HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST
1938.
Sh
"I.T.T"
ATURDAY night- half-past seven-street noises-flower girls chat- tering a band playing Eric Coates" Knights- bridge march-then the shouting:
པ
announcer "STOP!"'
The B.B.C. knows this pro- gramme as "IT.T." Listeners all over the Empire recognise it as "In Town To-night."
Recently this very remarkable feature went into its 150th edition.
But Only a hundred and filty? surely.
Yes, an unpretentious, weekly half-hour feature han grown Into
a national institution.
Since it was first heard on November 18. 1933, "In Town To- night has been burlesqued by comedians: the title has passed Into the language; gossip writers Uso it n a heading for their columns; advertisers have taken it up to sell their products.
The volces you hear in In Town To-night" are the voices of people you know the butcher, the baker. the man next door, And you stand just as much chance of appearing in "In Town To-night
as they do. That is the great secret of I.T.T. It knows no class distinctions. Dukes, dustmen, flm stars and out-of-work tragedians are All bundled into the same programme, given two guineas and expenses for their trouble.
B
UT" In Town To-night " wasn't always like that. Eric Maschwitz When first became Director of Variety and thought of the idea the sent it on a postcard from the Bouth of France), the feature was i82- tended to be a weekly Celebrity Cother. He gave the job of pro- ducing it to the late Bill Hanson.
Gradually it WAR found that
Story behind the
B.B.C.'s
biggest triumph
-by-
SPIKE HUGHES
celebrities had a tiresome habit of not being in Town on Saturday nights, no Hanson had to extend the lden to make it interesting.
Thus the first I.T.T. of all bore ittle resemblance to the present feature. Edition One consisted of one or two radio personalities and A band directed by Christopher Stonc.
Was
મ
Certainly the band had that money-can't-buy quality.
Twelve famous band-tenders got together and made such an appalling noise that the listening public decided it was a band nobody would take as a gift.
But, for all that, it Celebrity Gorner, that fest "In Town To-night" had in it the of what is to-day the fea- germ ture's greatest naset: spontaneity.
When Bill Hanson Drst sensed a shortage of celebrities he looked around for people with "stories " odd occupations, strange adven- tures to tell.
At first these "turns" were pro- vided by B.B.O. colleagues. Some- body would hear of an unusual craftsman, bring him up to Broad- casting House, hear his story, have
a script made and put him on the air.
Nothing was fixed longer than a week ahead. No scripta were re- hearsed any earlier than the morn- ing of the broadcast,
That rule still holds. Otherwise "In Town To-night" would lose its topicality.
N
public OWADAYS the helps as much as any body in providing items People will for the programme. write in or call with suggestions and personal experiences.
The B.B.C. will always see any- body who comes up and wants to be In Town To-night." Naturally -because something good might be missed if they weren't seen.
Football fans are the most per- sistent visitors. Whenever 13 Northern team plays in London there is regularly a handful of its supporters doing the sights of the city on Saturday morning.
Broadcasting House is included In the tour, Suddenly half a dozen young men with coloured paper hats and rosettes realise that it
WHY BLAME ENGLAND?
TN this article I propose to commit instinctively. To return
as
to
10
Is In-town-To-night-day and ask to see the producer,
The producer sees them. Usually their "turn "! 'consists of no more than wanting to
Bay
Can you hear me, Mother?" but they are nover refused an interview.
011
The prospect of appearing in ** In Town To-night" has curious psychological effect people. High-and-mighty celebri- tica who would nover dream of broadcasting in the ordinary way Jump at the idea. And the higher- and-mightier they are the more they like meeting their fellow broadcasters.
D
URING the whole career
of IT.T. these studio meetings have produced the atmosphere of comradeship that you find in English rallway carriages. Or among passengers an 悲 sinking ship. Perhaps Ordeal by Microphone makes the whole world kin.
There was .only one excep- tion. A famous British Alm star complained of feeling uncomfort- able among "all these common people."
But then, as Mike Mechan, the present producer of "In Town To-night" told me the other day: the only people who make bad citizens of London's Saturday nights are the "near celebrities who aren't all that good.
Tu bo the producer of "In Town To-night you have to be some- thing of a nursemaid as woll,
Those who are most nervous of broadcasting are usually men who have had the most hair-raising adventures. Women, as n rule, take it all quite calmly.
IN
all Miko Mechan's CX- perience, however, the man who got mike-fright worst was a professional parachute-jumper. Then when it was all over the fellow turned round and asked when he' could broadcast again, because he'd enjoyed it so much.
Nearly fifteen hundred people have appeared "in In Town To- night." Their names, and the sub- jects they talked about, are listed in a folder at Broadcasting House.
