Prominent Novelist

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 28, 22 January 1932, Page 5

Prominent Novelist

Views on Broadcasting

Me. H. G WELLS, who is now on a lecture tour of the United States, has had some _ interesting things to say to the American Press on broadcasting, and the evolution of his own ideas on the subject. Four years ago Mr. Wells said that "the whole broadcasting industry will dry up" and that at best the microphone and loudspeaker had the future of "crossword puzzles and ©xford trous-ers-very trivial indeed." Since then, his experiences with the English rather than with the American method have brought about his complete reconciliation to radio. He smilingly admitted to reporters who interviewed him that it was "about time he climbed down." He drew a comparison between the Wnglish and American systems of broadcasting, his comments being prompted by a network broadcast which he made recently. "T wae obliged to speak in a room that was not soundproof," he said. "The mie rophone was jammed like a muzzle against my mouth. It was even proposed that while speaking I should be subjected to the intense heat and light from powerful lamps necessary to the exposure of a talkie or motion-picture film. At the same time, to increase the unrest of both me and my talk, an audience of newspaper reporters was being introduced. Doing this sort of thing in the studio destroys all the distinetive possessions of the radio. IH irritates even the most experienced speaker, "We have learned in London that the programme is the essential thing. In addressing radio listeners words must be spoken in the manner of a quiet talk with a friend in the room. Hiverything is done at the Savoy Hill studios to ereate the atmosphere which I have likened to a quiet conversation. One is able to prepare the talk exactly as to time and deliver it under the moat favourable conditions; at the receiving end the effect on the listener is exactly the same-like a friendly person talking in the room with the hearer. This is the effect we always try to achieve."