1935
Behind the scenes in Australian Radio
All the Australian performances, apart from music from records, imports and experimental recordings, were live until Australian Radio Producers started to record to 16" Radio Transcription Discs around 1935 with AWA in Sydney making its first recording of family comedy 'Fred & Maggie" which had been live on 2CH Sydney up to that point. By 1951 Fred & Maggie had entertained Australians with more than 1500 quarter hour episodes.
The two major centres of Radio Production were Sydney and Melbourne. Other capital Cities, regional cities and towns were producing radio programs on transcription as well as live shows, however the population base of Sydney and Melbourne certainly gravitated the Acting and production services and the rest followed.
1935 with the emergence of recording performances and the later 1930's heralding the beginning of distribution of those performances, the time was right for forming Networks. Each of those Networks had a Key station in the Major Capital Cities to attract the regional stations with the added purchasing power of shows they may not otherwise be able to afford. As well as attracting advertisers outside their local area, particularly National Advertisers.
The two major centres of Radio Production were Sydney and Melbourne. Other capital Cities, regional cities and towns were producing radio programs on transcription as well as live shows, however the population base of Sydney and Melbourne certainly gravitated the Acting and production services and the rest followed.
1935 with the emergence of recording performances and the later 1930's heralding the beginning of distribution of those performances, the time was right for forming Networks. Each of those Networks had a Key station in the Major Capital Cities to attract the regional stations with the added purchasing power of shows they may not otherwise be able to afford. As well as attracting advertisers outside their local area, particularly National Advertisers.
What were we listening to?
Listen now...
1935 is marked by the arrival of the American Radio Phenomenon 'One Man's Family'. Almost single handedly this serial sets the bar for ALL future Radio Serials in Australia. Written by Carlton E. Morse, this award winning serial has its Australian rights purchased by 2SM Sydney. But it doesn't stop there. Over the next two years it takes every capital city by storm and most of the country areas as well.
The stations used U.S. scripts and their own local actors. 2SM Sydney, 3XY Melbourne, 4BH Brisbane, 5KA Adelaide, 7HO Hobart, 4RO Rockhampton, 4TO Townsville, 2CK Cessnock and many more. Most of these shows were live.
We can see the impact the serial had, by reading the newspaper and radio program magazines of the day. The OMF actors opened fetes, appeared at concerts and their appearances meant that people would definitely show up in their droves. Among the clippings I have supplied here is a great example of the popularity of the serial. A picture theatre owner arranging for the local station to install a link between the station and the theatre because he realised nobody would attend Saturday night because they didn't want to miss 'One Man's Family'. That arrangement previously was only happening in the U.S. due to the popularity of 'Amos and Andy'.
Another included article tells of how a clergyman had to change the time of his meetings otherwise his flock would not attend.
Australians couldn't get enough of 'One Man's Family'. It was what we today might refer to as a 'soap'. But this was the very beginning of the genre and Australians were hooked on the daily happenings of this family.
The stations used U.S. scripts and their own local actors. 2SM Sydney, 3XY Melbourne, 4BH Brisbane, 5KA Adelaide, 7HO Hobart, 4RO Rockhampton, 4TO Townsville, 2CK Cessnock and many more. Most of these shows were live.
We can see the impact the serial had, by reading the newspaper and radio program magazines of the day. The OMF actors opened fetes, appeared at concerts and their appearances meant that people would definitely show up in their droves. Among the clippings I have supplied here is a great example of the popularity of the serial. A picture theatre owner arranging for the local station to install a link between the station and the theatre because he realised nobody would attend Saturday night because they didn't want to miss 'One Man's Family'. That arrangement previously was only happening in the U.S. due to the popularity of 'Amos and Andy'.
Another included article tells of how a clergyman had to change the time of his meetings otherwise his flock would not attend.
Australians couldn't get enough of 'One Man's Family'. It was what we today might refer to as a 'soap'. But this was the very beginning of the genre and Australians were hooked on the daily happenings of this family.
The following episode from 2SM Book 15 Chapter 7 broadcast in Sydney on 9th August, 1938 is the only known surviving episode of this wonderful serial. Thank you to Jamie Kelly for supplying it for this project. Please note: The quality is quite poor, but understandable.
Articles about One Man's Family
I particularly like the paragraph reporting that One Man's Family 2SM Director John Dunne, received a letter from American scriptwriter Carlton Morse, in which he stated the 2SM Australian Claudia and Clifford's actors were better than the original U.S. actors. See 'Over The Microphone' article.
The articles written about this serial are many and I have only supplied a few. But never have I read a bad word about the serial or the acting. After the first couple of years there was a gap while negotiations were stalled with the U.S. production Company, but then after about 5 years the serial restarted. Still as popular as ever.
After the first run finished, 2SM started what was touted as the successor to 'One man's Family', called simply 'Pauls Family'. The serial was about a family during war time. The same cast from 'One Man's Family' moved across to 'Paul's Family'.
The articles written about this serial are many and I have only supplied a few. But never have I read a bad word about the serial or the acting. After the first couple of years there was a gap while negotiations were stalled with the U.S. production Company, but then after about 5 years the serial restarted. Still as popular as ever.
After the first run finished, 2SM started what was touted as the successor to 'One man's Family', called simply 'Pauls Family'. The serial was about a family during war time. The same cast from 'One Man's Family' moved across to 'Paul's Family'.
Advertisements for One Man's Family
Casts
Many of the various cast are known. Replacements were noted in the newspapers of the day. I include more clippings, not only giving details but also to demonstrate that mentioning you were in the cast of 'One Man's Family' was a boost to your career. Russ Tyson long Radio career started in OMF at 4BH and then he joined the staff at the station.
The clippings for 3XY are special. Many were from the private collection of the late Dorothy Smith who played Teddy and were supplied here by her daughter.
The clippings for 3XY are special. Many were from the private collection of the late Dorothy Smith who played Teddy and were supplied here by her daughter.