Radio_Hong_Kong_1955-1956 — Page 23

To give listeners actuality reports on local events and to bring people from many different walks of life to the microphone was the object of Radio Hong Kong's Saturday night programme "This Week", and during 1955 leading personalities ranging from Eleanor Roosevelt of the United Nations to Clark Gable in "Soldier of Fortune" spoke about themselves and their work. Many of these interviews and reports on current events were heard by a much wider audience on the request from the B.B.C. for them to be included in programmes broadcast over the Far Eastern Service-thus high- lighting the increasing importance of Hong Kong in Far Eastern affairs.

55. The two "Festivals of the Arts" one at the start and one at the close of the year presented Radio Hong Kong with a challenge that was met by programmes ranging over the whole sphere of broadcasting. Daily bulletins were issued giving details of the Festival events of the day. Several of the special concerts were broadcast (See para. 59). The dramatic pro- ductions by the theatre groups and the various exhibitions were reviewed by Forums of Critics. Talks were given by experts on a number of subjects, and speeches from both opening and closing sessions were broadcast. On each occasion the English service of Radio Hong Kong made a direct contribution to the festival in the form of a major radio play production. (See para. 73)

56. The recorded features supplied by

by the

the B.B.C. Transcription Service were supplemented by a number of such programmes written and produced locally. "Save Life!" told the story of the Beach Guards provided by the Urban Services Department throughout the Colony. "The Flying Angel” celebrated the centenary of the Missions to Seaman and described, with actuality recordings, the work of the Mission here in Hong Kong. "The Island of Happy Healing" took listeners on a tour of Hay Ling Chau, the Colony's Leprosarium and built up a picture by commentary and interview of the magnificent work carried on there; work that amply justifies the island's name. “Portrait of a Hero" written in England by Charles Parr and locally produced, made excellent use of hitherto unpublished

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