News from the New York Times: The health of President Dwight Eisenhower is announced to be OK, the Hungarian premier announces that Russian troops will withdraw immediately from Budapest as fighting continues, secret police disbands, Soviets protest United Nations interference, Isreal announces partial mobilization.                                                   

A report from Vienna: Hungarian refugees flee into Austria, mobs in London riot against the policy in the Middle East.                          

September 21, 1954-April 20, 1968

WOR TV Channel 9 in New York premiered the concept of the "MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE" with the Debut of MAGIC TOWN (1947), on September 21, 1954 to fill time slots when the telecasting of the Brooklyn Dodger baseball season ended.

THE MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE was a new concept in television viewing...a highlight attraction seen each day locally in New York City on WOR-TV Channel 9. Each week starting on Monday, a TV Debut movie would be shown, Monday thru Friday, twice each evening, 7:30pm & 10:00pm (TEN weekday SHOWINGS). The same film would then be broadcast multiple times on Saturday, 3:00pm, 5:00pm, 7:30pm, and 10:30pm and continuous showings on Sunday, at 12:00pm, 5:00pm, 7:30pm, and 10:00pm. 

That totaled  EIGHTEEN TELECASTS OF THE SAME FILM, BROADCAST EACH WEEK.

 The final across the board multiple showings of a single film for this series was DANGEROUS GROUND (1952), final telecast Friday, August 20, 1965. From that time on the moniker of THE MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE continued to be used but for the next three years films were sporadically shown more than once in different time slots, or were shown only one time, mainly on weekends. 

The title THE MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE was dropped completely  after the showing of the documentary, KON-TIKI (1951) which aired on WOR TV Saturday April 20, 1968.  Thereafter when WOR TV aired movies they were introduced with a generic opening. 

During the almost 14 year rein of THE MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE the opening musical number "Tara's Theme" by Max Steiner would be played as the opening introduction to the movie followed by a voice over announcing the name of the movie and actors.

In booth announcer for THE MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE form its premiere in 1954 thru 1959 was Frank McCarthy. Subsequently, following the end of WOR's affiliation with Mutual in 1959, Ted Mallie became the announcer. 

For the week of Monday thru Sunday, November 26-December 2, The NY TV Debut of the film EXPERIMENT PERILOUS (1944), starring Hedy Lamarr, was broadcast on THE MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE a total of EIGHTEEN TIMES. 

The entire opening of THE MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE broadcast November 27, 1956 is heard. It is the oldest air check known to exist related to the opening of THE MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE. 
                                                                                                                                                        

February 26, 1951-April 26, 1968

"The Late Show" which for years would be New York's top feature film show, premiered on WCBS TV New York on Feb. 26, 1951 "The Late Late Show" followed not long after, as did "The Early Show." As its run accumulated, WCBS would commemorate its  anniversary the week of Feb. 26 in different ways. On Feb. 26, 1963, for example, Ch. 2 celebrated "The Late Show's 4,327th broadcast...12th anniversary by inaugurating an extended broadcast day that ended after 5 A.M., unprecedented for its time.

The standard opening of "The Late Show" had the announcer state the title of the film, its cast and some additional relevant anecdotal piece of information related to the film. The musical opening was "The Syncopated Clock," written by Leroy Anderson and recorded by Percy Faith in 1951 (released by Columbia Records). The catchy melody was noticed by the producers of the new WCBS-TV program "The Late Show," that was to be the station's first venture into late night television. Faith's rendition was chosen as the theme music for The Late Show by WCBS and several other CBS owned-and-operated stations around the country, which helped Anderson's composition become a tune that many Americans could readily hum or whistle, even if few knew the name of its composer. WCBS would also use the Faith recording to introduce a weekday afternoon movie (The Early Show) and a later-night movie offering, The Late Late Show.

In 2006 a shortened version of The Syncopated Clock theme music would become the standard opening of the Archival Television Audio, Inc. archived collection...musical intro preceding a specific mastered TV Audio Air Check, which had been processed and mastered from the original off the air recording.  


