Week of April 16 1953

The United States and the Communists agree to resume full-scale Korean

armistice talks on Saturday - a move that could mean the end of war after almost

three years.

The exchange of prisoners begins as the Allies return 500 Red prisoners a day.

100 United Nation prisoners - including 30 Americans are released. Rear Admiral

John Daniel head of the group that negotiated the exchange said “It’s been a

tremendous emotional experience for us all. Not much was said between us

here, but we are all v very happy. In times of great emotional experience it is

often like this.”

CBS demonstrates its version of color television in a

closed circuit feed in New York City. Critics seem to

favor the RCA system. The CBS system cannot be

used on present day, black & white televisions. The

RCA system is totally compatible and can be seen in

both black & white and color

(more later).

J ust after he began speaking in

North Carolina, President

Eisenhower is stricken with a

mild case of food Poisoning.

Guests noticed he was breaking

out in perspiration as he was

speaking. Doctors say he is

suffering a slight fever.

Baseball news - President Eisenhower throws-out the first ball of the season in

Washington, then watches the Yankees beat the Senators 6-3.

Dr Michael Mason a Chicago plastic surgeon says that torn fingers can now be

rescued by surgery. The patient must still retain a portion of the severed finger.

“The operation got a good start during the war and is being performed more and

more now because a greater number of surgeons are learning about it.”

In Lawrence, MA - Peter Joseph (39) kills his mother, his wife, son, two brothers

and two nephews with a carpenter’s hatchet and pistol. He then shot and killed

himself. A nine-year-old son is missing.

Week of April 16 1953

Levi’s Lighter Blues - Matching slacks and Jackets for men and boys -

Heavyweight denim ... Vat Dyed ... Color Fast ... Sanforized

At the mart - Frying Chickens - .59lb ... Ground Chuck - .53lb ... Colgate Dental

Cream - Reg size- .69 ... Halo Shampoo - large size - .57

Kansas, is greeted by Francis Cardinal Spellman. Haver was

with a group who had gathered to hear the Cardinal. She

appeared to be several pounds heavier and has lost her so-

called Hollywood glamour.

Actor Charlie Chaplin (64) says he’s giving up his residence in

the United States because he finds it “virtually impossible to

continue my motion picture work.” under conditions developed after World War II.

“I have been the object of lies and vicious propaganda by powerful reactionary

groups who by their influence, and by the aid of America’s yellow press, have

created an unhealthy atmosphere in which liberal-minded individuals can be

singled out and persecuted.” Chaplin is British, but spent most of his life living in

America.

Divorces - Mrs Sterling Hayden from her actor-husband. A neighbor testified that

his treatment at home confused and hurt his wife and made her hysterical.

Radio and television stations interrupt their programming to broadcast the names

of prisoners of war as they are released in Korea.

Abram Myers - a spokesman for independent motion-picture theaters says their

existence is threatened by the development of 3D films. Producers now are

making the films with almost 20 different processes and that it requires the

installation of different equipment in theaters to show them. He’s wants

producers and the group that represents small theater owners, to work together.

Thursday Night television - CBS - Life with Luigi,

Town, My Little Margie, I’ve Got A Secret ... NBC -

Dinah Shore, You Bet Your Life, Treasury Men in

Action, Dragnet, Play, Martin Kane, Foreign Intrigue ...

ABC - The Lone Ranger, President Eisenhower

Address-Film, Chance of a Lifetime w/Dennis James,

Welterweight Boxing, Dog Show of Champions,

Personality Puzzle.

Week of April 16 1953

This is where it all began. Romper Room would become one of the most

popular children’s programs with local versions everywhere.

Week of April 16 1953

Pop music this week in 1953 -

(How much is that) Doggie In The Window - Patti Page

I Believe” - Frankie Laine

Pretend - Nat King Cole

Tell Me A Story - Jimmy Boyd/Frankie Laine

Caravan - Ralph Marterie

I’m Sitting On Top of the World - Les Paul & Mary Ford

Movies - With the current rash of 3-D pics, plus wide

screen - comes another movie innovation. Universal

stereo sound! Both Loew’s and RKO theaters are studying whether to install it.

While most theater owners agree that stereo gives added attraction, current

equipment costs and lack of standardization are retarding factors.

Week of April 16 1953

At the movies -

Thelma Ritter

Bergen

Totter

Louis Calhern

Fernando Lamas, William Powell, Gig Young, James

Whitmore

Dahl.

Television news - Joe Bolton, does a twice-nightly

weather report over WPIX-TV in New York, with the

exception of Wednesday,

when he flies to Chicago to

host “Curtain Time” over WNBQ (channel 5). Bolton’s

back on Thursday to resume his WPIX duties.

Seems that radio’s “My Favorite Husband” has spawned

a second television series. #1 rated “I Love Lucy” comes

from a version once starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

Now, CBS-TV is reverting back to the original title for a

Week of April 16 1953

A 20-minute demonstration of the RCA color television system was viewed by

members of the House Committee on Interstate Commerce and FCC in

Princeton, NJ. A special NBC color program was produced with Dolores Gray as

mistress of ceremonies and featured Kukla, Fran & Ollie and others. The

demonstration was designed to prove the feasibility of the RCA color system over

a distance of 50 miles (the broadcast was over channel 4 in New York).

The biggest west coast music TV program is hosted by the Lawrence Welk band

over KTLA-TV (channel 5), sponsored by Central Chevrolet dealers.

The FCC gives New Hampshire its first TV channel allocation, leaving neighbor

Vermont as the only state without an allocated TV channel.

(Another) Does television help sell records? A few

months ago, Decca released a song by Burl Ives, “The

Riddle Song.” Not much in sales until Ives sang the song

on the popular kid’s show “Ding Dong School.”

Week of April 16 1953

Godfrey’s Talent Scouts (CBS) - 58

You Bet Your Life (NBC) - 54.7

Godfrey and Friends (CBS) - 42.1

Dragnet (NBC) - 49.9

Texaco Star Theatre (Milton Berle) (NBC) - 48.2

Comedy Hour - Bob Hope (NBC) - 45.7

What’s My Line? (CBS) - 43.5

Our Miss Brooks (CBS) - 41.9

Toast of the Town (Ed Sullivan) (CBS) - 41.1

Mama (CBS) - 40.8

Blue Ribbon Bouts (CBS) - 40.1

Cavalcade of Sports - (NBC) - 38.7

Life of Riley (NBC) - 38.7

Television Playhouse (NBC) - 38.6

You Hit Parade (NBC) - 38.4

Red Buttons (CBS) - 38.3

Fireside Theatre (NBC - 37.6

Jackie Gleason (CBS) - 37.1

All Star Revue - Jimmy Durante (NBC) - 37.0

Kraft TV heater (NBC) - 36.2

Big Town (CBS) - 35.9

Big Story (NBC) - 35.4

Ford Theatre (NBC) - 35.1

Music news - Jimmy Boyd, the 14-year-old singer who teamed up with Frankie

Laine on his latest release, will now team with Rosemary Clooney on a song

based on the New York Post comic “Dennis The Menace.”

Mel Allen is signed by Golden Records (the kids label) to recite “Casey At The

Bat.”

WNEW DJ Al (Jazzbo) Collins hosted a jazz bash at the Pythian Temple in New

York. 6,000 showed to hear the likes of Georgie Auld, Stuff Smith, Tony Scott

and Terry Gibbs.