OVER THE AIR

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21400, 16 February 1935, Page 18

OVER THE AIR

[By ARIEL} ' From 3YA next Wednesday at 9.20 kisteners may hear a radio play. I fao not think I am taking a great bisk' in cordially recommending it In advance. As a matter of fact, ifthe only, risk lies in the possibility ;bf the, adaptation not being altogether successful. >t The'play is "The Invisible Wound, from the short story by a Hungarian with the unappetising name of Kisfaludi. Karoli, brother of Alexander Kisfaludi,"was born m 1788, £nd lived 42 years of life crowded ■with wars, revolutions, political unrest and literary strivings. He is perhaps better known as a dramatist. The short story as a medium is not altogether satisfactory to the artist who likes a crowded canvas; on the -"other hand the short story of merit makes an excellent radio.play. The Story "The Invisible Wound" is a pleasant, cheery little tale. A famous surgeon is called out of bed one early morning by a very insistent patient. His caller is in great pam, l 'his hand is in a sling, he groans as ■ though in terrible agony. He begs the surgeon to burn a' wound out "of his hand, or to cut it out, or to .do something drastic with it anyThe surgeon examines the hand. To his surprise there is no wound. i-The hand looks perfectly healthy. He assures the caller that there is L nothing whatever the matter with jhis hand, to which the patient replies Kin effect), "You're telling me!" Then comes a short argument. The surgeon wants to go back to bed; •lie has no wish to deal with a madkman. But the man places on the liable a thousand-florin banknote! The surgeon, being human, is then not quite so certain that there is nothing wrong with the hand. To ipacify the patient he cuts out a small lump of flesh, pockets the money, and receives the grateful thanks of the patient. Three weeks later the man returns. The wound has healed, but the (pain is more unendurable than ever. :,There is nothing, to do but t6 repeat the operation, although the .surgeon is quite convinced that there His nothing whatever wrong with the ihand. Again he is thanked by his grateful but mysterious patient. And then, two months later, the surgeon receives ; a letter from the man explaining'things. It seemed that the poor fellow had married a beautiful girl, the companion to a Countess not far from his estate. One day, when his wife was out, he discovered some love letters, tied with a pink ribbon. They were written by one of his most intimate friends. The letters urged her to secrecy. . .. they revealed the tenderest intimacy and deepest passion .... they said cutting things about foolish husbands. ... What did the husband do? Well, it seems a pity to divulge the ending. I shall content myself by saying that .Kisfaludi wrote an -excellent short story, and that Professor Shelley is as good an actor as he is a'producer. And. I, certainly, will listen -to "The invisible Wound." It strikes me that the playing time, 40 minutes, may be a little too long for a dramatisation of a f short story. A radio play "of- this kind depends on pace, pace, and a striking climax. . But I shall not attempt advance criticism. The players are Mrs Valerie Haslam, Mr N. W. Harrison, and Professor James Shelley. Flags on the Matterhorn Looking back on the various items in New Zealand broadcasting that have left any enduring impression, I am struck by the fact that most of these are unexpected—removed from the daily round, the common task; items thaj; grip the imagination, more than the intellect. "The Flowers Are Not for You to Pick" was certainly one of these. The • broadcast of the recent Royal wedding was perhaps another. And quite definitely "Flags on the Matterhorn" is a third. It is a simple enough radio-play. Most of the ingenious tricks of the radio dramatist are used to the full. And yet,-because it is different, because it appeals to the imagination, because it deals with a phase of life remote from motor-buses and talkie houses, perhaps because it deals with that oldest of all dramatic concepts, the conquest of the Nature Gods by puny man; it is a. great play. The time is 70 years ago. The Matterhorn raises its snowy knife edged cap to the heavens. Aloof, forbidding, unconquerable, • the mountain yearly takes its toll of adventurers. There are graves at the bottom of its slopes, with