They are grouped alphabetically under headings from "Amateur Singers" to Unusual Occupa- tions." The group called simply "Miscellaneous" makes the best
Here, after the names, you find such gems as: inventor of olec- trical flycatcher, three Guy Fawkes urchins, office boy with big ideas, modern Robinson Crusoo who lives on beach with his family, witty window cleaner, Mademoiselle from Armentiores, triplets, Queen of Hastings and eight attendants, boy with largest cars, traveller in steam-rollers," claims to have seen ghost,"
reading. Edin tainly does not tend to advance the a deadly sin. I propose to cri- burgh after a visit to London is like health or happiness of the nation. ticise Scotland, and to make some going back thirty years in time. The One wonders how soon those who capital of Scotland has recently been belleve in national fitness more than comparisons between Scots
a "museum and a to notice that in Scotland, more English, which will not be as is the referred to usual habit in Scotland all to the mausoleum. She is certainly, in in any other country, decent healthy her refusal progress, rapidly games are tobooed on the one day of the week when most workers are advantage of the former.
qualifying as a museum.
The Minister of Transport recently free to enjoy them. referred, with mild sarcasm, to the fact that, while every up-to-date city The Way to Betterment attack anyone without provoca in the world is scrapping tramways, tion, and, also admittedly, it would there are two cities which appear to be a pity to foster any bad feeling consider themselves insulted if such land would be much enhanced by the between sister nations of the British a Empire.
Before doing so, it is perhaps to me to explain the reason for such temerity. Admittedly it is ungracious
to
they
The pleasantness of life in Scot-
possibility Is mentioned.
They more general prevalence of the general things:-More and following Edinburgh
courtesy und consideration for How much Inconvenience oth
less amug self-satisfaction caused to motorists others;
as they are
are, of course, Glasgow. and discomfort is
but
A
Town LTHOUGH "In To-night" hasn't been "exactly matrimonial bureau, it nevertheless has its romantic side, Old friends have been reunited as the result of A hearing B. broadcast after all these years. This happens quite
But the most characteristle In- eldent of all was never broadcast. It was characteristic because it seems to me to express the feel- ings of nearly everybody who has been in "In Town To-night."
My provocation and excuse lie in the fact that I find in increasing and the pubile generally by this with things Scottish habit among Scottish people, when particular piece of unprogressiveness more willingness to alter and im- to calculate. Prove; less grim austerity and sour- do bring themselves to find it would be difcult
mouthed Puritanism. And these there are Edinburgh road sur things affect not only the plenaant- anything to criticise in their beloved
Then, This faces-most Londoners under forty
the prosperity of often. lund, to blame England for it. This
Scotland. It life In seems to me a very weak and un- have never seen such cobbled roads, ness of life,
England
Is, in certainly chiefly in ignorant and un- ing, most of which reminds one of general,
Edinburgh more pervaded by courtesy and hap- educated circles--a tendency to dis- Victorian London; and
piness, and less shadowed by a sort
dullness of early Victorian parage England, and to use the word housing and town-planning. "English" with a slightly contemptu- ous intonation which strikes me as the height of .tupid impertinence.
worthy habit. I find also--but this Then there is Edinburgh street lightener more gental and pleasant,
I think it is honestly true that life in Scotland is, in many ways, if one compares comparable things, poorer and inferior to life in England. And I think the Scots themselves are en- tirely to blame for the fnet."
Here are some of the reasons.
The Value of Courtesy
and
I wonder what comparison can be gloom, you cannot wonder that the made between the beauty and best brains of Scotland are tempied amenity of many of the municipal couthward, housing schemes around Londen and dismal tenements beloved of the Edinburgh.
Lite is poorer and meaner in Seot- land thun in England because of all these things and you cannot blame England for any of them. Why is it that, while Scots tend to lead the world when they are abroad, in their
One of the most important factors own country they are so backward
in making life generally pleasant is and unprogressive?
courtesy. It has been written that
"Manners maketh mon." It is cer- A Stern Religion
tainly true that general good man-
It is unpleasant to attack things
Scottish patriotism, instead of! weakly blarning England for Scot- lands troubles, should attack Scottish kul-joys, prudes, and haters of pro- gress. For these are the people who are harming Scotland.
Briton
After one broadcast Mike Mechan accompanied one of his Interviewees--an old man-to the door. Mechan thanked him and Bald good-bye.
Thank you," replied the old man, and pressed sixpence into the producer's hand.
CANADIAN PACIFIC
STEAMSHIPS
HOTELS
ners make for pleasantness of life.
The menners of many Scots are which pre revered by large numbers deplorable. Pollteneas actually seems of worthy, people, but I cannot help to be considered "soft" in Scotland. thinking that life in Scotland is made Brusequeness and rudeness appear less happy than it might be by the to be mistaken for strength of char- Influence of a stern and Puritanical acter. One of the first things one religion. This form of religion has notices on visiting the South from deprived the Scottish nation of most MAKE BOOKINGS EARLY
of the happy and beautiful associa- Scotland is the generally
superior courtesy of such people as shop as- tions of the great festivals of the sistants, bus conductors, and such- Christian Church.
