The Beagle Log, 10 December - Radio

Subject: The Beagle Log, 10 December - Radio Mon 10 Dec 2007 - 1:33

Good Morning All,

Today's post on the entertainment media goes back many years. An earlier comment by Gillian got me thinking. Gillian said:

Quote:

What a wonderful storyline 'A Christmas carol' has. Even on radio it could bring up the goose bumps when I was a child! All those clanking chains as the ghost approached and my Father's face as he pretended to be terrified whilst we sat round the radio in the kitchen. I think radio developed imagination far more than TV does in this context.

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 10 December - Radio Mon 10 Dec 2007 - 12:57

Hi Don!

Who remembers 'Dick Barton Special Agent'? Every episode ended with a cliffhanger where it was impossible for him to escape........or was it?

There was 'PC49' (ie police constable) who solved mysteries no one else could understand.

Anyone remember 'Larry the Lamb' for the tots?

Of course there was the News which in the 1940s was a solemn business and everyone sat round together to listen carefully and silently. Comment had to be reserved for later.
From memory I would say the News was the only programme that was not switched off if visitors arrived.

I particularly remember listening to the Shipping Forecasts which were sacred to Liverpool families with members at sea. There were the mysterious Dogger, Fisher, Malin, Bite, Rockall, Finistere etc all spoken in hallowed tones, as they are today of course because they are so important. To a child they sounded very forbidding at times.

Gillian
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''What will survive of us is love.'' Philip Larkin

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 10 December - Radio Mon 10 Dec 2007 - 20:03

Sorry but i'm too young for that....Music is my memory of radio- Radio one in the 1980's and now planet rock on DAB.
_________________
Maxine
Friendship~
Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. - Oprah Winfrey

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 10 December - Radio Mon 10 Dec 2007 - 20:40

Gillian, I am not familiar with the radio shows you mentioned. I don't remember any English shows. Were American radio shows aired in England? I suspect there were few if any shows that had a transatlantic audience.

Some of the other shows I recall are:
Jack Benny
Burns and Allen
The Bickersons
Our Miss Brooks
The Great Gildersleeve

There was a host of other shows. Some made the transition to TV like “Gun Smoke” and “The Lone Ranger”. “Jack Benny” and “Burns and Allen” made the transition and were great comedy shows. The visual effects often did not live up to the imaginary “mind” pictures. When Jack Benny entered his vault on the radio, you could feel his pain at parting with any of “his” cash. That feeling never transitioned to TV.

In the mid to late 80’s one of our local radio stations aired shows from the 40’s and 50’s on Sunday evenings. My wife and I would often tune in after the kids were in bed.
_________________
Don

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 10 December - Radio Tue 11 Dec 2007 - 9:40

Hi Don!

My new year resolution is to listen to more radio!

cheers

Gillian
_________________
''What will survive of us is love.'' Philip Larkin

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 10 December - Radio Tue 11 Dec 2007 - 16:12

Hi Don

I remember Burns and Allen and was there a show about a family called Lyons, I think the woman name was Bee Bee?

We had shows on radio for children, Listen with Mother and Children Half Hour. Great comedy shows with Jimmy Clitheroe and Kenneth Williams and also a Sunday show for British Forces stationed overseas.

Luv Jean

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 10 December - Radio Wed 12 Dec 2007 - 15:40

Jean,

Burns and Allen were probably my favorite comedy team. Gracie Allen reminds me a bit of my mother. She had her view of the world that was always refreshing. As for George, he was one of the best deadpan comics on radio. Burns and Allen had a TV show in the 50’s. It would be great to see a few clips again.

The shows and people you mentioned are new to me. In many ways the world of yesteryear was larger then today's world.
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Don

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 10 December - Radio Wed 12 Dec 2007 - 17:37

Don I do agree!

If one travelled to Europe in the 1950s or 60s it was a strange world over there. It was possible to bring home gifts that would surprise and delight people. Now that is almost impossible
a) because everyone goes to Europe anyway
b) because everything from nearly everywhere is for sale in the local supermarket.
The speed at which news travels is scarey. It is possible to know what is happening on the other side of the world before you look out of the window in the morning.

I remember the very first Advent calendar we received after WW2. I must have been about 12y at the time and the others younger. We received a parcel from a dear friend who was working in Germany. I can still visualise the amazing glittering calendar that emerged from the wrappings. We were so excited we wanted to open all the doors at once! I had never seen anything like it before and was absolutely thrilled. I have no idea now what else was in the parcel but no doubt all the items had been chosen for their novelty factor to us in England at that time.

Laughing

Gillian
_________________
''What will survive of us is love.'' Philip Larkin

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 10 December - Radio Thu 13 Dec 2007 - 17:11

Hi

Yes the world seems to be getting smaller every day. But TV and radio programmes are not the same as yesteryear. it's all reality shows now. It the children I feel sorry for, nothing to get excited about and to look forward to.

Jean