crosses marking the names of those who have slipped, who have been overcome by avalanches, whp have died of exposure. Edward Whymper, an English artist, is obsessad by the idea that he can conquer the Matterhorn. His one object, his only ambition, is to plant a flag on the topmost edge. Time after time he is thwarted, his guides desert,, he loses his way, food runs short, snow storms threaten* to engulf him. And yet, year after year, he returns to the lower slopes of the mountain. In the end he conquers. But the mountain god takes his toll of life. That was 70 years ago. Things have altered now. There are great i modern hotels in Switzerland, the Matterhorn is commercialised, there are steps cut in the ice, roped railings at more difficult spots. And yet every year the Matterhorn rouses itself from its placid sleep. A low rumble growing in intensity, an avalanche overhelms a party of climbers, A whine of cold wind and some poor devil is frozen to death on the icy slopes. That is the story of "Flags on the Matterhorn." ' Radio Imagination Both these plays, "The Flowers <Are Not for You to. Pick" and "Flags on the Matterhorn," have proved extremely popular in New Zealand. The inain reason for this is undoubtedly that they are imaginative in concept. When they are compared with a strange series at present being produced ■", in New Zealand, the "We Await' Your Verdict" series, it will be obvious that this latter series is ■ likely to appeal mainly to prospective law-breaker* and to young \3awyfe i &- ; neither; 'flesh, : '■ towl nor good red herring. In other words, the "We Await Your Ver»i ere-neithe^realism' nor

PROGRAMMES AND COMMENT

romanticism, but a bastard compromise between the two. A certain section of the public will undoubtedly find these mock trials of interest, just as a certain section will be intrigued by model answers to matriculation questions or a dramatisation of platonic dialogues. But mock trials are a relic of a past radio age, they must go the way of charades and "hunt-the-slipper." It seems quite possible to produce —on occasion—radio plays that will appeal to a very large section of the community simultaneously. And out of the hundreds of thousands of published short stories there are hundreds of radio plays awaiting adaptation. But the ordinary "magazine type" of short story is not suitable. The adaptable short story must have either a quality of realism or of romanticism. The magazine compromise is not good enough. Note. —I will try to reply to "Enquirer's" questions concerning Richard Crooke next week. BROADCASTING TODAY'S PROGRAMMES 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH (720 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 8.30 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Devotional service. 10.15: Selected recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. Progress reports of Test Cricket, English Women's Eleven v. New Zealand, throughout the day. 2 p.m.: Selected recordings. 3.30: • Sports results. 4.30: Special weather forecast for farmers, and special frost forecast for South Island fruit growers. 5.0: Children's hour, conducted by Riddleman. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 8.0: Chimes. 3YA Orchestra, conductor Mr Harold Beck: "Soaring March" (Nowowieski); Overture on Southern Melodies, "Southern Stars" (Ascher-Mahl). 8.14: Recording: Malcolm McEachern, bass, "Aylesbury Ducks" (Harding). 8.17: Recording: Oily Oakley (banjo), "Marche de Concert" (Oakley). 8.20: Cara and Arnaldo in popular songs and duets, "Roses of To-day" (Ranzato); "Oh! Maiden, My Maiden" (Lehar); "The Garden of Your Heart" (Dorel). 8.29: 3YA Orchestra, "Moonlight Gavotte" (Gothov-Grunecke). 8.33: The Chatterboxes in a patter sketch, "As You Like 'Em" (*rr. Ryan). 8.43: Recording: Rudy Wiedoeft (saxophone), "Rubenola" (Frey). 8.46: 3YA Orchestra, "My Lady Dragon Fly" Suite: (a) The Call of the Sun; (b) The Bull Frog's Shadow; (c) Dance of the Silver Pool; (d) Golden Days; (e) The Love Spell; (f) The Last Dance of Summer (Finck). 9.0: Weather forecast and station notices. 9.3: Talks by Miss H. E. Green (manageress) and Miss B. Archdale (captain of the English women's cricket team); 9.20: 3YA Orchestra, "II Bacio" Valse (Arditi). 9.25; Cara and Arnaldo in popular songs and duets, "Gipsy Moon" (Boranoff); "Speak to Me of Love" (Lenoir); "Tell Me To-night" (Spoliansky). 