Evening star., 1949-02-06

of promise that is as yet unful-
filled. In its favor 1t boasts
youthfully enthusiastic cast headed
by Sid Caesar, Mary McCarty, Imo-
gene Coca and Marge and Cover
Champion. This gives it three of
the ADLER young comedy talents at
tacking from as many different di-
rections and q pair of the better
young dancing talents.
On its opening night Broadway
Revue" was marred by some slow
ignition in the comedy sketches, by
some dancing that spilled over the
sides of the cameras range and by
what seemed like the longest COM
mercial on record. Even with Roy
Atwell being Atwellish throughout
the sales message, this doesn't add
up to a comedy skit. These are
things that can be ironed out, of
course. The programs major fault
is that, while it's lively, lavish and
entertaining, 1t is televised init
mate Broadway revue" that is in
innate to the studio audience rather
than the one in the living rooms.
If we could get studio audiences
abolished legally it would have two
happy results. We'd be spared the
uninspiring sight of them and per-
formers would have to play to the
camera.
The appearance of Bea Lille on
Star Theater" (WNBW-Tuesday
8 pm) the other night impressed
anew the thought that she and
television were made for each other.
Any time you see her name listed
among programs guest stars, don't
pass up that event for anything
else. The camera catches the full
impact of her personality in both
| its4 sparkling and its acid aspects
and her literate comedy is, of course,
unmatched. Video's Bea Lille is a
beauty who doesn't look q day
over 26.
Without Milton Berle, incidentally,
Star Theater" becomes just like
other vaudeo shows. It's entertain
ment values on a given week are the
sum of that weeks guest acts.
Whether this Is good or bad depends
on your own personal reaction to
Berle's injections of adrenalin buf-
foonery into every turn. Our atti-
tude is that a man with virus
pneumonia should be showered with
kindness and we will publicly admit
we miss Mr.. Berle on this particu-
lar show.
Program Notes: Benjamin Brit
tens English work, Peter Grimes"
will be this weeks opera broad
cast by the Metropolitan (WMAL-I
Saturday, 2 PM. The opera, COM
posed in 1945, had its Metropolitan
debut last year, when 1t also was
broadcast for the nrst time. :.
WQQW will broadcast the first of
a 13-week series. Understanding
Our Children" Wednesday after
noon at 1870. The programs will
be produced by Mrs. Amalie Sharf-
man, who conducted the previously
praised series, Your Child, Today
and Tomorrow" Senator John
j. Sparkman and Representative
Clarence Brown will discuss the
Presidents proposal to put the Gov
ernments in the steel business IF
private sources don't fulfill demands,
on THE American Forum Of the
Air" (WOL-WOTC - Monday, 10
PM. ~. Jerry Strong, WINK
disc jockey, is looking for a theme
song. Manuscripts must be copy
righted and must be mailed to Mr..
Strong by midnight, February 70.
Ray Henle, editor OF Three
Star Extra" (WRC-daily, GAS
Ipm). will discuss problems of tele-
vision news presentation before a
meeting of the National League of
American Pen Women today.
Televiews: The National Sym
phony Orchestra's Howard Mitchell,
who conducted the orchestra in its
first televised full program Thurs
day, will be this weeks guest of
Ruth Crane on The Modern Wom-
an" (WMAL-TV-Tuesday, $50
p.m). He'll demonstrate conduct
ing techniques. Suspense"
already an AM favorite, becomes a
television show for the same sponsor
ON March / over CHS. The video
Suspense" will be Independent Of
the radio version. On q recent
Peoples Platform" discussion Of
television and home life, Max Bal
con, president Of the Radio Manu-
facturers' Association and vice pres
ident Of Sylvania Electric Products,
Inc, had some reassuring words for
prospective set owners. Manufac-
turers, he said, see no near-future
developments which will make tele-
vision receivers now In use obso-
lete. :. There were $4,000 Of these
nonobsolete TV sets in use here as
~ Eak,1rorv