A look at the year 1940.             

President Franklin D. Roosevelt has died from a cerebral  hemorrhage.                  

From NBC radio news: An airplane has crashed into the Empire State Building.           

A tribute to musical composer Jerome Kern.         

A review of the year 1946.            

Live coverage of the 1949 Presidential Inauguration of President Harry S. Truman.          

Continuation of President Harry S. Truman Inauguration.          

Winston Churchill speaks at MIT Convocation introduced by Bernard  Baruch and Dr. Karl Koryton.       

January 19th, 1950- February 23th, 1952 (CBS)

Robert Q. Lewis hosted this prime-time talent show, on which talent buyers, agents, producers, and stars dropped by to audition and hire promising young hopefuls. 

Note: This was the pilot episode for the series.

Celebrities appearing on this episode: Comedian Will Jordan, bandleader Sammy Kaye who is looking for a girl singer, Sam Glick, (club date booker, President of the Piece Goods Buyer's Association) Lee Goober, (owner of the "Rendezvous Room" in Philadelphia), Lila Hyers, (vocal), Jack Russell, (vocal), Alfredo Salmaggi, (founder of "The Salmaggi Opera Company), "The Three Riffs, Adelaide Bishop, (soprano), Ray Bloch and his orchestra).

Announcer: Art Hannes. 
Host: Robert Q. Lewis 

Special from the United Nations: Russian Revolution on admission of Red China turned down, Yakov Malik, Russian delegate, makes statement and walks out of UN, Council attacks "Kuomintang Clique."             

WHAS-TV Tower Raising. February 11th, 1950. WHAS-AM Louisville, Kentucky. Sponsored by: Sustaining. 8:00 AM. 
A program about the construction of the first television transmitting antenna in Louisville. The program features a conversation with Walter Gerard, one of the construction workers, while he is five hundred twenty-five feet above the ground. His voice is heard over a "squawk box." The recordings are made on a "tape recorder." During the recording, somebody pulls out the machine's A.C. plug, causing a break in the recording. There is no indication that any of these recordings were ever broadcast.

Note: The TV tower rose to 87 feet. 

Comedian Eddie Cantor in a live one-man performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Later released as a CD.
Produced by Joe Franklin. 

Radio broadcast of the 22nd annual Academy Award ceremony at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, California for the best films and performances of 1949. Broderick Crawford captured the best actor award for "All The King's Men" while Olivia de Havilland won best actress award for "The Heiress." "All The Kings's Men" won the award for best picture. This was the last year all five Best Picture nominees were in black and white. 

Other awards: Best Supporting Actor: Dean Jagger
Best Supporting Actress: Mercedes McCambridge 
Best Director: Joseph Mankiewicz

Host: Paul Douglas.                                                  

President Harry S. Truman speaks before the nation concerning the Korean war conflict. He states the United States committment to halt ongoing Communist aggression in the free world.                   

North Koreans attack and invade South Korea to signal beginning of Korean war. Announcement made by Secretary of State Dean Acheson. President Truman comments on the attack, accuses Communists of contempt and challenge to UN.  

Bulletin from WOR radio in New York City.         

The United Nations recommends assistance to South Korea to repel armed attack by the North Koreans.              

PABST BLUE RIBBON BOUTS (CBS TELEVSION WEDNESDAY NIGHTS)
October 28, 1948 - May 25, 1955

This the CBS Radio Broadcast of the fight. 

Undefeated Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Joe Louis, meets Ezzard Charles for the heavyweight boxing  championship of the world. Charles wins a unanimous fifteen round decision becoming the only man to go the full fifteen rounds with Louis and win. 

Opening of the broadcast with Pabst commercial is recorded with Jack Brickhouse and Russ Hodges discussing the significance of this match even taking away back page headlines during New York Yankess pennant race. 

The fight is called by Russ Hodges. Every round is recorded. After 15 rounds of boxing, official announcements from judges and referee declaring unanimous decisive win for Ezzard Charles.
Ted Husing in the ring interviews Ezzard Charles and a number of his corner men. Wrap-up evaluations with Jack Brickhouse and Russ Hodges signing off.  





                      

A tribute to jazz singer and entertainer Al Jolson who died on October 23rd, 1950.  

