Here’s the schedule for NBC’s experimental New York City television station W2XBS, owned by RCA, for the third week of January 1940. I wonder what “Dodson’s Hollywood Monkey Stars” looks like. And John Williamson’s “undersea motion pictures” would probably be interesting to see. Some of the films that were broadcast during this week may be available on DVD. I believe Reaching for the Moon is.
Sunday, January 14th, 1940
2:30-3:45: Film, “Spy of Napolean,” with Richard Barthelmess and Dorothy Haas.
8:30-9:30: Varieties, featuring Television Explorers, with John Williamson and his undersea motion pictures, and television debuts, with Ray Forrest, master of ceremonies.Wednesday, January 17th, 1940
2:30-3:30: Views and interviews at La Guardia Field.
8:30-9:20: Dodson’s Hollywood Monkey Stars; Better Vision show; Televiews Picture Contest.Thursday, January 18th, 1940
8:30-10:00: Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove.Friday, January 19th, 1940
2:30-3:30: Films, “Ski Chase”; “Burn ‘Em Up Barnes”; “China”; “Community Life.”
8:30-9:30: Play, “The Gorilla.”Saturday, January 20th, 1940
2:30-3:47: Film, “Reaching for the Moon,” with Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Bebe Daniels and Edward Everett Horton.
9:00-11:00: Boxing at Ridgewood Grove.
Sources:
“Notes on Television.” New York Times. 14 Jan. 1940: X10.