The last time the moniker "The Late Show" was broadcast on WCBS television, in New York, was April 26, 1968 (WOLF LARSEN (1958). The series lasted 17 years and two months, totaling 6,189 Movie broadcasts. Films still ran in the 11:30pm time slot afterwards, but without the "Late Show" opening. During the years to follow, thru the 1970's, other facsimile Late Show openings were created, a secondary version of the original series. 

"The Syncopated Clock" instrumental standard opening is heard. The announcer introduces "On Borrowed Time"
starring Lionel Barrymore. New York television debut.                                                                           

February 26, 1951-April 26, 1968

"The Late Show" premiered on WCBS TV New York on Feb. 26, 1951 "The Late Late Show" followed not long after, as did "The Early Show." As its run accumulated, WCBS would commemorate its  anniversary the week of Feb. 26 in different ways. On Feb. 26, 1963, for example, Ch. 2 celebrated "The Late Show's 4,327th broadcast...12th anniversary by inaugurating an extended broadcast day that ended after 5 A.M.

The last time the moniker "The Late Show" was broadcast on WCBS television it was April 26, 1968 (WOLF LARSEN (1958). The series lasted 17 years and two months, totaling 6,189 Movie broadcasts. Films still ran in the 11:30 pm time slot afterward but without the "Late Show" opening. 

The Late Show opening prior to telecasting the movie " Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," (1944) starring Spencer Tracy.                                                                    


February 26, 1951-April 26, 1968

"The Late Show" which for years would be New York's top feature film show, premiered on WCBS TV New York on Feb. 26, 1951 "The Late Late Show" followed not long after, as did "The Early Show." As its run accumulated, WCBS would commemorate its  anniversary the week of Feb. 26 in different ways. On Feb. 26, 1963, for example, Ch. 2 celebrated "The Late Show's 4,327th broadcast...12th anniversary by inaugurating an extended broadcast day that ended after 5 A.M., unprecedented for its time.

The standard opening of "The Late Show" had the announcer state the title of the film, its cast and some additional relevant anecdotal piece of information related to the film. The musical opening was "The Syncopated Clock," written by Leroy Anderson and recorded by Percy Faith in 1951 (released by Columbia Records). The catchy melody was noticed by the producers of the new WCBS-TV program "The Late Show," that was to be the station's first venture into late night television. Faith's rendition was chosen as the theme music for The Late Show by WCBS and several other CBS owned-and-operated stations around the country, which helped Anderson's composition become a tune that many Americans could readily hum or whistle, even if few knew the name of its composer. WCBS would also use the Faith recording to introduce a weekday afternoon movie (The Early Show) and a later-night movie offering, The Late Late Show.

In 2006 a shortened version of The Syncopated Clock theme music would become the standard opening of the Archival Television Audio, Inc. archived collection...musical intro preceding a specific mastered TV Audio Air Check, which had been processed and mastered from the original off the air recording.  


The last time the moniker "The Late Show" was broadcast on WCBS television, in New York, was April 26, 1968 (WOLF LARSEN (1958). The series lasted 17 years and two months, totaling 6,189 Movie broadcasts. Films still ran in the 11:30pm time slot afterwards, but without the "Late Show" opening. During the years to follow, thru the 1970's, other facsimile Late Show openings were created, a secondary version of the original series. 

"The Syncopated Clock" instrumental standard opening is heard. The announcer introduces "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo."                                                                                                  

United States Government officials comment on Russia's "Sputnik" satellite, saying they're not surprised and that it's "no laughing matter." The Jubilant Russians give time-table of satellite passes.                          

Announcer introduces the 1931 feature of the night, "Dracula" on the ABC TV late night movie.
 A 25 second announcer opening.                                      

Excerpts from daytime soap operas include:

" From These Roots," (June 30, 1958-December 29, 1961)

"The Secret Storm,"  (April 1, 1954-February 8, 1974)

and "The Brighter Day." (January 4, 1954-Sept. 28, 1962)                                                             

An unknown New York radio disc jockey tells his audience about an opportunity for all (no College of even High School degree needed) to get  into radio as an announcer. A radio announcer's school with only a 16 week commitment. The DJ goes into detail, after which he dedicates his next record to be played to Dave and  Sarah. 

