THE ZB RADIOGRAM

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 6, 4 August 1939, Page 45

THE ZB RADIOGRAM

1ZB "EAST LYNNE" at 6.45 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday [ay ae

2ZB TUSITALA — TELLER OF TALES 7.45 p.m. Monday and Wednesday

3ZB PAPER MOON 8.45 p.m. Monday and Wednesday

4ZB oa HOLLYWOOD CASTING OFFICE 8.45 p.m. Monday and Wednesday |

2ZA THE RANDALL FAMILY 7.15 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday

AVE you ever wondered what H goes on behind the placid exterior of the houses in your street? It is a fascinating reflection. That same fascination is found in "Houses in Our Street," a new feature programme beginning at 2ZB on August 7, where it may be heard at 11 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and _ Fridays. Each episode consists of an imaginary visit to an ordinary home, and in each episode the listener encounters domestic complications similar to those that may have troubled his own life, just as he also finds homely affections, kindliness, tragedy, and romance. Wrestlers Popular 3ZB discovered long ago that the public is highly interested in wrestlers; accordingly, every attempt is made to bring "matmen" to the microphone. The interviews are handled by "Chiv," who is kept busy watching out for new arrivals. His difficulty seems to be in getting the wrestlers to talk of their "trade." For the most part they are men of wide interests, and seem really to dislike talking about themselves. But although "Chiv" perhaps would be at a disadvantage with them in the ring, on the air he generally wins hands down when they attempt to wander from the point. "The Wanderer" George Vryer, 1ZB’s deep voiced announcer, who made a name for himself as "The Wanderer" during the early days of 1ZB, has travelled in nearly every country of the globe. He actually learnt to speak English while wandering. A young Dutchman, he went to America without being able to speak one word of English. He was 20 when he started to learn the language-and now, thanks to a good ear, speaks it with scarcely a trace of Dutch or American accent. Incidentally he really does possess a very fine and deep bass singing voice. Tell Us Another "Cuckoos," the new presentation of "snap-humour" at 3ZB, has become almost a new industry within the confines of the station. Jokes are sent in each week not merely in their hundreds, as the station had anticipated, but in their scores of hundreds. For Jack Bremner, the production supervisor, it is almost a full-time undertaking to sort the jokes out. This task is more difficult than it may seem at first sight. For instance, a joke that seems relatively poor on paper may have greater possibilities of "production" than one which reads

hilariously. It is a job which calls for precise judgment and a great deal of what may be termed " production instinct." Music for the Sick Request sessions of any kind have always been popular at 4ZB, and the Hospital Request Session, conducted by Don Donaldson every Sunday at 10 a.m. is no exception. It consists entirely of request numbers sent in by hospital patients, or by their friends on their behalf. By far the greater number of requests for this session are for bright and tuneful music, which certainly suggests that this type of entertainment is appreciated by hospital patients, Since the sick of the community form a band

of listeners whose tastes should be catered for, 4ZB’s hospital session is a welcome addition to its Sunday programme. Tricky Telegrams 4ZB’s latest competition is proving both interesting and amusing. Listeners are given a letter of the alphabet and asked to compose a telegram, every word of which must begin with the letter given. The idea has caught on and some excellent efforts have been received. A prize of a double ticket to a local theatre is awarded for the best effort, and Brian McCawe, who conducts the session, has a difficult job in picking the winner each day. In addition to the winning entry

bf ORG ee biel oo bea. enn other meritorious telegrams are read over the air from time to time during the Lunch Hour Session, and this makes good listening. Mounting Scores Proof of the popularity of the ZB features, "Fred and Maggie Everybody," "Easy Aces," and "The House of Peter MacGregor," is supplied by the fact that the number of episodes played looks like a Don Bradman cricket score. " Fred and Maggie Everybody " has now been broadcast 264 times; the score of "Easy Aces" is 321; and "The House of Peter MacGregor" has reached 218. Intelligent Bird We take off our hat to "Jimmy Whistlebritches,’ who touched a new high level in entertainment last Friday evening. Jimmy conducted a non-stop patter session for about ten minutes and did not repeat himself..Not that that is remarkable, you will say. Perhaps. not, but then Jimmy is not a circus barker or a platform orator, or an announcer. He is a rather. remarkable budgerigar. An audience of’ grown-ups and children in the main studio of 2ZB during the Children’s Session were spellbound by. the antics of this intelligent bird. Jimmy was at pains to discover the "other bird" in a mirror placed in front of him, and his excitement sent his speech up to: three hundred words a minute. He seemed to treat everybody in the friendliest manner, and after his broadcast flew round from person to person, acknowledging the well deserved praise handed out to him. He is in every way a personality radio star. Here and There " Audience Participation " programmes have definitely become popular’ in’ this country, following the experience of England, America, and Australia. Among these programmes now being broadcast by the ZB stations are Spelling Jackpots, Tongue Twister Jackpots, and the everpopular Professor Speedee General Knowledge Test. Geoff. Lloyd, announcer at 4ZB, has been transferred to 3ZB, Christchurch. Listeners who have been following the serial " Lawrence of Arabia," should note that, as from August. 8, it will. be broadcast at 7.15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, instead of at 6.30 p.m. on those nights. Is young New Zealand air-minded? The answer to this topical question is that the Jimmie Allen Flying Club, conducted over the’ ZB stations, now has a membership of 30,000, with applications still coming in fast. Arthur Collyns’ session "Between Ourselves" is now being broadcast on Tuesdays and Thursdays only, between fourthirty and four-forty-five.