WNBC-4 New York - Movie 4 - 1964

WNBC-4 New York - Movie 4 - 1964

[@1952kid]

Do you feel the relaxed no rush feel of this.They gave you time to get a pillow and some snacks and hit the couch. No stress,truely a slower more relaxed time,i miss it.

[@fromthesidelines]

"NBC LATE NIGHT MOVIE" was a network offering from 1977 through '84, 'wm'. Half of the commercial time was offered to national sponsors, and the rest went to the affiliates {"'NBC LATE NIGHT MOVIE' will continue, following these messages", was the usual announcer's outcue for local stations to start showing their ads during those breaks}.

[@paulw.rauschenbach8654]

Watching this makes me believe that time moved so much slower back in 1964.

[@MSTS1]

I figured New Yorkers would like that one. I've had it for decades, one of the animators was an old friend...

[@fromthesidelines]

"NBC LATE NIGHT MOVIE" (always seen in New York) was on late Sunday nights at 11:30pm(et), from 1977 through 1984, 'mike'- "THE GEORGE MICHAEL SPORTS MACHINE" replaced it in the fall of '84...

[@TheCharlisseAngel]

Makes me want to cry. Although I wasn't even born around that time. =P

[@wmbrown6]

(PART 5) . . . and Channel 4's own worsening ratings performance as was becoming increasingly evident in the early '70's. The final nail in the coffin for "Movie 4" came when WNBC decided to launch a two-hour newscast that debuted on April 29, 1974 as "NewsCenter4." The last "Movie 4" airing was on April 26, 1974, of the 1960 film version of "The Time Machine." Several 1960's Universal films held by WNBC in "Movie 4's" last years later went to WPIX where they aired on "The Eight O'Clock Movie."

[@mca1218]

Man. You're freakin' me out with these archival finds. I'm a DC native and I believe the DC affiliate (WRC-TV 4) borrowed heavily from the New York affiliate, because these bumpers and logos are very similar- right down to the large '4' logo with the NBC snake embedded. Washington also had a "Movie 4" afternoon movie, but its opening was videotape animation with some kind of mirrored special effect. I've been looking for that for probably 40 years. Thanks a bunch And the M4 music is gorgeous.

[@JHollowayNetwork]

Weren't there any other openings that the WNBC-TV incarnation of "Movie 4" used besides that?

[@fromthesidelines]

In January 1965, NBC began running selected repeats of Johnny Carson's "TONIGHT SHOW" (usually seen within the past year) as "THE SATURDAY TONIGHT SHOW" {Ed McMahon, over a title slide, usually announced, "'THE SATURDAY TONIGHT SHOW, STARRING JOHNNY CARSON'- bringing you memorable past programs from the 'TONIGHT' series"}; by September 1966, local affiliates had the option of showing them on Saturday or Sunday {"THE SUNDAY TONIGHT SHOW"}- eventually, it was retitled "THE WEEKEND TONIGHT SHOW"..

[@mrmjb1960]

Love it! Being a native of New York,now transplanted in Hudson Florida,I miss my Birthplace terribly! So,THANX for these '60's memories of WNBC-TV! Hope I see a '60's bumper for "NBC's Saturday Night At the Movies" from you soon!

[@fromthesidelines]

"The Late Show" originally used Percy Faith's 1951 Columbia recording of "Sycopated Clock" until about 1970- I don't remember it being used on "The Early Show" in the mid-'60s, though.

[@samuelgriffin4167]

Movie 4 on WNBC-TV in New York was a staple on television weekday afternoons at 4:30 followed by The Sixth Hour with Stokes and Udell

[@wmbrown6]

Up to circa 1963-64, "Movie 4" aired after the late (11:00 P.M.) news on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as their weekday afternoon (5:30 for much of the 1950's, 5:00 to about 1965, and 4:30 until its cancellation in 1974) airings. As of 1979-80, what aired after the Sunday night (11:00) news was the nationally-produced "NBC Late Night Movie."