NOTE: Could this have been Dave Goldin (16 years old at the time), on his way to amassing the world's largest independent  radio collection?                                 

February 26, 1951-April 26, 1968

"The Late Show" which for years would be New York's top feature film show, premiered on WCBS TV New York on Feb. 26, 1951 "The Late Late Show" followed not long after, as did "The Early Show." As its run accumulated, WCBS would commemorate its  anniversary the week of Feb. 26 in different ways. On Feb. 26, 1963, for example, Ch. 2 celebrated "The Late Show's 4,327th broadcast...12th anniversary by inaugurating an extended broadcast day that ended after 5 A.M., unprecedented for its time.

The standard opening of "The Late Show" had the announcer state the title of the film, its cast and some additional relevant anecdotal piece of information related to the film. The musical opening was "The Syncopated Clock," written by Leroy Anderson and recorded by Percy Faith in 1951 (released by Columbia Records). The catchy melody was noticed by the producers of the new WCBS-TV program "The Late Show," that was to be the station's first venture into late night television. Faith's rendition was chosen as the theme music for The Late Show by WCBS and several other CBS owned-and-operated stations around the country, which helped Anderson's composition become a tune that many Americans could readily hum or whistle, even if few knew the name of its composer. WCBS would also use the Faith recording to introduce a weekday afternoon movie (The Early Show) and a later-night movie offering, The Late Late Show.

In 2006 a shortened version of The Syncopated Clock theme music would become the standard opening of the Archival Television Audio, Inc. archived collection...musical intro preceding a specific mastered TV Audio Air Check, which had been processed and mastered from the original off the air recording.  


The last time the moniker "The Late Show" was broadcast on WCBS television, in New York, was April 26, 1968 (WOLF LARSEN (1958). The series lasted 17 years and two months, totaling 6,189 Movie broadcasts. Films still ran in the 11:30pm time slot afterwards, but without the "Late Show" opening. During the years to follow, thru the 1970's, other facsimile Late Show openings were created, a secondary version of the original series. 

"The Syncopated Clock" instrumental standard opening is heard. The announcer introduces "The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre." 
We're told to look for a man in a white hat, played by director John Huston, who gives a coin to Humphrey Bogart (Fred C. Dobbs' character in the film).                                                    

Election returns, other news.            

WINS newsman Brad Phillips reports of a collision between two airliners (TWA and United) over Staten Island. News of plane disaster that killed 136 people. On-the-spot accounts given by eyewitnesses.    

Fires commissioner Edward Cavanagh Jr. states that today's air disaster is the greatest tragedy in American Aviation History. Comments from New York City Mayor Robert Wagner.

On Friday, December 16, 1960 at 10:33am a plane collided with another plane a mile high in the New York sky. It was the first commercial air disaster o the jet age, killing all 127 passengers, and crew members and five more people on the ground, when one of the airliners crashed in Brooklyn, setting off a seven-alarm fire. It was the worst aviation disaster in American history. 

The TWA constellation out of Dayton, Ohio, and bound for La Guardia Airport, broke apart in midair and plummeted into an open field in Staten Island. A United Airlines DC-8 jet out of Chicago, bound for Idlewild Airport, now Kennedy Airport, caught fire and hurtled into Brooklyn at an initial rate of 733 feet per second. The plane sliced through a church, an funeral home and 10 brownstones before sliding to a stop on Seventh Avenue and Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn.

Investigators ultimately determined United 826 had gone too late into its holding pattern and neither its crew or air traffic control knew exactly where it was. The only survivor was an 11-year old boy on the United jet  who was thrown clear of the wreck and landed in a snowbank. The TWA jet crashed 11 miles to the southeast, on Staten Island. It missed several houses by a few hundred feet. 

NOTE: A RARE EXTANT 1960 WINS 1010 RADIO AIR CHECK. 

                                                                          

The US breaks off diplomatic relations with Cuba as a result of the expulsion of US diplomats from Cuba.               

From  the ABC TV Newsroom a Bulletin, interrupting THE UNTOUCHABLES television program, announcing an airplane crash at Idlewild airport. 
      
