In ad¬ dition to the star, there was Eve Boswell and the Kalin Twins, each delivering a couple of numbers. Both were okay as far as they went, but more contrast jyould have been welcome. Jay Marshall provided the main comedy with his combined patter and magico act A shrewd TOP-DRAW FEATURE FILMS FOR TOP- NOTCH RATINGS! “THE SWEET 65” SCREEN t&GEMS, INC. TCLttBSIM SUBSIDIARY OF COLUMBIA PICTURES SURF. NEW YOU 711 fifth Ai ' CHICAGO Mew York 22 -HOLLYWOOD ft 1-4432 MIAMI HOUSTON TORONTO and well-timed routine, which put the accent on laughs. Bruce For¬ syth, the resident emcee, is set¬ tling dowh to the assignment and handled the “Beat the Clock” spot in a helpful and friendly way. But his solo turn, which comprised song and dance and piano bit, was some¬ what labored. The Tiller Girls gave another fine demonstration of precision dancing. Myro. Chelsea At Nine The Granada-TV policy of put¬ ting an international star at the top of the bill of its “Chelsea At Nine” weekly 60-minute variety of¬ fering, was continued when Isaac Stem headed the layout (30). The violinist gave a glittering perfor¬ mance of Saint Saens* “Rondo Capriccioso.” Some neat camera work added impact to Stem’s fault¬ less performance and captured his concentration. The Peter Knight orch, usually capable of any mu¬ sical chores, did not however on this occasion come quite up to the standard required. Making his second appearance on the program after scoring a hit the week before, American com¬ edian Don Adams failed to please as much as he had done previ¬ ously. His material was familiar and one routine about modem art was slow and obvious. Later in the show, however, he recaptured some of his former glory with his impressions on British films Hol¬ lywood style, and demonstrated his keen observation, A couple of Spanish dancers, Susana & Jose made a pleasant impression with a Flamenco dance routine. From Paris, The Yan Ma¬ rionettes “provided an average dis¬ play of puppetry. One of Britain’s I top swing bands, Johnny Dank¬ worth’s. made nice sounds on an original entitled “The Colonel’s Tune,” and in a tribute to Duke Ellington, when the outfit played a Dankworth arrangement of “Don’t Get Around Much Any More.” Band was mounted on what appeared to be scaffolding- with the sections scattered and when tiie cameras began to roam it proved to be distracting. As usual, the Granadiers, show’s resident song and dance team, turned out a' couple of faultless entries. Emcee LioneL Miirton appeared to have hit the right formula for handling tiie program and was concise, but radiated a lot of warmth. Bary. Vila Shopping Continued from'pas* 23 through the Christmas season. Bell & Howell has bought into the same skein for-two dates, Nov. 25 and Dec. 9. Bell Ac Howell in an extensive drive to push camera film equip¬ ment has purchased half-hour seg- | ments of “Ellery Queen” on Dec. 5 and 19, and-placed still another order on NBC for “Cimarron City” l on Dec. 6 and Dec. 20. | Elgin Watch Co. will attempt to hypo its Xmas sales by way of partial sponsorship of CBS-TV’s “Perry Mason” on Dec. 6 and-13, and the watch company has also bought into the Dec. 4 segment of “Playhouse A0,” on CBS-TV. Also on CBS-TV, Van Heusen has pur¬ chased partial sponsorship of seven i “Perry Mason” programs running I through the Christmas season. Ronson lighters in a stepped up I drive for sales has signed to bank¬ roll two one-quarter hour alternate week participations on the Arthur Godfrey daytime show starting this week and winding up in the latter part of December. At ABC-TV, Elgin Watch has agreed to co-sponsor “Cheyenne” on Dec. 2. Menhen -has placed an order for Gold Crest on American Bandstand on Dec. 11 and Mars also will pick up partial sponsor¬ ship of the Dick' Clark show from the first of Oct to the middle of Dec. In addition to the heavy schedule of participations and one-shots that is currently being placed, the