1936
Behind the scenes in Australian Radio
In 1936, Australia is moving away from live shows and recorded music. You can see the U.S. influence with shows such as 'Strange as it seems', 'Eb & Zeb', 'Air Adventures of Jimmy Allen', 'Doc Savage', 'The Tottering Van Teeters', 'One Man's Family' and others.
One Australian series Yes, What? broke the mold. This was an Adelaide, South Australian series which has remained popular for over 80 years. Based on the English comedy skits and the classroom antics of Will Hay.
What were we listening to?
Listen now...
Roy Rene (Mo)
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Roy Rene - "MO" was one of Australia's legendary comedians, well known for his stage and radio work during the first half of the 20th Century.
Roy was a regular feature on the Melbourne Tivoli theatre circuit during the 1930's. With the continuing progress and development of radio during the 1930's, Roy was aware of the entertainment value of the medium, not to mention there was good money to be made, which saw Roy being signed up by Lee Murray for the Featuradio label in Melbourne and recording a series of comedy programs. Duration was about 5 minutes for each program and Fred Parsons scripted them. Starring is Roy Rene "MO", Sadie Gale (who in real life was his wife), and Lloyd Lamble, up and coming radio actor from the Lee Murray cast of players for Featuradio. The series debuted on Melbourne radio station 3AW on Saturday November 21st, 1936 at 7pm. It was played 5 nights a week. Roy's fame and success in radio reached it's pinnacle in the later 1940's and '50's with the lavish Colgate Palmolive shows, Calling the Stars, Colgate Cavalcade, and then Atlantic Shows with Ron R Beck. |
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Article and recording supplied by collector, Craig Nugent. Images from Listener In 14th November, 1936