Manhattan Spotlight

Last updated

Manhattan Spotlight
Starring Charles Tranum (host)
Country of originUnited States
Production
Running time15 minutes
Original release
Network DuMont
ReleaseJanuary 17, 1949 (1949-01-17) –
April 20, 1951 (1951-04-20)

Manhattan Spotlight is an American television interview program that was broadcast on the DuMont Television Network from January 17, 1949, to April 20, 1951. [1] Approximately 450 episodes were broadcast. [2]

Contents

Broadcast history

The series was an interview show hosted by Charles Tranum, [1] who was the chief announcer for DuMont. Subjects of his interviews included "ordinary citizens and smalltime entertainers with interesting hobbies and talents. [3] Topics of episodes included bop music, diamond cutting, jet propulsion, and seeing-eye dogs. A jet pilot appeared in his full flight equipment as an Air Force surgeon explained how the equipment kept the pilot conscious at high altitudes. A milliner presented a display of hats for men and women. [4]

Manhattan Spotlight began as a daytime program. As a nighttime broadcast, it was seen in various time slots including Wednesdays from 10 to 10:15 p.m. Eastern Time (April 1950 - May 1950) and Wednesdays from 10:15 to 10:30 p.m. E. T. (May 1950-June 1950). Additionally, it was broadcast in some late-night slots and at times was aired only locally in New York. [3] DuMont television sets [2] and Dictaphone Corporation were the sponsors. [5] The show originated from WABD-TV. Verne Tranum was the producer, and Pat Fay was the director. [6]

From December 1949 to June 1950, Easy Aces aired in the Wednesday 7:45pm slot. During the 1950-1951 season, the Hazel Scott, Joan Edwards, and Susan Raye shows all ran in the 7:45pm ET slot immediately after Manhattan Spotlight.

Tranum and the show's co-producers ended it [2] in 1951, and DuMont replaced the series with local (non-network) programming.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 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. 516. ISBN   0-14-02-4916-8.
  2. 1 2 3 Lanigan, Bob (April 30, 1952). "Some TV Viewers Miss the Stars Who Flickered Out of Their Screens". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 23. Retrieved August 21, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 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. p. 849. ISBN   978-0-307-48320-1 . Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Aver 'Spotlight' Is Unpredictable". The Daily Times. Iowa, Davenport. June 27, 1950. p. TV-6. Retrieved August 21, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Terrace, Vincent (January 7, 2025). 1950s Television Advertising: The Sponsors and Programs. McFarland. p. 22. ISBN   978-1-4766-9393-4 . Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  6. ↑ "DuMont". Ross Reports. February 26, 1950. p. 19. Retrieved August 21, 2025.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.