drive to pick up the Christmas coin is being conducted via specials. Hall¬ mark cards will sponsor two spe¬ cials, “Kiss Me Kate,” on Nov. 21 on NBC-TV and the second “Christ¬ mas Tree” on Dec. 14 also on NBC. U. S. Time is pencilled in for two specs also, the first falling on Nov. 22 and the second on Dec. 22. Both are NBC-TV shows with Jerry Lewis. At CBS, Shaeffer Pen has inked to sponsor “Little Women” on Oct. 16 and “The Gift of the Magi,” on Dec. 9. Timex Watches has penned for the “Times All-Star Jazz Show” on Nov. 10 and a second jazz show on Dec. L Westclox Division of. General Time, not to be outdone by Timex, will sponsor “Wonderful Town” on Nov. 30. ‘Plot Thickens’ , Continued from par* 25 aajt one week because of his hospitali¬ zation in Florida, and Judge Mat¬ thews arranged for an examination of his physical condition through the U. S, attorney's office In Miami before next Friday. FCC’s voluntary—and surpris¬ ing—actions in the Miami channel 7 and Orlando channel 9 cases left tv industry spokesmen here won¬ dering who is next. The commission said its decision to investigate and review the cases was triggered by information in the hands of the Harris Subcom¬ mittee, known technically as the House Legislative Oversight Sub¬ committee. The Harris group has discon¬ tinued further public hearings un¬ til after the November elections, and there remains a question of whether the subcommittee will con¬ tinue to function after its present authority to do so expires Jan. 3. But the death'of the Harris Sub¬ committee does not necessarily mean that the bloodhounds are off FCC’s heels. Harris told Vawzty that the House. Commerce Committee, which he also heads as chairman, has authority to probe FCC anytime it chooses. FCC announced its doublebar- reled investigation of Miami chan¬ nel 7 and Orlando channel 9 Thurs¬ day (2). The commission issued a “notice of inquiry” that a probe will be launched of expart goings-on in the struggle between Mid-Florida Television Corp. and WOR, Inc., for the Orlando outlet. FCC gave the channel to Mid-Florida, which now is: conducting program tests on it with the call letters, WLOF- TV. The If. S. Court of Appeals upheld FCC’s decision favoring Mid-Florida last May 15, The FCC “notice” concluded: “The commission will report the results of its inquiry and will take such further action as in its judg* ment appeals appropriate at that time.” The words kindling the most interest were “such further action.” In the other development, FCC notified Biscayne Television Corp. that it is withholding any action on two -AM-FM applications the company has filed until it com¬ pletes a probe of the grant of Miami channel 7 to that company. The applications involve the pro¬ posed sale of the company’s AM and FM stations (WCKR-AM-FM) to Dade Broadcasting Co., as well as the request of the company that it’s expiring FM license be re* newed. The AM-FM sale applica¬ tion was fil ed M ay 2. Biscayne’S tY station, WCTK-TV, target of the FCC look-in, has no application be¬ fore FCC. .Testimony and exhibits in the Harris Subcommittee’s record, FCC said, “contain allegations which raise a question as to the propriety of certain- means em¬ ployed on behalf of Biscayne” to win the Miami channel 7 permit. The AM-FM applications will be laid aside until the tv matter is finished, FCC said. Meanwhile, public hearings end¬ ed late Wednesday (1)' on whether the Public Service Television Co. license for Miami channel 10 should be. affirmed or cancelled. Judge Horace Stern, retired Penn* sylvania Supreme Court chief Justice who Is acting as a special hearing examiner for FCC in the rase, indicated he will strive to have his “initial decision” com¬ pleted by Christmas. Attorneys involved in the preceding agreed that the record, still to receive cer¬ tain legal documents, will be closed as of Oct 10, with final oral argu¬ ments to be held Nov. 17. llUrifc