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Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 17, 4 November 1932, Page 7

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KFI Powder "BORAX" and "Glycerine," two radio fans in a New Plymouth chemist’s shop, send the following, which has been awarded the 5/--prize for the best par :- For skin troubles, etc., a local doctor is in the habit of prescribing Bismuth Formic Iodide powder, which cumbersome naine is always abbreviated to B.F.I. powder. A prescription recently presented at our shop, however, read as follows :- "KF.I. powder, serid one tin. Directions: To be dusted on affected parts." On receiving this, "Borax" and "Glycerine," remembering that two aerial masts had recently appeared at the doctor’s house, smiled at the slip, dispensed what was really intended, and thought it was an excellent chance to win five shillings.

T hardly seems right that Miss Dora West should reserve her finest talk for the limited range of a B. station, but soit, happened, and listeners were fortunate if they tuned to 2ZW last Saturday evening. © In this talk, entitled "Great Personalities and Powers," Miss West excelled ‘herself. There was deep significance'in the story of her niece who, at Madame Tussaud’s waxworks, had her attention drawn to an effigy of the Kaiser, and whose enquiring mind prompted her to ask, "Who sas he?’ Prior to leaving London one of the leading journals conducted. a plebiscite among its readers, jn which they were asked to name the six greatest men of the world. Up to the time.of her departure the first two places had been filled by Jesus of Nazareth and Buddha, and there was profound import the speaker thought, in such a selection, made by the people of the business capital of the world. In making a list herself Miss West "aia that she could not disturb the first wo, whose religious teachings had established harmony almost universally. In making the next addition Mrs. West considered that Julius Gaesar should be given the place. He had given Britain law and this had infiltrated throughout the world. Next in her speculative preference she would place Oliver Cromwell, who had given us the liberty that all the world claims to-day, and .after him Miss West would place Lincoln, who also disposed of the tyrant. ‘The speaker was dubious of her selection, following the’ first two, as so many great names arose in her ‘memory, but what of the last in such a ‘limited number? What of all the great philosophers, Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, the great physicians and the scientists, Darwin who dared to open the book of truth, what of, the great litterateurs-could: Will: Shakespeare not be given a place, or what of Charlie Chaplin; who has made the whole world full of joy? Miss West’s speculations in'the Pantheon were a few moments that will be long remembered. . * % *

TN his lecturette, "Films and the Life of a Nation," Mr. J. J. S. Cornes (3YA) said that while he did not pose as an authority on the subject, everyone would recognise that there was 2 common-sense attitude that should. be taken with regard to the cinema. Ia jhis survey he was not concerned with the ethics of members of Parliament owning theatres or whether the commercial or educative interests should predominate. Now and again some placid magistrate was stirred fo wrath by a pastor, but generally there was. an ironglad morality about pictures: that did not reflect actual life. Even

Tom Mix, the colossal ignoramus with a Croesus income, who felt it a bounden "dooty" to continue operations because he was the idol of the infantile, did: not reflect realism. Despite the private lives and the living hypocrisy of Hollywood ‘stars, Hollywood’s theme in all productions was the triumph of righteousness over sin. There was a tedious monotony of the wrong-doer ending on the scaffold, and ‘the loose woman’s restoration te sanctity at the penitent form, that gives a misshapen outlook upon life. In the Russian picture "The Road to Life" was something real which portrays with dynamic drama the rehabilitation of the unclaimed waifs of tender years, that were born of the revolution. This is an episode of Red Russia that is real Russia, in which pathos and humour are finely handled in expounding Tolstoyan ethics. All Hurope and America has seen this production, but said Mr. Cornes, "while the Government of this be nighted country persists in the pic ture’s exclusion from New Zealand, he and others interested must perforce be content with reading of the masterpiece." All reports extol the wonderful photography which discards Hollywood marcelles and rouge, and the utter truth and realism that makes this historical screening something worthwhile in the. cinema world.

A timely winner was the production from 2YA, by Mr. Victor Lloyd and Company of the comedy "The Sport of Kings." There wasn’t anything royal about the leading character of the play unless he could be dubbed the "King. of Wowsers" when he would be easily an odds-on favourite. Many of that ilk are among us, and no doubt a few of the ultra conscientious switched off, very few perhaps, but I’m sure a great number had many, hearty laughs. Mr, Lloyd and _ his talented players have never done anything better. -More please!

HEN speaking from 3YA on "The World Agricultural Crisis," Mr. Norton Francis mentioned that the North Island was agitated by the wheat duties, and in extenuation of the present legislation drew attention to. the wheat bounty granted by the British Government. The analogy is not a perfect one by any means. Creditor nations may with a certain amount of impunity over-ride sound economic laws, but New Zealand, being very deep in pawn, cannot afford permanently to bolster up a rickety business that floats largely by voting power, The annual increase in population of the South Island indicates a moribund state, and as stated by Mr. Francis, the peoples with the highest standard of living are gradually but definitely reducing their consumption of wheaten products, it would seem the industry is moribund too. If New Zealand relied on wheat to pay interest on foreign loans, there might be a temporary excuse for the legislative manipulation of economic laws, but seeing that poultry and pigs need the produce, that enlightened people are discarding, and poultry and pigs do help to pay "Uncle," the North Island has ample cause for complaint. s v: *

ITH the thrill and excitement of personal exploits, often within the enemy’s lines and always in danger of capture and death, I’m sure no series of talks has captured the attention of listeners more than the Secret Service stories of Major John Lewis, from 2YA. Recounted as they were with the modesty that characterises 2 yery gallant gentleman, whose patriotism was a consuming flame that welcomed hardship and ill health in a righteous cause, listeners’ appetites have been whetted, and it is to be hoped that Major Lewis will resume the series in the near future.

