Here’s the schedule for NBC’s experimental station W2XBS in New York City for the week beginning Sunday, June 2nd, 1940. The Belmont Stakes were broadcast on Saturday, June 8th. A wrestling match was aired the previous day. Lots of films were broadcast during the week, as well as something called the Magnolia Floating Theatre, described as “a television showboat,” along with a variety show and a drama titled “Double Door” with Elizabeth McFadden.
Tuesday, June 4th, 1940
3:30-4:30PM – Jimmy Lynch and his Devil Drivers, at the Goodrich Building, World’s Fair.
6:45-7:00PM – News, Lowell Thomas.
9:00-10:00PM – Magnolia Floating Theatre, a television showboat, featuring “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” with Paula Stone, Winfield Hoeny, Judson Laire, W.O. Macwatters and Jack Cherry.Wednesday, June 5th, 1940
3:30-4:30PM – Films.
6:45-7:00PM – News, Lowell Thomas.
9:00-10:15PM – Films, “Dark Sands,” with Paul Robeson, baritone.Thursday, June 6th, 1940
3:30-4:30PM – Films, “Sights of Paris”; “Office 13,” with Monte Blue.
6:45-7:00PM – News Bulletins.
9:00-10:00PM – Drama, “Double Door,” with Elizabeth McFadden.Friday, June 7th, 1940
3:30-4:30PM – Films, “Holland,” “Pennywise,” “Cuckoo Newsreel,” “Birds of a Feather.”
6:45-7:00PM – News Bulletins.
9:00-11:00PM – Wrestling at Jamaica Arena.Saturday, June 8th, 1940
3:30-5:00PM – Racing, at Belmont Park, including the Belmont Stakes.
9:00-10:00PM – Variety show, with the Radio Ramblers, novelty act; the Gaudsmit Brothers, comedians; Frank Eliscu, “You’re an Artist.”
Sources:
“Telecasts for the Week.” New York Times. 2 Jun. 1940: 130.
That was hopefully the first time a Triple Crown race was televised ever!!!
But, I do enjoyed the Magnolia Floating Theater the most, as well.
So much for CBS claiming their 1948 Belmont takes telecast was the first on television.
Network TV, maybe, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Philadelphia and Schenectady got the Belmont Stakes telecast in 1940, 1941, or for that matter, after the war in 1946 and 1947.
“Double Door” was an over-the-top “haunted house” thriller, first filmed in 1934. (At this time slot, usually reserved for feature films, it may actually have been the film and not a live play.) McFadden was actually the author, rather than the star. It again saw the small screen in 1947 as an early venture of NBC’s “Kraft Theater,” with budding director Fred Coe in charge.