Week of October 16, 1954

A hurricane rumbles whips into Canada wreaking death and destruction in eight

states. 53 are dead with damage in the millions.

The Ohio River, swollen with torrential rain waters and spilling its banks, crests

almost nine feet above flood stage. Thousands are evacuated in West Virginia

and Ohio.

The United States, Britain and France reach formal agreement on ending the

occupation of Germany and restoring its freedom.

The Bavarian magistrate’s court says it has no doubt that Adolf Hitler committed

suicide in Berlin during the closing days of World War II. The court issued the

opinion as it neared the end of a 21-month investigation into the question of

whether Hitler is legally dead. It has been a ling-standing belief that Hitler, with

his wife, Eva Braun, committed suicide in his Berlin Bunker on April 30, 1945.

Entertainment news

cartoons, stage, radio and now he’ll become a

record artist having signed to Columbia. In the

past year or so, Backus has appeared in the TV

comedy - “I Married Joan,” - a featured spot in the

movie “Deep In My Heart,” continued guest shots

on radio as “Hurbert Updyke,” the richest man in

the world; starred in the cartoon “Mr. Magoo” and

even did stock in “The Man Who Came To Dinner”

and as if that weren’t enough, Jim Backus sold a

screen play “Big Talent” to MGM.

known as America’s most romantic

couple, will be seen together for the

first time on television next Sunday

(Oct 24) on David Selznick’s “Light’s

diamond Jubilee” on CBS. Their

romance has caught the imagination

of the nation. Debbie’s not rushing into

matrimony until she’s sure.

Week of October 16, 1954

weeks of U.S./Canadian theatre dates starting March

7 in San Francisco. Look for her in Detroit, Chicao, St.

Louis, Toronto and Montreal.

Even though he said he wouldn’t do another one -

Donald O’Connor will star in another “Francis The

Mule” movie - his sixth.

Marco Rizon, longtime keyboardist with Desi Arnaz,

gets star billing on his own in a Coronet Record album.

separation.

Elizabeth Tylor announces that she and Michael Wilding

are expecting another child March 1. The Wildings have

one son, Michael, born January 6, 1953.

Television news

Nielsen ratings -

Jackie Gleason (CBS) - 53.0

Toast of the Town (CBS) - 42.1

I Love Lucy (CBS) - 48.9

Milton Berle (NBC) - 47.6

Disneyland (ABC) - 44.4

Pro Football (DuMont) - 43.7

Dragnet (NBC) - 43.0

Martha Raye (NBC) - 42.1

Liebman Presents (NBC) - 41.4

Jack Benny (CBS) - 39.7

Just in case you didn’t know - Disney’s Davy Crockett is

shaping up. Three hour-long episodes are being shot - each in

the life of Davy Crockett, Indian fighter, each complete in itself.

female in the cast. She’s also serving as a model for the

Sleeping Beauty of Disney’s cartoon feature.

Week of October 16, 1954

Both Gene Autry and Roy Rogers tried and failed as the Supreme Court rules for

television stations to continue showing old cowboy movies starring each. The two

actors had tried to stop the TV showings because they have no control over the

commercials injected between reels. They expressed fear the public might get

the idea they endorsed the products. If one of the products happened to be

perfume or something sissy like that, it would make Gene and Roy look pretty

bad in the eyes of their young fans. The contended their contracts with Republic

did no provide for showing the movies on commercially sponsored TV programs.

Lucy” last season as cousin Ernie, will play the role

once again. Filming of the episode is set for next

month. Apparently, it has something to do with the

gang heading to Hollywood.

Radio news -

Ever wonder what top disk jockeys make these

days?

These are New York DJ’s and their stations:

WOR - John Gambling - $150,000 per year

WABC - Martin Block - $100,000

WNEW - Dee Finch

and Gene Klavin -

$90,000 each

WNEW - Jerry Marshall - $75,000

WMGM - Ted Husing - $80,000

WCBS - Jack Sterling - $60,000

WNEW - Art Ford - $40,000

WMGM - Ted Brown - $50,000

Chicago’s Howard Miller at $70,000

Pittsburgh’s Rege Cordic at $50,000

Alan Freed will head up New York’s first rhythm and

blues bash at the St. Nicholas Ballroom January 14

& 15. Alan Freed heard on WINS radio, is calling it

the “Rock and Roll Ball.” He had used the

“Moondog Ball” back in Cleveland, but Freed recently lost the title to the original

Moondog, Louis Hardin - a blind percussionist who works on the streets of New

York.

Week of October 16, 1954