Veteran on-the-road announcer Dennis Daily presents newscaster Lowell Thomas's final newscast, as heard on the CBS Radio Network, Friday, May 14, 1976 at 7 p.m. ET.
Lowell Thomas was leaving radio at the time I was entering it. He was right; radio had changed dramatically from his days on the Blue (later ABC), NBC and CBS. I tried to pattern myself after him and the many pros at KMOX and CBS. Wasn't as good as they were, but I still managed a 33-year career in the business. Radio has changed dramatically since then, and I fear not for the better. Take care.
Another of Edward Roscoe Murrow's boys leaves the airwaves. 5 years later, Lowell Jackson Thomas would leave _us_, at age 89; The Lowell Thomas Award is in his honour. Absent friends...
Thomas was a traveler and writer who had made a name for himself by promoting the popular image of “Lawrence of Arabia.” He journeyed to Afghanistan in search of stories for a film that was never produced. While in Kabul, Thomas met the Royal Family, including Shah Wali who was later known as the “Conqueror of Kabul.”
I remember hearing Lowell Thomas in those last years, but I had no idea he was over 90 years of age when he finally retired. Amazing. CBS had him on radio and Cronkite on TV. again, amazing. Glad this has survived.
I probably made a mistake on the timing of his retirement, but I was right on the years of his birth and death; in fact, this clip ended with the announcer saying that he would live only five more years after the broadcast. Mr. Thomas had a full, rich life, at any rate.
Well this kind of accent was primarily spoken by actors, newsman, politicians and, people of the upper class who wanted to sound like part of those groups, or authoritative. This was not the accent of the average person as "RP" or the Queen's English is not how the average person speaks.
@@ericharper5656 Um, No. his accent had little to do with the "tech", as he still had the "Mid-Atlantic" accent in the 1970's as he did in the 1930's. I still sound the same today on modern recordings as I did in 1978 on recordings (1978 analog tape OR 2018 digital files). High and low FREQUENCIES are cut off on older recordings, But that did not change his accent.
I believe Lowell Thomas's final radio newscast actually originated from a living-room set in a CBS-TV studio on West 57th Street in New York City so it can be videotaped. The newscast actually was taped a half-hour ahead of time so it can appear on the three network TV evening newscasts at 6:30 P.M. EDT.
No doubt, an extraordinary excellent, very interesting, knowledgeable, extremely in formative and comprehensive video. Dr Malik Naseem Ullah Khan, kakkay Zai. An ex medical student of quid I Azam medical college Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan and an ex senior medical officer at District Head Quarter Hospital, Narowal, Punjab, Pakistan. Now in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
I never missed his 15-minute evening newscasts. I was sad when he signed off for the last time. He said "So long," instead of "So long until tomorrow."
I never knew that his show was cut from 15 minutes to 5. I'm 53 now, and can remember the opening of his show, but I never paid much attention, as I was very young. I do remember "Good evening, this is Lowell Thomas". Also I never knew his son was Alaska Lieutenant Governor. We were having trouble with the Soviet Union (now Russia) way back then, which I clearly remember. The part about his son is at 4:08.
What a MAN! Didn't Walter Cronkite have a 15 minute commentary, nightly, around the 7 o'clock hour? What was Doug Edwards doing about this time?Thanks for posting!
I recall that the three TV networks of the time (ABC, CBS, and NBC) wanted to simulcast Lowell Thomas's final radio newscast. As a result, it was actually taped about an hour beforehand, and instead of being done at a CBS Radio studio or at Thomas's estate in Pawling, New York (where Thomas had a home studio), it was done in a TV studio, with a living-room set, at CBS's West 57th Street facility in New York City. The newscast (minus commercials) appeared on the TV network newscasts, fed at 6:30 P.M. EDT and on tape over CBS Radio at 7 P.M. EDT.
As far as I can tell, Lowell Thomas seldom did commentary, but, much in the ilk of Paul Harvey, he was a genuine American and a flag-waver. I am sure, knowing his background that he was also anti-Communist, though I never remember him saying anything about it. Thanks for the question the comment. Dennis
Mark, you are so right on both accounts. I would go back and change the slide for the, but the master of this video in raw form no longer exists. Maybe your correction will be enough. Again, thanks. Dennis
Prior to WWII, LT did a simulcast on NBC Radio and TV in the late 30's. I remember reading that in a paperback book authored by R.B. 'Gadabout' Gaddis (The Flying Fisherman), that Gaddis and LT had broadcasted on a 'tv network' from NYC to the Albany, NY area, and perhaps also to Boston, Mass.
