Arcadia Publishing (SC) Chicago Television

For anyone who grew up in Chicago from around 1948 on, this photo history of Chicago's television channels and on-air personalities is worth the cost. As a kid in the late 40s and early 50s I'd run home from grammar school at lunch time so I could watch Uncle Johnny Coons Noontime Movies. The book covers more than just children's shows like Garfield Goose and Howdy Doody and Kula, Fran and Ollie, but also news and sports. I really enjoyed taking this trip back in time when Chicago TV was in its infancy.

A very thorough research into the origins and the pioneers of Chicagoland TV. Many people, behind the camera, were brought to my attention as the names refreshed my memory, from when I was a young gun. For Chicagoans of days gone by it is a very pleasant read stacked with photos.

Na

I grew up in Chicagoland back in early days of TV. Prior to 1946 television was practically unknown. From 1946-1949 TV set sales went through the roof. It was at that time, when great numbers of people started watching that "Chicago Television" was created.I have no idea of the ages of the authors, but this book shows either their ignorance of, or lack of interest in, the early and most interesting period of Chicago television.For example, The biggest and most important TV show to originate in Chicago was "Garroway At Large". This book has one closeup photo of Dave Garroway facing a TV camera. No mention of Cliff Norton, the sets, the full orchestra in the studio, the Merchandise Mart studios, Nothing but one lousy photo of Dave!Perhaps one the most seen seen local TV personalities was Jim Moran "The Courtesy Man". He had a full production one hour show on Friday nights called "Courtesy Hour". In addition, he had hours of movies and commercials the rest of the week. He used to call his commercials "Torture Time". The authors provide us with one vanity photo of Jim sitting at a desk with his producer looking over his shoulder. Nothing else!Can you imagine a book on Chicago Television with only a short mention of "Super Circus". No photo's of Calude Kirchner, the stage, or the theater. Only a vanity glamor shot of Mary Hartline. Indeed, most of the book is nothing more that full or half page vanity photo's (some signed) of unknown producers, unknown directors, and third rate TV personalities.It is really irritating when the authors fail to mention major personalities that built the medium. The authors spent pages promoting Harry Volkman as a legendary weathermen in Chicago TV, but not one word about Clint Youle. He was the first Chicago TV weatherman, with his black marker and glass covered rand McNally map that he bought at a local office supply. Some may remember his wife's doing the commercials for some flour company. In addition to being WNBQ's weatherman on TV news every night, Youle was the "first national news TV weatherman" appearing with John Cameron Swayze on national broadcasts.Sadly, if you expect. like I did, that this book would reflect the history of the early years of Chicago Television, include some studio shots, etc, you will be disappointed. I found it has no historical literary value, and is mostly a collection of vanity photos of unknowns.

Chicago Television was my profession and am listed and pictured in it several times. It brings back many memories of the unique beginning of the very special creative video style that became known thoughout the country as "Chicago Television."