Western Canada Radio News - 1935

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Will Reeder, one of the big names of 1930s Vancouver radio, put together a wonderful weekly magazine called Western Canada Radio News. It was published at the offices of the Point Grey News-Gazette. It has in depth listings for all B.C. and Alberta stations and others that were within listing distance. There are letters to the editor, articles on American network shows, and ads for a few stations. Reeder even set aside four pages for shortwave news.

A pristine copy of the edition for the week of Jan. 6, 1935 is one of a number carefully preserved in someone's collection and it was acquired by local radio history buff John Streit, who has passed it on to me.

Most of the news is of the wire-service sort (the AP had a daily radio column). A publicity photo of Fred Allen and Portland Hoffa graces the cover and there's a biography of the long-forgotten Cliff Soubier, who was a radio actor out of Chicago when that city was a great programming hub.

However, there's a small column on local radio doings. I presume Reeder or his son Herb did it; there's no by-line. I think the "coal" reference is to Marpole Coal, which advertised in the magazine and, I'm presuming, did so on Bass' show on CKWX.

Rambling Round Radio Row
Everybody seems to breathe easier now that the Christmas season is over, particularly the ones who concluded the Santa Claus Fund broadcasts. However, the letters were very gratifying. Many letters of commentation [sic] have been received but it appears even in a charitable cause the saying proves true that everyone cannot be pleased; several letters mercilessly panned the broadcasts.
Radio listeners appreciated the efforts of Bob Bouchette and Charlie Defieux of the Sun; also the staff of CKWX. The Sun’s “Man on the Street” broadcasts were filled with many interesting incidents, amusing, embarrassing and some unfortunate. During the heavy rain two CKWX microphones were temporarily put out of commission. Gerrard Quinney, technician, was hoarse for three days from a cold, and one day Fred Bass and Bob Bouchette’s clothes were soaked right through.
Fred Bass gained the reputation of being a super coal salesman but did not hold it for his sale of Christmas trees. For four days before Christmas he tried his luck with trees but no sale. Then on the last day someone came to his rescue and bought one and did not get it after all.
* * *
CKCD did not offer merchandise this year, but their talents were very high, especially the two programs presenting the ministers of different churches.
* * *
Babies were popular on the Santa Claus Fund broadcasts. The Gillmore baby, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Gillmore of the CKWX Artists’ Revue, raised $35 and requests for pictures. Barry Mills Gillmore is just five months old. Uncle Billy Hassell’s twins’ second birthday was remembered by listeners with very large donations. This is the third time that the twins have brought in money for Santa.
* * *
Mae Carter, songstress on the CKWX Radio Artists Revue, was badly shaken when she arrived at the studio Friday, Dec. 28, for the Revue rehearsal. She was in an automobile accident but fortunately was not hurt.
* * *
The old adage, “the show must go on,” was a reality for Jimmy Bremner, CJOR remote control operator, on Christmas night. On his way out to the Cocoanut Grove to broadcast the music, his car got stuck in a snow drift about a mile and a half from the Grove. Sizing up the situation, Jimmy decided that the only thing to do was walk. So, with about 60 pounds of remote control equipment, he did. And the broadcast went out on time.
Considerable excitement was caused in CJOR studios on Friday morning, Dec. 28, during the broadcast of Going Hollywood. This broadcast features Reed Chapman and Jane Alan. It was noticed that Miss Alan paused for several moments. The reason was sitting on a chair, regarding proceedings very seriously—a mere mouse!
The “Sparklets” idea was carried out in novel lighting effects at a Christmas party given by Eileen Robertson recently. In addition to the vari-colored lights on the tree, garlands of silver holly banked the mantle over the fireplace with tiny lights of red, green and blue concealed in the leaves. The colorful effect was much admired by the guests, as was the Christmas cake dotted with sparkling candy jewels. During the evening Daphne Carapata surprised the company by playing several solos on the viola, with which she seems as much at home as with a violin. “Sparklets” is heard on Thursday, C.R.C., 10 p.m.
* * *
George Boyd, CKCD bass singer, celebrated so much before Christmas that he had little energy for his birthday, which fell on Dec. 26. However, he received some unexpected gifts in remembrance of his 41st birthday.
* * *
Fred Bass did his part for the Betty Lee Santa Claus Fund when he raised $35 for her in eight minutes. It seems a bit complicated, however. Betty Lee needed only $20 therefore turned over the $15 for Mr. Bass to use in connection with the Sun Santa Claus Fund. The contributors promised to bring the money to the studio but so far Mr. Bass has received only about two-third of it.

transcribed by cArtie.