A fairly dry radio column by Dick Diespecker in the Province 70 years ago this day. There were a lot of those. (The Province’s column for this date 80 years ago is even duller).
Interesting to read about television. CBUT was still a few years away. KING was the only TV station available locally. It appears most of KING’s programming was in-house, it being the era of network-via-kinescope.
“The Treasury Show” was a 15-minute syndicated programme featuring well-known Hollywood, singing and radio stars pushing U.S. Treasury Bonds.
“Mystery is My Hobby” was a Mutual network show, sent to stations on transcription discs. By 1950, it had already moved to television. There’s conflicting information when the radio show ceased first-run broadcasts. It was still airing on CKTB St. Catharines in 1955. There are plenty of episodes available on the internet for download, as there are for the Treasury show.
cArtie
MOBILE TV EQUIPMENT FOR CBC
Two mobile television units to be used by the CBC TV in Toronto and Montreal have been ordered from Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Co. Ltd., of Chelmsford, England, through Canadian Marconi.
Total cost of the two large trucks fully outfitted with portable TV equipment end necessary accessories is around $190,000. The CBC will use the mobile units for TV programs originating outside the studios although all equipment is portable and may be utilized within the studios if necessary.
Each truck, about 22 1/2 feet in length, is actually a low-powered mobile television station and is equipped with three cameras, a transmitter and associated receiver for relaying programs back to the main transmitter.
Two previous orders for TV equipment placed by the CBC include two transmitters now being built in Canada, and studio equipment which is being manufactured in England.
Total value of television equipment ordered to date is approximately $875,000. Delivery is expected to start early next year.
* * *
JOHN GILLIN PASSES
Canadian broadcasters have lost a sincere and able friend in the death of John Gillin, president and general manager of WOW, Omaha, Nebraska.
Mr. Gillin, who was 45, died of a heart attack while holidaying at Junction City, Wisconsin. He started in radio as a part-time announcer and joined the staff at WOW in 1929. He was the youngest director in the history of the National Association of Broadcasters, and served as executive vice-president of the association from 1934 to 1937.
Mr. Gillin was liaison officer for the NAB to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, and attended every convention of the CAB in the past 10 years. He visited scores of Canadian stations and played host to Canadian radio men on visits to the United States.
William Guild, manager of CJOC, Lethbridge, and president of the CAB, is in Vancouver for a business visit. Mr. Guild tells us that Mr. Gillin was a key worker in the co-operation between Canadian and American radio, and had always given freely of his services and advice when needed.
* * *
TONIGHT'S BEST BETS
6:00 p.m.—U.N. Documentary, CBR, Easy Listening, CJOR.
7:00 p.m.—Hobby Lobby, KIRO; Treasury Show, KJR; Wanted, KOMO.
8:00 p.m.—Open House, CKMO; Music by Seaborn, CBR.
8:30 p.m.—Cloud Nine, KIRO; Maisie, CKWX; Dimension X, KOMO.
9:00 p.m.—Lacrosse, CKNW; Philo Vance, CJOR; Stars and Starters, KOMO.
9:30 p.m.—Mystery is My Hobby, CKWX; Beat the Champs, CBR.
TELEVISION TONIGHT, KING-TV, Channel 5
6:00, Test Pattern; 7:15, Glamour Go Round; 7:30, Pinky Lee Show; 8:00, King's Queen; 8:30, We'll Take Your Word; 9:00, Clipper Capers; 9:30, People's Platform; 10:00, Cavalcade of Sports; 10:30, Telenews Daily.