THE ZB RADIOGRAM

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 8, 18 August 1939, Page 47

THE ZB RADIOGRAM

12B LADY COURAGEOUS 10.45 a.m: Mondays and Fridays

2ZB NUMEROLOGY SESSION 12.30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays

3ZB CHARLIE CHAN IN THE LANDINI MYSTERY 8.45 p.m. Mondays & Wednesdays

4ZB THE STORY BEHIND THE SONG 7.45 p.m. Thursdays

2ZA THE PURPLE SPIDER 7 p.m. ‘i Thursdays

"ES knowledge of a qualified chemist is at the disposal of everyone listening in to 3ZB on Fridays at half past four. At this time Jack Bremner (whose photograph appears on this page) discusses home remedies and gives helpful advice on everyday health problems. As a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand this announcer can confidently handle the session. Famous Detective It is astonishing how one can love or despise a character of fiction, and the real test of story-telling lies in the affection or disapproval we feel for the charactess after the story itself has begun to fade from mind. The average individual has read hundreds of detective stories, but how many characters from them can be readily remembered? However, it may be claimed that | Charlie Chan is one of the greatest figures in detective fiction. Already familiar to thousands through the films, he is the central figure in the radio serial, "The Adventures of Charlie Chan," beginning at Station 3ZB on Monday, August 21. The feature will be heard twice weekly on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 8.45. Her Job’s Her Hobby Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a job which is also a hobby. How often do we meet folks whose one big complaint is that they are following the wrong vocation, that their young lives are wasted, and that opportunity has passed them by, in the most heartbreaking fashion? And yet, how seldom do we find the young person with the acumen not only to recognise, but also to grasp the wanted opportunity when it does present itself? That’s the big thing to see, and take the opportunity. 2ZB has a session in the afternoons from 2.30, conducted by a young woman whose ability to take her chance has been an object lesson. Tony McKenna makes her job her hobby. For enthusiasm, and an unbounded interest in everything about her work, she is the perfect model. No trouble is too great for her. Every question asked, every scrap of information sought by the many listeners who write to her, is given her wholehearted attention. You might think, on first seeing her, that she is much too decorative to want to bother about the whims of a radio audience. And yet Tony has taken the trouble to equip herself as far as possible for the job she has in hand. She is, for instance, keenly interested in balanced diets as

a means to health, and has given a great deal of attention to this subject on the air, with no small success. Political history and biography occupy as much time as she can spare; and the verse of Don Blanding and a number of well-known fine modern poets give her a liberal outlook and a sane opinion on things in general, which is reflected in her session, heard over 2ZB every afternoon at 2.30 o’clock. " Betty and Bob" The pendulum of public taste has swung again to sentiment. As a prelief from wise-cracks, sophistication, and gunmen, we’re seeing films like " Wuthering Heights" ... buying spring hats whose sweet femininity make our grandmothers’ headgear seem hard-boiled... and we're listening in to serial dramas

that have plenty of " heart interest." The newest is "Betty and Bob," starting soon at all ZB stations. It’s the story of a young man, who marries his wealthy father’s typist and gets cut off with the proverbial shilling. The adventures of this charming but penniless young pair make excellent radio fare. As a daytime feature, there’s undoubtedly much popularity coming to " Betty and Bob," which ran for over seven years in America. It started from 1ZB on August 14, and will be heard from 2ZB on August 21, 3ZB on August 28 and 4ZB September 4. So you'll soon be making a point of tuning in at 2 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays to hear what’s going to happen next to "Betty and Bob."

Help in the Home At 9.52 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and on Saturday evenings at 7.30 ftom all ZB Stations comes Anne Stewart with her delightful voice, and her excellent advice on Home Decorat« ing Problems. Anne Stewart is becoming increasingly popular as listeners find some practical help from her suggestions for their particular problems. There’s nothing fanciful and _ ultra-expensive about Anne’s ideas. It’s wonderful the way she just seems to walk right into your home and put her finger right on the solution of that dingy bathroom paint problem, or the back bedroom curtain question. Famous Escapes There’s something in an escape from prison that appeals to the sense of romance and adventure we all possess, There’s scarcely a famous adventure story, from those of Sir Walter Scott te those of John Buchan, in which the hero does not have to escape from durance vile at least once. Now comes a radio serial of escapes, which ranges from escape from prison, through famous historical escapes such as that of the House of Commons from being blown up. by Guy Fawkes, to the escape of a wife from the consequences of a wound which ruins her beauty, so that she fears losing her husband’s love. Each episode is quite different, in a series which offers endless scope. " Famous Escapes" comes over all ZB stations on Tuesdays and Fridays at 6.30 p.m. Change of Name Just in case you notice anything different about "Tonic Tunes" which come from 2ZB so merrily at 2 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays, it should be mentioned that this session has changed its name to "Gems of Melody," and the mood of its music has been altered slightly to fit the new title. After all, "a rose by any other name..." A Thousand Tales "Will you ’ave another drink, Sir?" Everyone who listens in to their ZB Stations on Thursdays at 7.30 p.m. is familiar with those words. Old Richards, steward of a London club has many a tale to tell in "The House of a Thousand Tales." As he serves members with drinks and exchanges a few words with them, something they say always suggests another tale to old Richards; and these stories are dramatised to make absorbing listening.