Here’s the schedule for NBC’s commercial station WNBT in New York City for the week starting Sunday, September 21st, 1941, straight from daily television listings printed in The New York Times. Sports for the week included football on Sunday, the regular Monday boxing bout, racing on Thursday, and another football game on Saturday.
The week also included another episode of Thrills and Chills with host Doug Allan and guest Malcolm Rosholt as well as the second episode of Fashion Discoveries on Television, both of which aired on Thursday. A second fashion show was broadcast on Friday. Sponsored by the Treasury Department’s New York State Committee for the Sale of Defense Bonds and Stamps, “Styled for the Defense” was called television’s “first outdoor fashion spectacle” by The New York Times [1].
Broadcast from the Sunken Plaza at Rockefeller Center, the show started at 2:45PM and was viewed in person by some 750 people. Gowns and jewelry worth $250,000 were modelled by Lady Ashley, Mrs. Tracy Jaeckel, Virginia Pine, Joe Ann Sayers and Mrs. Douglas Fairbanks, among others. Vyvyan Donner served as announcer and Arthur Treacher was master of ceremonies. Also on hand were Xavier Cugat, Kitty Carlisle and Olga Baclanova.
Other programming for the week included an opera workshop featuring Il Trovatore, another Radio City Matinee and a spelling bee. I would love to know exactly “The Inquiring Reporter,” a ten-minute program broadcast on Wednesday, was about.
Sunday, September 21st, 1941 [2]
2:30-5PM – Football: Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Detroit Lions, Ebbets FieldMonday, September 22nd, 1941 [3]
8-9PM – Test Pattern
9-11PM – Boxing; Jamaica ArenaTuesday, September 23rd, 1941 [4]
1-2:30PM – Test Pattern
2:30PM – Film: Vincennes
3:15PM – Film: Remnants of Frontier Life
3:30-5PM – Test Pattern
8-9PM – Test Pattern
9PM – Stars of Tomorrow
9:30PM – Frank Eliscu, Artist
9:40PM – Opera Workshop-Il Trovatore
9:55PM – NewsWednesday, September 24th, 1941 [5]
1-2:30PM – Test Pattern
2:30PM – Radio City Matinee: Christopher Rule, Mrs. Pennyfeather, Others
3:30-5PM – Test Pattern
8-9PM – Test Pattern
9PM – Jerry Sears, Music
9:20PM – The Inquiring Reporter
9:30PM – To Be Announced
9:40PM – Harvey Harding, Songs
9:50PM – Face of the War, Sam CuffThursday, September 25th, 1941 [6]
1-2:30PM – Test Pattern
2:30-5PM – Racing at Belmont
5PM – Fashion Discoveries
8-9PM – Test Pattern
9PM – Thrills and Chills, with Doug Allan and Malcolm Rosholt
9:30PM – Spelling BeeFriday, September 26th, 1941 [7]
1-2:30PM – Test Pattern
2:30-3PM – Fashion Show, at Rockefeller Plaza
3:30-5PM – Test Pattern
8-9PM – Test Pattern
9-10PM – Modern Mikado, with Bruce Hamilton, Jack Millard, Pamela WoodSaturday, September 27th, 1941 [8]
1-2:30PM – Test Pattern
2:30-5PM – Football: Manhattan vs. St. Bonaventure, Randall’s Island Stadium
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.
Works Cited:
2 “Television Highlights.” New York Times. 21 Sep. 1941: X8.
3 “Radio Today.” New York Times. 22 Sep. 1941: C30.
4 “Radio Today.” New York Times. 23 Sep. 1941: 44.
5 “Radio Today.” New York Times. 24 Sep. 1941: 46.
6 “Radio Today.” New York Times. 25 Sep. 1941: 50.
7 “Radio Today.” New York Times. 26 Sep. 1941: 44.
8 “Radio Today.” New York Times. 27 Sep. 1941: 32.
It is amazing to think that the New York Times even printed TV listings in September 1941. That was before the US entered World War II! One does not even think of anyone having a TV in their home at that time. Talk about a high end luxury item.It would have been like having a home computer in 1980.