John Dease
Encyclopedia
Conly John Paget Dease (26 May 1906 – 1 February 1979) was a prominent Australian radio presenter and quiz show host in the 1940s and 50s.
He was born in Bhamo, Upper Burma
, son of an English lieutenant in the 91st Punjabi Regiment. He completed his schooling after the family's return to Somerset then rather than follow his father into the army migrated in 1923 to South Australia as one of the Barwell Boys. He was first indentured as a farm labourer to E H Mattner of Clare, South Australia
but failed to impress however, and likewise failed in a 1925 apprenticeship to printer Hunter Bros. of Leabrook . In 1928 he began teaching at Scotch College, Adelaide
followed by a stint at Tudor House, Moss Vale, New South Wales
then from 1930–1933 at Scots College, Sydney
.
He was meanwhile building his stage skills with Doris Fitton
's Independent Theatre
, featuring in productions such as Musical Chairs and Ship of Heaven until 1933, when he started working professionally for J C Williamson in musical comedies. In 1935 he signed up as an announcer with radio 2GB, headquarters of the Macquarie Radio Network
, eventually becoming its chief announcer. He has been named as one of the 'Five D's of Australian Radio' with Jack Davey
, Bob Dyer
, Terry Dear and Harry Dearth. His longest-running program was World Famous Tenors. Other programs include Nature Speaks (sponsored by Edward Hallstrom
) 1947 – 54.
As a volunteer he recorded some 200 Talking Books for the Blind
.
), its format involved a panel of five Sydney schoolboys and girls aged 11 to 15, who were challenged by questions sent in by listeners from all around Australia
. The listener was rewarded with cash and sponsors' products in the event of no 'Quiz Kid' supplying a satisfactory answer. A separate panel in Melbourne, Australia was used for six weeks each year. Deese played the avuncular quizmaster. In all publicity photographs and public appearances he wore an academic gown and mortarboard, as were the panel members, many of whom, such as NSW premier Neville Wran
, senior academics John Lambert, Jack Goldring and James Seymour Hagan, were to achieve eminence as adults. Prominent politician Barry Jones
was a member of the Melbourne panel in 1947 and 1948. Others included Sue Pearson (mother of Christopher Pearson
), David Low, Nola Manning, Michael Connors, Leon Smith, Yvonne Cossart, Milton Osborne, Alana Conlan, Tom Kalmar, Annette Cumine. The first team in 1942 consisted of James Hagan, Bernard Lake, Alan Mitchell, Audrey Baker and Dorothy Revie.
The program was broadcast on 2GB Sunday 7:30pm; Tues 8pm from 1943; Sun 7:30pm from 1959
Sponsors were Colgate-Palmolive
1942–44; Johnson & Johnson
1944–58(?)
The program was revived for television on Network 7 from 1964–1968 after an abortive simulcast attempt in 1957.
establish the Mercury Theatre in 1946.
Apart from parts in episodes of various TV series (Chopper Squad, Case for the Defence, Certain Women), he played Sir Hubert Wilkins in the 1946 movie Smithy, 'Whitty' in the 1970 movie Ned Kelly
and newsreader 'Ken' in the successful 1978 movie Newsfront
.. He was also in demand as commentator on newsreels and travelogues such as The Dance of the Eyes.
candidate for the Commonwealth seat of Evans. He joined the Australian Labor Party
in 1974.
He was born in Bhamo, Upper Burma
Upper Burma
Upper Burma refers to a geographic region of Burma , traditionally encompassing Mandalay and its periphery , or more broadly speaking, Kachin and Shan States....
, son of an English lieutenant in the 91st Punjabi Regiment. He completed his schooling after the family's return to Somerset then rather than follow his father into the army migrated in 1923 to South Australia as one of the Barwell Boys. He was first indentured as a farm labourer to E H Mattner of Clare, South Australia
Clare, South Australia
The town of Clare is located in South Australia in the Mid North region, 136 km north of Adelaide. It gives its name to the Clare Valley wine and tourist region.-History:One of the first settlers in the area was John Horrocks, in 1839...