[@RexStrother]

Opening Theme: "Silhouette of a Dream" (written by Stan Zabka and performed by The Paris Strings)

[@mca1218]

Your recollection / knowledge of this stuff is mind-blowing. I remember with great affection when almost all the local stations had an afternoon movie BEFORE the news- of course, at that time the news only came on at 6:00PM. WRC-TV had "Movie 4," WMAL-TV had "Money Movie 7 (phone in for cash prizes during commercials)," and some of the independent affiliates like WDCA-TV 20 had PM movies also. They all disappeared with the rise of earlier and EARLIER local news. Thanks for the timeline.

[@AlbieGray]

MSTS1, not only is this one very wonderful video that you did; I Love TV history. I wish there were more like this on KZbin! People NEED to see this kind of history. Thanks again! AlbieGray

[@DateTwoRelate]

I was 6 at the time but don't even remember local movies on 4. I remember the 4:30 movie (Chan 7), the Million Dollar Movie (9), Chiller Theater, 8:00 movie (11) and the Late show and late late show (chan 2) Plus assorted films channel 5 showed like the Bowery Boys on Sunday afternoons.

[@JHollowayNetwork]

The NBC O&Os at the time (1964) were KNBC Los Angeles, WRC-TV Washington, D.C., flagship station WNBC-TV New York, WNBQ-TV Chicago (whose call letters changed to present-day WMAQ-TV on August 31st that year) and WRCV-TV Philadelphia (before the 1956 station swap with Westinghouse was reversed on June 19th the following year with NBC returning to Cleveland under new call letters (WKYC-TV), and Westinghouse and the KYW-TV call letters returning to Philly).

[@PatPowersKQWC]

This is still my favorite video on KZbin...I like the music to the first Movie 4 clip...MSTS1...you are awesome! :)

[@stevevasta]

Indeed. Remember when musicians went into the studio to record these themes on actual (acoustic) instruments? Sigh..

[@NEPatriot]

if it were possible to hand out 10 stars for this super rare piece of NYC TV history, I would!

[@wmbrown6]

The other thing was, I seem to recall WRC in Washington, DC using the "film festival" motif for their weekend evening showcase. On the other hand, Los Angeles' KNBC ran the same group of films on Saturday nights but under the "Movie 4" umbrella; and Chicago's WMAQ, as "Movie 5." Apparently, the "Movie 4" brand on WNBC was in a rut as of 1966 (its last weekend movie showings under that title, in 1965-66, were "B" grade pre-'48, what was mainly run on their late-night "The Great Great Show").

[@dagwort]

Found this while searching for the mid-1960s "chasing lights" intro to NBC Saturday Night At The Movies. This is vaguely familiar (I was only 3 or 4 at the time, in NJ). My search goes ever on...

[@fromthesidelines]

Then, Johnny wanted his repeats off the weekend schedule by September 1975 [and that led to "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE"]- eventually, he resumed repeating his previous shows on Mondays, beginning in the summer of '78 {McMahon: "Stay tuned for an outstanding entertainment program- 'THE BEST OF CARSON'!"}.

[@ajg2558]

thank you once again for posting this brings back a lot of childhood memories of my parents watched this at night and the 4pm movie

[@MSTS1]

Thanks, glad you like it, I do too..

[@PatPowersKQWC]

This is just too cool! Makes you yearn for the old days of television. Liked the intro! Thanks for sharing!!

[@prausch65]

What a rare and beautiful piece of footage, I believe that Movie 4 was competing with channel 7's The Big Show during this era of late afternoon programming. Of course Channel 7 won out when 4 created News Center 4, and 7 became the famous 4:30 movie.

[@wmbrown6]

(PART 3) After NBC stations started running repeats of Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" in 1964, "Movie 4's" duration was relegated to weekdays only, and by May 10, 1965 moved to its final time slot of 4:30 P.M. In the wake of Carson repeats taking to the air, WNBC aired "Festival of Thrillers" and early episodes of the Roger Moore "Saint" series on weekends . . .

[@wmbrown6]

If this was 1964, I doubt it . . . back then, all movie openings and closings from all the New York stations were essentially made in black-and-white. It wasn't until about 1966 that color openings and closings began to be made for the respective stations' movie shows.

