Before there was NBC Nightly News, there was Tobacco Company sponsored Camel News Caravan with John Cameron Swayze. This is the September 28, 1954 episode.
Bryan: John Cameron Swayze reportedly had a photographic memory and could memorize his news script after a quick glance. The Teleprompter came in around the time of this broadcast. Also note who was the NBC correspondent in Washington at the time, who did the lead story. He went on to co-anchor the network's nightly newscast with a former Los Angeles anchor named Chet Huntley.
Back then the news was either read using cards or using copy which was placed in the desk before them where they glanced down and read the news and then looked at the camera.
Be sure to stay tuned for the Camel commercial in the middle of the clip, and the old car race toward the end. John Cameron Swayze did that without a teleprompter. Amazing.
They really pushed the advertising for Camel. The carton behind John Swayze, the two packs on each side of his desk and, the ashtray on David Brinkley's desk.
"CAMEL NEWS CARAVAN" was on Monday through Friday at 7:45pm(et) from 1949 through '56 (during its last two seasons, it alternated sponsorship with Chrysler's Plymouth division on Tuesdays and Thursdays as "PLYMOUTH NEWS CARAVAN"). In the fall of '54, this 15 minute program followed a 15 minute musical interlude at 7:30- "THE TONY MARTIN SHOW" on Mondays, "THE DINAH SHORE SHOW" on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Eddie Fisher's "COKE TIME" on Wednesdays and Fridays.
The last time I went to Disney World, I was too scared out of my wits to go on the Carousel of Progress, because I’d heard that John Cameron Swayze was mentioned in the dialogue of that attraction. I had a huge crush on him! (Even though he died when I was a baby.) Next time, I’m going on Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, and wearing a custom-made shirt proclaiming my love for you-know-who.
The first 11 months of the "Huntley/Brinkley Report" also was broadcast at 7:45 P.M. ET. But by that time, ABC and CBS had moved their evening newscasts to 6:45, 7, or 7:15 P.M. ET (depending on the affiliate), and ran half-hour or full-hour entertainment programs at 7:30. In September of 1957, NBC moved "Huntley/Brinkley" back to either 6:45 or 7:15 ET, depending on the affiliate.
David Brinkley, the Washington D.C. correspondent- with Chet Huntley in New York- later succeeded John Cameron Swayze as the anchors of what became "THE HUNTLEY-BRINKLEY REPORT", which lasted until 1970. "Martha Raye begins a new season of specials with her guest star Wally Cox- next, on NBC".
How about junk? I thinking the same thing - also thinking what a piece of crap my sister's 1982 Buick Skyhawk was. Another piece of crap was the Plymouth Horizon - you name the year....
Very amusing to see the 5 Cleveland Indian players proudly endorsing - and puffing away on - those healthy Camel cigarettes on the eve of the World Series at the 7:00 mark.
1954 was the British TV (BBC) launched their first TV news service (however newscasters were only heard, no seen in vision until September 1955).
I was less than 1 year old when this was broadcast being born in January of 1954.
Nice that a story about antique cars airing just one year before the now classic "Tri-Five" ('55-'57 Chevys)!
Bryan:
John Cameron Swayze reportedly had a photographic memory and could memorize his news script after a quick glance.
The Teleprompter came in around the time of this broadcast.
Also note who was the NBC correspondent in Washington at the time, who did the lead story. He went on to co-anchor the network's nightly newscast with a former Los Angeles anchor named Chet Huntley.
John Cameron Swayze was sooooo handsome. :)
Back then the news was either read using cards or using copy which was placed in the desk before them where they glanced down and read the news and then looked at the camera.
Be sure to stay tuned for the Camel commercial in the middle of the clip, and the old car race toward the end. John Cameron Swayze did that without a teleprompter. Amazing.
They really pushed the advertising for Camel.
The carton behind John Swayze, the two packs on each side of his desk and, the ashtray on David Brinkley's desk.
1954 our family acquired it's 1st TV..
"CAMEL NEWS CARAVAN" was on Monday through Friday at 7:45pm(et) from 1949 through '56 (during its last two seasons, it alternated sponsorship with Chrysler's Plymouth division on Tuesdays and Thursdays as "PLYMOUTH NEWS CARAVAN"). In the fall of '54, this 15 minute program followed a 15 minute musical interlude at 7:30- "THE TONY MARTIN SHOW" on Mondays, "THE DINAH SHORE SHOW" on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Eddie Fisher's "COKE TIME" on Wednesdays and Fridays.
The last time I went to Disney World, I was too scared out of my wits to go on the Carousel of Progress, because I’d heard that John Cameron Swayze was mentioned in the dialogue of that attraction. I had a huge crush on him! (Even though he died when I was a baby.)
Next time, I’m going on Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, and wearing a custom-made shirt proclaiming my love for you-know-who.
Did you mean Disneyland? Or does Disney World have a copy of the Carousel of Progress?
Camel News Caravan (1949 ~ 1956)
The Huntley-Brinkley Report (1956 ~ 1970)
NBC Nightly News (1970 ~ present)
This is a great looking kinescope.
The "Tobacco Company" sponsoring the Camel News Caravan is R.J. Reynolds Ltd.
The first 11 months of the "Huntley/Brinkley Report" also was broadcast at 7:45 P.M. ET.
But by that time, ABC and CBS had moved their evening newscasts to 6:45, 7, or 7:15 P.M. ET (depending on the affiliate), and ran half-hour or full-hour entertainment programs at 7:30.
In September of 1957, NBC moved "Huntley/Brinkley" back to either 6:45 or 7:15 ET, depending on the affiliate.
Puffing those Camels could be the reason the Tribe got swept!
+Jay Hofer LOL probably right.
David Brinkley, the Washington D.C. correspondent- with Chet Huntley in New York- later succeeded John Cameron Swayze as the anchors of what became "THE HUNTLEY-BRINKLEY REPORT", which lasted until 1970.
"Martha Raye begins a new season of specials with her guest star Wally Cox- next, on NBC".
The 1911 Maxwell would be a 1973 Chrysler if this was shot in 2016!
Wow - network news had its own airplane! I doubt any U.S. network news crew has one now. Might save them money on covering big stories.
Those old cars were 30 years old then. Do we call a 1980s car "antique" or just "used"?
How about junk? I thinking the same thing - also thinking what a piece of crap my sister's 1982 Buick Skyhawk was. Another piece of crap was the Plymouth Horizon - you name the year....
Very amusing to see the 5 Cleveland Indian players proudly endorsing - and puffing away on - those healthy Camel cigarettes on the eve of the World Series at the 7:00 mark.
Camel used to donate cartons of Camels to vets in VA hospitals. I'm not sure that helped those vets a whole lot. :-)
It would if they were having a nicotine fit. (trust me) LOL.
Was this aired on the network or was it distributed locally?
Nationally.
I heard a cough. Somebody doesn't really smoke.
Camel, official cigarette of the Cleveland Indians.
@jcice3 - Wonder if that's why the Giants ended up sweeping them in 4 games? . . . ;)
I always thought Bob Lemon was African-American