In 1940, Lowell Thomas was the first man to anchor a live TV broadcast of a political convention. That year, NBC produced coverage of the Republican Convention in Philadelphia which was fed to New York and to Schenectady. Thomas wasn't in Philly; he was in a New York control room watching a TV monitor, and his comments were pretty much restricted to off-camera voice-overs identifying who was about to speak or who had just spoken (i.e. "That was John Doe of Wisconsin, speaking on behalf of Wendell Willkie").
So do I. I miss his entire view of the world when adventure was real and life was a challenge to make things better. Now I am at my end and look back on Mr. Thomas with great admiration and know the world remains still less without the likes of men like him.
After retiring from radio, Lowell Thomas did a TV series for PBS in which he reviewed the major news events between 1919 and 1975, each year being covered in a different episode. Film of events prior to 1963 were from Movietone (for whom Thomas narrated newsreels), I believe BBC and CBS newsfilm footage was used for episodes covering 1964 through 1975.
If you are interested in Lowell Thomas -- his life, his journalism legacy, and his connection with T.E. Lawerence -- you may wish to visit the "Creating History: Lowell Thomas and Lawrence of Arabia" online exhibit at the Clio Visualizing History website.
When Lowell Thomas began his nightly radio newscast in 1931, the wire services refused to supply news to broadcasters. He and an assistant compiled the news themselves, often calling major sources in Washington, New York, and other places. BTW, in his first few months on radio, Thomas did newscasts for both CBS and NBC. Thomas referred to "ABC Before It Was ABC". His newscast was on the NBC "Blue" network, which NBC later had to divest for anti-trust reasons; Blue became ABC. Thomas moved to what was once NBC "Red" (now NBC's only radio network) after the divestiture.
Very true. The reason that, in the beginning, all major media -- ABC, CBS, NBC, MBS, CNN -- were reporting the same thing is that that "same thing" was the truth. It's a crime against the Constitution that our President has convinced his followers that every new agency that criticizes him is lying ... and people are buying it. Remember, a "free press" is the only institution outside of Washington that is guaranteed in the Constitution.
What a destiny! This man virtually lived through, and documented, the entire 20th century. When this was aired, he had passed the age of 90. Really a fascinating man and a life which almost any other man can only dream of. Salute, Mr Thomas!
I found Lowell Thomas’ birth announcement! It was in The Greenville Journal, Greenville, Ohio, on April 14, 1892! “Harry Thomas is the happiest man in town; he goes home from school at noon for dinner, and would almost go at recess, just to see his new boy; born April 6th…”
A note to a099353. You called me an asshat. What does that mean? If you think my voice is odd, blame my professors back in the '60s who thought we had to sound articulate to deserve to be on the air. So, what DOES "asshat" mean?
I think that's one of today's variations of "asshole," Dennis. But that someone would call you that just because of your voice or how you talk, I think, just makes them a small person, an adolescent, maybe both.
It would be interesting to know whether he took a stand on Communism. His colleague, Edward R. Murrow, was falsely accused of BEING a Communist. Did he say anything about the Red Scare?
What a life this guy lived. He actually visited with Laurence of Arabia in the Middle East. A real journalist.
Lowell Thomas was leaving radio at the time I was entering it. He was right; radio had changed dramatically from his days on the Blue (later ABC), NBC and CBS. I tried to pattern myself after him and the many pros at KMOX and CBS. Wasn't as good as they were, but I still managed a 33-year career in the business. Radio has changed dramatically since then, and I fear not for the better. Take care.
I am 62 and I remember lowell thomas saying at the end of every broadcast, So long until tomorrow ! So I will say lowell, So long !
Another of Edward Roscoe Murrow's boys leaves the airwaves. 5 years later, Lowell Jackson Thomas would leave _us_, at age 89; The Lowell Thomas Award is in his honour.
Absent friends...
Clearly a sign of things to come with the minimizing of news and maximizing of adverts - sad.
