The Home Forum

Radio Record, 20 May 1938, Page 46

The Home Forum

NEGRO SINGER Having heard so much praise of the records of Paul Robeson, I beg to suggest that more of those records be made available over the air to listeners to 2YA.-*"Subseriber" (Tauranga). MIRTH WANTED Like many others, I think we should have more comedy instead of Richard Tauber singing songs none of us can understand. And many a country listener would like the music, mirth and melody session an hour earlier. And why not more humour like that of our friend "Sandy" Powell?-"Sandy-ite’ (Hamilton), CAMP-FIRE MUSIC We listened to-night to "Music Round the Camp-fire" from 8YA, the first time for many weeks that we have had that pleasure, and we hope that in

spite of those who dislike crooning we shall be able occasionally to listen to Don Pedro and his cowboys,-L,M.A. (Aria), "MOST UNFAIR" I was yery much surprised at the most unfair criticism of the Rita Stone broadcast from 4YA. I listened with many others and thought the broadcast excellent. Surely a critic should understand that there is a great difference between broadeasting and singing in a hall or theatre. I have heard Rita Stone many times since in the Town Hall with the Municipal Band, at the theatre, and she can always be well heard from all parts of the hall. Also since her appearance in those places her voice has grown even ‘stronger.-"Justiee" (Birkenhead).

MIRAMS.- INSURANCE I have just read your report in the "Radio Record" of May 6, concerning the shabby treatment meted out to your picture eritie (Mr. Gordon Mirams) by Columbia Pictures. For years past, the public of New Zealand have had on many occasions second and third-rate pictures boomed up beforehand by extravagantly-word-ed advertisements, Relying on the good faith of these cunning advertisements, they have often spent their hard-earned money to witness worthless pictures. May I suggest that you get your «ritic to review the first public showing of every Columbia picture in future and publish his report thereon immediately? This will be good enough for us. We will believe Mr. Mirams, who will give a sincere review, whereas we have. found out to our cost that we cannot always believe the advertisements of certain picture interests,-F',D.A. (Christehurch) , GRACE HERSELF As a devoted reader to your splendid paper, might I be allowed to voice} my feelings as one of possibly thou-’ sands more. Reading your leading article in last week’s issue of May 6, 1 was really surprised and annoyed as a "Maorilander" to learn of the unfortunate experience and predicament of Gordon Mirams. IT am enclosgine a newsnaner enttineg )

in which even Grace Moore herself admits to Lawrence Tibbett that she has only made one good picture, "One Night of Love," and that the others are rubbish.. Yet because your critic was intelligent and good enough to express his opinions, he was "banned" by the firm concerned. 1 admire and have ulways been interested in his criticism of "films," and venture to say "he knows his job."’-Interested Reader No. 1 (Christchurch). "HE §S HONEST" Realising that your only way of gauging public opinion is for individuals to write in their views, 1 am making the effort. fet us be charitable and say that owing to commercial reasons, there is a paucity of real film criticism in New Zealand, and your film section fills a big need, and fills it more than adequately, Until the exchange rate hit New Zenland, [ used to wallow in Garyin’s Sunday "Observer" (I have yet to see its equal for reviews on most subjects), and since then have read film criticisms regularly in the "Bystander," "Sketch," and so on, and in your "Reeord," and in my humble opinion Mr. Mirams comes nearer to real erit}- cism than either the "Bystander" or the "Sketch" or the "Tatler," He is honest, and seems to haye an unbiased and middle-of-the-road mind, which is so necessary if a person is going to criticise anything. 1 often feel I would like to tell the great Mr. James Agate that he should not go in for film criticism at all,-since he always enters a cinema holding his nose as if there was a bad smell about it. However, I suppose that is a little beside the point. Hoping that Mr. Mirams and the "Record" will continue with the cood

work,

M.

McMath

(Auckland) _