8.34 Recording: Mario Lorenzi (harp with vocal), "Harping on the Hits." 9.40: The Chatterboxes in an original sketch with song introduced. Patter Sketch: "Switch On" I (arr. Chatterboxes), introducing song, "There's nothing like Jolly Good Health" (Weston and Lee). 9.50: Recordings: Raie De Costa, piano, "Dancing Shadows" (Golden). 9.53: Orchestra Mascotte, "Vibraphone Waltz" (Lohr); "Gold and Silver" Waltz (Lehar). 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10 (approx.): Relay from Sydenham Hall of old time dance music by the EvansCampbell Dance Band. Alternative programme, 3YL, 1200 kilocycles. 5 p.m.: Light musical programme. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: An hour with the 8.8.C. Wireless Military Band, with organ interludes. 9.0: "Songs of the Highways and Roadways," by the popular, basses: Peter Dawson, Richard Watson. Robert Easton, Cyril Richardson and Paul Robeson, with interludes by Alfredo Campoli and his Orchestra, and William Murdoch, pianist. IYA, AUCKLAND (650 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 8.30 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Devotional-service, conducted by Captain Searle. 10.15: Selected recordings. 12 noon (approx.): Relay i from Alexandra Park description of Auckland Trotting Club's meeting (first day). Light musical programme. 4.30 p.m.: Special weather report for farmers and sports results. 5.0: Children's hour, conducted by Cinderella. 6.0: ■ Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7.30: Talk: The Gardening Expert, "The Development of the Garden." 8.0: Concert programme. The Variety Ensemble, "Cannons" March (Losey). The Buccaneers, male octet, "Waggon Wheels" (Hill). Edythe Baker, rhythm pianist, "The Nymph Errant" Medley (Porter). Joseph Schmidt, tenor, "One Life, One Love" (May) 7 The Variety Ensemble, "Bal Masque" (Fletcher). Xylophone .Orchestra, "The Cheeky Sparrows" (Lohr); "The Knight on. the Hobby Horse" (Evans). Gladys Moncrieff, soprano, "Speak to. Me of (Lenoir). The London Piano-Accordion Band, "Where the Mountains meet the Sea" (Tilsley). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.2: Reserved. 9.20: The Variety Ensemble. "Over the Air" March' (Pischeks). Special recorded feature: "The Country Storekeepers, Ed Zeb," in the fourth of a series of humorous episodes. Quentin McLean, organ, "The Old Man of the Mountain" (Young). Layton and Johnstone, "Having a Good Time, Wish You were Here" (Dubin). The Variety Ensemble, "Estreliat" (Ponce). 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10 to 11.15: Dance music. Alternative programme, IYX, 880 kilocycles. 5 p.m.: Light musical programme. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Band recital. 9.0: Concerted vocal programme, with instrumental interludes. 2YA, WELLINGTON (570 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 8.30 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Chimes. Selected recordings. 10.30: Devotional • service. 11.15: Talk, prepared by the Home Science Extension Service of Otago University. 12 noon: Lunch music. 2 p.m.: Light musical programme. 3.0 and 4.0: Sports results. 3.30 and 4.30: Special, weather forecast for farmers. 5.0: Children's hour, conducted by Uncle Jasper. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 8.0: Chimes. The Alfredo Campoli Grand Orchestra, "Operantics" (arr. Stodden). 8.10: Flanagan Brothers! comedians, with instrumental acr companiment. "The Grand Hotel in Castlebar"; "The Bologna Song." 8.16: "Music Round the Camp Fire," featuring, "Spanish Cavalier, Back Home Again in Indiana." 8.30: Queenie and David'Kaili, Hawaiian instrumentalists, "Hawaiian March" (Ellis). 8.33: Paul Robeson, bass, with Orchestra, "I Ain't Lazy, I'm Just Dreamin'" (Franklin); "Little Man, You've Had a Busy Day" (Wayne). 8.39: A further episode in the lives of a Japanese Houseboy and his Employer, "A Mixed Bag.'; 8.54: Reilly and Comfort, duettists, with piano and guitar, "When You've a Little Springtime 'in You'i: Heart" (Woods). 8.57: Ivory Keys Grand Piano • Orchestra, "Hungarian Dances" (.Brahms). 9.0: Weather-repoifeahdßafci6n-iiotice& \9A

