As we emerged from the Great Depression, radio became the heartbeat of the nation. By 1937, a mere 15 years after its official launch in Australia, radio claimed pride of place in two of every three homes. These were the Golden Years, when families gathered to listen to sports, soaps, serials, dramas, and side-splitting comics. The era was short but profoundly influential, creating a generation of stars – many of whom would transition to television – and laying the foundations of our 21st-century media landscape.

Who Listens to the Radio? was produced by Audiocraft for the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.  

Narrated by Patrick McIntyre, with guests Bruce Ferrier, Jo Palazuelos-Krukowski and Wendy Harmer, our science correspondent Andy Trieu, and our NFSA Curator Thorsten Kaeding. 

Credits: 

‘Unknown Quantity’, ‘Portia Faces Life’ and ‘The Shadow’ courtesy GraceGibsonRadio.com 

‘The Witch’s Tale’ – Radio 2GB Sydney 

‘Australia’s Amateur Hour’ courtesy of Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Pty Ltd 

‘It’s Ruth’ courtesy of Christina Wilcox, Yowie Films 

‘Blue Hills’ courtesy of Australian Broadcasting Corporation Library Sales 

‘Who Listens to the Radio?’ theme music written by A. Pendlebury (Mushroom Music) and S. Cummings (Warner Chappell Pty Ltd) (APRA). Performed byThe Substrates, and recorded at Schlam Studio Canberra with Jodie Boarder and Alexis Mallard (vocals), Danny Roberts and Gerard O’Niell (guitar), Andy Ryan (bass) and Glenn Elliott (drums). Recording and mixing by engineer Danny Roberts and arrangement by Andy Ryan and Alexis Mallard. 

Writing and research by Patrick McIntyre, Kate Scott, Ute Junker, Stephanie Van Schilt and Caris Bizzaca. 

Find Who Listens to the Radio? at the National Film and Sound Archive website, nfsa.gov.au/podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. This podcast is part of NFSA’s Radio 100 celebrations. 

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