Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Home front
Searching through obscure sections of the OTR web, Polistra has found a true gem, a pure antidote, a Sovereign Remedy, for today's Teams & Screams radio.
Seven episodes of 'Home Front' are available in this location. Note that this isn't a direct link to one sound file; you have to scroll down to the middle of the folder and download the MP3 files. Another single episode is available here. (Not labeled as 'Home Front' in the listing, but it really is an episode.)
'Home Front' featured a mix of beautiful music and practical advice on making it through the tough times of 1943. Most of the advice is equally good today.
Broadcasting was supposed to be a public service, and 'Home Front' is a perfect illustration of the concept. Now broadcasting is only a public nuisance.
= = = = =
Sidenote: The host Fletcher Wiley was an interesting character. More on him here. Sounds like a cross between Louis L'Amour and Arthur Godfrey, if that's possible. He began his broadcasting career by mixing public service with commercialism. He was running a daytime program aimed at housewives; acquired a fan club; turned the fan club into an informal organization for testing consumer products.
Strange how time erases some people entirely. Wiley was apparently at the same level of fame as other announcers of his era, and he was far more versatile and intelligent than e.g. Don Wilson or Harlow Wilcox. Those other names are recognized by moderns who know a thing or two about the '30s and '40s, but Wiley is completely forgotten. ¶ 8:24 PM
Seven episodes of 'Home Front' are available in this location. Note that this isn't a direct link to one sound file; you have to scroll down to the middle of the folder and download the MP3 files. Another single episode is available here. (Not labeled as 'Home Front' in the listing, but it really is an episode.)
'Home Front' featured a mix of beautiful music and practical advice on making it through the tough times of 1943. Most of the advice is equally good today.
Broadcasting was supposed to be a public service, and 'Home Front' is a perfect illustration of the concept. Now broadcasting is only a public nuisance.
= = = = =
Sidenote: The host Fletcher Wiley was an interesting character. More on him here. Sounds like a cross between Louis L'Amour and Arthur Godfrey, if that's possible. He began his broadcasting career by mixing public service with commercialism. He was running a daytime program aimed at housewives; acquired a fan club; turned the fan club into an informal organization for testing consumer products.
Strange how time erases some people entirely. Wiley was apparently at the same level of fame as other announcers of his era, and he was far more versatile and intelligent than e.g. Don Wilson or Harlow Wilcox. Those other names are recognized by moderns who know a thing or two about the '30s and '40s, but Wiley is completely forgotten. ¶ 8:24 PM