Modern recorded dance programme. 10.0: Sporting summary 10.10 to 11.15: Continuation of dance programme. Alternative ' programme, 2YC, 840 kilocycles. 5 p.m.: Light musical programme. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: An hour of Gaelic music, featuring, "Songs of the Hebrides." 9.0: Light popular programme of varied recordings. 4YA, DUNEDIN (790 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 8130 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Selected recordings. At intervals during the day running commentaries will be broadcast on the second day's racing at Dunedin Jockey Club's summer meeting at Wingatui. 12, noon: Lunch music. 2 p.m.: Selected recordings. 3.30: Sports results. 4.30: Special weather forecast for farmers. 4.45: Sports results. 5.0: Children's hour, conducted by Aunt Anita and Cousin Molly. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 8.0: Chimes. Relay from 3YA, Christchurch, concert programme.9.45: "Superstition," a dramatic presentation dealing with the superstition that he who gets the longer end of the wishbone of a fowl gets his wish. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10 to. 11.15: Dance music. Alternative programme, 4YO, 1140 kilocycles. 5 p.m.: Selected recordings. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Some classical overtures, operatic and concert, including, "Barber of Seville"; "Flying Dutchman"; "Leonore No. 3"; "Fingal's Cave"; "Tannhauser"; and "1812." DAVENTRY, ENGLAND G.S.D., 25.53 metres; G.S.G., 31.55 metres. New Zealand summer time. 8.0 p.m.: Big Ben. Edward German programme. The 8.8.C. Empire Orchestra. (Leader, Daniel Melsa.) Conductor, Eric Fogg. Meta Murray (soprano). 9.0: "Sing for Your Supper." 9.45: The news. 10.0: Close down. SUNDAY 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH 9 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay pf morning service from St. Ninian's Presbyterian Church. Preacher: Rev. John Allan, M.A. Organist and choirmaster: Mr E. Law. 1 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: Selected recordings. 3.0: Recording, Bronislaw Huberman, violin, and the Berlin State Orchestra, "Concerto in D for Violin and Orchestra" (Tschaikowsky). 3.32: Selected recordings. 5.30: Children's song service, conducted by the children of the Anglican Sunday Schools. 6.15: Selected recordings. 7.0: Relay of evening service from Holy Trinity Church, Avonside. Preacher: Rev. W. J. Hands. Organist and choirmaster: Mr C. F. Browne. 8.15: Selected recordings. 8.30: Recordings, State Opera Orchestra, Berlin, "The Mastersingers of Nuremberg" overture (Wagner). 8,28: Lawrence Tibbett, baritone, "Largo al Factotum" (Rossini); "Eri Tu" (Verdi). 8.46: The 8.8.C. Choir and 8.8.C. Wireless Symphony Orchestra, "Grand March" (Wagner); "Pilgrims Chorus" (Wagner). 8.45: The State Opera Orchestra, Berlin, "Rigoletto" fantasia (Verdi). 9.0: Weather forecast and station notices. 9.3: 8.8.C. recorded programme. "We Shall Remember Them." Alternative programme, 3YL, 1200 kilocycles. 6.0: Musical programme. 8.0: Miscellaneous programme, featuring "The Rio Grande," a modern rhythm rhapsody. IYA, AUCKLAND 9.0 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of morning service from St. Mark's Anglican Church. Preacher: Rev. Percy Houghton; organist: Mr A. Pascoe. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: The Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of New York, conducted by Willem Mengelberg, "Symphony No. 1 in C Major" Op. 21 First movementadagio molto. allegro con brio; second movement—andante cantabile con moto; third movement—menuetto and trio, allegro molto e vivace, fourth movement—adagio, allegro molto e vivace (Beethoven). 2.35: Selected recordings. 3.30: Recorded talk: Professor J. Barcroft, F.R.S., "Chemical Messages, or the Wireless of the Body." 3.46: Selected recordings. 6.0: Children's song service. 7.0: Relay of evening service from Pitt Street Methodist Church. Preacher: The Rev. W. Walker; organist: Mr Albert Bryant. 8.30: Concert by the Auckland Municipal Band, conducted by Mr George Buckley, relayed from Albert Park. March, "Felix Diaz" (Velino M. Preza). Overture, "Semiramide" (Rossini). Cornet duet, Messrs F. Bowes and J. Davies, "The Two Jolly Boys" (Farrell). Selection, "Rose Marie" (Friml and Stodart). Piccolo solo, Mr Hal C. McLennan, "La Tourterelle" (Damare). Ballet Music, from the opera "Prince Igor" (Borodin). Descriptive, "The Dragon Flies' Wedding" (Barrow). Selection, "Reminiscences of Wagner's Operas" (arr. Meyrelles). Hymn, "Fight the Good Fight" (Pentecost) (Anonymous)? March, "Holyrood" (Alford). 