Action Autographs

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Action Autographs is an American television talk show that was broadcast on ABC April 24, 1949 - January 8, 1950.[1]

Overview

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Action Autographs used films "to drop in on many interesting people and watch their activities".[2] Episodes included interviews and "human-interest films".[1] Jack Brand was the initial host;[3] Ed Prentiss succeeded him.[1] Topics of episodes included: the Shark Men ("World War II's most incredible combat team"[4]), a four-month hunt for gold,[5] a water show,[2] psychoanalysis of Richard Basehart's character in the film She Walks at Night,[2] and harness racing.[6] Guests on the program included lecturer Burton Holmes,[7] water-skiing champion Willa Worthington,[8] actor Eddie Albert,[5] singer Burl Ives[2] and automobile racer Wilbur Shaw.[9]

Production

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Action Autographs was initially broadcast on Sundays from 10 to 10:15 p.m. Eastern Time.[3] Its competition included Girl About Town on NBC and a newscast on CBS.[10] When it returned in 1950, it was seen on Sundays from 6:30 to 6:45 p.m. E. T.[2]

Brand and Marge Bishop produced and directed the series,[11] which was owned by Brand Productions.[12] Bell & Howell was the sponsor[2] in that company's first venture into advertising on TV.[13] The program originated from WENR in Chicago.[11]

Critical response

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A review in the trade publication Variety said that children and camera enthusiasts should like the program, which it equated to "a solid commercial" for the sponsor's cameras while acknowledging that the demonstrations of cameras integrated smoothly with the format of the show.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 13. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. pp. 11–12. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Radio and Television; Stations Schedule Wide Coverage of Easter Services for Air and Video Audiences". The New York Times. April 16, 1949. p. 26.
  4. ^ Hal, Tate (October 3, 1949). "Chicago". Radio Daily. p. 4. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "Action Autographs". Variety. May 4, 1949. p. 30. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  6. ^ "New Action Autographs Series Begins Tonight". Chicago Sunday Tribune. September 25, 1949. p. Part 3 page 12. Retrieved June 10, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Tele Chatter: Chicago". Variety. June 15, 1949. p. 33. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  8. ^ "Tele Chatter: Chicago". Variety. June 1, 1949. p. 42. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  9. ^ "Features on the Air Today". The Sunday Star. District of Columbia, Washington. May 22, 1949. p. C 8. Retrieved June 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Hyatt, Wesley (October 6, 2015). Short-Lived Television Series, 1948-1978: Thirty Years of More Than 1,000 Flops. McFarland. p. 7. ISBN 978-1-4766-0515-9. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  11. ^ a b "This Week ---- Debuts, Highlights, Departures". Ross Reports. April 22, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  12. ^ "Who Owns Which TV Shows". Billboard. January 7, 1950. p. 8. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  13. ^ "Four ABC Stations Get B&H TV Series" (PDF). Billboard. April 9, 1949. p. 14. Retrieved June 12, 2025.