Call Back The Past - SA 79-xx-xx (x) 1920

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Call Back The Past - SA 79-xx-xx (x) 1920"

Harold's Old Time Radio delves deep into the vibrant tapestry of the year 1920, a pivotal period marked by significant political, cultural, and technological transformations. Hosted by Harold's Old Time Radio, this episode meticulously explores the multifaceted aspects of the early 20th century, bringing to life the sounds, events, and personalities that defined the era.

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1. Historical Overview of 1920

The episode opens with a comprehensive historical analysis of 1920, highlighting pivotal events that shaped the year. The historian narrates the significance of peace treaties and the inaugural meeting of the League of Nations, emphasizing the global efforts toward maintaining peace post-World War I.

Historian [01:02]: "1920 was a year of peace treaties and the first meeting of the League of Nations at leisure."

The season heralded the advent of Dixieland jazz, setting the stage for the Roaring Twenties. Technological advancements such as the telephone dial system and radio compasses revolutionized communication and aviation.

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2. Innovations and Technological Advances

The episode spotlights key technological milestones that emerged in 1920. Marconi's establishment of a transmitter in Rittle, England, marked the beginnings of broadcasting, laying the groundwork for the radio's profound impact on society.

Historian [01:02]: "Marconi established a transmitter at Rittle in England to experiment with a new means of communication."

A fascinating segment features a radio operator testing the Marconi valve transmitter, demonstrating the era's fledgling broadcasting capabilities.

Radio Operator [02:11]: "MZX calling. This is the Marconi valve transmitter at Chelmsford, England, testing on a wavelength of 2,800 meters."

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3. Entertainment Highlights: Music, Movies, and Theater

1920 was a golden year for entertainment, with significant contributions to music, film, and theater.

Music:

The rise of Paul Whiteman marked a shift from traditional symphonic music to the syncopated sounds that would define jazz.

Historian [02:39]: "Paul Whiteman, having deserted symphonic music, pioneered his kind of sound which he called syncopation."

The episode features original songs from the era, capturing the essence of the period's musical landscape.

Singer [04:32]: "Everything seems lovely when you start to roam. The birds are singing the day that you raise..."

Songwriter [07:28]: "I'm writing you dear just to tell you in September you remember..."

Songwriter [11:48]: "Smile that wonderful life in her eyes the kind of light that just brings love..."

Movies and Theater:

Silent films dominated the cinematic scene, with notable releases like Mary Pickford's Pollyanna, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari starring Conrad Wren, and Charles Chaplin's The Kid. The theatrical landscape was equally rich, featuring plays such as Eugene O'Neill's Beyond the Horizon and J.M. Barrie's Marie Rose. Musicals like My Golden Girl and Sinbad showcased the era's diverse performing arts.

Historian [02:39]: "Movies of the year, silent of course, included Mary Pickford in Pollyanna..."

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4. Sports Achievements

1920 was a remarkable year for sports, witnessing significant achievements that left a lasting legacy.

Historian [02:39]: "Bevel Rudd won a gold medal for the 400 meters and a bronze for the 800 at the Antwerp Olympics."

In tennis, Big Bill Tilden dominated Wimbledon, while the legendary racehorse Man o' War captured the public's imagination with consecutive victories.

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5. Political Landscape: League of Nations and US Presidential Election

The political climate of 1920 was characterized by international diplomacy and intense electoral competition in the United States.

Historian [06:12]: "1920 was also the year when the League of Nations appointed a civil Administrator of Palestine."

Across the Atlantic, the United States experienced a landmark presidential election, the first to be broadcasted entirely over the radio, allowing Americans unprecedented access to the electoral process.

Historian [06:12]: "For the first time in history, Americans were able to follow the entire election on radio."

A simulated news anchor segment provides a vivid portrayal of the election's progression, highlighting the Republican candidates Harding and Coolidge's lead over their Democratic rivals Cox and Roosevelt.

News Anchor [06:35]: "Harding has selected more than 16 million votes against some 9 million for the Democrats..."

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6. Prohibition Era Insights

The enactment of the 18th Amendment ushered in the Prohibition era, drastically altering American social dynamics and spawning a clandestine culture of speakeasies and bootlegging.

Historian [12:18]: "The 18th Amendment deprived Americans of the right to drink strong liquor."

Narratives vividly depict the rise of speakeasies, illegal establishments that became social hubs despite the ban on alcohol consumption.

Narrator [12:49]: "The speakeasy became an American habit and a billion-dollar industry because it was illegal to drink in public or anywhere."

The segment also introduces contemporary slang related to the era's illicit activities, enriching the listener's understanding of the period's vernacular.

Narrator [12:49]: "...words and phrases for the new pastime. Noble experiment, Jersey lightning, hijacking clip joint..."

A noteworthy moment features a dramatized conversation highlighting the clandestine nature of alcohol distribution.

