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'John Thompson (1907-1968) was once an influential figure in Australian literature, not only as a poet but also as a broadcaster and editor, but is now generally overlooked if not forgotten. This essay re-evaluates Thompson's career along with his poetry through his experience as a radio producer, examining his changing sense of the radiophonic possibilities of verse. It pays particular attention to the ABC's flagship poetry programme, Quality Street, which Thompson created and which lasted a remarkable twenty-seven years (1946-1973). Given that there have been conflicts from the ABC's inception between its twin roles as public educator and publicly-funded entertainer, the longevity of Quality Street suggests that Thompson managed to strike a workable balance within the broad spectrum of the 'middlebrow', which is a key term throughout. The essay concludes by considering the wider implications of this.' (Author's abstract)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Last amended 24 Feb 2012 14:35:43
https://openjournals.library.sydney.edu.au/index.php/JASAL/article/view/10204/10102
John Thompson, the Poet as Broadcaster
JASAL
Subjects:
- Quality Street series - publisher
- I Hate and I Love : Poems 1964 selected work poetry
- A Man of Quality : John Thompson 1969 single work obituary
- Changing Stations : The Story of Australian Commercial Radio 2009 single work criticism
- This Is the ABC : The Australian Broadcasting Commission, 1932-1983 1983 single work criticism
- Colin Colahan : A Portrait 1996 single work biography
- Plankton's Luck : A Life in Retrospect 1986 single work autobiography
- The Ukulele Player Under the Red Lamp 1972 single work autobiography
- The ABC - Aunt Sally and Sacred Cow 1981 single work criticism
- Ride on Stranger 1943 single work novel
- Sesame and Other Poems 1944 selected work poetry
- Accidental Chords 1988 single work autobiography
- A Memory of the First Penguin Anthology 1974 single work criticism
- The Penguin Book of Australian Verse 1958 anthology poetry
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