The
Is
or
particularly
like. Those people do not seem to It is astonishing for English people think it necessary to stand up for to discover that Christmas and Eas- themselves" by being brusque
ter are, hardly observed at all in surly in manner; and life runs more Scotland. Apart
altogether from smoothly accordingly.
the religious significance of Easter, contrast
consider what the working popuin- tion of Scotland lose in happiness at noticeable in children. The average this time of the year. English small boy is a perfect gen- tleman compared with the Scottish Of the lack of the Christmas spirit boy of a similar class, but no doubt it is even harder to speak in mea- the latter would refer to the former sured terms. Christmas is, in Eng- as a "stasy"-because he knows how land, the happlest time of the year. to be poille. It is certainly a pecu- and even the most irreligious per- Kar national characteristic, and one son must be affected by the univer- wonders whether, even apart from anl spirit of kindliness it evoices. I its unpleasantness, it is really com- fail to see the associations of the monsense. For in many ways poli- Scottish New Year in any way take teness pays.
Its place.
Scottish religion, while removing The cultivation of more general habits of courtesy would do, much such happy festivals and holidays an these from the national life, provides to make life run more smoothly in what it calls the "Scottish Sabbath." Scotland. You ennnot blama Eng And its ehlet object seems to make Innd for the fact that Scotland Ings that day ne dull and dismal as possi- it this matter. And you cannot ble. The astonishing thing is that blame England if English shop- the Very Church which objects most koopers, with their up-to-date idens to any Sabbath is the one which pro- of courtesy and public service, tend vides the least opportunities for re- to dust the old Scottish traders even. Ilgious observance. English churches In the capital of Scotland.
are open, and used, for worship both
Dislike of Change
on Sundays and week-days far more than ore Scottish churches, so that would hardly appear that the aus-
The Scots at least those who stay
Scotland-must be one of the terity of the "Scottish Sabbath"
the advances the cause. of religion in most unprogressivo racoa in
such austerity car- world. Chimge seems to be disliked Scotland. And
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MAKE THE DIRT FLY
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SERVICES CONTRACTUELS DES
MESSAGERIES MARITIMES
The Steamship
"PRESIDENT DOUMER" No. 10 A/38 Bringing Corgo from Marseilles via Saigon, etc., orrived Hongkong. on Tuesday, 2nd
1938. August, Consignees are hereby informed that their goods with exception
the
of Opium, Treasure and Valuables are being landed and stored into the Godowns of the Hongkong Kowloon Whart and Godown Co., Ltd., Kow- be loon,
may whence delivery obtained Immediately after landing. All claims must be sent in to me on or before 12th August, 1938, or they will not be recognized.
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the
No Fire Insurance will be effected by us in any case whatever.
R. OHL. Agent.
Hongkong, 2nd August, 1938.
N. Y. K. LINE
(NIPPON YUSEN KAISYA,)
From EUROPE and STRAITS. The Steamship
urc
"HAKUNA MARU." having arrived from the above ports,
Cargo
hereby Consignces of informed that their Goods are being landed and placed at their risk in the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company's Godowns at Kowloon, whence delivery may be obtained.
Auds not cleared by the 5th
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For the period.
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of
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No claims will be admitted after the goods have left the Godowns.
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OUR
14
58
10
83
1223
BRITISH CROSSWORDS
Across
1220
1 Obscured from 0sh gut, too
(three words-3, 2, 0).
6 Food for fishes or birds (4).
10 The warrior should cnally make
it clean (5).
11 No epithet for the dreamer (9).
13 The argumentative all want it
two words-4, 4),
13 A source of sound entertain-
ment (5).
10 This ime Is unknown to Big
Ben (7).
17 Sounding harsh (7).
19 Suitable garment for a slave- drlying employer to wear (7): 21 Put ncross (7).
22 Trophies with which many a
toss has been won (5).
24 Part of a bicycle but not always
(B). 27 Hard-hearted, and fish-hearted elephant posibly (5).
છે.
20 Fed about this is fed in style
(4). 30 He has enplial sport in Borneo
(10).
DOWN
1 Look #ke a bit of a dog lead
(4). 2 Bit in ten" (anag.) (9)..
3 Jack will tell you his will never
this curtailed (6).
4 Move, in belter direction (7).
If this menn fellow loves noth- Ing he becomes harder (7),
7 After the Derby the winner has
this, of course (5).
8 This may help a creditor to re- cover some of his money (thres words-4, 2, 4).
9 Set off vessel for the chief
Item (two words-4, 4).
14 Wherein, growing affairs
forced to yield (10).
pre
16 Could one may the Australian
cricketers were this before they met England? (8),
36 This omission is open about a
of regret (9).
sign
20 The old clothes man's favourite
music? (7).
21 The gun, or the gunman may
bo this (7).
23. Que of the Williams (5).
23 Mediterranean island (5).
20 Look enough to upset the darice
ERDAY'S SOLUTION
B A
DEVONPORT BALLY _LA_A_N || 13 | CATHOLIC MADAME YUE BAI
EARN MANAGING DE CLAW E I FORESEE ATT88 UE
WA SKYE ME INCREASE NIPS
RENIE AAP VIRILE PECULIA
THIGH HEITANNIA