"Digger Hale And His Daughters

New Zealand Listener, Volume 10, Issue 237, 7 January 1944, Page 12

"Digger Hale And His Daughters

IGGER _ Hale’s Daughters, ‘the new ZB morning serial, is a story of ordinary people facing up to the problems of a world seemingly crumbling about their heads. It emphasises the many dif-

ferences between life to-day and life as it was before the present war. "Digger" Hale (played by Marshall Crosby) is 50 years of age and a chartered accountant with a big city firm. His nickname dates back to the last war. He has a favourite saying, that if he starts a thing he always finishes it, but invariably he finishes it the wrong -way_ round. Of his four daughters his favourite is Elizabeth, the eldest. She is 27 years of age, and holds a position as private secretary at American Army Headquarters. She is in love with Chester Skinner, a young American, also attached to headquarters. She has little dress sense, and is rather shy and self-conscious, though in times. of trouble a pillar of strength. Monica, aged 18, is the exact opposite. She is employed as a photographic model in a large advertising agency. Peggy, aged 16, is the freckle-faced tomboy of the family, and the fourth daughter, Joan, aged 12, is a lanky schoolgirl with a ‘talent for art. Theré are two boys in

the family as well, and listeners will meet them as the programme develops. As well, there is Grandpa Hale, who fancies himself as something of an inventor, and Aunt Rosé Parry, a widow with no children, but with a fox terrier pup. Joan, the youngest member of the family, is played by Madeleine Howell, who in real life is the daughter of "Fred and Maggie Everybody," and plays the part of Daisy Sproggins in that programme. This new serial will be heard from all ZB stations at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning at 1ZB, Auckland, this Thursday, January 6.