After Rick’s post earlier, I had to go pull this historical document out from the Peden box and scan it.

News stories focusing on the human element instead of abstract ideas is a very old practice that is sadly sometimes lacking these days. Perhaps if producers (and reporters) won’t heed a photog, maybe they’ll listen to Edward Murrow’s executive producer…

CBS does not have the 1952 version of “Christmas in Korea” online, but they do have the 1953 version here. If you look for a copy of Ed Murrow’s book “See it Now”, there is a transcript of the 1952 version in it along with photos of the story itself.

Murrow and Friendly would have never been able to pull this story off in 1952 if it wasn’t for the borrowed Hearst newsreel cameramen and soundmen they took with them. NBC sent newly-minted TV photographers Charlie and Eugene Jones to Korea then as well, but they shot with silent Eyemos. It wasn’t the same – the Jones’ coverage of the war is forgotten while CBS’ versions are still mentioned in J-school textbooks.

In the words of Murrow of his former newsreel staffers in September of 1955 (after they hired away a good number of Hearst Metrotone’s staff of course…):

“If there is any magic, it is a magic born of the resilience and skill of our four cameramen – (Marty) Barnett, (Charlie) Mack, (Bill) McClure, (Leo) Rossi – who have learned the secret of staying on their feet thirty hours at a time in extreme temperatures, with one hundred pounds of equipment on their backs, without losing their sense of news, humor, or their focus.”

By the way, Friendly didn’t think microphones were anything to be ashamed of and hidden but mike flags were a “distraction.” Yea looking at those who flip their lids whenever a mike creeps into frame – though I’ll admit you all have come a long way. You no longer give your partner’s black eyes for that transgression….

The memo itself should be embedded below.