[@JHollowayNetwork]

But WNBC-TV was the only station in NYC to broadcast in color in 1964, NBC and it’s affiliated stations must have made the push to color after 11/22/1963.

[@KAIJUG]

Does anyone have the old WNBC Channel 4 in New York Sunday Night movie theme? It aired around 11:30 or 11:45 in New York City.

[@wmbrown6]

It started out as the "Saturday Film Festival" on Sept. 17, 1966 and moved to Sundays as the "Sunday Film Festival" effective with the Aug. 27, 1967 telecast. It not only ran top post-1960 foreign films from the directors you mentioned, but also more widely acclaimed Hollywood films. The opening you mentioned is exactly as I remember it. The program lasted to March 3, 1974, less than two months before "Movie 4" ended to make room for "NewsCenter4."

[@user-id1kq2ip3l]

Movie 4 ran from 1964 to 1974 last Friday film was The Time Machine

[@jcice3]

Now THIS is pretty rare and spectacular! Thanks so much for sharing.

[@wmbrown6]

(PART 2) Only a month after the show's debut, WRCA hired a "film director" to supervise the purchase of first-run films and advise on such titles for other NBC O&O's and affiliates. The "Movie 4" title first took effect on or about Feb. 10, 1957. Around 1959, the weekday program moved down a half-hour to 5 P.M. Only a few months after Channel 4's call letter change to WNBC in 1960, the station acquired several post-1950 foreign films for airing on "Movie 4."

[@Juliaflo]

Memories of those afternoon movie shows....before the advent of VCRs, DVDs, and cable as we know it. (Remember The Early Show on WCBS-TV?)

[@MSTS1]

@duncombepat - Yeah, the early 60's era had some great stuff; too bad there's not that much of it available these days.. Glad to see that some of my clips (like this) have so many fans, thanks! )

[@wmbrown6]

Let me amend that: The Sunday night "Movie 4" airings lasted until Sept. 23, 1962, and the Saturday night editions ran up to Jan. 2, 1965. (The latter was replaced with Carson repeats as of Jan. 9, 1965.) The "Saturday Film Festival" became the "Sunday Film Festival" effective Aug. 27, 1967, and ran up to March 3, 1974. (Along the way, there were a few one-off "Saturday Film Festival" airings in the early '70's, whenever the Sunday edition was preempted for a football game or whatever.)

[@wmbrown6]

I also wondered if anyone knew: a) how long these animations were used, and b) the theme musics for each cut. I'd say up to about 1965-66 at least . . . given that NBC was gung-ho about color, and also that color "exploded" during that period.

[@wmbrown6]

(PART 4) . . . followed, on Sept. 17, 1966, by the debut of the "Saturday Film Festival" (the first film shown: "8½"), a showcase for foreign films and top Hollywood releases. (By 1968, it switched nights with Carson reruns and was retitled the "Sunday Film Festival.") "Movie 4" suffered after 1968 with the combination of the debut of what became "The 4:30 Movie" on WABC, the cancellation of "The Early Show" and its replacement with Mike Douglas on WCBS . . .

[@RonaldCharlesEpstein]

People who lived in Buffalo's WBEN-TV (now WIVB) broadcast area saw MOVIE 4 TONIGHT.

[@mca1218]

That's a lovely, accurate description. And I concur. I was a M4 watcher also (it was an afternoon broadcast in DC, before the days of 14 hours of afternoon news), except that the music used was the theme from the film "More Than A Miracle." Don't know why I remember that. Judging by your moniker, I am probably a mere 10 years behind you, having just had my 47th.

[@toddcharry]

Can't you see why he does it? I wish it was a little more clear or showing on and off throughout, but I see why he does it. I Love this old TV history and so I'm just fine with his logo. Thanks, MSTS1

[@wmbrown6]

I think 'MSTS1' mentioned that he knew one of the animators - probably a print that this animator got of these opens, I.D.'s, bumpers, etc.

[@wmbrown6]

As I mentioned elsewhere (and which you picked up on), WRC-TV used News Gothic Condensed for the calls and city, as opposed to WNBC-TV's use of Akzidenz-Grotesk Condensed (a.k.a. Standard Condensed). Someone else noted KNBC in L.A. also used this 'large 4 with embedded NBC snake' logo; what font would've been used for the calls and city there?

