Encyclopedia Titanica

BBC deny Titanic radio play to be broadcast

Daily Express

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BBC and the Titanic Disaster

A formal statement contradicting the reports published in some newspapers (not the Daily Express) to the effect that the BBC intended to broadcast a play based on the Titanic disaster has been issued by the BBC:-

"Some weeks ago the BBC received a proposal for the production of a radio play based on the Titanic disaster. The purpose was to emphasise the heroism of British people in moments of crisis.

"Statements in some newspapers that it had been decided to proceed with the production are untrue, the idea not having advanced beyond the preliminary stage of a synopsis for consideration.

"The suggested programme has been considered in the ordinary course, and the decision is that it is not acceptable."

[Note: The radio play idea had been drawn up by Titanic author Filson Young - SM]

See also BBC and the Titanic Disaster.

Related Biographies

Filson Young

Contributors

Senan Molony, Ireland

Comment and discuss

  1. Mark Baber Mark Baber
    Over the past couple of days I've come across a some newspaper articles from all parts of the world about a 1932 BBC radio play about Titanic's sinking which was apparently never produced and protests by, among others, Arthur Rostron, to such a broadcast. I've added four of those articles to ET: a 25 February article from The Mercury of Hobart, Tasmania - TITANIC TRAGEDY--Broadcast Play--Captain Rostron's Protest, an article of the same date from The New York Times, carrying an AP release that appeared in a number of newspapers in North America; a third article of the same date, this one from The Times, publishing a BBC statement denying that such a program was in the offing; and a 10 March article from The Evening Post of Wellington, which suggests that the author of the play in question might have been Filson Young. I don't have immediate access to any of the news articles referred to in the BBC statement. If anyone has any further info, feel free to supplement this thread.
  2. Aaron_2016 Aaron_2016
    In February 1932 the public got word that a graphic Titanic play was going to be broadcast for the 20th anniversary of the sinking. The public protested and the BBC received widespread condemnation from listeners. The decision to broadcast the play was stopped. Do you agree that it was too early and in poor taste to broadcast a play about the Titanic disaster in 1932?Here are some of the UK news bulletins from newspapers nationwide.- On With The Radio: We are told that the BBC are arranging a production written around the sinking of the Titanic in mid-Atlantic in 1912, and already an outcry is being raised against broadcasting such a work.- A play based on the sinking of the Titanic would renew in us admiration for the greatness to which the human spirit may rise in adversity.- DIFFICULTIES OF HISTORICAL DRAMAA broadcast based on the Titanic disaster has attracted much attention and protest this week.- TOO CRUEL TO RELATIVES, SAYS COMMANDER OF RESCUE LINERWireless operator on Titanic, said. "I think it is a horrible idea to have such painful memories revived. We shall have sufficiently sad memories on April 15, the anniversary of the foundering of the Titanic."- SINKING TITANIC CONCERN FELT FOR RELATIONS OF VICTIMS- The BBC has given us plays of horror.....It thought lately of revising the tragedy of the Titanic, to the vociferous indignation of many.- Public night of horror likely to
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Encyclopedia Titanica (2005) BBC deny Titanic radio play to be broadcast (Daily Express, Thursday 25th February 1932, ref: #4335, published 11 January 2005, generated 29th November 2024 12:29:02 AM); URL : https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/bbc-deny-titanic-radio-play-broadcast.html