An assassination attempt has been made on the life of Harry S. Truman. It was carried out by militant Puerto Rican pro- Independence activists, Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola while President Truman was residing at Blair House during renovations at the White House. Although the pair made it up to the entry steps at Blair House and opened fire, Torresola was killed by a Secret Service agent, Leslie Coffelt who was mortally wounded himself by gunfire. Collazo was captured and sentenced to death but Truman commuted his sentence to life imprisonment.                                                     

CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow reviews results of the 1950 elections throughout the US, including campaign  of Millard Tydings. Henry Lehman returns to Senate, Governor William Alexander of Oklahoma. Sam Rayburn returns for 20th time to House Of Representatives. Vincent Impellitteri wins the New York City Mayoral election, Thomas E. Dewey wins for New York State Governor.                

CBS-TV live coverage of the 1950 election returns to elect members of the 82nd Congress of the United States.

Host: Edward R. Murrow. 

            

Presented on "PULITZER PRIZE PLAYHOUSE." Television adaptation of the Maxwell Anderson-Kurt Weill musical about Peter Stuyvesant. 

Excellent sound. Broadcast contains opening. Complete.            

Secretary of State Dean Acheson speaks on Asia and US policy towards the Far East.         

The year 1950 in review.            

Presented on MUSICAL COMEDY TIME. Adaptation of the 1927 Broadway musical. Musical numbers only.   

Very good sound recording for its vintage.

          

UN troops evacuate Seoul before onrushing Communist troops.            

CBS salutes Bing Crosby on his 20th year in radio.              

A CBS RADIO PRODUCTION 

MC Art Linkletter with in order of appearance:
Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy- Comedy
Mary Martin sings "A Wonderful Guy"
William S. Paley- recalls hearing Bing for the first time twenty years ago and getting him for CBS.
Ella Fitzgerald- sings "Can Anyone Explain?"
Amos and Andy- tribute to Bing (serious)
Dorothy Kirsten- sings "Ouvre Ton Coeur"
Louis Armstrong and Jack Teagarden-"Rockin Chair"
Judy Garland sings- "Rockabye Your Baby"
Mrs. H. L. Crosby Sr. Recalls Bing's childhood
Bing Crosby and Bob Hope in a comedy routine
Bing sings- "I Surrender Dear" 

UN condemns Communist China as a threat to world peace.             

Russian delegate Jacob Malik comments unfavorably on Japan's entry into the UN.           

Presented on MUSICAL COMEDY TIME. Dietz-Schwartz musical about the Governor of a Spanish colony in 1812 who cannot resist the ladies. Musical numbers only. A lost television broadcast. 

Very good to excellent sound recording.            

From New York, the Estes Kefauver Senate crime hearings. Voices include Senator Kefauver, Rudolph Halley, Frank Costello, Virginia Hill Erickson, William O'Dwyer, and Charles W.Tobey                            

Commentary on the firing of General MacArthur, Representative Joseph Martin calls on General MacArthur to come to the US to tell story, also calls for possible impeachment of President Truman, Senator James Nolan calls situation "Far East Munich." Senator Robert Kerr supports Truman, supports all out war with Red China.
Secretary Dean Acheson accused of dominating US policy and defense, Senator John Sparkman says General MacArthur lacks understanding of situation, Senator William Jenner claims firing gives Russians a great victory, President Truman chooses General Matthew Ridgeway to replace MacArthur. General ran Fleet to replace Ridgeway in 8th Army Command.                 

President Harry S. Truman presents a talk on the Korean war.            

General Douglas MacArthur addresses Congress on the Korean war.  
NBC news commentary on MacArthur's speech from NBC newsmen Morgan Beatty and Earl Godwin. Also includes comments on the speech.                      

General Douglas MacArthur's speech before Congress,  which concludes with his famous words that became the trademark of his address; "Old Soldiers Never Die."    

Opening and conclusion of address only.                  

Senator Robert A. Taft talk on US foreign policy, says it was a mistake to commit US troops to Korea, doubts outcome of the war.        

Highlights of the General's career; including WW1,WW11, and the Korean conflict. Emphasis on his handling of the Korean war and comments concerning his firing from the Far East Command. Voices include that of President Truman, Senator Taft, General Wainwright, Franklin Roosevelt, Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, Edvard Benes. Representative Joseph Martin reads the MacArthur letter complaining about restrictions in Korea. Also, Major General Courtney Whitney, General MacArthur, Representative Maury Maverick, and UN Secretary General Trygvie Lie.                      

Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy speaks on Communists in United States government.          

Signing of the United States and Phillipines Mutual Defense Treaty. Talk by Secretary of State Dean Acheson.       

Bond program features Private Eddie Fisher, Sgt. John Pitman, (Medal Of Honor winner Korean war) and General Leroy Collins.                       

President Truman speaks about proposal to United Nations
on disarmament. Radio and television report to the American people on international arms reduction.       

Fred Allen seven-minute excerpt.