University Daily Kansan
Page 2
Monday, Dec. 19, 1955.
1955 Was Year Of Davy Crockett
By DARLINE MONTGOMERY
(Of The Daily Kansan Staff)
Davy Crockett, the "$64,000 Question," a 25-year-old mouse, and a Chicago woman's diet were a few of the reasons that people smiled in 1955.
The legendary Davy became a national hero. T-shirts, dishes, bedspreads, and hundreds of other items appeared bearing his name and picture. Miniature Davys brandished rubber knives and killed dozens of imaginary bars.
In June it was estimated that Davy Crockett merchandise sales would reach $300 million. Mansfield, Ohio students voted to name their new school after Davy. Across the nation, little boys felt undressed if they didn't have a cooskin cap on their heads.
While Davy was "king of the wild frontier" a new network show became king of the television channels. Each Tuesday night millions of people held their breath as contestants moved toward the $64,000 question
Unknown personalities like Gino Prato, Richard McCutchen, and Gruncma Myrile Foster became a part of everyone's family. Capt. Richard McCutchen was the first contestant to try for and win the grand prize.
Some, who were not interested in an opera expert, or a gourmet, were interested in a 25-year-old mouse named Mickey. Walt Disney started the fall TV season with his hour-long Mickey Mouse Club. Parents, who had just barely finished buying Davy Crockett outfits, discovered that the younger generation all so needed black 'mouse ears.'
In Chieago, Lillian Korzen's husband asked for a divorce. He told the judge that Mrs. Korzen was getting too fat. She agreed to lose weight to save her marriage. For several weeks Mrs. Korzen's scales were the center of attention. They finally told the story. She had regained her figure but then a crisis developed. Mrs. Korzen wasn't sure she wanted to regain her husband.
In the spring of '55 Congress dropped its unofficial ban on women who wear shorts in the visitors gallery.
Dior introduced his Y-line, which emphasizes a slim waist and his H-line which emphasizes nothing. Italian T-shirts and beels, which are only a quarter of an inch thick at their narrowest part, also made fashion headlines.
Mambles, the neki hokey kids, Oodles, and Ruglend help I keep Dick Tracy busy in Dogpatch the green-faced Fleagle failed in his plot to turn the whole world green and Mammy Yokum discovered Druthering Heights.
Arthur Godfrey continued to introduce new entertainers. He also continued to fire the old ones.
In February, the American Medical Association released a report which shows that more men than women are Hospitalized in the United States. The conclusion of the report is that man is the weaker sex.
Jack Benny announced he would quit radio, after more than 23 years, to devote all of his time to television. Phil Silvers, as fast-talking Sgt. Ernie Bilko, was rated as having one of the best new comedy shows of the year. One of the most publicized TV shows was the two and one half hour production of "Peter Pan" starring Mary Martin.
"The Yellow Rose of Texas," "Honey Babe," and Ernie Ford's "16 Tons" led the popular song list of 1955. There was an outbreak of songs with religious themes, including "Tells Me So." "Rock Around the Clock" and "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" sold thousands of records.
At least one man this year kept a promise to his bride. Joseph Richards jokingly promised his sweetheart a honeymoon on a desert island. On their honeymoon, their pluice crashed and he and his new bride were marroned for two days — on a desert island.
Don't Crash The Christmas Party
This Space Reserved For The Pictures Of Those Who Do
With the Christmas season upon us, it's only natural that we have a spirit of friendliness and conviviality. And in keeping with this spirit it only seems natural that we have a courteous spirit when we drive.
Here are some tips to remember that will add to the safety and good feeling of yourself and others: Be sportsmanlike on every drive; obey all traffic regulations; keep your speed reasonable; don't drive when you drink.
At sundown, reduce speed so you're within range of your headlights; stay in line—don't weave; don't pass unless there's plenty of room—and never on hills and curves; allow sufficient stopping distance between you and the car ahead; be alert at intersections; signal your intention to stop or turn.
If you must drive in bad weather, double your care; check your brakes, lights, tires, windshield wipers, and steering. May you get to your destination safely and return the same way.
'Monitor,' Color TV Show Trends For '56
By DEE RICHARDS
(Of The Daily Kansan Staff)
The television trend in 1955 placed its emphasis on color—color with a spectacular twist. And with radio came a new sound—"Monitor."
The TV industry reached a saturation point this year with sales of some 8 million black-and-white receiving sets. Now the push is for color, and the production departments of the major networks are giving the viewers 90-minute spectaculars to push sales. Dealers expect to sell close to 300,000 color sets for the year 1955—a figure they hope will rise to 3 million by 1957.
Lavish extravaganzas have been, and are, planned to give the audience the full benefits of TV color entertainment—such things as the World Series; "Cyrano de Bergerac" with Jose Ferrer; "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial" starring Lloyd Nolan and Barry Sullivan, and "The Devil's Disciple" with Maurice Evans—were seen this year.
George Gobel, top comedian of last year, still holds his own on the rating sheets despite the jinx
that is supposed to hit a comedy star in his sophomore year. Perry Como (NBC) is dueling with Jackie Gleason (CBS) for the Saturday evening viewers, and Arthur Godfrey is firing his friends at the rate of one every two weeks.
Sylvania awards were presented last week. "Peter Pan" was named best show of the year. "Patterns" was rated the best dramatic show. The best comedy award was given to "You'll Never Get Rich," which stars Phil Silvers and the "Ed Sullivan Show" got top variety honors-
While TV strides forward with pomp and color, radio is trying to find a way out of the shadows. Pushed into the kitchen and the bedroom, it is experimenting with a new format, a new sound— "Monitor." With a "beep-beep" the NEC project takes the listener across the nation and around the world with music and commentary.
Coming up for '56? For radio—more new sounds. For TV—cheaper color sets, bigger shows, and a big question—one that has been with the industry since it began. Will we be paying for it like we pay the jukebox?
Letters:
Strong Nativity Scene Defended
Editor:
Editor:
Regarding the article by Miss McCoy, "Cone of Bulbs Ruins Tradition" and especially the last sentence, "Christmas is a tradition no one should attempt to change or improve. I should like to observe that there are traditions and traditiona. Now I think it rather obvious that the cone of bulbs is an attempt at embellishing the Nativity scene which is certainly also traditional and actually much more in the true spirit of the season. Perhaps a synthesis of Christmas AND the Nativity scene is called for here!
Judson R McElwee Lawrence Graduate student
Editor:
Editor.
We should like to take this opportunity to express how very sorry we are that Marion McCoy has been deprived of her favorite Christmas tree in the rotunda of Strong Hall. All of the trees in front of Strong Hall are decorated but that is not enough. There should also be one in the rotunda as that tree has contributed so much to her Christmas spirit.
We would like to express further, how sorry we are that the Arts Department is so far out of step with the modern trend. After all, a ridiculous Nativity scene cannot possibly express the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Christ.
Christmas should be gay, gifted with colored lights, parties, presents, etc. And poor Miss McCoy has to pat up with all the change. Yes, there is nothing like the traditional tree to really celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas.
Ignatius Schumacher
Ignatius Schumacher
Lawrence sophomore
Norb Schneider
Salina sophomore
(Another letter, signed "Santa," took the same stand as the above two.)
There's A Future
There's A Future DAVIS, Calif. (U.P.)—Young Californiaans are taking an optimistic view of the farm future. They have enrolled at the University of California college of agriculture here in greater numbers than in any year since the GI rush after World War II.