
Whilst Australians sing Christmas carols about Snowmen and White Christmas, most of us will never experience a real White Christmas. We do however maintain the traditions with the Womenfolk slaving over a hot stove bringing the traditional roast dinner together in temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius. In the U.S., Christmas serials like 'The Cinnamon Bear' have been broadcast on radio every Christmas since 1937. 'The Cinnamon Bear' was also popular in Australia in the late 1930's though how often it was repeated over the years, I am not sure. Certainly not enough times to rival that U.S. tradition. Loretta Young and the 78 rpm record of 'The Littlest Angel' is another U.S. tradition in many Australian households, though today more likely on mp3 than 78rpm.
I am going to show you here, some examples of Christmas on Australian Radio in the 1940s and 1950s.
Long before Mrs Brown, there was Mrs 'Obbs played by Dan Agar. These are two Christmas episodes 1401 & 1402 from 1947.
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas whether it be white or hot. Remember the true story of Christmas, no not 'A Christmas Carol' and take the time to enjoy your family or even someone else's family, but take the time to think back on Christmas past and plan Christmas future.
Ian Grieve