WFLD Channel 32 - Keyfax Nite-Owl Service (Opening, 7/16/82)

Here's another rare example of WFLD Channel 32's Keyfax Nite-Owl Service, notably the first six minutes thereof on this particular day.

Nite-Owl was WFLD's equivalent to two primitive (by today's standards), digital-based overnight "tele-text" services prevalent on British television, BBC's long-running Ceefax and ITV's (Independent Television, the commercial TV outlet) Oracle. Ceefax lasted up to the end of analogue television in England in 2012, while Oracle gave up the ghost in 1992. Both were on the air long after Nite-Owl's end at the point Field passed the WFLD torch to Metromedia.

Includes:

Station ID / promo for Eight O'Clock Movie presentation of "The Trouble With Women" with Burt Reynolds as Dan August, for 8:00pm (voiceover by Jim Barton)

Nite-Owl opening titles, with voiceover by Jim Barton (and "Burning Bar" theme music by Tangerine Dream). Notice: the Owl never opens his eyes! (bad omen for Nite-Owl?) followed by following graphics:

List of "Orbits" that are of 20 minutes' duration and repeated every hour
- Orbit 1: Sports, news, business and weather
- Orbit 2: All leisure - features, quizzes etc.
- Orbit 3: Back for more news, sports business

First song: "Don't Talk To Strangers" by Rick Springfield

"Whole New World With Keyfax" graphic with locked door opening

Sports Highlights: The Bears signed first round draft pick Jim McMahon and NITE-OWL reports on the Cubs and Sox return to play
News Highlights: NITE-OWL brings you all the latest news from the Mideast, Chicago and the nation
Leisure Highlights: NITE-OWL's ON THE WEEKEND highlights fun things to do for all ages, plus horoscopes and the quick-witted Trickster

Bulls Eye - Kids 15 and Under - Send NITE-OWL your jokes, quizzes and stories - We'll select the best ones for broadcast. The writer of the best joke of the month will get a prize - Join the BULLS EYE CLUB-you get a membership card and lots of other things (with Elk Grove Village address to send all of the above)

"Behind The Scenes Tonight" clapperboard motif with owl mascot, followed by credits:
Producers: Suzanne Riordan, Wally Gullick and Heywood Hoffman
Editors: Gerri Duda, Bill Mahlock, Jim Sulski, Mike Lavitt
Production: Cora Moir

Read On Thru Nite-Owl...... (come hither hand gesture)

Keep In Tune with Nite-Owl (with orchestra conductor and notes)

Sports News Follows in a moment....

Summary (spelling and grammar on this and subsequent graphics as shown on screen)
- BEARS. Jim McMahon is not celebrating but the former BYU quarterback has singed a four year contract
- BRITISH OPEN. Bobby Clampett fired an impressive 67 to take the first round lead with Tom Watson just two strokes off the pace
- WHITE SOX. The Sox ran into the hard hitting Brewers he Bears put two players under contract Wednesday
- CUBS. The division leading Braves pounded Fergie Jenkins early and Chicago could never recover
Detailed reports follow

BEARS SIGN McMAHON (with graphic of Bears helmet) - NITE-OWL REPORT FOLLOWS

FOOTBALL
The Bears first-round draft choice Jim McMahon from Brigham Young university, signed a four-year pact.
McMahon's contract contained a one year option and cmae about two hours before the midnight expiration of the NFL Players' Association.
"I'm not happy with the terms of the contract, but this town and this team deserve a winner, so I came to town tonight to sign," said McMahon.
More in a moment

Second song: "Do You Know The Way To San José" by Dionne Warwick

McMahon is expected to challenge veteran Vince Evans for the Bears' starting role, who has been signed a couple days ago.
Jerry Argovitz, McMahon's agent were also not happy with the terms of the pacage offered by the Bears.
"He has been offered less than other players without his credentials," claimed Argovitz, who stressed McMahon's 56 NCAA records.
More in a moment

Jim McMahon is now scheduled to report with other rookies to the Bears' training camp July 24th.
NFLPA boss Ed Garvey had said rookies unsigned after July 15 would not be able to negotiate after that date.
It is that formality that led to McMahon's agent claiming his client was signing his contract under duress.
More in a moment

Third-round draft choice Tim Wrightman, a tight end from UCLA, remains unsigned, say the Bears.
Kick returner Dave Williams, a veteran who was hurt a year ago, is also unsinged for the season.
Four Bears veterans returned signed contracts today, and they include Brian Baschnagel, Jim Osborne, Emery Moorehead and Bob Thomas.
British Open report, next

Nite-Owl Sports is sponsored by CENTEL - CENTEL Cable Television Company of Illinois

British Open Report follows in a moment

GOLF - BRITISH OPEN
Bobby Clampett beat the fearful back nine, and wound up with a first round leading five under par as play opened at the British Open in Scotland.
Clampett capped his back nine performance with a birdie on the final hole, for a 67 total.
"A phenomenal day. Definitely one of the top five rounds I've ever played," said the 22-year-old American.
more in a moment

Tom Watson fired a 69, two back of Clampett's leading total, and he was pleased to be where he was.
"Sixty-nine on Troon today was a terrific score," said US Open title holder Tom Watson, who compiled that total despite the wind and drizzle.
"It's tough out there," said defending champion Bill Rogers, who had a 73, a highly-respectable effort under the dismal playing conditions.
more in a moment
(Not here, at any rate; the tape cuts out as this is on the screen, and Dionne's singing "Of parking...")

"Welcome to Nite-Owl, your late-night news and information program from Keyfax. Keyfax is an innovative information service which features the latest News, Sports, Business, Weather, and Entertainment. Nite-Owl blasts off (not "takes flight?") at 12 Midnight, every night on Channel 32, WFLD Chicago".

This aired on local Chicago TV early Friday, July 16th 1982 during the 12:00 Midnight to 12:06am timeframe.

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