IN THE WAKE OF THE WEEK'S ,..BROADCASTS....

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 37, 24 February 1939, Page 9

IN THE WAKE OF THE WEEK'S ,..BROADCASTS....

LECTURE ON CANCER

esting radio talk of the week undoubtedly goes to Dr. F. A. Maguire, of Australia, for his ‘popular’ talk on eancer. The talk, which for the most inter-

was part of the caneer con. gress, was broadeast by 2YA, and was

specifically directed to the layman, but I imagine even doctors must have been intensely interested. The subject was treated in a straightforward, commonsense manner, and probably cleared up many doubts in listeners’ minds -regarding this most dreaded disease. Two points Dr. Maguire emphasised are worth reemphasising. Cancer in its early stages is curable. Cancer in its early stages is painless. A fine, constructive, well-deliv-ered speech, and worth every minute 2YA gave it. The introductory remarks by Sir James Eliott and the Hon. Peter’ Fraser, Minister of Health, contained much more of interest and value than introductory remarks usually do.

EXPLOits OF 40 "SKIPPER

An interesting personality was introduced to 42B listeners the other day by Don Donaldson, in a microphone interview with "Skipper" Francis. "Skipper"-every-

one Calis Aim that-seems_ to have had a remarkable career. He holds

two world championships for swimming, one of them dating back to 1912 when he swam the Bristol Channel-a distance of 15 miles-in spite of physical handicap. This swim was the subject of one of the first moving pictures ever taken, and "Skipper" Francis toured many countries with the film, describing his experiences. During the early days of the war he raised nearly £500,000 for war charities in Australia cod New Zealand. He has written several songs, including "Australia Wiil Be There," which sold more than 1,000,000 copies. In the course of his wanderings he has visited over a score of countries.

EXIT OF THE HOUSEBOY

The curtain has rung down on "The Japanese’ Houseboy" from 4YA. It seems hard to believe it after so many centuries-well years, at any rate. Knowing that

the end was in sight I listened to the few concluding _instalments, and found myself

moderately entertained. There was some good humour introduced from time to time, and although. I had not previously listened to the feature for about two years, I can appreciate why so many peopleand there were many despite what one hears-listened regularly, Quite a number of things seemed to be developing in these: recent instalments, and I found myself wondering how the last presentation was going to cope with everything. It didn’t. Half a dozen matters were left "in the air," and actually the serial didn’t end at all. Seems as if the NBS just got fed up with it, and let it droplike that. It seems a little hard on those who have followed the Hon. Archie’s adventures for so long,

FEAST OR FAMINE

Common saying is that a "real artist" never comes to New Zea land until his BEnglish and Continental audiences are sick of him. That’s wrong. Some excellent

artists are brightening the early months of the New Year in Christchurch, and to some

financial purpose, too. Close on each other’s heels, flesh-and-blood shows are making the old Theatre Royal look young again, while the anticipatory buzz of excitement before the curtain rises is echoing welcomely on the theatre’s sophisticated walls. Right after the Frank Neil show has come Nicola, master of magic, and, when the famous man with the tall silk hat and the rabbits has moved on, the Russian Ballet will draw its thousands. With theatrical Christchurch, it’s either a feast or a famine, We want more feasts,

TEX MORTON HAS MANY FANS

Funny thing, this fan-mail business. Since he has been in Christchurch and singing hill-billy songs for 8ZB, Tex Morton has accumulated a fan-mail that would make

Nordica, Jenny Lind, Caruso and a few more late and present stars look

anaemic. Myself, { did not write to Tex. He told me the other night, through my radio set, to "take a Vil look at mahself and wroite home _ to mooooooother"-in other woids to reflect on my past and go into retrospect about what I could do for that "gran’ lil ole loidy." I was unmoved, Tex certainly has a marvellous radio style. Thousands seem to adore it.

STUDIO PLAY FROM 4YA

. The presentation of a studio play from NBS stations is becoming too much of a rarity. Why. the service has practically cut them out in favour of recorded plays is

hard to vwnderstané, for the public undoubtedly prefers the flesh and blood talent. Noel

Coward may not be every man’s meat, yet so far as I can gather, the presentation of "Hay Fever" from 4YA studios recently was well received. Miss Anita Winkel, the producer, may feel pleased with her work, for all the qualities that go toward making Noel Coward the piquant entertainment he is, were well brought out. I? the NBS maintains that recorded plays are better than flesh-n’-blood, there’s some explaining to be done, for "Hay Fever" was better than most of the recorded plays we have been getting lately.

SWINGING CLASSIC

Murder! Just plain murder, and no other word can describe ii. 7 refer to a record played from 4ZB just lately. It was a "swing" version of the "Barcarole" from

Tales of Hoffman, I didn’t catch the name of the orchestra perpetrating the

outrage, but it would not worry me if it were the finest orchestra in the world. Thank heaven poor old Offenbach cannot hear this modernised version of his composition-and it is a beautiful piece, even though somewhat hackneyed through constant repetition. E have never before felt that any particular number was an vcifence in the name of music, but this was, and if we are to le treated to much more of it, then the sooner swing music goes into the- limbo of forgotten things, the better. One of the most amazing things-to mewas he: , out of the medley of blaring and distorted sounds, the rhytum of the original piece was sometimes struck,

BROADCAST FROM BACKSTAGE

In a backstage relay from the Stanley McKay "Gaieties" of 1939, Alec McDowell gave 4ZB listeners something unusual in theatrical broadcasts. Alec and the various

members of the company interviewed seem ito enjoy the mselves thor-

oughly, and chatted quite naturally. Most of those interviewed had had radio experience at some time or other, speaking with that quiet confidence which can be acquired only through microphone experience. One of the most interesting features of the broadcast was the reference to the Sydney Harbour "show boats." Fitted up as travelling theatres, these boats combine an excellent variety show with a harbour cruise. Frequently the] boats range alongside one another in the harbour and exchange artists, thus accomplishing the dual purpose of giving patrons a more varied programme, and allowing the artists to give a double show,

JOHN PEEL SET TO SWING

Heard a scandalous version of John Peel the other night from 2YD during a "Rhapsodies in Rhythm" session. It was by Lew Stone and his band, if I remember |

rightly, and Mr. Stone and his merry men swung that fine old hunting tune until John

Peel himself must have been revolving rapidly in his grave. The words were as authentic as the rhythm: D’ye ken John Peel with his nose so red : That he got from drinking his port in bed... The ditty also included a new version of the manner in which the famous huntsman met his end: He drank @ glass of what he thought was hock; ‘Twas only water and he died of shock. Time certainly does march on, |

PRACTICAL VALUE OF RADIO

I met a sailor in Christchurch the other day. ‘"What’s all this learn-to-swim business?" ‘he asked. I assured him that he had only to listen to a radio station, for

instance sYA, He made the amazing __ statement that half the men in his

part of the ship, then at Lyttelton, could not swim a stroke. He next organised a party for tuition and, while the tars cannot yet be said to have taken to the water like ducks, they can make a passable effort.