Historian [13:14]: "Madam, I give you my white. That's genuine five-year Scotch."

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7. Aviation Milestones

1920 was a transformative year for aviation, witnessing both groundbreaking innovations and historic flights.

Historian [09:58]: "In 1920, the autogiro precursor of the helicopter had made its appearance."

The achievements of South African aviators Pierre von Reinevelt and Quentin Bronte are celebrated for their pioneering Cairo to Cape Town flight, marking a significant milestone in long-distance aviation.

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8. Notable Figures and Personalities

The episode spotlights influential personalities who left an indelible mark on 1920.

Historian [09:58]: "In America, a man destined to lose his life in a flying accident, Will Rogers, faced an audience with what he called his Yankee philosophy."

The portrayal of Al Capone underscores the era's intertwining of crime and notoriety.

Historian [12:49]: "Al Capone."

A humorous interlude features a comedian delivering jokes reflective of the societal tensions and absurdities of the Prohibition era.

Comedian [10:23]: "Prohibition caused all this. There's just as many husbands shot at in the old days..."

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9. Literature and Pop Culture

1920 was a prolific year for literature, with seminal works that continue to resonate today.

Historian [06:58]: "Scott Fitzgerald's The Side of Paradise, Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, and D.H. Lawrence's Women in Love were among the year's notable publications."

These literary contributions, alongside advancements in pop music, enriched the cultural landscape, setting the stage for future artistic endeavors.

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Conclusion

The episode "Call Back The Past - SA 79-xx-xx (x) 1920" masterfully encapsulates the essence of 1920, weaving together historical facts, cultural narratives, and personal anecdotes to provide a vivid portrayal of the year. From technological breakthroughs and political upheavals to the vibrant realms of entertainment and sports, the podcast offers listeners an immersive journey into a transformative era. By interspersing original songs and dramatizations, the episode not only informs but also engages, bringing the sounds and stories of 1920 to life.

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Notable Quotes:

• Historian [01:02]: "Marconi established a transmitter at Rittle in England to experiment with a new means of communication."
• Radio Operator [02:11]: "MZX calling. This is the Marconi valve transmitter at Chelmsford, England, testing on a wavelength of 2,800 meters."
• News Anchor [06:35]: "Harding has selected more than 16 million votes against some 9 million for the Democrats..."
• Historian [12:18]: "The 18th Amendment deprived Americans of the right to drink strong liquor."
• Comedian [10:23]: "Prohibition caused all this. There's just as many husbands shot at in the old days..."

This detailed exploration serves as both an educational resource and a nostalgic homage to the Golden Age of Radio, ensuring that the legacy of 1920 continues to resonate with contemporary audiences.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[Historian]

Peace treaties and of the first meeting of the League of Nations at leisure. The people listened to the original Dixieland jazz band. The beginning of the decade that would be called the Roaring Twenties saw the invention of the telephone dial system, the use of the radio compass to direct aircraft and the beginnings of broadcasting when Marconi established a transmitter at Rittle in England to experiment with a new means of communication. The voice we hear now that of a Mr. Ditchum sounds through the years recording the non stop patter reaching towards distant sets of earphones to test quality and range.

[Radio Operator]

MZX calling. MZX calling. This is the Marconi valve transmitter at Chelmsford, England, testing on a wavelength of 2,800 meters. How are our signals coming in today? Can you hear us clearly? I will now recite to you my usual collection of British railway stations for test purposes. The Great Northern Railway starts at King's Cross. The London and North Western Railway starts from Euston. The Midland Railway starts.

[Historian]

The Russian Revolution was in its final stages in 1920, a year which also witnessed the canonization of Joan of Arc and the Olympic Games at Antwerp where the South Africans did reasonably well, particularly Bevel Rudd with a gold medal for the 400 meters and a bronze for the 800. Big Bill Tilden dominated Wimbledon at tennis and Man o War was the talked about horse as he won one race after another. Paul Whiteman, having deserted symphonic music, pioneered his kind of sound which he called syncopation and in 1920 adopted his signature tune whispering. Movies of the year, silent of course, included Mary Pickford in Pollyanna, the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari starring Conrad Wright, and a Charles Chaplin movie called the Kid, the title role being played by four and a half year old Jackie Coogan, Eugene O'Neill's beyond the Horizon, J.M. barrie's Marie Rose and Pirandello's Six Characters. In search of an Author were the Major plays of 1920, a theatrical season which also provided some musicals like My Golden Girl, Tip Top and Sinbad with L. Jolson.

[Singer]

Everything seems lovely when you start to.

[Historian]

Roam.

[Singer]

The birds are singing the day that you raise but wait until you are further away Things won't be so lovely when you're far from home here's what you keep saying when you're all alone the sun shines deep the sun shines well But I know where the sun shines there Mary, Mary My heart rings Death hanging around Death hang around Alabama am I coming? Sorry I made you wait I, I hope and trust that I'm not late Mammy I'm singing about my mammy I'd walk a million miles for one of your smiles My mammy Kenya was annexed.

