Enoch Light - circa 1966

 -  -  -  -  1945  -  -  -  -

- . -

"Date With A Disc" was a 'new and different' audience participation show, which appeared at the Loew's State Theater, 1540 Broadway, in New York City's Times Square. The show was to 'uncover the Crosby, Sinatra, Shore, and McDonald of tomorrow', said genial music master Enoch Light, creator of the disc show that promised to keep Broadway "recording conscious" for months to come. "Not only does Date With A Disc tickle your funny bone but it offers a real opportunity for the young fellow or girl with talent," Enoch related.

Date With A Disc was first introduced to the public in the Bowman Room of New York's fashoinable Biltmore in December 1944. It was received with such great enthusiasm that maestro Light decided to take it along with the band to test its appeal in Philadelphia, Providence and other eastern cities. It was the same, everywhere. Date With A Disc was a hit! As the boys in the band put it: "Let there be Light and there is Date With A Disc."

It was hoped that Date With A Disc would be aired over WOR, New York's Mutual outlet. As explained by Mr. Light, Date With A Disc is not a quiz show, but, it presents the same all-out appeal as the toughest sixty-four dollar question. The old familiar "no coaching from the audience, please," isn't heard. Principally, because it isn't needed. In this game you are strictly on your own!

The contestants for Date With A Disc are chosen from applications previously filled-out by the individual upon entering the theatre. The application form merely asks for the contestant's name and whether he or she will sing, yodel, or give and oratory piece if called to the stage by program M.C., Enoch Light. Three applications are drawn from a ballot box and the lucky selectees are brought to the stage. They are first introduced to the audience and briefly interviewed by Light, then program engineer Fitz Herbert signals that his equipment is ready to record the applicant's efforts. If the contestant is a singer (most of them are), the orchestra begins the introduction and the vocalist is on his own. After all three contestants have finished their performance, engineer Herbert sets up his equipment for the playback, and the fun starts. One by one each hopeful listens intently as the disc starts on its merry way.

With each revolution it is clear to see that the anxious fellow is thinking: "That ain't me." After the playback is completed, the audience chooses the winner.

Unlike quiz shows, all contestants win prizes. For example, the second and third place performers receive either a bottle of perfume or a handsome leather billfold. The winner: a fifth of Manhattan's best champagne. In addition, the recorded discs are given to the "also-rans" as souvenirs of their Date With A Disc. The winning contestant's disc is retained by a board of four judges along with those of other show winners.

As Date With A Disc was being presented five times daily, to capacity audiences, each day brings five new winners to the fore. At the end of a week's engagement, thirty-five individual show winners have entered the "choice company" class and their discs are agina replayed by the hoard of judges, headed by the well known radio personality, Martin Block, to determine "the best of the lot." This selection results in the winner receiving an elegant gold wrist watch. But, that isn't all! His or her disc will be reatined for a period of three months, at the end of which the board selects the best disc recording made during that time. 

The winner is awarded a contract with Guild Records. Results of the pressing may mean the start of a brilliant career for the lucky boy or girl. Only redcently, Miss Dorothy Malone of Collingwood, NJ was adjudged the best performer heard during the previous three month period and was given a contract as featured vocalist with Mr. Light's orchestra.

The recording blanks were from Audiodisc, and are used exlucsively in the presentation of Date With A Disc, and Mr. Light advises, "they never let us down."

(article originally published in Billboard Magazine, circa 1944/5. and re-adapted for modern audiences.).