Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-01-28
On the Air
Lucille Ball
Has the Sturs
Eyeing TV
By Harry Macarthur

VA 4OoA1AA0 411OC9O44OOA4O &ANOAS GAsSE
in the direction of television.
They're all-the ones moi
sheltered from the cruel world
by studio contracts. that is-try-
ing to promote television shows
featuring themselves as comedi-
ennes.
So far. Ginger Rogers is the only
one making any headway-and ont
who can defend herself at all
times in any comedy sweepstake.
the glamour girls launch. She. a.
you already know. has been signeC
by NBC-TV for a show of her owl
to start In April and the network
lis already lining up plays ant
novels as vehicles for her.
Another entry Is LARAMIE Day
who used to be q movie actress
then married Leo Durocher, and
who recently has been seen as q
TV guest in the vaudeville act Of
Day and Durocher. Mr.. and Mrs
Lippy have filmed Is shorts, for
which they hope television stations
will clamor.
Miss Balls success has had
other effects. too, Mr.. Hehernar
notes. In four months it has
taken her out of the ranks Of
those considered washed up" by
Hollywood and placed her in q
position where she can turn dowr
offers she would have clutcheo
instantly half q year back. The
producers have suddenly dis
covered another Of those facts
that was right there before their
eyes all along-that Lucille Ball
has a lively comedy talent.
They're even referring to her
now in the movie town as the
Lady Chaplin"
Special Events 49, NBC-TV has
Just completed arrangements for q
single television show - a lone
shot" as the trade term has it
which undoubtedly will be a far
cry from almost all other TV fare.
Bertrand Russell, philosopher and
winner of the Nobel Prize for
literature in 1850. has signed q
contract with the network to ap-
pear in a film especially made for
television. The half-hour Aim is
to be made at Lord Russell's home
in Surrey, England, and it is ex-
pected to be ready for release in
the Spring.
Eighty Years Of Changing Be-
liefs and Unchanging Hopes" is
the title Lord Russell has chosen
for his television Aim. According
to q network spokesman, the
philosopher has been asked Ito
talk to its viewers about the things
he has learned in long, thought
full and active life and about the
things he feels he win never
learn"
This should be q most reward
ing half hour and we had better
start right now hoping that
WNBW does not decide. when the
time comes, to substitute 1.-THE
Cisco Kid" or Willis Cpnover for
Lord Russell.
Awards Again-The second set
Of television awards has followed
the Look Magazine Awards into
the TV news. These are the re-
suits Of the third annual Mo-
ton Picture Daily-Fame poll Of
the TV favorites Of editors, crit
les and columnistS Of American
and magazines"
In several instances this list
comedies with the Look Maya
zine list-in, that is, the selection
of Studio One" as best dramatic
"Your Show Of Shows"
as best variety programs. "Caval-
cade of Sports as the best sports
program, "Kukla, Fran and Ollie
as the best children'S program
and Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca
as best comedian and comedienne
Other Fame winners are: Most
male star, Herb Shrin-
er: most promising female star,
Lucille Ball: popular music show,
Fred Waring; educational or pub
program, Meet the
Press" quiz show. "You Bet Your
Life" master of ceremonies, John
DAILY. TV announcer. George Fen
eman; news commentator. John
Cameron Swayze; sportscaster
Jimmy Powers: daytime program
Kate Smith, and mystery show
Nan Against Crime"
The Fame voters seem to have
gone q little berserk when faced
with the problem of selecting the
best classical music program
though there is less competition
in the field than anywhere else ir
TV. The tally wound up with
Voice of Firestone" (more semi
classical than classicaD in first
place, Ford Festival" "a variety
show in second and the NBC
Symphony with Toscanini in THIRD
place. Everybody forgot about two
eminently successful attempts tt
wed classical music and televisior
Heritage" and Recital Hall.
It is in still another sector Of
the Fame poll that the Motor
Picture Daily editors have found
a result apparently unbelievable
to them. There is at the very
least incredulity, present by in.
nuendo If not expressed outright
in the line Of the press release
on the results which reports that
the vote went to ''the American
Tobacco Co.'s Robert Montgomery
Theater intrusions as TVS best
commercials"
II it is any consolation to the
MPD-Fame editors. their incredu-
lily is shared. There was no 4
beside THAT name on the ballot
this department sent in.