Radio: The Busy Air, Apr. 19, 1948

Television news last week:

¶ CBS rolled its portable television unit into Broadway’s Alvin Theater, strung microphones along the footlight trough, and televised some carefully tidied-up scenes from Mister Roberts. It was the première of Lucky Strike’s Tonight on Broadway (Tues. 7 p.m., CBS Television), the first of a series of televiews of Broadway hits. Like many a try out performance, the show needed tightening and pruning. It ran ten minutes overtime, poked around too long backstage. There were too many interviews (with Author Thomas Heggen, Producer Leland Hayward, Henry Fonda and the cast), too little of Mister Roberts. “It’s really much better when you see it,” commented a woman televiewer. Television and Broadway agreed, hoped that this week’s try (at The Heiress) would be better.

¶ The Chicago Tribune gave WGN-TV, its new television station (Chicago’s second), a razzle-dazzle opening. Boss Bertie McCormick, laid up with a cold, had to watch the ceremonies on the big screen at his Wheaton estate; but Senator C. Wayland (“Curly”) Brooks, Mayor Kennelly and Governor Green turned up at the studio to blow congratulatory kisses.