NOT SO NAIVE!

Radio Record, 1 April 1938, Page 15

NOT SO NAIVE!

Upsy-Wupsy-Daisy Games Have Gone From The Children’s Hour For All Time

by

Norman

McLeod

F you are one of those cheerful folk who believe that children of our modern Machine Age-or call it War Age-will be content for long with gurgling and gooing, then you are in for the same disappointment that recently hit the conductors of the old stereotyped children’s radio sessions so hard. Sons and daughters to-day can’t be bothered with "upsy-wupsy-daisy" games. They would rather hear of Franco’s troops in Spain or the Austrian annexation. World news, intelligent cammentary and well-produced novelty features are what to-day's youngest listeners want -and they want it so much they are getting it at last. Importance Realised INCE the earliest days of New Zealand radio, the Children’s Hour has had its place in the scheme of things. But it is doubtful whether its importance was ever fully realised, despite attempts now and then at originality, especially by B stations anxious for an important block of listeners. First in the children’s field were the YA stations, which adopted the pleasant practice of sending birthday greetings on a "look-behind-the-piano-and-see-what-the-fairies-have-sent-you" basis. Immediate success of this method caused its adoption by most B stations and undoubtedly brought about an extremely healthy-if expensive -revival of the good old English custom of giving birthday gifts to minors. It was also a very useful source of revenue for struggling B stations, which charged a small fee. Much, of course, depended on the personality of the announcer. Some introduced a few novelties, such as singing and reciting by children actually present in the studios. ras , When 1ZB opened at Auckland, Neddo, with his battery of drums and gadgets, and Dorothy Wood, with her piano playing, singing and chatter, introduced an entirely new note. This was brought to 2ZB by the vivacious Dorothy in association with Benno, who was later partnered with Betty. Miss Wood, incidentally, has the distinction of pioneering the Children’s Hour in all four ZB stations, This quickened interest has led to further very interesting developments now going on at all the ZB stations. FiRst definite breakaway from the 1ZB idea took place at 8ZB following the appointment of Miss Annas Gale, talented Christchurch singer, actress and pianist, fresh from Sydney’s 2UW, with new ideas which were put into operation by Jill and Jacko, with Mr. Ken. Saunders as producer. Previously, the Theas and Neddos, and the Bennos and Bettys, were left largely to their own devices. Their ses. sions consisted mostly of "cheerios," relieved with songs not always well chosen and with inconsequential dialogue.

Then 3ZB led the commercial stations into .2 hitherto unexplored field. For some months now its children’s session, conducted by Jacko and Gracie, has enjoyed great popularity with listeners, and is probably the first children’s session in New Zealand to be "produced" in a regular way. The whole of the script for each day’s session is written by Mr. Saunders, who actually "produces" the session from the technicians’ room where he directs the playing of records and sees that the novel sound effects and so on work smoothly and realistically. Many Devices Many and curious are the devices employed to intro: duce the magic carpet or lamp which gives the excuse for an entertaining visit to a coal mine, or a trip over the South Island by air. Sometimes the young listeners are invited to come before the "mike" themselves. Bvery session ig carefully worked out by Mr. Saunders, who believes there must be some purpose behind all sessions for children. In his own words, "The amiable piftle which is frequently broadcast during so-called children’s sessions is just as boring to children as it is to adults." Children like fun and adventure, and I have proved to my own complete satisfaction that they will listen with interest to a comparatively poor story so long as it is "dressed up" with sound effects and atmospheric music. "Of course, the logical ending is complete dramatisation, and that is not so impossible as it seems. Some of the children’s sessions at 8ZB come pretty close to complete dramatisation." UCH the same ideas are being carried out at 4ZB by Jill and Peter. One of the finest features is Jill’s Children’s Magazine, which mainly features news of the day with an occasional story. Variation is given by Peter’s extremely funny character impersonations. At 1ZB, too, the old order is changing. There the intention is to combine the best of the new features from. the other three stations. ; a For some time executives of the (Cont. on page )

It Is Not So Naive ‘Fo-day

RADIO ENTERTAINMENT FOR GHILDREN

(Continued from page 15.)

Commercial Service have been experimenting to make the children’s hour really interesting for intelligent children, From that experiment has emerged the new 2ZB session which has had immediate success. It features the "Young New Zealander’s Radio Journal,’ which is compiled by some of the best brains in Wellington. Closely following regular news magazine practice in its design, it is introduced every evening at 5 p.m. by the capgole Bryan O’Brien, who acts as editor. The leading article is handled by Mr. O. N. Gillespie, whose name as an impromptu speakey on every conceivable subject hag been known all over the Dominion for many years now. Cutting right away from the beaten track of the teacher, Mr. Gillespie talks saneiy aud intelligently to his boys and girls on subjects that are topical, vital ana full of interest. A common mistake in former children’s sessions was to adopt a patronising, superior tone and flounder along with inane drivel that became acutely painful to parents and children alike. But Mr. Gillespie speaks to his child audiences as his equals. and he has real enthusiasm for the qualities of the young people in the country he loves so deeply. Other personalities at 24B are a prominent educationalist ‘The Question Man), a first-class Woman singer and pianist, an outstanding Maori personality and a widely-travelled announcer (the Story Man). ‘The work of these entertainers and instructors is varied with talks on famous explorers, yoyagers, discoveries, inspiring deeds und with chats about hobbies, tricks, puzzles and games. THE aim and method of presentation of 2ZB’s children’s session is best explained in the words of Bryan O’Brien himself. "The endeavour is," he said, "to cater for every taste and age. Not only does this apply to the whole journal but also each particulay issue. Each feature comprising an issue, With one or two exceptions, runs no longer than 74 minutes. A new page is audibly turned for each feature, Which differs radically from the preced: ing one. Provision is made for illustrative stories, with the result that correct atmosphere is created. Descripious of scenes, and so on, play the part of setting and scenery on a stage and naturally makes the whole presentation much more yivid. "Tt is our belief that even the very small children are not interested iu pointless chatter. This hag been entirely eliminated. "We also believe that in a proper presentation it is possible to instruct as well as to entertain. The small child is forever asking the why and wherefor -of things. Surely this is an indication that the child is genuinely interested in the things so often uninvitingly wrapped up in the ‘education parcel.’ So we have a special page for the ‘Question Man’ who regularly has to deal with some pretty stiff posers. "Provision is also there for music, history, literature, Maori mythology

and stories of great men, and;great achievements, as well as fiction, suitable for children. It is good to,think that the work put into this new. session by Mr. Strachan, the Programme Organiser, Mr. Gillespie and others, has been rewarded by high praise from par ents, especially those living in the eountry." Though it is not the policy of the Commercial Broadcasting Service lv standardise its programmes-for each station is apparently left to work oui its own destiny to suit the individuality .and needs of its territory-yet it wouid seem that the ZB stations, and particularly 2ZB, are bringing a vitality to the children’s hours that has too long been missing. Children are at last getting credit for intelligence.