Chicago School of Television

The Chicago School of Television

Curator's Note: The photograph below (shot in studio A) comes as close as a single image can to illustrating a complex concept---in this case, what the first generation of television critics called, always with affection, the "The Chicago School of Television". It appeared in the March 27th, 1951 edition of Look Magazine with the following caption:

"It's been called relaxed, intimate, friendly, natural, subtle---but the main thing about the "Chicago School" of TV, more widely copied in higher-priced, higher-pressured areas, is this: The viewer doesn't always know what's going to happen next and next and next.

This page will serve as an introduction to the 'Chicago School' and its practitioners. (Perhaps you should first read Arch Oboler's essay 'Windy Kilocycles'. He convincingly argues that Chicago's creative approach to television was a continuation of the city's innovative approach to radio).

The above photo shows Burr Tillstrom and Fran Allison of Kukla, Fran and Ollie; Beverly Younger, Chet Roble, Studs Terkel and Win Stracke of Stud's Place; Dave Garroway of Garroway at Large; comedian Cliff Norton ( a Garroway regular and, for a time, star of his daily show, The Public Life of Cliff Norton), Walt Durhban (of Walt's Workshop) and (in the overcoat) Clint Youle, the archetype of the television weatherman.

This picture also shows the man---standing, with his left hand resting on the couch--- generally credited with creating the "Chicago School". He is surrounded by the performers (and some of the production people) who exemplified this unique brand television on the air.

Jules Herbuveaux, charged with putting NBC's Chicago owned-and-operated station on the air, was the first general manager of WNBQ (the predecessor call-letters of today's WMAQ-TV). His tasks included the generation of local programming and development of shows for the NBC network which, not long after WNBQ took to the air, was extended west as far as Saint Louis.

Herbuveaux had a remarkable eye for talent appropriate to the new video medium. The personalities he put on the air, and the programs they were part of, defined television as a unique, pure medium of its own. It was not theater. It was not film. It was television, plain and simple.

[Jules Herbuveaux autographed this photo on the occasion of a 1989 interview. Studs Terkel autographed it in October, 1995. Studs and I work in the same building. Studs works for WFMT. I work for WTTW. Stud's latest book is Coming of Age.]

This page will include links to text and graphics document that illustrate the development (and the decline) of the "Chicago School". The curator's resources in this area are vast. So have patience.

Currently available...

"The Chicago Touch", an influential article on the 'Chicago School' and its practitioners by Harriet Van Horne that appeared in the July, 1951 edition of Theatre Arts magazine.
The genius of Burr Tillstrom creator of Kukla, Fran and Ollie, one of the most memorable shows from the early days of network television.
The genius of Dave Garroway (including not-to-be-missed video downloads on the "Best of Garroway at Large" page).
The 'Chicago School' as described in a Time article of September 11th, 1950 (with special emphasis on the Garroway at Large show).
Studs' Place---featuring Studs Terkel (including a "Studs' Place" video download).
Ding Dong School and Miss Frances (Dr. Frances Horwich and the 'Chicago School' for pre-schoolers).
Zoo Parade---featuring Marlin Perkins and the beasts of Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo.
The winding road to Hawkins Falls, one of TV's earliest soaps (the soap in this case being pitched by NBC-Chicago staff announcer Hugh Downs).
Wayne King and his soporific strings (and reeds and brass and rhythm section).

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Created by Rich Samuels (e-mail to rich@richsamuels.com)