Thomas was a traveler and writer who had made a name for himself by promoting the popular image
of “Lawrence of Arabia.” He journeyed to Afghanistan in search of stories for a film that was never produced. While in Kabul, Thomas met the Royal Family, including Shah Wali who was later known as the “Conqueror of Kabul.”
I remember hearing Lowell Thomas in those last years, but I had no idea he was over 90 years of age when he finally retired. Amazing. CBS had him on radio and Cronkite on TV. again, amazing. Glad this has survived.
He was actually 83 when he retired. He died before reaching 90. I don't know the exact dates, but I do know he was born in 1892 and died in 1981.
I probably made a mistake on the timing of his retirement, but I was right on the years of his birth and death; in fact, this clip ended with the announcer saying that he would live only five more years after the broadcast. Mr. Thomas had a full, rich life, at any rate.
I miss that old, distinct accent that Americans used to speak with.
Ikr today's accent suck, with maybe the southern country accent being an exception.
Well this kind of accent was primarily spoken by actors, newsman, politicians and, people of the upper class who wanted to sound like part of those groups, or authoritative. This was not the accent of the average person as "RP" or the Queen's English is not how the average person speaks.
It was because of the equipment that was used back then. The technology had some to do with it.
@@Bananapuddinpie "Mid-Atlantic" accent. It kind of WAS a US version of of England's "R.P."
@@ericharper5656 Um, No. his accent had little to do with the "tech", as he still had the "Mid-Atlantic" accent in the 1970's as he did in the 1930's. I still sound the same today on modern recordings as I did in 1978 on recordings (1978 analog tape OR 2018 digital files). High and low FREQUENCIES are cut off on older recordings, But that did not change his accent.
I actually remember listening to this broadcast as a 14 year old. Next month I will be 63!
Did you know that he was also a ROCK HOUND and enjoyed the hobby. I will always remember him!!! It was good to hear his voice again.
I believe Lowell Thomas's final radio newscast actually originated from a living-room set in a CBS-TV studio on West 57th Street in New York City so it can be videotaped. The newscast actually was taped a half-hour ahead of time so it can appear on the three network TV evening newscasts at 6:30 P.M. EDT.
No doubt, an extraordinary excellent, very interesting, knowledgeable, extremely in formative and comprehensive video. Dr Malik Naseem Ullah Khan, kakkay Zai. An ex medical student of quid I Azam medical college Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan and an ex senior medical officer at District Head Quarter Hospital, Narowal, Punjab, Pakistan. Now in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
And this has what to do with Lowell Thomas?
I never missed his 15-minute evening newscasts. I was sad when he signed off for the last time. He said "So long," instead of "So long until tomorrow."
I never knew that his show was cut from 15 minutes to 5. I'm 53 now, and can remember the opening of his show, but I never paid much attention, as I was very young. I do remember "Good evening, this is Lowell Thomas". Also I never knew his son was Alaska Lieutenant Governor. We were having trouble with the Soviet Union (now Russia) way back then, which I clearly remember. The part about his son is at 4:08.
What a MAN! Didn't Walter Cronkite have a 15 minute commentary, nightly, around the 7 o'clock hour? What was Doug Edwards doing about this time?Thanks for posting!
Back in the '60s, Lowell Thomas had a CBS News broadcast that ran from 6:45 pm ET to 7pm.
I recall that the three TV networks of the time (ABC, CBS, and NBC) wanted to simulcast Lowell Thomas's final radio newscast.
As a result, it was actually taped about an hour beforehand, and instead of being done at a CBS Radio studio or at Thomas's estate in Pawling, New York (where Thomas had a home studio), it was done in a TV studio, with a living-room set, at CBS's West 57th Street facility in New York City.
The newscast (minus commercials) appeared on the TV network newscasts, fed at 6:30 P.M. EDT and on tape over CBS Radio at 7 P.M. EDT.
As far as I can tell, Lowell Thomas seldom did commentary, but, much in the ilk of Paul Harvey, he was a genuine American and a flag-waver. I am sure, knowing his background that he was also anti-Communist, though I never remember him saying anything about it. Thanks for the question the comment. Dennis
Pretty interesting. Thank you for telling me about my ancestor
Mark, you are so right on both accounts. I would go back and change the slide for the, but the master of this video in raw form no longer exists. Maybe your correction will be enough. Again, thanks. Dennis
Prior to WWII, LT did a simulcast on NBC Radio and TV in the late 30's. I remember reading that in a paperback book authored by R.B. 'Gadabout' Gaddis (The Flying Fisherman), that Gaddis and LT had broadcasted on a 'tv network' from NYC to the Albany, NY area, and perhaps also to Boston, Mass.