OYA broke fresh ground last week with two programmes of outstanding merit and originality. The "Byening With Royalty" on Wednesday was one "out of the box" and afforded striking evidence of what can be done with gramophone records when handled by a "producer" who knows his job. It is safe to assume that had these records been merely presented without a theme, or, in other words, as a "miscellaneous programme of recordings." they would probably have fallen flat, but, handled as they were by "Mr. Heigh-ho," they provided a delightful evening’s. entertainment. At eight o’clock I had no intention of listening to the whole programme, but the method of presentation kept my interest and I would be surprised to learn that it diq not do so with many thousand others. Few listen to the full course of a broadcast; programme merely because of dull presentation and it will one day be realised by broadcasters that announcers should be encouraged to display originality, personality and versatility and not be restricted to the formal "You are now to hear Peter Dawson-bass-baritone." The redundancy of regular announcements has often made every listener in the land switch off. How many thousand times are we to hear again that Peter Dawson is 4 bass-baritone? % a x

(THE radio journey through southern England accompanied by "Mr. Heigh-ho" on Sunday evening was a highly original programme and _ refreshing. It must have awakened pleasant memories in the minds. of many listeners who know intimately the various spots touched upon by the "courier." More programmes upon these lines, which incidentally cost the board nothing, will go a long way in furthering the popularity of radio with those who find fault with local talent and "miscellaneous programmes," who have no character or sustaining interest. Sooner or later broadcasting authorities both in New Zealand and Australia will realise that radio programmes to achieve a hundred per cent. suecess, must be regarded as 2 medium of expression for a fully qualified "producer." In the world of the "movie" entertainment the producer ranks as equally important, if not actually more important, than the performer. This fact is not only recognised, but plays a major part in the marketing of a production. The producer is widely advertised and picture patrons select their entertainment largely from the name of the producer. It is not inconceivable that one day radio programmes will be announced and advertised as "a -- production." * a ez "THE comments of Dr. Stuckey, of the Mackenzie Memorial Hospital, Tientsin,- North China, at the Rotary

i. Club luncheon, and relayed by 2YA, were worthy of notice, seeing that New Zealand may be vitally affected by events that may happen in the northern Pacific in a few years. Havying been resident in China for 27 years, the Doctor is able to speak with Some authority. No foreigner has a better opportunity of knowing and studying the people than the medico and the missionary. It was said that we were liable to erroneous conceptions of the Chinese by judging them from the types we have in our midst, China has a wonderful literature, one of the finest in the world, and the Chinese gentleman is an ornament to his nationality. The brain capacity of the Celestial is equal, if not superior, to that of the general average Huropean, and medical students were remarkable for their faculty for learning and memorising. The intense vitality of the Chinese, their proverbial commercial morality and their colonising characteristics were well known to all. An anomaly inexplicable is the peculation practised by the official classes, which contrasts strangely with the innate honesty of the Chinese in their labour and commercial dealings. As an instance of national mental alertness the impro-

vised dialogues of a stage production Were mentioned, and it was questioned as to whether any other race could so efficiently and entertainingly add ex---temporaneously the dialogue to the mere outline of a plot. The Chinese love of children was a most, outstanding characteristic, and Huropean children brought up and tended by an amah are invariably spoilt. & bid *

R. STUCKY had some very interesting information to impart in connection with Manchuria and _ the conflicting Chinese and J apanese interests. Like Belgium in Hurope, Manchuria is the cockpit of Asia. It is here that three great nationalities meet, and here lies untold wealth to be gained from cultivation of the soil, and from the vast stores of coal and other mineral ‘deposits, China, with her eighty per cent. of total illiterates, and her attitude toward progression in the past, had very much neglected Manchuria. To-day, although the country was torn asunder by political conflicts, banditry and factional interests, the intelligentsia of China realised that adoption of Western civilisation was necessary, and Manchuria was essential to her national aims, In the last fifteen years over ten million Chinese had emigrated into Manchuria, and the system of farming suitable for the country was one peculiarly Suitable for the Chinese, who practised throughout the centuries, dry farming, When the Japanese were developing Wet farming methods, Fy Pod &

| THE surgical operations that 2YA | studios have been undergoing have been responsible for some very queer noises issuing from their inside. On Labour Day night the reverberations Were as mixed as the climate, and so far as some of the vocal items were concerned they might just as well have been sung in Tamil or any other gibberish. Madame Betts-Vincent’s first bracket of pianoforte numbers came over really terrible, and a barrel organ with its works adrift could not have hashed them more. I understand the

board is determined to make the studios perfect, and listeners with quality receivers will then refrain from complaining about the dealer whodid them, , ‘ ca * * HW overture has a story. When it was first used it was a flat failure. Changes were made and it was again used. The second fiasco caused the director to forbid Suppe from making further use of it. However, the restriction did not stop him, and the third time when it was given it was a great success. In need of money, he sold the composition to a Munich music publisher for eight dollars, the buyer profiting greatly by the transaction. If Suppe gained little cash from "Poet and Peasant," it proved a sure. passport to fame for the two hundred operettas and musical farces which flowed from his pen in the years that. followed. As a youth Suppe was intended for the law, but music, like murder, will out, and his destiny was appar-’ ently fixed. After much pleading with his father he was allowed to learn the flute at the age of eleven, but neglect of usual school studies and the'achievement of Zero in their respective ‘examinations led to father Suppe smashing the flute, a duplicate of which;oung Franz very soon acquited through persistent pleadings and promises. awe