Here’s the schedule for NBC’s experimental station W2XBS in New York City for the week beginning Sunday, February 18th, 1940. What a week: two variety shows, a bunch of films and some boxing. But with titles like “The Woman’s World” and “One-Night Stand,” exactly what sort of variety shows were they?
Sunday, February 18th, 1940
2:30-3:40: Film, “City Park,” with Sally Blane.
8:30-9:30: Carveth Wells and his Malay jungle films, with John Sloane, American artist, interviewed by Caroline Bergh.Monday, February 19th, 1940
9:00-11:30: Finals, Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament, at Madison Square GardenWednesday, February 21st, 1940
8:30-9:30: “The Woman’s World,” varietyThursday, February 22nd, 1940
2:30-3:30: Films, “News Fronts of War,” “Burn ‘Em Up Barnes,” “Repair, Supply and Relief”
8:30: Film, “Uncle Sam–Farmer”
8:50-11:00: Wrestling, at Ridgewood Grove.Friday, February 23rd, 1940
2:30-3:30: “Sensibly Young,” fashion show, at La Guardia Field
8:30-9:30: Play, “Prologue to Glory,” by E.B. Ginty, with Stephen Courtleigh, Frances Reid, Ethel Wilson, Eva Condon and Elizabeth MaloneSaturday, February 24th, 1940
2:30-3:30: Film, “Emil and the Detectives,” with George Hays and Mary Glynne
8:30-9:30: Variety show: “One-Night Stand”
Sources:
“Notes on Television.” New York Times. 18 Feb. 1940: X10.
