ITV & RADIO LOOS JUNE 12-18 il?f_AZ(ID iZ/t/PS' , 0 What KIT CARSON: Eve Arden Isn't Living It Up! Really Thinks TV'S MOST Of Teachers FAMOUS NOBODY STORY ON Page 43 PAGES 4 & 5 EVE ARDEN 6daterielew.ii...ge ‘ti Eel 74 'Le) INSPIRE THE PEN The Catalina Station Mr. and Mrs. Ray E. Cook, Baldwin Park Mrs. Skip Whelchel, San Bernardino After Jack Smith and Jack Bailey, My pet television peeve is that Ted Bill Cullen was, and is, a very poor Lenz and that little mongrel of his, substitute. "Gypsy." The movies that he has Another one we wish someone on Channel 7 every week night are would put a silencer on, or replace. always very good but it takes all is Jack Gregson on the Saturday night to see one as he stops the film Night Fights. After Bill Stern, he's every five minutes for a ten minute another misfit. If he'd learn to commercial and none of them make and adopt the style of such men as Jimmy sense. And all of those hats and Powers, Russ Bodges, Hank Weaver. things he puts on that dog are silly. and Reid Kilpatrick—which is, keep Why don't they put him on those still and let the audience watch what British movies instead of the first is taking place most of the time— runs so we could enjoy the good ones? news what an improvement that would be! When he says, "Smoking sure beats Mrs. O. R. Templin, Los Angeles talking," we never fail to wish he'd you do more smoking. In reference to your article: "Should Stars Give Commercials." Ethel D., Altadena Actors that hucksters degrade them- o Is it too early, or already too late, selves and their profession. The time to put in an urgent plea for a re- public hates it. Isn't that a sufficient guide for them? Those that try to enough scheduling (next season) of the Sun- excuse the practice only reveal their music o day night shows so that the best programs on TV are not pitted against greed. Keep it up and TV will surely each other? I refer of course to the go down the drain. Is was this and 7:30 p. m. slot when we must choose similar practices that killed radio. correct just For o between "What's My Line" on CBS Mrs. Thomas Walker, Pomona and "Mr. Peepers" on NBC. "Lucky U Ranch" was one of my There are other unfortunate con- favorite daytime programs. I would flicts also on Sunday nights—"The like to see them return as an eve- Comedy Hour" vs. Ed Sullivan; and ning show, as I believe husbands Peter Potter vs. the last half of would enjoy it too. I certainly Philco—Goodyear Playhouse. Other thought Betty Taylor and Ken Curtis sections of the country can enjoy sang beautifuly together. both programs, why can't we? Wm. Thorne, Pasadena Mrs. J. F., Los Angeles I think that "Father Knows Best" . when are Ina Ray Hutton's is one of the best programs on radio. girls going to change their clothes? Why don't the sponsors put the pro- I mean the orchestra girls. She has gram on TV also? a wonderful show. Sure enjoy They're going to! your magazine. For ten cents you can't buy anything better. (For more letters see News Section.) Hank Weaver Benny and Rochester Ina Ray Hutton TV-Radio Life (Formerly bbbb lee') June II, MI, Vol. '0). No. I:. CARL M. IthliSitl, Pulilisher. Published weekly at Los Angeles. California. Business and Editorial ()Meer.: 11110 N. Argyle A‘e., Los .Angeles 214 (Hollywood Station). California. PI Idre.15. TA-Radio Eire was entered as Second Class Mutter September II, 1918, at LON Angeles, under Act of Mardi 3, 11E9. Page Two June 11, 1954 Are Avie Rosis Yecessare Just what purpose, if any, do these genial men serve who act as the hosts on your movies on TV shows? Tom Frandsen is one who doesn't believe they are just men who like to flash the personality and hear their own voice. By Jon Bruce TOM FRANDSEN HOSTS KNBH's movies and does his job with dignity. He feels that movie hosts have a very real importance. HE MEN who act as your a camera. However, we're different host on some TV programs from the ordinary salesman. If peo- featuring new, old, and ple don't want to buy the products j tired movies, have come on our shows, they at least get en- in for some ripe criticism. One group tertainment. figures they are about as much use No Pitchman as a hole in the head. Others think "Much of the criticism directed at they are a necessary evil. Some peo- some programs featuring movies is ple even like them. justified. But the fault is with the But do they have any real impor- station who has adopted the idea that tance? Are they necessary? Tom if one commercial pays off, ten will Frandsen, KNBH's handSome expon- do just as well. On my KNBH shows ent of the movie hosts, has his ideas. Ido not believe in over-commercializ- Hosts Do a Job ing. We never break into a movie "The answer as to why TV has more than twice for any selling. The movie hosts is the same as why a mail received proves that we're on lady likes to go into a store where the right track here. The public 411h, WHEN HE'S NOT WORKING on she has her favorite sales person," knows the movies have to be paid TV Tom spends his time as a Tom commented. "She likes to deal for, but they resent having the pic- pilot for the Naval Reserve. He's an with someone she knows. Well, that's tures interrupted every six or eight accomplished flyer. minutes for some sales pitch. what my job is—to be a representa- tive for the sponsors who pay the "I always try to low-pressure the bills so you can see the movies and . commercials. Idon't believe in shout- turned to Navy flight training, reach- to be someone the viewers can feel ' ing at people. Instead, I try to feel ing the rank of lieutenant command- they know personally, someone they as though I'm sitting across from the er. He is still in the reserve and can trust, someone who is directly table talking to people. And there spends much of his time on week- associated with the products being are definitely no shady deals on the ends in a Navy plane. sold on the program. show. After the war, Tom continued his "I've had letters from people say- "I also don't have interviews with work in radio and became sales man- ing, 'Thanks, Tom, for telling me personalities on the program as a ager for KMPC. He is what you might about your coffee,' (which is one of rule, but I will occasionally talk call a reformed executive. He is mar- our products). 'We have tried it and about some unnoticed little item in ried to the former Sally Wadsworth it is good.' As you can see, it's the the news to break up a commercial." and has two youngsters, Tommy, 4, association between the product and Tom has had plenty of experience and Chuckie, 1. me that seems to have importance to in both radio and TV. He began his He loves his job but he wistfully some people. career as an announcer and news- remarks, "Some day I'd like to do a "Some companies send salesmen caster in his home town, Los Ange- show with people. It gets lonesome from door to door to sell the mer- les. During the war he was assigned talking to a camera. Let's face it— chandise. Movie hosts do practically to the radio broadcasting industry in how can you be friendly to a couole the same job and just by talking into Hollywood as an ensign, but he of lenses?" June 11, 1954 Page Three Have YOU Ever Moldered How Eve Arden Would Be As A Real Teacher? Hard-Hearted? Soft-Boiled? Good Sport? Love Her Wok? This Story Gives the MOM Answers, Recalls the Star's Own School Days As ve TALKS ABOUT TEACHERS derrded mwahkaet. —they never cease to fascinate or 'kVinEdafrai OVEN EdtNea choenr amaze me and they're appealing any time between the ages of one day courage to flunk a student, and eighteen years. even though she or he might Of course any normal child will at PRETTY TEACHER. Eve Arden Jdeserve it, and I'm also afraid times drive parents to the breaking looks exactly the way expected I'd not be able to call it quits at the point, but I've discovered that trying of "Miss Brooks." Her desk should be end of a school day. I'd probably take to learn what makes them tick can piled high with apples! (CBS-Rona photo.) each child's personal problems home be delightful fun. Yes, that requires with me. patience, but I'm told that's one of On the other hand, I think I'd be my better points. a good teacher because I'm a fairly Naturally I often think back on patient person and to me, patience my own school days. The things I goes hand in hand with being a liked best were rehearsals for a school school teacher.