Wikipedia

As Ye Sow

As Ye Sow is a 1937 Australian radio serial by Edmund Barclay. It told the story of six generations of Australians in early colonial Australia.[3][4]

As Ye Sow
Genreserial drama
Running time30 mins
Country of originAustralia
Language(s)English
Home station2FC
SyndicatesABC
Written byEdmund Barclay
Produced byLawrence H. Cecil
Original release4 January[1] –
6 September 1937[2]
No. of series1
No. of episodes36

It was "regarded by many critics as the greatest contribution to Australian historical drama."[5]

Premise edit

The story of an Australian family from 1788 to 1938, beginning with convict woman, Prudence Dent, and the Rum Corps officer, Gilbert Teal.

Background edit

Barclay had written an earlier saga about an Australian family for radio Love o' Land but that was a one off drama not a serial.

Barclay later said, "I lived with the characters in As Ye Sow for six months prior to writing the story."[3]

He added, "In my heart, I felt that Janet in As Ye Sow deserved a happier ending, but I couldn't let personal feelings interfere... I had dozens of letters protesting -against my treatment of Bluey and Mary... I can only say that it just had to turn 'out' that way."[3]

The series was heavily publicised by the ABC.[6]

The serial ran into September, after which it was followed by another Barclay serial, Into the Light, set in medieval Europe.

Reception edit

The Bulletin said it "is not, as done, as good a thing as it might be. "[7] However the same magazine later said "the production shines because of its excellent radio technique. To portray character, suggest scenery and limn every situation definitely and unmistakably by sound alone is a difficult job, but it has been accomplished in this case with signal success."[8]

Leslie Rees called it:

A pioneer in historical-personal writing for Australian radio... There were faults of sentimentality and strained pattern-making as well as other shortcomings... but the story also had epic progress, characters who could become more real than one’s own circle, and the liveliest interest in the Australian chronicle...[9] It gathered a tremendous following from coast to coast. No one had ever before tried to recreate the whole course of Australia’s history in one dramatic chronicle... Barclay’s success, more particularly in the first dozen episodes, was in projecting a group of characters as real as the members of one’s own family, with side-philosophies humorous and human, and in a confident flow of action.[10]

Clement Semmler called it "an early ABC triumph... written by a prolific and usually hack radio writer."[11]

The series was very popular. There was another version in 1941,[12] 1947[13] and 1951.[14]

In the late 1940s there was discussion the drama would be filmed in Hollywood.[15]

Select episodes edit

  • Ep 1 (4 Jan 1937). Seed Time[16]
  • Ep 2 (11 Jan 1937). Wavering[17]
  • Ep 3 (18 Jan) Crossing the Rubicon[18]
  • Ep 4 (25 Jan) Tillage[19]
  • Ep 5 (1 Feb) The First Australians[20]
  • Ep 6 (8 Feb) The Golden Fleece[21]
  • Ep 7 (15 Feb) Governor Bligh[22]
  • Ep 8 (22 Feb) Over the Mountain[23]
  • Ep 9 (1 March) Broadacres[24]
  • Ep 10 (8 March) Gilbert the Second[25]
  • Ep 11 (15 March) Reap in Joy[26]
  • Ep 12 (22 March) Harvest Home[27]
  • Ep 13 (29 March) Evensong[28]
  • Ep 14 (5 April) The New Era[29]
  • Ep 15 (12 April) The Gold Rush[30]
  • Ep 16 (19 April) The Eureka Stockade[31]
  • Ep 17 (26 April) Ploughshares into Scales[32]
  • Ep 18 (3 May) Sydney Siders[33]
  • Ep 19 (10 May) Coming of Age[34]
  • Ep 20 (17 May) Town and Country[35]
  • Ep 21 (24 May) Reaping Enquiry[36]
  • Ep 22 (31 May) Many Waters[37]
  • Ep 23 (7 June) The Rift[38]
  • Ep 24 (14 June) Black Wednesday[39]
  • Ep 25 (21 June) The Last of the Old[40]
  • Ep 26 (28 June) The Barren Harvest[41]
  • Ep 27 (5 July) Federation[42]
  • Ep 28 (12 July) Nearing Today[43]
  • Ep 29 (19 July) Prelude to War[44]
  • 30 (26 July) Anzac[45]
  • Ep 31 (2 August) Turn of the Tide[46]
  • Ep 32 (9 August) The Last of the Teals[47]
  • Ep 33 (16 August) The Bubble Bursts[48]
  • Ep 34 (23 August) Prudence and Gilbert[49]
  • Ep 35 (30 Aug) Big John Intervenes[50]
  • Ep 36 (6 Sept) The New Crop (last episode)[51]

