Evening star., 1951-04-01

IIS SGdT SySCSIu, dpOub WIllCIl
you can get yourself an argu-
ment almost any time in movie
circles. is coming to television.
Heretofore the networks exclusive
contracts have been signed by the
Ibig-name comedians. almost with
out exception, and dramatic play
ers have been taking their work
where they could get it. Don't be
surprised, however, if you soon
find the TV networks competing
for the exclusive services of dra-
matte actors and actresses as they
have in the past competed for
the clowns.
The first indication that the old
order is changing is the announce
ment that CHS has signed Mary
Sinclair, talented young Califor-
mia actress, to a ''long term exclu-
sive contract" This is the first
step of a television star system of
its own being set up by CHS.
The signing of Miss Sinclair,
who has appeared on Studio
One" a record IA times, marks
CBS-TV's approach to a star sys-
tenn intended to recognize those
talents that have matured within
our own medium" according to
Hubbell Robinson, jr.. the webs
vice president in charge of net
work programs.
"CBS-TV is anxious to offer
talented young artists an incen-
tive to concentrate in the televi-
sion medium on a truly career
basis" MI. Robinson adds. "The
CHS star system, we believe, is the
most effective means of encourag.
ing these talents to grow into star
stature within the medium ITSELF"
TeIevision's Actors
Will Welcome the Trend
This is a trend which undoubt-
edly will be welcomed by televi-
sion's thespians. A number of
them have been miffed lately by
the enthusiasm with which TV
drama producers have greeted
stars from Hollywood. The tele-
vision pioneers, most of them from
New York's theater ranks, have
often found themselves pushed
into the background.
A firm named Ross Reports,
which supplies producers, ad
agencies and networks with Gin
formation on programs. costs,
trends and creative and perform
ing talent" has taken up the
cudgels for some of these. Felicia
Monteleagre, E. G. Marshall, Mary
Patton, John McQuade, Vinton
Hayworth and a number of others
have built up TV fan followings
and Ross Reports would like to
see them get the publicity and
ballyhoo which mean stardom.
The arguments for and against
the star system in television should
run along the same lines as in the
case of the movies. The system
inevitably initiates performer SAL
aries and the network must decide
whether viewer interest is enough
to be worth the increased cost.
Featuring the star instead of
the play is not good theater, in
films or in television. It appar-
emily is good exploitation, how
ever. and it enabled the movies to
build their big audience. At the
same time it has limited the mo-
ton picture audience in large
degree to those whose first ques-
tion is, who's in it?" not What's
it about?"
1t may be that television, be-
cause of its intimate nature, never
can create glamorous personalities
in the Hollywood manner. There
seem to be number of people
though, who want to give glamour
a try.
Thot Spinning Wheel
Is Not the Difference
The reports of the color tele-
vision arguments before the Su-
preme Court during the week in
dicate that there still is great
deal of confusion about the diff
ferences between the two systems.
on the CHS color
wheel and the RCA "tricolor
tube" makes this appear to be
a battle between a mechanical
and an "all-electronic" system.
which isn't the case at all. There
is no reason why the CHS SYSTEM
can't. employ a satisfactory tri-