[@7pledger]

Thanks! Yes, I downloaded that a while back, and I listen to it often. You may have already seen this, but there's a clip on KZbin that has a brief snippet of the "Sat. Night at the Movies" opening at the 3:11 mark (black & white, of course). Just search "BITS AND PIECES (TV 1966)".

[@njboricuaparati]

The music to the opener was breathtaking. So haunting. Did this air after the nighty local newscast like Cinema 4? I vaguely remember Cinema 4 airing on like a Sunday night after the news in like 79-80 some shit like that. I was very young

[@MSTS1]

@AlbieGray - Glad you like it, thanks. Who knows.. there may be someone out there who has old films like this and aren't ready to share them yet, or don't know how to upload them, but may do so in the future. Time will tell I guess..

[@wmbrown6]

The theme heard on the first "Movie 4" cut apparently was a Stan Zabka composition, "Silhouette of a Dream," which was featured on the 1964 Laurie LP "Zabka's Themes from Television." (I heard a sample on his website, and it wasn't this particular section; nevertheless, the chord structure was noticeable.) Still having trouble placing the version of "Petite Fleur."

[@njboricuaparati]

Ah okay that explains it. I was only like 5 in those days. I wonder how I got that mixed up with Cinema 4 though. Oh well I was young. LOL Thanks wmbrown you rock

[@MSTS1]

These were filmed and final printed to 16. I was given a spare 16 to borrow to make my own transfer to 1/2" videotape, and my transfer is what you are watching.

[@wmbrown6]

Until 1963-64, Monday-Friday afternoons and late-night weekends. Afterwards, only weekday afternoons. Also, after 1964, WNBC alternated between Saturdays and Sundays in airing the "Best of Carson" . . . and in 1966 Ch. 4 premiered the "Saturday [later Sunday] Film Festival."

[@user-id1kq2ip3l]

Movie 4 weekday afternoons replacement was WABC-TV The Four Thirty Movie

[@wmbrown6]

(PART 1) What became better known as "Movie 4" originally debuted on what was then WRCA-TV on June 4, 1956, under the title "Evening Theatre." The program was created after "Howdy Doody's" run as a weekday afternoon children's show was ended and its run relegated to Saturday mornings for the rest of its run. This was WRCA's effort to compete with WCBS-TV's "Early Show." Its original time slot was weekdays from 5:30 to 6:45 P.M. and weekends at 11:45 P.M.

[@IntelProperty]

You are correct. Percy Faith's rendition of "The Syncopated Clock" Was used only on "The Late Show" and "The Late Late Show." For anyone interested, it's available on at least two CDs, including one entitled "Television Themes: 16 Most Requested Songs". The theme for "The Early Show" was different, and I've been searching for it for years. It had a sprightly, bouncy melody, with plucking strings, somewhat similar to the theme from "My Little Margie". Anyone have a clue?

[@wmbrown6]

But "NBC Late Night Movie" also aired in other parts of the country, probably on the other NBC O&O's. Apparently some areas continued to show the program as the '80's gave way to the '90's.

[@wmbrown6]

Yeah. Sadly, this kind of presentation went out the window by 1970 or so, the stations probably thought it was "stuffy" or "out-of-date" or whatever - replaced by the kind of "fresh, fast-paced" opening as exemplified by WABC's "4:30 Movie." As for "Movie 4," I seem to recall that in its last years they had the title in some outline font (Comstock, I believe), and a rectangular grid, somewhat resembling a neon-lit movie sign.

[@wmbrown6]

Actually, there was also WCBS-TV's "The Early Show" in the late afternoons since the early '50's, before Ch. 2 added Mike Douglas to its lineup in 1968. So WCBS folded, if you will, before WNBC in this regard.

[@swami1]

What's the name of the music that starts at 1:00?

[@mrgiosb123]

Silhouette Of A Dream By Stan Zabka.