"A Mexican DC -8 jet airliner enroot from New York to Mexico City with 97 persons aboard crashed during a blinding snow storm while taking off from Idelwild airport. At least 40 of the 97 persons aboard escaped without injury. The plane burst into flames but fireman brought the blaze under control after 50 minutes. This has been a bulletin from the ABC Newsroom. We now return to our regularly scheduled program."                  

Russians launch astronaut into orbit. 
  
On this day Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin became the first human being to travel into space aboard spacecraft Vostok, which orbited the Earth at a maximum altitude of 187 miles. During the flight the 27 year old test pilot and industrial technician also became the first man to orbit the planet, a feat accomplished by his space capsule in 89 minutes.  In total Gagarin was in space for one hour and 48 minutes.                                          

A news trailer shown on WNTA-TV Channel 13 in New York City.            

Highlights: US is directly responsible for invasion "of peace-loving Cuba" US attacked for invading Laos.             

Students from Latin America comment on "Yankee imperialist aggression in Cuba."                          

Commentary on US interference in Cuban affairs.                         

A radio broadcast of Macbeth.            

Russians and Chinese accuse the US of interference in South Vietnam, the West sends spies to East Berlin, the US explodes a nuclear bomb.             

News and commentary on the stock market crisis, the greatest crash since 1929, $28.5 billion dollars in paper value is wiped out.             

Commentary on US high altitude nuclear testing, appeal to the US to give up the testing, review of world opinion.            

Comment on US nuclear testing.              

News commentary of the day.                     

News commentary.            

Protest the US H-bomb tests.              

Moscow mailbag. 
Russians answer questions about South Viet Nam, nuclear testing, support for Cuba.          

Moscow mailbag. Russians answer questions about South Vietnam,
nuclear testing, support for Cuba.             

A commercial for Freedomland U.S.A. amusement park, a theme park in the Baychester section of the northeastern Bronx New York City. Dedicated to American history, it operated from 1960 to  September 1964.                          

A recap and discussion on the latest Russian space feat...twin spacemen, report from Moscow, discussion of U.S. position and future space plans                          

The Venus rocket responds to signals to steer it near Venus.                                       

Debunks the US, South American aid in Cuba, an "accusation" that Soviet, Chinese, Czech, and Congo troops (in loincloths) deny rocket launching sites in Cuba.             

News commentary. Comments on US war threats against Cuba, Cuba will not be intimidated, will have world support.            

News and commentary.            

Radio show.                                  

News and commentary.             

News and commentary from radio, Havana, Cuba.             

First-class mystery story developing in Washington with possible grave consequences, extreme secrecy and tension in the air possibly involving Berlin or Cuba, most speculation surrounds Cuba, emergency construction crews at Key West, servicemen pour into Florida, the Chinese Reds continue the assault on the Indians, they accuse Indians of aggression in the Himalayas, the Soviets avoid comment on this border war.           

An NBC special report on the Cuban missile crisis.                         

The Soviet Union issues a serious warning to the US concerning the Cuban blockade will bare the responsibilities of the consequences says Cuban missiles are purely defensive, Cuban armed forces alerted, the OAS meets about US resolution for the dismantling of the Cuban missiles.                         

Highlights: late word- The US Navy hunts a large Russian ship carrying guided missiles to Cuba.             

Topics: The US intercepts a Soviet ship and lets it pass on to Cuba with its oil cargo, UN negotiations underway with face-saving suggestions by Soviets and the US, anti-US demonstrations throughout the world including Harvard University, the Chinese Reds press further into India, a new report- a dozen Russian ships turn back.            

The US intercepts and inspects second Russian ship.             

 Cuban's seize an CIA AGENT as a saboteur, Russian Mars probe deep in space will try to take photos.          

From Radio Havana Cuba, commentary on "CIA-SABOTEUR"  captured in Cuba, US should vacate Guantanamo Bay.           

A question and answer session on various topics.           

The song "Limbo Rock" is heard. A bulletin from WABC Radio News:
A DC 7 air crash with 22 survivors.             

Bulletin: a DC-7 plane crash at New York's Idlewild airport kills 25 passengers.                        

Topics: A review of the puppet show in New York City, the roster of CBS-TV daytime shows.