Old-time radio graphic is from WhisperingRoseRadio.com.
Mr Daisy has been downloading old radio shows. Some of them are quite amazing in their xenophobia, sexism and racism.
Black Flame of the Amazon (Mutual Network, 1938) followed "world famous explorer" Harold Noice as he traveled through the Amazonian jungle, facing all manner of exciting perils and dangers. The show's cast of characters included "native guide" Keyto, young friends Jim and Jean Brady, aide Pedro, and pilot Pat Donavon.
As one of the first explorer-oriented radio programs, the characters of Jim and Jean allowed young listeners to especially relate to the story. Lots of "golly gee whiz" dialogue, putting radio-listeners in the position of the kids, experiencing the incredible wonders of South America.
Well, not all listeners.
In episode #43, we hear this conversation, as the group try to solve the crime of what happened to a white visitor, Mr Norton, who has disappeared:
A fascinating bit of old-time radio propaganda, teaching white children our proper place in the world. And kids ate it with their breakfast cereal.
Harold Noice: Yes, Jean, this is now a part of our business. We whites, no matter what part of the world that we’re in, must never forget that we are white.
Jimmy: You mean that there’s been a crime committed here?
Harold Noice: Yes Jimmy, against the white man.
Jimmy: Then there’s got to be punishment of some kind!
Harold Noice: That's secondary, Jimmy. The white man made his residence here. We have to find out what happened, find that white man. That's the white man's law in the jungle.
Jimmy: Swell, Mr. Noice! That’s swell and we’re white!