[@wmbrown6]

You're correct on that score, and I think it may have been used up to its cancellation in 1974. I'm at a loss as to what it specifically looked like, though. I vaguely remember a rectangular grid on a white background, with "Movie 4" laid out in bold sans-serif type as on a movie theatre marquee.

[@indianhead66]

This just the coolest thing ever! Why can't the networks do a special on this rather than crappy reality TV? BTW I'm a tv history buff! I want more of this! Thanks!

[@buzzy07405]

I remember Movie 4, but not the opening sequence. Was there another opening sequence for Movie 4 in the late 1960's? I believe there was. But I don't really know.

[@sto59]

The third cut is Petite Fleur

[@wmbrown6]

If it was the theme from "More Than a Miracle," WRC must've put it into service after 1967-68. Wonder what other themes WNBC's "Movie 4" used.

[@JHollowayNetwork]

I have no idea, or the other opens that came after this.

[@John-ed8iy]

WNBC-TV Channel 4 in New York in 1964 The Movie 4 at 4:30.

[@is1531]

I don't remember that music and I am 63 years old. I do remember watching all those cut movies on Movie 4 with host Gene Hamilton.It started at 4:30 pm and ran to 6pm. Sometimes they had the movie in 2 parts. Maybe I'm wrong and the movie started at 4pm. Doe anybody remember who was the News anchor of the 11pm news on WNBC before Jim Hartz. This goes back to 1964 or 1966 when Hartz began anchoring the news, Frank Field did the weather and Lou Boda was doing sports and later Marv Albert. Bob Teague did the weekends. Does anybody know who was the Meterologist on WNEW 5 in NY when Bill Jorgensen and George Sharman did the news. Rhona Barrett was in Hollywood.

[@JHollowayNetwork]

NBC News correspondent Frank McGee was the 11PM news anchor at WNBC-TV before Jim Hartz (he came from Tulsa).

[@wmbrown6]

Actually, when Mr. Hartz came to WNBC in 1964, he did the local news after Mr. McGee; in that sense, he initially replaced Merrill Mueller. Tex Antoine, in fact, did the weather weeknights on the "Eleventh Hour News" through 1966 when he defected to WABC-TV; it was then that Frank Field (heretofore only on weekends) became the weeknight forecaster (a chap named Harold Nicholson then was hired as weekend weatherman for a few years). Between Boda and Albert, WNBC also had Kyle Rote, Mel Allen (! - on weekends as of 1969), and Tim Ryan, as well as Dick Schaap, before Albert joined almost on the eve of "NewsCenter4's" debut. McGee also anchored the "Sixth Hour News" from late 1969 to summer 1970. He came after Lew Wood, and in turn was replaced by John Palmer when he was named one of the rotating anchors (along with John Chancellor and David Brinkley) of what was rebranded "NBC Nightly News" following Chet Huntley's retirement. WNEW didn't have a weatherman until 1978 (believe it or not) when they hired WNBC and WABC alumnus Tex Antoine who only lasted a few months. Then Bob Harris was on for awhile (before he was outed as a meteorological fraud, prior to landing at WPIX for years) and he was replaced by a cute lass named Linda Gialanella. Finally, from about 1960 to 1965, "Movie 4" started at 5 P.M. Its time was moved to 4:30 on May 10, 1965.

[@retroguy1976]

nice!! real good find though

[@MSTS1]

I have no info. on the running order for air.. I'd say your guess sounds right. Cut 2 was probably the opener and 3 the closer.

[@sto59]

The music for the third cut at 1:00 sounds like a movie soundtrack or popular music of the time. Any ideas?

[@mca1218]

Oh, for sure. I discovered M4 in the early 1970's- at least 5 years after the Sophia Loren film. But (1) I would've only been about 10 at the time, and (2) it was a completely different opening video: the best way I can describe it is a video effect of white "Movie 4" letters against a black background shot into another camera lens, creating a mirrored, rippling effect of the title. I wish there was a way to peruse WRC-TV's local vaults to find the video- if they even still have it.

[@mca1218]

Do you know if this stunning music is original? Was it especially written for M4? It seems like in television's younger days score and title music was more highly considered than it is today. The DC version of 'Movie 4' used a theme which I think came from an Italian film that I half-remember from 1967. (Don't know why I recalled that all of a sudden.)

