Week of January 1, 1950

As 1949 closes, total government debt is $275 billion.

Russia accuses Finland of violating her peace and mutual aid treaties with the

Soviet Union by harboring ore than 300 Soviet war criminals.

Former President Herbert Hoover

proposes that the U.S. Navy be sent

Chinese Communists from seizing it

and other strategic islands off the

China coast.

Likewise, Gen Douglas MacArthur

(supreme commander for the allied

powers) believes the United States

should take definite measures to

keep Formosa from falling to the Chinese Communists.

Great Britain informs the Chinese Nationalist government that it is granting full

diplomatic recognition to the Chinese Communist regime.

Nationalist naval sources assert China’s Communists with Russian help are

massing ships for the invasion of Formosa.

President Truman asks Congress for a “moderate” tax boost in a message

sparkling with confidence in the future of a prosperous American and a peaceful

world.

President Truman refuses to intervene to save Formosa from the Chinese

Communists. He served notice that the U.S. government intends to stay clear of

the upheaval which has put much of China

into Communist hands. No military aid, or

even military advice will be given to the

Nationalists on Formosa he said.

shortstop and field captain of the Brooklyn

Dodgers undergoes an operation for an

inguinal hernia.

Week of January 1, 1950

The New York Sun, a 116-year-old daily newspaper, ceases publication after

being sold to afternoon rival the World Telegram. It will now be known as the

World-Telegram and the Sun. The Sun had a circulation of around 300,000 daily.

The World-Telegram is approximately 385,000. Many of the Sun’s features will

be carried into the World-Telegram; but most of the Sun employees will be let go.

In a Gallup Poll - the average American has strong faith in the power of

democracy to resist the inroads of Communism and to spread its own doctrines

throughout the world. The majority of Americans appear confident of winning the

“battle of ideas” with Russia.

1949, according the opinion of the San Francisco Drama

Critics Council. This for his work in “Black Magic,” and

“Prince of Foxes.” Bette Davis in “Beyond the Forest” draws

the rating of worst actress. And “The Fountainhead” is

1949’s worst picture.

Technology - Eugene McDonald Jr., president of the Zenith

radio Corp of Chicago says a device will enable a television viewer to simply dial

his favorite television show and the program will be sent over the phone to a

television set. The secret as McDonald sees it, lies in a new device, which

permits the transmission of a televised program with the aid of an ordinary home

telephone. The device consists of a few tubes and will add about $10 to the cost

of a television set. McDonald says he would like to conduct a public test

sometime this year.

on radio. She was 52. Ms. Gardella, who weighed more

than 400 pounds, lapsed into a diabetic coma at her home.

She own widespread fame as a black-face “Aunt Jemima”

on radio and in Vaudeville.” In 1936, she won a verdict of

$115,000 against NBC, General Foods and Log Cabin

Products for using her professional name. Later, it was

overturned, but she received an out-of-court settlement

Kirk Douglas sues for divorce on the former Diana Dill. They

have two sons - Michael 5 and Joel 2. The couple has been

separated for nearly a year.

Week of January 1, 1950

speeds, announces it will soon offer 33 1/3 record disks. Heretofore, RCA Victor

has sold its extensive catalogue only on 78rpm records and its newly developed

45rpm singles. RCA Victor 33 1/3’s will reach the market about March 1.

Week of January 1, 1950

doesn’t know if it will adopt the RCA 45rpm format. The company says it has no

demand for them (so far).

The automatic transmission makes its first appearance in the low-price

automobile field this week, with the introduction of the 1950 Chevrolet. “The

Powerglide” automatic transmission is now an option at extra cost. The 1950

Chevrolet has a more powerful engine and refinements that extend throughout

the line of new passenger car models.

There’s a push to elect actor Robert Montgomery as a candidate for Congress in

Yonkers. He would run as a Republican candidate.

Television news -

Admiral Corporation says it will produce a million television sets in 1950. In 1949,

the Chicago television company built and shipped more than 400,000 television

sets.

“Our Gang” shorts is chosen as the

leading lady for Ken Murray’s new CBS-

TV program. The every-other-week-

program begins Saturday.

Color-TV closer to reality - Three of the

four FCC commissioners who have the

CBS color TV sets in their homes, are

giving a thumbs up after a “sneak

preview” telecast. CBS is trying to win the

FCC approval of its system of color

telecasting, in which the color is imparted

by spinning discs. RCA, Columbia’s

fiercest competitor, also is seeking the nod from the Commission for its intricate

method of electronic color telecasting.

Thursday night television -

Escape

Week of January 1, 1950

NBC - News Caravan with John Cameron Swayze, Night Court, Who Said

That?, Kay Kyser’s College of Musical Knowledge,

ABC - Lone Ranger, Stop The Music, Variety Show

DuMont - Morey Amsterdam Show

Week of January 1, 1950

FM radio has real problems, according to New York station owner Nathan

Radio news -

Nathan Straus, owner of WMCA AM and FM in New York City decides to keep

the FM station on the air, pending negotiations with a syndicate for sale of the

station. Several weeks ago, Mr. Strauss revealed he planned to close WMCA-FM

down by December 30 because it was losing some $4,000 a month.

Jack Benny

Radio-Theatre

Fibber McGee and Molly

Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts

Amos ‘n’ Andy

My Friend Irma

Bing Crosby

Charlie McCarthy

Groucho Marx

Walter Winchell

Bob Hope

Suspense

Mr. Chameleon

Bob Hawk

FBI In Peace

War

Frank Sinatra, Betty Garrett, Ann

Miller

John Agar

Barrymore, Ethel Waters, Wm.

Lundican

Montgomery Clift

Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon

Week of January 1, 1950