Here’s the schedule for NBC’s commercial station WNBT in New York City for the week starting Sunday, August 24th, 1941, straight from daily television listings printed in The New York Times. The station was off the air on Sunday as well as Saturday. Unlike the previous week, there were some films scheduled for broadcast.
The highlight of the week, however, was the premiere of Thrills and Chills Everywhere (aka Thrills and Chills, aka Thrills and Chills with Doug Allen) on Wednesday, August 27th. Hosted by Doug Allen, the first episode featured guest Faustin Wirkus, a former Marine who in the 1920s was proclaimed King Faustin II of Gonave Island in Haiti. The series aired sporadically on WNBT until 1942 when it moved to the experimental DuMont station in New York City. It was on the air at least through 1944 and potentially as late as 1946.
Also seen during the week were a ten-minute finger printing program on Tuesday, swimming on Thursday and civil service tests for New York City’s fire department on Friday.
Monday, August 25th, 1941 [1]
8-9PM – Test Pattern
9-11PM – Boxing; Jamaica ArenaTuesday, August 26th, 1941 [2]
1-2:30PM – Test Pattern
2:30PM – Film: Wolfe and Montcalm
3:15PM – Film: Jungles of Peru
3:30-5PM – Test Pattern
8-9PM – Test Pattern
9PM – Jack Smith’s Prevues
9:30PM – Cardano and Corinne, Dancers
9:40PM – Finger Printing
9:50PM – News-Ray ForrestWednesday, August 27th, 1941 [3]
1-2:30PM – Test Pattern
2:30PM – Variety Show
3:30-5PM – Test Pattern
8-9PM – Test Pattern
9PM – Thrills and Chills, with Doug Allen, Faustin Wirkus
9:30PM – Films: China’s Gift to the West and Hills and the SeaThursday, August 28th, 1941 [4]
1-2:30PM – Test Pattern
2:30PM – Swimming, New York Aquacade
3:30-5PM – Test Pattern
8-9PM – Test Pattern
9-10PM – Spotlight Variety ShowFriday, August 29th, 1941 [5]
1-2:30PM – Test Pattern
2:30PM – Civil Service Tests, for NYC’s Fire Department
3:30-5PM – Test Pattern
8-9PM – Test Pattern
9-10PM – Variety Show: Harvey Harding, Songs; Spelling Bee; Vivian Della Chiesa, Songs; News-Sam Cuff
Note: Television listings published in newspapers were based on information provided by stations and were subject to change at the last minute. They may not be an accurate representation of what actually aired.
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