THE ZB RADIOGRAM

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 18, 27 October 1939, Page 50

THE ZB RADIOGRAM

"Lawrence of Arabia" will be heard at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays as from October 9. Actually this change takes place at 1ZB and 2ZB on November 9, at 3ZB on November 16, and at 4ZB on November 30. Warm Welcome There was a warm welcome for " Joan" from members of the 1ZB Happiness Club at’ a dance held recently by the city branch. Incidentally this was the first function attended by " Joan" after becoming Director of the Club. Transferred Very shortly 2ZB is to lose the services of its Acting Production Supervisor, Bob Pollard, who is to be transferred to 3ZB, where he will take up the position he previously held there, of Production Supervisor. Bob will spend a short time in Palmerston North at 2ZB relieving Station Director John Brown while the latter is on holiday. Entertainment at Hospitals Recently a 4ZB Concert Party was formed with the idea of visiting hospitals and other public institutions. The party visited the Wakari Hospital on Wednesday, October 4 and received a rousing reception, Items were given by Jill and Peter, Uncle Percy, Dennis Sheard, James Arthur and Kyra Jupp. The accompaniments for the evening were played by Airini. A week later, on October 11, a visit was made to Seacliff Asylum, over 400 patients being present. The party on that occasion was augmented by outside artists, and Don Donaldson, the 4ZB’s hospital announcer, compered the proceedings. " Jill's" Departure Many Otago listeners were disappointed to hear of the departure of " jill" from 4ZB. During her stay in Dunedin she endeared herself to thousands of listeners, and her place will be hard to fill. The staff and public alike, however, have one consolation. in that the sterling quality. of her work has merited her transfer to Wellington for service with 5ZB, the Exhibition Station. Apart from her official duties, "jill" has always been one of the cheery helpers in community concerts for worthy causes, and her charming personality will be greatly missed at 4ZB. "The Thrill Hunter " Newest half-hour show running at 2ZA, Palmerston North, is "The Thrill Hunter." Playing twice a week, this feature must reach the peak of its particular class. Too often the very thrilling becomes the gruesome. With " The Thrill Hunter," however, there is genuine excitement right through. It is sensational without ever descending to sensationalism as a stunt. That can be suggested as one good reason why " The Thrill Hunter" became immediately popular with 2ZA listeners. Cooking as an Art Of recent months there has been a remarkable increase of interest in Conik was announced last week that

tinental cookery. People no longer regard strange sounding dishes as being uneatable and unpronounceable, This interest is largely due to the efforts of "Gran," whose Home Service Session from 1ZB every afternoon at 2.30 has shown the housewife that cooking is a creative job — an adventure — and an art, as the Continental housewives have long realised. Her recipes frequently draw on the lore of the Continental kitchen, and listeners can always obtain copies of these recipes by sending a stamped addressed envelope to "Gran," C/o 1ZB, Auckland, Sore Throats A malicious form of throat infection seems to have invaded 2ZB of late, and three of the regular announcers have been temporarily laid up through losing their voices. First Peter Whitchurch had to retire for three days, and then in

turn Bob -Pollard and Maurie Power were assailed with the same affliction. Ironically enough, both Peter Whitchurch and Bob Pollard had just gone on to a strict diet in order to put themselves right, after having felt anything -but well for some time past. Trips by Radio _ Travellers into distant lands who have a story to tell can always command the attentive ear of radio audiences. Listeners to 3ZB have recently been taken oh some amazing radio trips. Journeys into Tibet and through the land of the Lamas described by the famous explorer and scientist, Dr. MacDonaldBayne, have been the subject of some of the most thrilling and interesting talks given from 3ZB. Dr. MacDonaldBayne, with his rare gift of story-tell-ing, has taken listeners step by step through India and on into the most inaccessible sanctuaries of the Hima-

layas. They were unforgettable talks, crowded with strange facts and exciting incidents. Further talks by this gifted radio speaker are eagerly awaited by listeners to 3ZB, On Holiday Recently in Wellington on holiday was one of 4ZB’s best known announcers, Alex McDowell. Alex spent a week int the capital city after a spell of sickness. Apart from his announcing, he is » well known in Dunedin for his fine dramatic work in Repertory Theatre. Old Troupers The visit of John Wood, well-known actor recently seen in "The Housemaster," to Station 1ZB last week revealed a real green-room atmosphere in the studio. Numbers of 1ZB’s staff had at some time been on the professional stage, and were eager to hear recent news of life behind the footlights. During the course of the conversation it was learned that Fred Baird, 1ZB’s Copy supervisor, was a singer in Scottish vaudeville, and appeared on the same bill as Will Fyffe. Frank Broad had been on the stage in England before the war, Marie Conlan toured professionally in New Zealand and Australia, and John Gordon was with the Ethel Morrison Company in New Zealand. Good Listening One of the most enjoyable programmes heard for some time was broadcast by 2ZB at 2.15 on a recent Monday afternoon. In one quarter of an hour we heard Weber’s "Hunting Chorus," recorded by the chorus and orchestra of the State Opera House, Berlin; Amelita Galli-Curci singing the waltz "Parla"; Kreisler’s playing of Drdla’s "Souvenir"; the Serenade from "Don Juan" played as a pianoforte solo by Wilhelm Backhaus, and "The Song of the Flea," recorded by Feodor Chaliapin. " Musical Crosswords " "Musical Crosswords," the fascinating radio brain-teaser broadcast from 3ZB every Wednesday evening at 8.30, is still going strong, and the number of entries increases weekly. Something in the nature of.a personality parade, "Musical Crosswords" made its debut at 3ZB with "Nola and Jeff" — but Nola went away. Then came "Norman and Jack" — but Norman went away. Now it is " Jack and John," All this was followed with interest by the Station’s crossword fans, and after the first session by the present team, John (the latest addition) started to’ come in for his share of the » fan mail, proof that not many listeners_. guessed John’s real identity. This very distinguished member of the crosswords team happens to be Charlie Kunz, and for the benefit of his " fans," Charlie’s address is c/o Columbia Recording Studios, 98-109 Clerkenwell Road, London, E.C.1! In the session he’s used from standard recordings, locked in 3ZB’s record library, so he just can’t get away!

1ZB LADY OF MILLIONS 8.45 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

2ZB EAST LYNNE 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays -EEE

3ZB HOLLYWOOD CASTING OFFICE 8.30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

4ZB EAST LYNNE 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays:

2ZA LAWRENCE OF ARABIA | 7.30 p.m. Mondays & Wednesdays