Vanderbilt Television News Archive

CBS Evening News for 1971-12-24

This program is 26 minutes long

• Introduction Walter Cronkite (New York City)

  #214530

  05:30:40 pm — 05:31:00 pm

• Nixon / Physical Exam

  #214531

  05:31:00 pm — 05:33:30 pm

  (Studio) President Nixon chooses Christmas Eve for physical check-up.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

  (Bethesda Naval Hosp., MD) Nixon asked about nation's health, says in good shape. [NIXON - says economy healthier; chance of peace better.] Expresses appreciation of Bob Hope's prisoners of war efforts. Nixon in good health. Dr. Walter Tkach advises more exercise, recreation.
  REPORTER: Robert Pierpoint

• (Commercial: Eaton Machinery Prdts.)

  #214532

  05:33:30 pm — 05:34:40 pm

• Vietnam War / Air War

  #214533

  05:34:40 pm — 05:40:20 pm

  (Studio) Christmas cease-fires observed. North Vietnam violates cease-fire. United States planes bomb North Vietnam, hit missile site.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

  (DC) Communist approved film shows wounded civilians, claimed United States air strike victims. Protective reaction raids continue. North Vietnam negotiator at Paris Peace Talks Xuan Thuy claims monthly raid rate. [Through translator XUAN THUY - comments on United States air raids.] Pentagon figures do not confirm North Vietnam reports; show raids up in 1971. Communist-approved films show air raid rubble. Civilian casualties claimed. September raid involved 200 planes. Bomb tonnage cited from Cornell University study. Heaviest tonnage said dropped on cntrys. United States is trying to defend. Film of Plain of Jarres bombing results shown. Refugees generated; camp near Vientian Laos, shown. Pentagon denies reported bombings, charge Communist terrorism; millions homeless. Refugee figures given. Comparative bomb tonnage in World War II, Korean War, Vietnam war cited. [Secretary of State William P. ROGERS - says bombing policy to continue] No clear-cut answer on when bombing will end.
  REPORTER: Bob Schieffer

• Soldiers' Christmas Party

  #214534

  05:40:20 pm — 05:40:40 pm

  (Studio) Troops entertain South Vietnam children for Christmas. Girls given dolls; boys given guns.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

• Ireland

  #214535

  05:40:40 pm — 05:41:00 pm

  (Studio) IRA (Irish Republican Army) warns more bombings ahead in North Ireland. Hero risks life to drive bomb-carrying gasoline truck away from crowded shopping area. Man disappears into crowd.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

• Buckingham Palace Guards

  #214536

  05:41:00 pm — 05:41:20 pm

  (Studio) Nepal Gurkhas replace guards at Buckingham Palace, so guards can join British troops in North Ireland.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

• USSR / Jews

  #214537

  05:41:20 pm — 05:41:50 pm

  (Studio) Soviet Jew arrests during year for hijack attempt recalled. Prisoners go on hunger strike in protest. Other Jews fast out of sympathy.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

• (Commercial: Eaton Machinery Prdts.)

  #214538

  05:41:50 pm — 05:42:50 pm

• Pakistan

  #214539

  05:42:50 pm — 05:43:10 pm

  (Studio) Bengali students refuse to disarm until Sheik Mujibur Rahman released.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

• India / Refugees

  #214540

  05:43:10 pm — 05:44:40 pm

  (Studio) Return of refugees from India said one of war's biggest problems.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

  (Salt Lake Refugee Camp, India) 10 million misplaced. 10 days' rations provided. Hindu refugees may not want to return.
  REPORTER: Michael O'Sullivan

• Texas / Schools

  #214541

  05:44:40 pm — 05:45:10 pm

  (Studio) Financing of schools by local property taxes being hit. California action recalled. Federal court cites unconst. of Texas system.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

• Seattle / Unemployment

  #214542

  05:45:10 pm — 05:48:40 pm

  (Studio) Seattle unemployment high; relief situation hampered.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

  (Seattle, WA) Agriculture Department releases food for distribution, regulations may prevent its use. New poor seem out of place in bread lines. "Neighbors in Need" most active program. Japanese churches send food. [Relief coordinator Sadao OZAWA - says act in return for United States aid after World War II.] Japanese children participate in relief program. Senator report says 85% population not affected by unemployment.
  REPORTER: Bill Kurtis

• Michael James Brody

  #214543

  05:48:40 pm — 05:49:10 pm

  (Studio) Eccentric millionaire Michael James Brody Junior hospitalized after home burns; arson suspected; arrested by Secret Service for threat on President Nixon's life. Today arrested for burning home.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

• Flu

  #214544

  05:49:10 pm — 05:49:30 pm

  (Studio) Hong Kong flu reported in 16 states.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

• Salmon

  #214545

  05:49:30 pm — 05:50:10 pm

  (Studio) Danish salmon fishing in international waters dangerous for salmon breeding. US and Canada call for halt as Atlantic salmon endangered.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

• (Commercial: Eaton Machinery Prdts.)

  #214546

  05:50:10 pm — 05:51:10 pm

• Airplane Hijack

  #214547

  05:51:10 pm — 05:51:40 pm

  (Studio) Hijacker takes over Northwest Orient Airlines plane. Confused reports emerge, call sent out for a doctor
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

• Christmas / White House

  #214548

  05:51:40 pm — 05:53:40 pm

  (Studio) Excerpt from longer show "Christmas at the White House" presented.
  REPORTER: Marya McLaughlin

  (White House) President Nixon recalls Christmases past. [NIXON - remembers getting trains for Christmas.] Family scene shown. [Mrs. NIXON -enjoys sherry at Christmas.] Trips to Moscow, Peking mentioned.
  REPORTER: Charles Kuralt

• Christmas Trees

  #214549

  05:53:40 pm — 05:53:50 pm

  (Studio) Christmas tree shortage causes street fights in Budapest, Hungary.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

• Mute Christmas Carols

  #214550

  05:53:50 pm — 05:54:30 pm

  (Studio) Littleton, Colorado, girl scouts "sing" carols in sign language for deaf and dumb Mr. and Mrs. Garrett Nelson. [Film shown.]
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

• Commentary (Christmas)

  #214551

  05:54:30 pm — 05:56:40 pm

  (Studio) Commentary with regard to Christmas.
  REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

  (DC) 20th century people embarrassed by the nobel. Balance-of-power peace best man seems able to do. Christmas cards praised. E.M. Forster quoted.
  REPORTER: Eric Sevareid

• Merry Christmas & Good Night

  #665303

  05:56:40 pm — 05:56:40 pm