In 1940, Lowell Thomas was the first man to anchor a live TV broadcast of a political convention. That year, NBC produced coverage of the Republican Convention in Philadelphia which was fed to New York and to Schenectady.
Thomas wasn't in Philly; he was in a New York control room watching a TV monitor, and his comments were pretty much restricted to off-camera voice-overs identifying who was about to speak or who had just spoken (i.e. "That was John Doe of Wisconsin, speaking on behalf of Wendell Willkie").
God I miss that guy :)
So do I. I miss his entire view of the world when adventure was real and life was a challenge to make things better. Now I am at my end and look back on Mr. Thomas with great admiration and know the world remains still less without the likes of men like him.
Yes, and a couple of others, to name just two. Walter Cronkite and Howard K. Smith. Mr. Smith was at CBS himself in the early '60s.
After retiring from radio, Lowell Thomas did a TV series for PBS in which he reviewed the major news events between 1919 and 1975, each year being covered in a different episode. Film of events prior to 1963 were from Movietone (for whom Thomas narrated newsreels), I believe BBC and CBS newsfilm footage was used for episodes covering 1964 through 1975.
I totally remember that series! Lowell Thomas Remembers.
@@Chisox74 Yes a weekly show-I wondered at the time why he said "so long until tomorrow"
If you are interested in Lowell Thomas -- his life, his journalism legacy, and his connection with T.E. Lawerence -- you may wish to visit the "Creating History: Lowell Thomas and Lawrence of Arabia" online exhibit at the Clio Visualizing History website.
I used to listen to him on WCBS in New York on weekdays at 6 in the evening.
Those were the days...
When Lowell Thomas began his nightly radio newscast in 1931, the wire services refused to supply news to broadcasters.
He and an assistant compiled the news themselves, often calling major sources in Washington, New York, and other places.
BTW, in his first few months on radio, Thomas did newscasts for both CBS and NBC.
Thomas referred to "ABC Before It Was ABC". His newscast was on the NBC "Blue" network, which NBC later had to divest for anti-trust reasons; Blue became ABC. Thomas moved to what was once NBC "Red" (now NBC's only radio network) after the divestiture.
Back when news was normal and not divided
Very true. The reason that, in the beginning, all major media -- ABC, CBS, NBC, MBS, CNN -- were reporting the same thing is that that "same thing" was the truth. It's a crime against the Constitution that our President has convinced his followers that every new agency that criticizes him is lying ... and people are buying it. Remember, a "free press" is the only institution outside of Washington that is guaranteed in the Constitution.
What a destiny! This man virtually lived through, and documented, the entire 20th century. When this was aired, he had passed the age of 90.
Really a fascinating man and a life which almost any other man can only dream of.
Salute, Mr Thomas!
I found Lowell Thomas’ birth announcement! It was in The Greenville Journal, Greenville, Ohio, on April 14, 1892!
“Harry Thomas is the happiest man in town; he goes home from school at noon for dinner, and would almost go at recess, just to see his new boy; born April 6th…”
A note to a099353. You called me an asshat. What does that mean? If you think my voice is odd, blame my professors back in the '60s who thought we had to sound articulate to deserve to be on the air. So, what DOES "asshat" mean?
I think that's one of today's variations of "asshole," Dennis. But that someone would call you that just because of your voice or how you talk, I think, just makes them a small person, an adolescent, maybe both.
Why did Thomas leave CBS?
His only two grandchildren were really and truly really honorable communists when they went to high school in Anchorage, Alaska!!!
For an excellent exhibit of Thomas don't miss: Cliohistory.og, a Short film and some good information of Thomas and Lawerence of Arabia
It would be interesting to know whether he took a stand on Communism. His colleague, Edward R. Murrow, was falsely accused of BEING a Communist. Did he say anything about the Red Scare?
You got to be older than dirt if you remember him
I'm 57 (posting on 10-20-20) and remember him from when I was a kid.
I am. Soon to be 66.