Week of April 15, 1954

The State Department declares it is highly unlikely that American troops will have

to replace French forces in Indo-China, but supported Vice-President Nixon’s

stand that southeast Asia must be saved from Communist aggression.

The Army warns Congress that Russia is stockpiling poisonous gases which are

tasteless, odorless and colorless. It also reported some success in devising

means to detect them.

At least a score of Easter paraders in New York had

their holiday dresses slashed and hundreds more

undetected for more than an hour through the crowds

around St Patrick’s Cathedral. A shabbily dressed

man who mumbled, “I hate women - they get you

into trouble,” was arrested as he followed close

At Augusta - President and Mrs. Eisenhower attend traditional Easter church

services after watching their three grandchildren hunt for colored Easter eggs.

Vice President Nixon says the United States would strive for an “honorable

peace” at Geneva but would oppose outright surrender of Indo-China to the

Communists.

Publishers report that newspaper

circulations are rising despite competition

from television for reader’s time. At an

American Newspaper Publishers panel

discussion, it was revealed that 3 out of

every 4 newspapers gained circulation

during the last six months. Lee Hills of

the Detroit Free Press said TV had had

at least two effects on reporting and

editing:

“First, many stories must be written now with the knowledge that the public has

already witnessed the event.”

“Second - with many women watching sports on TV, sports stories must be

pointed toward the whole family rather than only to men.”

Also from the publisher’s meeting in New York - publishers are opposed to the

Post Office Department policy of permitting bulk mailing of flysheets and direct

mail, un-addressed and just placing them in mail slots - because in effect, they

Week of April 15, 1954

are serving as a circulation department for direct mail advertisers in competition

with newspapers.

Week of April 15, 1954

Kings open their first season in the Triple-A circuit against the Toronto Maple

Leafs in Havana’s Gran Stadium.

Entertainment news -

Marilyn Monroe says she wants to become a

mother. “Joe and I want a lot of little DiMaggios,” she

told a press conference. “Am I expecting now? Oh,

no. but I wish I were. We want children as soon as

possible.”

Television news -

Edward R. Murrow receives a special George foster

Peabody Award just for “being himself.” Many believe it

had to do with the telecast which wound-up pitting him

against Sen. Joseph McCarthy.

Sid Caesar’s replacement on “Your Show of Shows” this

fall is Steve Allen. Both Caesar and his costar, Imogene

Coca, are expected back on NBC-TV next fall in their own

individual programs.

recorded for the Fantasy label,

signs with Columbia. He just came

east for the first time appearing at

Birdland, and was “discovered.”

MGM is re-releasing Hank Williams’

“There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight”

after Tony Bennett cut the song on

Columbia Records.

The song “Three Coins In The

Fountain” is getting a lot of

attention, well before the movie

debuts. So far, at least six different

Week of April 15, 1954

artists have recorded the song - Julius La Rosa on Cadence, Frank Sinatra on

Capitol, Toni Arden on Columbia, the Four Aces on Decca, Marti Stevens on

MGM and Dinah Shore on RCA Victor. The song was written by Sammy Cahn

and Jule Styne.

Frank Sinatra is back after lagging for several

years. After copping an Oscar for his supporting

role in “From Here To Eternity” - he scored on the

charts with his new record label - Capitol and

“Young at Heart.” His old sides are being re-

issued. Columbia is putting out an album of

Sinatra oldies. RCA Victor is also cashing in on

the new-found record popularity of Sinatra with

the release of “Fabulous Frankie,” based on old

sides made when he was a vocalist with Tommy Dorsey and Axel Stordahl.

Universal is reissuing a film he made three years ago: “Meet Danny Wilson.”

And, his latest Capitol album is a best-seller.

spun his 1 millionth record on the radio. The record was “I

Can’t Give You Anything But Love” by Louis Armstrong.

Jarvis is credited with taking recorded music out of the radio

“fill” category and putting them into the program category

along with Martin Block of the East coast. Jarvis is heard on

KFWB.

At the movies -

Gary Merrill

Prince Valiant

Walt Disney’s Adventures of Pinocchio

Walt Disney’s Rob Roy

From Here To Eternity

Week of April 15, 1954

Chet Huntley on ABC Radio

Week of April 15, 1954