Week of September 20, 1952

Florence Chadwick establishes world history after

she swims the Catalina Channel in the record-

breaking time of 13 hours, 47 minutes - the first

woman to have crossed both the English and Catalina

Channels.

In a Gallup Poll - Eisenhower is ahead 51%-42%.

Gen. Eisenhower says he wants more information

before deciding whether to try to find a replacement

for the Vice-Presidential nominee on the Republican

campaign ticket. Eisenhower is not entirely convinced

there was nothing improper in Nixon’s allowing 76

Southern California admirers to kick in $18,235 toward asserted official expenses

during his first 18 months in the upper chamber of Congress.

Sen. Richard Nixon bares the entire

personal financial history of his political

career over national radio and

television. His sincerity loosed a rising

flood of telegrams (see below). Many

say his baring of personal finances was

unprecedented in political history and

he spared himself nothing. He did

reveal his $18,000+ expense fund was

morally wrong. (Pop history calls this

the famed “Checkers” speech after

Nixon describes a gift of a dog).

After the broadcast, telegrams pour into Washington in response to Mr. Nixon’s

TV-radio appeal that people help the Republican National Committee decide

whether to keep him as the GOP Vice-Presidential candidate. Many used the

telephone.

Declaring his colleague has been “completely vindicated,” Gen. Eisenhower tells

a crowd that he will go forward with Richard Nixon.

In St. Louis - Gen. Eisenhower pledged he would use the FBI and other

investigating agencies to root crooks and traitors out of government as a first

order of business in a republican administration.

Week of September 20, 1952

Campaigning in Massachusetts - Gov. Adlai Stevenson tells a crowd the

Republicans are “grouchy old pessimists” who haven’t been happy since

President William McKinley’s days.

Senator Richard Nixon’s radio and television appeal for voters to wire money to

the Republican National Committee meets a good response. Western Union

offices throughout the country were taxed to full capacity and telephone lines to

their offices were choked.

In Richmond, Gen. Eisenhower escapes unhurt when temporary stands on the

steps of the Virginal State Capitol collapse under the weight of spectators as he

was walking off the rostrum after making an address.

In Philadelphia - Undefeated Rocky

Marciano knocks out Jersey Joe

Walcott to become the world

heavyweight champ.

Week of September 20, 1952

Television news -

Dr. Allen B. Dumont, the father of television

says color television is a long way off - five to

10 years - whether or not the FCC approves it.

“It costs too much to produce the color tube.

And the tube isn’t very good - it gives a hazy

picture. Color isn’t practical yet.” Also said Dr.

DuMont, about 80% of all sets in use today

have 21-inch screens, “But I think the most

popular size will be a little bigger in the next

few years. Of course, there’s a limit. We’re now

experimenting with a 72-inch tube - but you

couldn’t get it through the doorway of a house.”

Week of September 20, 1952

“Joe DiMaggio’s Dugout” a sports show seen on WNBT-TV New York, will

become a live presentation conducted by a different sports star. DiMaggio, who

will spend the winter in California, will introduce each presentation by way of film.

Also, the New York Yankees will continue to have DiMaggio as a TV

commentator before and after each home Yankee game as they did last baseball

season.

Saturday night television -

CBS - Beat the Clock, Jackie Gleason Show , The Magic Bow, Battle of the

Ages

NBC - All-Star Review, Your Show of Shows, Your Hit Parade

ABC - Paul Whitman Teen Club, Complete Theater

DuMont - Wrestling At Chicago

Debut - Jackie Gleason Show - Jackie comes to CBS from DuMont. Guests -

Louis Armstrong, Eileen Barton, the Mayo Brothers.

Battle of the Ages with Morey Amsterdam

Week of September 20, 1952

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans draw a SRO crowd of 9,000 in

a gospel rally in Memphis.

Decca Records will begin releasing product from Universal

Pictures. It’s the first joint venture since Milton Rackmil

became prexy of both companies. First artist is Robert Monet.

Capitol Records wants to sign Marilyn Monroe as a pop

vocalist. Two songwriters have already written “Marilyn.”

At the movies -

Because You’re Mine - Mario Lanza

Somebody Loves Me - Betty Hutton, Ralph Meeker

The Merry Widow - Lana Turner,

Fernando Lamas

The Snows of Kilimanjaro - Gregory

Peck, Susan Hayward, Ava Gardner

Francis Goes To West Point - Donald

O’Connor

Here Come The Marines - Leo Gorcey,

Huntz Hall

The Quiet Man - John Wayne, Maureen

O’Hara, Barry Fitzgerald

High Noon - Gary Cooper