10.0: Epilogue. Alternative programme, IYX, 880 kilocycles. 6.0 a.m.: Light musical programme. 8.0: Chamber music recital, featuring Wilhelm Kampff (pianist), Lotte Lehmann (soprano), and the Rose Quartet (instrumental). 9.0: Sir Edward German, king of English light music. An hour of melodious gems. 2YA, WELLINGTON 9.0 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of service from St. Thomas' Anglican Church, Wellington South. Preacher; Rev. C. V. Rooke. Organist and choirmaster: Mr Eric Foggett. 1 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: Selected recordings. 3.0: 'Concerto in D Major for Violoncello and Orchestra" (Haydn). Soloist: Guilhermina Suggia Ccello). Conductor: John Barbiolli. 6.0: Children's song service conducted by Uncle William, assisted by the children's choir, St. Matthew's Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn. 7.0: Relay of evening service from the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, The Terrace. Preacher: Rev. Brian Kilroy, M.A., Organist and choirmaster: Mr Frank Thomas. 8.15 (approx.): Selected recordings. 8.30: Miss Ava Symons (violin), S. McLean Ccello), Gordon Short (piano): "Trio in C Minor" Op. 1, No. 3. first movementallegro con brio; second movement — andante cantabile con variazioni third movement —Menuetto; fourth movement —Finale (Beethoven). 8.50: Miss Christina Ormiston, soprano: "A Blackbird Singing" (Head); "The Dandelion" (Dunhill); "I Go with my Father A-ploughing", "Cherry Valley" (Quilter). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.4: Miss Christina Ormiston, soprano: "Pleading" (Elgar); "Devotion" (Schumann); "Solveig's Song" (Greig). 9.24: Miss Ava Symons (violin solo): "Gavotte in E Major" (Bach-Kreisler); "Song Without Words" (Mendelssohn); "Tango" (Albeniz-Kreisler); "La Capriccieuse" (Elgar). 9.30: Gordon Short (piano): "Polonaise in D Major" (Moszkowski). 9.47: John Brownlee (baritone); "Ich Grolle Nicht" (I'll not complain) (Schumann); "Elegie" (Massenet). 9.53: The London Chamber Orchestra: "Capriole Suite," (1) Basse—danse; (2) Pavane; ,(3) Tordion; (4) Bransles; (5) Pieds-en-I'air; (6) Mattachins,. Alternative programme 2YC, 840 kilocycles. 6.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 8.0: Ballad programme. '9.0: Band and spoken hour, featuring, "The British Army Fantasia." , 4YA, DUNEDIN 9 a.m.: Selected recordings.. 11.0: Relay of morning church service from Salvation Army Citadel. Preacher: Adjutant Mehaffey. Conductor: Mr A. Millard. 1 p.m.: Lunch music. 2.45: Recorded talk by Sir Charles Oman, K.8.E., "What is History?". 3.0: Recording, Ecole Normale Chamber Orchestra, '.'Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major" (Bach). 5.30: Children's song service, conducted by Big Brother Bill. 6.15: Selected recordings. 6.30: Relay o5 evening service from Hanover Street Baptist Church. Preacher: Rev. E, S. Tuckwell, B.A. Choirmaster: Mr J. Simpson. Organist: Miss P. Westland. 7.45: Selected recordings. 8.30: "The Twilight of the Gods." An opera in three acts by

Richard Wagner. Alternative programme, 4YO, 1140 kilocycles. 6.0: Selected recordings. 8.0: Light entertainment, band, orchestral, solo and concerted vocal. 9.0: Band and popular vocal programme. DAVENTRY, ENGLAND G.S.D., 25.53 metres; G. 5.8., 31.55 metres; G.S.F., 19.82 metres, New Zealand summer time. Sunday,' February 17:—7.15 # p.m.: Big Ben. A religious service (electrical recording), relayed from St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. Order of service: Hymn, "Fight the Good Fight" (A. and JVL, 540; S.P., 491); Confession and Thanksgiving; Psalm 145, v., 1-13; Lesson: Magnificat; Prayers; Hymn, "Lead, Kindly Light"; address by the Rev. H. R. L. Sheppard, Canon of St. Paul's; Hymn, "All Hail, the Power of Jesus' Name"; Blessing. Organist, Arnold Goldsbrough. 8.0: Sports t talk (electrical recording). Greenwich time signal at 8.15 p.m. 8.15: A programme of light music. The 8.8.C. Empire Orchestra. Leader, Daniel Melsa; conductor, Eric Fogg. March, "Children of the Regiment" (Fucik); selection, "Sally" (Kern); tango (Cecil Dixon); "The. Knave of Diamonds" (pianoforte, Clifton Helliwell) (Henry Steele). Girls (French Blues) (Pierne, arranged Artok). Little Gadabout (Colin). Selection, "Mariette" (Oscar Straus, arranged Salabert). 9: Weekly newsletter. 9.15: Close down. ,