[@RexStrother]

The opening theme was "Silhouette of a Dream" by Stan Zabka and performed by The Paris Strings. The closing theme was an orchestral version of Petite Fleur (LIttle Flower). "Silhouette of a Dream" was not, to my knowledge, written for the "Movie 4" theme, but a song which Zabka had written and recorded with the Paris Strings in 1964.

[@iamnomad101]

Are these two seperate opens or an open and close?

[@JHollowayNetwork]

could anybody upload the WNBC-4 Sign Off from 1964?

[@wmbrown6]

Right, right. Then how in the world, if this were Percy Faith's recording, did the speed get futzed around with?

[@samuelgriffin9364]

If possible can you upload the one by all hirscfekd

[@RolloSmokes]

That is amazing...where did you get this clip?

[@dagwort]

Sure. Meanwhile, wanna hear the intro's theme? Google search the phrase "Eddie Ciletti. I am a self-professed junk collector."

[@wmbrown6]

I doubt either of these themes heard here are original - there are very audible cuts at certain points on each. Besides, I vaguely remember the melody of the second instrumental as being associated with some tango-type number.

[@wmbrown6]

WNBC's "Movie 4" open and close, in its final years, from my recollection, seemed different from what you've described about WRC's.

[@wmbrown6]

Would you know who recorded this particular version of "Petite Fleur"? I'm not all that familiar with it. Sounds like something out of Mantovani, or Jackie Gleason, or other similar easy-listening conductors.

[@samuelgriffin9364]

WNBC Movie 4 the one from Al hirschfeld if it's possible can you upload the one I have been looking for

[@7pledger]

If you ever find it, PLEASE let me know!!!

[@RolloSmokes]

One more question: Do you know if this was produced in color originally?

[@MSTS1]

This music is likely from records (LP's.. perhaps custom 78's), but not original to these bits.

[@wmbrown6]

From 1965 to its 1968 cancellation, 4:30 . . . before that, 5:00.

[@wmbrown6]

Not that I could tell - his version was a bit faster in tempo and five semitones up from the version on here. (Judging from Mr. Faith's recording on his 1960 "Bon Voyage" LP.) Unless WNBC futzed with the speed of the record.

[@sto59]

Petite Fleur by Percy Faith?

[@wmbrown6]

No . . . that animator must've had a 16mm print made (I'm wondering about why the blacks turn whitish at the end of each clip - the print? the telecine equipment of the time?). Furthermore, only a small few, almost exclusively in the industry, had videotapes which in those days were 2" quadruplex.

[@AlbieGray]

@MSTS1 You got that one right, my friend. I am sure that it will happen. :D AlbieGray

[@wmbrown6]

Looks like one was the open while the other was the close . . . or did they alternate? A shame, really, that "Movie 4" is virtually forgotten in relation to WABC's "4:30 Movie."

[@Wordman67]

These are fantastic! I had no idea that anything like this still existed. Do you know if this was used for a daily Mon-Fri afternoon movie, or just for weekends and late nights?

[@stevevasta]

I'd forgotten all about Movie 4 until 8 saw this, but I believe it was only weekday afternoons.

[@retroguy1976]

thats what i wanna know what did you do go thru the archives of channel4 lol

[@samuelgriffin9364]

What about the one movie 4 NBC from 1972

[@MSTS1]

Oh.. Are you in charge of my video collection now? Do I now report to you?

[@jaworskij]

I'm all for the re-decentralization of local affiliate programming -- let the locals decide some of their programming. It helps the citizens identify with the localness of the content. Down with the "Moscow-ization" of television.

[@radiodj1520]

In This Clip, From 0:12 To 0:54, It Was WNBC-TV's Movie 4 Video Open From 1964.

[@MSTS1]

Again- WNBC did Not make this :[ !

[@happyquails]

Don't mar wonderful old recordings with your logo, that is completely unnecessary

[@x60hz]

Don't tell the guy what to do. He's nice enough to take the time to digitize these classics and upload them.