References edit

  1. ^ "Broadcasting". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 30, 886. New South Wales, Australia. 30 December 1936. p. 8. Retrieved 29 June 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "Monday, September 6". The Central Queensland Herald. Vol. 9, no. 402. Queensland, Australia. 2 September 1937. p. 57. Retrieved 29 June 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ a b c "Stars of the Air". Queanbeyan Age. New South Wales, Australia. 13 May 1947. p. 4. Retrieved 29 June 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ ""As Ye Sow" Opens Drama Week". The Herald. No. 18, 697. Victoria, Australia. 20 April 1937. p. 12. Retrieved 29 June 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, vol. 35, Sydney: Wireless Press, October 5, 1940, nla.obj-715934473, retrieved 3 September 2023 – via Trove
  6. ^ "As yesom", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (2), Sydney: Wireless Press, January 8, 1937, nla.obj-713793410, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  7. ^ "Radio News Sundry Broadcasts.", The Bulletin, John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues)., 58 (2971), Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 20 Jan 1937, ISSN 0007-4039, nla.obj-569602208, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  8. ^ "All Round the Dial.", The Bulletin, John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues)., 58 (2981), Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 31 Mar 1937, ISSN 0007-4039, nla.obj-571554922, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  9. ^ Leslie, Rees (1953). Towards An Australian Drama. pp. 100–101.
  10. ^ Rees, Leslie (1987). Australian drama, 1970-1985: a historical and critical survey. Angus & Robertson Publishers. pp. 157–159.
  11. ^ Semmler, Clement (1981). The ABC: Aunt Sally and sacred cow. Melbourne University Press. p. 120.
  12. ^ "A.B.C. Serial, As Ye Sow", ABC Weekly, 3 (43), Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Commission, 25 October 1941, nla.obj-1323330284, retrieved 29 June 2023 – via Trove
  13. ^ "A.B.C.'s Popular As ye Sow Serial To Be Revived", ABC Weekly, 9 (8), Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Commission, 22 February 1947, nla.obj-1377471060, retrieved 29 June 2023 – via Trove
  14. ^ "As Ye Sow", ABC Weekly, 13 (32), Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Commission, 11 August 1951, nla.obj-1549725373, retrieved 29 June 2023 – via Trove
  15. ^ "Authors' Views on Drama", ABC Weekly, 12 (52), Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Commission, 30 December 1950, nla.obj-1536603119, retrieved 24 August 2023 – via Trove
  16. ^ "Monday January [4]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (1), Sydney: Wireless Press, January 1, 1937, nla.obj-712948714, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  17. ^ "Monday January [11]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (2), Sydney: Wireless Press, January 8, 1937, nla.obj-713794220, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  18. ^ "Monday January 18", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (3), Sydney: Wireless Press, January 15, 1937, nla.obj-712957415, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  19. ^ "Monday January 25", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (4), Sydney: Wireless Press, January 22, 1937, nla.obj-713026552, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  20. ^ "Monday February 1", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (5), Sydney: Wireless Press, January 29, 1937, nla.obj-713008932, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  21. ^ "Monday February 8", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (6), Sydney: Wireless Press, February 5, 1937, nla.obj-710927916, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  22. ^ "Monday February 15", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (7), Sydney: Wireless Press, February 12, 1937, nla.obj-713018380, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  23. ^ "Monday February [22]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (8), Sydney: Wireless Press, February 19, 1937, nla.obj-713055821, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  24. ^ "Monday March 1", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (9), Sydney: Wireless Press, February 26, 1937, nla.obj-713035306, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  25. ^ "Monday March 8", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (10), Sydney: Wireless Press, March 5, 1937, nla.obj-712741514, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  26. ^ "Monday March [15]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (11), Sydney: Wireless Press, March 12, 1937, nla.obj-712879512, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  27. ^ "Monday March 22", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (12), Sydney: Wireless Press, March 19, 1937, nla.obj-723015855, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  28. ^ "Monday March 29", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (13), Sydney: Wireless Press, March 26, 1937, nla.obj-712900288, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  29. ^ "Monday April [5]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (14), Sydney: Wireless Press, April 2, 1937, nla.obj-719996740, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  30. ^ "Monday April 12", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (15), Sydney: Wireless Press, April 9, 1937, nla.obj-718552311, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  31. ^ "Monday [April 19]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (16), Sydney: Wireless Press, April 16, 1937, nla.obj-719971897, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  32. ^ "Monday April 26", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (17), Sydney: Wireless Press, April 23, 1937, nla.obj-718566566, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  33. ^ "Monday May 3", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (18), Sydney: Wireless Press, April 30, 1937, nla.obj-718578795, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  34. ^ "Monday May [10]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (19), Sydney: Wireless Press, May 5, 1937, nla.obj-719805007, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  35. ^ "Monday May [17]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (20), Sydney: Wireless Press, May 14, 1937, nla.obj-718591572, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  36. ^ "Monday May [24]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (21), Sydney: Wireless Press, May 21, 1937, nla.obj-718604132, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  37. ^ "Monday May [31]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (22), Sydney: Wireless Press, May 28, 1937, nla.obj-718619031, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  38. ^ "Monday June [7]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (23), Sydney: Wireless Press, June 4, 1937, nla.obj-718633876, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  39. ^ "Monday [June 14]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (24), Sydney: Wireless Press, June 11, 1937, nla.obj-718643889, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  40. ^ "Monday June [21]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (25), Sydney: Wireless Press, June 18, 1937, nla.obj-718667985, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  41. ^ "Monday [June 28]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 29 (26), Sydney: Wireless Press, June 25, 1937, nla.obj-718724594, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  42. ^ "Monday [July 5]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 30 (1), Sydney: Wireless Press, July 2, 1937, nla.obj-714769845, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  43. ^ "Monday July 12", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 30 (2), Sydney: Wireless Press, July 9, 1937, nla.obj-714761070, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  44. ^ "Monday [July 19]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 30 (3), Sydney: Wireless Press, July 16, 1937, nla.obj-714864762, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  45. ^ "Monday [July 26]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 30 (4), Sydney: Wireless Press, July 23, 1937, nla.obj-714684021, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  46. ^ "Monday [August 2]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 30 (5), Sydney: Wireless Press, July 30, 1937, nla.obj-714693146, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  47. ^ "Monday [August 9]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 30 (6), Sydney: Wireless Press, August 6, 1937, nla.obj-714703775, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  48. ^ "Monday August 16", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 30 (7), Sydney: Wireless Press, August 13, 1937, nla.obj-714712852, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  49. ^ "Monday [August 23]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 30 (8), Sydney: Wireless Press, August 20, 1937, nla.obj-714724186, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  50. ^ "Monday August 30", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 30 (9), Sydney: Wireless Press, August 27, 1937, nla.obj-714733195, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
  51. ^ "Monday [Sept. 6]", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 30 (10), Sydney: Wireless Press, September 3, 1937, nla.obj-714752265, retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Trove
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