1952
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A Rocky Starr Adventure .......
Radio producers, always on the lookout to do something new and fresh decided to cash in on the current public interest and popularity of science fiction by producing a series to encapsulate space travel, rockets, alien beings, etc. In 1951 AWA devised an interplanetary series called the Rocky Starr Adventures. Although promoted as a children's program, it had many fans equally in the adult population as well.
All episodes were written by Harry Howlett and produced by Colin Craigen for AWA. Factual advice was provided by well known scientist Dr. Guy Harris, as well as securing collaboration with CSIRO experts.
The theme and incidental music was specially written by Hal Evans and recorded in the Melbourne studios of AWA with the 3DB orchestra conducted by William Flynn.
A total of 624 episodes were produced with 11 stories over the next 3 years. The series was produced in Sydney in the AWA studios. The series debuted on 3DB Melbourne from May 1952, 2CH Sydney from November 1952, and 4BK Brisbane from January 1952. Sponsors for NSW were F.J. Palmer and Son for Stamina clothing. Victoria, Brockhoff Biscuits, and QLD, Peters Ice Cream.
2CH launched the series to the Sydney listeners on the 24th November 1952 in the 7.15pm slot to be played Mondays to Thursdays each week. Two weeks prior to launch (no pun intended) there was an extensive advertising campaign in print, on radio, and by Palmers the sponsor. In Palmers stores across the city there were window poster displays, and Stamina had half a million Rocky Starr badges made for distribution to young listeners at Palmers.
In Adelaide 5AD were playing the serial, and was proving so popular that by the end of 1953 a charity got on board and in conjunction with 5AD and the Children's Hospital, Somerton Crippled Children's Home and Legacy, a Rocky Starr Christmas Cheer Club was formed inviting 2000 boys and girls to join, and by doing good deeds and collecting 60 sixpences for the hospital, they were entitled to a Christmas toy either being a model rocket ship, atomic water pistol, or 2 tickets to the Ozone matinee theatre. So popular was this the deadline was extended and another 1000 boys and girls were invited to join.
The first story in the series was titled “Destination Venus”, and it ran for 104 episodes. The starring role of Rocky was played by Howard Craven, and Joe McCormick played Mitch his friend and pal.
"Thrills and excitement begin when “Rocky” and his pal, Mitch join professor Vernon’s expedition to the planet Venus. Professor Vernon and his attractive daughter, Anne, have built a spaceship which they have named the “Blue Streak”. The professor is confident that the ship will be successful and, knowing Rocky and Mitch by repute, invites the two friends to join him. From that moment the tension and pace increase to a high pitch and do not lessen throughout the entire series.
Before they leave on their quest, the small band is hindered several times by attempts on Rocky’s life and they are all intrigued by the strange Jan Cabar. Tension mounts as the journey commences, and continues as exciting events rapidly follow each other. Strange developments add to the fascination of the story, and the unexpected reception which awaits them on their arrival on Venus, lends an appropriate climax to the adventure".
Featured here is episode 72 of Destination Venus, and the principal players in this episode are;
Narrator – Lloyd Berrell
Rocky – Howard Craven
Mitch – Joe McCormick
Mala – Sheila Sewell
Yo – Harry Howlett
Gorg – Allan Trevor
Other stories in the series to follow were, Destination Danger, Space Pirates, Flying Saucers, Shadow Men, The New World, Race to the Unknown, Planet of Despair, Lost in Space, Deadline for Disaster, and Eaglemen.
All episodes were written by Harry Howlett and produced by Colin Craigen for AWA. Factual advice was provided by well known scientist Dr. Guy Harris, as well as securing collaboration with CSIRO experts.
The theme and incidental music was specially written by Hal Evans and recorded in the Melbourne studios of AWA with the 3DB orchestra conducted by William Flynn.
A total of 624 episodes were produced with 11 stories over the next 3 years. The series was produced in Sydney in the AWA studios. The series debuted on 3DB Melbourne from May 1952, 2CH Sydney from November 1952, and 4BK Brisbane from January 1952. Sponsors for NSW were F.J. Palmer and Son for Stamina clothing. Victoria, Brockhoff Biscuits, and QLD, Peters Ice Cream.
2CH launched the series to the Sydney listeners on the 24th November 1952 in the 7.15pm slot to be played Mondays to Thursdays each week. Two weeks prior to launch (no pun intended) there was an extensive advertising campaign in print, on radio, and by Palmers the sponsor. In Palmers stores across the city there were window poster displays, and Stamina had half a million Rocky Starr badges made for distribution to young listeners at Palmers.
In Adelaide 5AD were playing the serial, and was proving so popular that by the end of 1953 a charity got on board and in conjunction with 5AD and the Children's Hospital, Somerton Crippled Children's Home and Legacy, a Rocky Starr Christmas Cheer Club was formed inviting 2000 boys and girls to join, and by doing good deeds and collecting 60 sixpences for the hospital, they were entitled to a Christmas toy either being a model rocket ship, atomic water pistol, or 2 tickets to the Ozone matinee theatre. So popular was this the deadline was extended and another 1000 boys and girls were invited to join.
The first story in the series was titled “Destination Venus”, and it ran for 104 episodes. The starring role of Rocky was played by Howard Craven, and Joe McCormick played Mitch his friend and pal.
"Thrills and excitement begin when “Rocky” and his pal, Mitch join professor Vernon’s expedition to the planet Venus. Professor Vernon and his attractive daughter, Anne, have built a spaceship which they have named the “Blue Streak”. The professor is confident that the ship will be successful and, knowing Rocky and Mitch by repute, invites the two friends to join him. From that moment the tension and pace increase to a high pitch and do not lessen throughout the entire series.
Before they leave on their quest, the small band is hindered several times by attempts on Rocky’s life and they are all intrigued by the strange Jan Cabar. Tension mounts as the journey commences, and continues as exciting events rapidly follow each other. Strange developments add to the fascination of the story, and the unexpected reception which awaits them on their arrival on Venus, lends an appropriate climax to the adventure".
Featured here is episode 72 of Destination Venus, and the principal players in this episode are;
Narrator – Lloyd Berrell
Rocky – Howard Craven
Mitch – Joe McCormick
Mala – Sheila Sewell
Yo – Harry Howlett
Gorg – Allan Trevor
Other stories in the series to follow were, Destination Danger, Space Pirates, Flying Saucers, Shadow Men, The New World, Race to the Unknown, Planet of Despair, Lost in Space, Deadline for Disaster, and Eaglemen.
Rocky Starr article and Audio supplied by collector, Craig Nugent