[Historian]

By Britain in 1920, a year in which he was also appointed as civil Administrator of Palestine by the League of Nations. Across the Atlantic, America was looking for a new president as the Republican team of Harding and Coolidge took the electoral field against the eventual losers on the Democrat ticket of Cox and Roosevelt. And for the first time in history, Americans were able to follow the entire election on radio.

[News Anchor]

It is now in Paris that the Republican ticket of Harding and Coalition is running well ahead of Cox and Roosevelt. At the present time, Harding has selected more than 16 million votes against some 9 million for the Democrats give you the safe vote in just a moment, but first we'd like to ask you to let us know if this broadcast has reaching you. Please drop us a card address SAFE&KDKA Westinghouse, East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

[Historian]

The literary world in 1920 offered such works as Scott Fitzgerald's the side of Paradise, Edith Wharton's the Age of Innocence, John Galsworthy's In Chancery, part of the foresight saga, Women in Love by D.H. lawrence and Main street by Sinclair Lewis. For pop music lovers, there was a particularly memorable tune that year.

[Songwriter]

I'm writing you dear just to tell you in September you remember it's your apple tree you whispered to me when it lastened again you'd be mine. I've waited until I could claim you I hope I've not waited in vain for when it's ringing the holy. I'm coming my sweet part again I'll be with you in apple blossom time I'll be with you to change your name to mine One day in May I'll come and say Happy the bright sun shines on today what a wonderful wedding there will be what a wonderful day for you and me your 12 time you will be mine in apple blossom time it What a wonderful wedding there will be what a wonderful day for you and me yet well, we'll shine you will be mine in our.

[Historian]

Already in 1920, the autogiro precursor of the helicopter had made its appearance. The work of aeronautic expert De la Sirva. On the more conventional side of aviation, two South Africans, Pierre von Reinevelt and Quentin Bronte, made history with a Cairo to Cape Town flight. And in America, a man who was destined to lose his life in a flying accident. Many years later, Will Rogers faced an audience with what he called his Yankee philosophy.

[Comedian]

Now, folks, all I know is just what little news I read every day in the papers. I see where another wife out on Long island near New York just shot her husband. Season opened a month earlier this year. Prohibition caused all this. There's just as many husbands shot at in the old days, but women were missing them. Prohibitions improved their marksmanship 90%. Never a day passes in New York without some innocent bystander being shot. You just stand around this town long enough and be innocent and somebody's going to shoot you.

[Historian]

Canada's famed Northwest Mounted Police changed its title to Royal Canadian mounted police in 1920, which made no difference to the thousands of hero worshipping youngsters who continued to refer to them as the Mounties. The Panama Canal, though already open to shipping for a number of years, was officially opened in 1920, a year which saw a revolution in sound with the first electrically recorded gramophone discovery. This tune was recorded that year.

[Songwriter]

Smile that wonderful life in her eyes the kind of light that just brings love the kind of love that.

[Comedian]

When.

[Songwriter]

My baby smiles at me.

[Historian]

Two amendments passed by United States Congress changed American lifestyles in 1920. The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote, while the earlier 18th deprived Americans of the right to drink strong liquor. Ed Murrow paints a picture of Prohibition.

[Narrator]

Since that fateful morning of January 16, 1920, when the consumption of alcoholic beverages had become illegal, a new kind of institution had sprung up in the land.

[Singer]

Hello, suckers.

[Narrator]

The speakeasy became an American habit and a billion dollar industry because it was illegal to drink in public or anywhere. The citizenry of all ages entrenched themselves almost nightly in dark, dingy cellars, where, against a background of bad murals, pockmarked bouncers and stale air, they forced the human body to swallow some of the most corrosive poison ever consumed by man or woman.

[Historian]

Madam, I give you my white. That's genuine five Year Scotch. Got it off the boat myself just this morning.

[Narrator]

Almost everybody drank this stuff. The classy joints ran theirs through the Coast Guard's meager defense lines. The dives got it from the alky cookers. The stuff simmered in grape pots, in Grandpa's basement, in the boarded up brewery down the street, and in 25,000 illegal stills. Best moonshine in Carolina. Made it myself. And as always, there were new words and phrases for the new pastime. Noble experiment, Jersey lightning, hijacking clip joint, red ink needle beer. The rum runners, 12 mile limits, sawed off shotguns, scoff laws, you're going for a ride. Protection. And one of the vilest words in the American language. You see that fellow over there?

[Advertiser]

That's Al Capone.

[Narrator]

Call back. The past was devised and presented by Percy Sief and comes to you by courtesy of the Springbok Radio Preservation Society of South Africa.

[Advertiser]

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