Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-12-19
Ion the Air:
|'Drognet'
Sounds Off
lon Video
By Horny Macarthur

by f1oFry MocArthur
\ Another act Of violence has been
added to the television schedule
the TV version of radios Drag
net"-and it ought to find a fol-
lowing when it settles down as a
regular weekly feature. On Janu-
airy 3 "Dragnet" will replace the
first half Of the James Melton
show on NBC-Tv (WNBW) on
Wednesdays at 8. a far more
suitable spot for it than Sunday
at z, where it made its bow this
week.
This is not the sort Of thing to
be left lying around the living
room to inspire the younger set
to bad dreams. "Dragnet" is q
"documented story from the off,
cial files Of the Los Angeles Police
Department" and it packs a fair
amount of realism. It had best
be reserved for those who know,
even while enjoying the proceed
ings, that the guns shoot blanks,
the blood is ketchup and the actors
will pick up their checks when it's
all over and go to the Brown
Derby.
Still, 'Lragnet" was a consider
ably more lively entertainment
than some of the things that have
happened on Sound Of Time"
since it was set up as an outlet
for the wares Of Bob Hope, Fred
Allen and Jerry Lester. It's on
film and Producer Homer Garfield
did a notable job with the first TV
sample. both in content and in
execution. 1t was melodramatic
tale-the story Of a man who
threatened to blow up everybody
in the immediate vicinity, includ-
ing himself. to get his brother out
/ of jail but the documentary
technique employed by ''Dragnet"
made it both plausible and excit-
ing.
CulpritS-"When Dave Wilcox
and Cliff Arquette, Hollywood's
pixillated twosome, bow on the
full NBC-TV network Monday ;,
January T." says publicity release
which just slid in. their program
will be known as Dave n Charlie
and they'll use the same formatI
which has kept the West Coast In
Mysteries for the past Is months" ~
It's been hysterical, all right, and
now you know what's been caus-
ing it. -
More FootbaIl-The National
Pro League championship play-off
between the Cleveland Indians and
the Los Angeles Rams will be tele-
Ivised by Du Mont at 4 p. IN. Sunday,
to be seen by local viewers via
tWTTG. Du Mont has been
carrying pro football all season,
but, with the exception of the
Thanksgiving Day game, the tele-
casts haven't been seen here be-
cause of the leagues restrictions.
Even with the Redskins out of
town, George Preston Marshall
would rather have the fans watch
ing them by television than some
other team. :. With no league
competition Sundays game will go
to the entire Du Mont network,
with AZ cities seeing it. Red
skin fans should feel right at
home, even with their football In
a different spot on the Tv dial.
Harry Wismer, says the Associated
Press, win be the announcer.
Arthur Murray Party" (WMAL.-
TV- alternate Wednesdays, O.
PM will move to Sundays at O.
and become a weekly show on
January 6. ,. Sid Caesar and Imo-
gene Coca will return to your
Show of Shows" (WNBW-Sat-
urday, 9 p.m) this week. =
Charlton Heston, who launched
a movie career in TV drama,
will be the guest star host.
James and Pamela (Kellino) Ma
son have turned to production of
series of half-hour films for
televiSion and are starring in the
first, Portrait of the Murderer"
The films are being shot at Re-
public by the Masons' production
company. Portland Pictures
manned after Fred Aliens wife,
Portland Hoffa). -. The Masons'
second TV picture. Duel att
Dawn" will be an 18th Century
costume drama.
***
Busy MISUNDERSTANDING tele-
vision is taking over the Earl Car
roll Theater in Hollywood. which
is to be leased by CBS-Tv, effec-
tive January !. In addition to
being an ideal spot for audience
shows, it has two revolving stages,
which will help the T'V technicians.
In New York TV expansion
as reached such proportions that
CHS had to issue map for mes
sengers and others showing the
location of 20 television studio
sites.
Sid Stone, the Pitchman on
Milton Berries "Star Theater,"
will make his last appearance in
that show on Christmas night.
The new sales pitch will be done
by Ventriloquist Jimmy Nelson.
Chef Allen, 12-year-old singer
with the Columbus Boychoir in
Princeton, N. j., will sing the title
role in "Amahl and the Night
Visitors" when the new Clam
Carlo Menotti opera has its pre-
metre Christmas eve over NBC-
TV. Also in the cast will be
Dancers Melissa, Hayden and
Nicholas Magallanes of the New