but failed to impress however, and likewise failed in a 1925 apprenticeship to printer Hunter Bros. of Leabrook . In 1928 he began teaching at Scotch College, Adelaide
Scotch College, Adelaide
Scotch College is an independent, Uniting Church, co-educational, day and boarding school, located on two adjacent campuses in Torrens Park and Mitcham, inner-southern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia....
followed by a stint at Tudor House, Moss Vale, New South Wales
Moss Vale, New South Wales
Moss Vale is a town in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, in Wingecarribee Shire. It has a population of 7,339 and is sited on the Illawarra Highway, which connects to Wollongong and the Illawarra coast via Macquarie Pass...
then from 1930–1933 at Scots College, Sydney
The Scots College
For other schools with a similar name see Scots College.The Scots College is an independent Presbyterian day and boarding school for boys, located in Bellevue Hill, an eastern suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
.
He was meanwhile building his stage skills with Doris Fitton
Doris Fitton
Doris Alice Fitton Mason, DBE was an Australian actress and theatrical director who founded and for 35 years headed Sydney's Independent Theatre, staging a diverse range of local and international dramas, many for the first time in Australia, including Sumner Locke-Elliott's wartime comedy, Rusty...
's Independent Theatre
Independent Theatre
The Independent Theatre was a dramatic society founded in 1930 by Doris Fitton , and was also the name given to the building it occupied from 1938. It was named for London's Independent Theatre Society founded by J. T...
, featuring in productions such as Musical Chairs and Ship of Heaven until 1933, when he started working professionally for J C Williamson in musical comedies. In 1935 he signed up as an announcer with radio 2GB, headquarters of the Macquarie Radio Network
Macquarie Radio Network
Macquarie Radio Network is the name of the company that owns and operates 2GB and 2CH in Sydney and MTR 1377 in Melbourne. It is a publicly listed company, majority owned by John Singleton. The Chief Executive is Angela Clarke....
, eventually becoming its chief announcer. He has been named as one of the 'Five D's of Australian Radio' with Jack Davey
Jack Davey
John Andrew Davey was a New Zealand-born star of Australian radio in the 1930s, '40s and '50s.-New Zealand:Jack Davey was born John Andrew Davey on 8 February 1907 and educated at King's College, Auckland...
, Bob Dyer
Bob Dyer
Robert "Bob" Dies OBE , who took the stage name of Bob Dyer, was an American-born vaudeville entertainer, radio personality, and radio and television quiz show host who made his name in Australia. Dyer is best known for the long-running radio and then television quiz show, Pick a Box...
, Terry Dear and Harry Dearth. His longest-running program was World Famous Tenors. Other programs include Nature Speaks (sponsored by Edward Hallstrom
Edward Hallstrom
Sir Edward John Lees Hallstrom was one of Australia's best-known philanthropists and businessmen of the mid-20th Century.-Early life:...
) 1947 – 54.
As a volunteer he recorded some 200 Talking Books for the Blind
Books for the Blind
Books for the Blind also referred to as Talking Books is a program in the United States which provides audio recordings of books in a proprietary cassette tape format, along with a cassette player supporting that format, free of charge to people who are blind or visually impaired...
.
The Quiz Kids
In 1942 he began the program for which he is now best remembered, The Quiz Kids. Modelled on a US program of the same name (one of whose panel members was the young James D. WatsonJames D. Watson
James Dewey Watson is an American molecular biologist, geneticist, and zoologist, best known as one of the co-discoverers of the structure of DNA in 1953 with Francis Crick...
), its format involved a panel of five Sydney schoolboys and girls aged 11 to 15, who were challenged by questions sent in by listeners from all around Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The listener was rewarded with cash and sponsors' products in the event of no 'Quiz Kid' supplying a satisfactory answer. A separate panel in Melbourne, Australia was used for six weeks each year. Deese played the avuncular quizmaster. In all publicity photographs and public appearances he wore an academic gown and mortarboard, as were the panel members, many of whom, such as NSW premier Neville Wran
Neville Wran
Neville Kenneth Wran, AC, CNZM, QC was the Premier of New South Wales from 1976 until 1986. He was National President of the Australian Labor Party from 1980 to 1986 and Chairman of both the Lionel Murphy Foundation and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation from 1986...
, senior academics John Lambert, Jack Goldring and James Seymour Hagan, were to achieve eminence as adults. Prominent politician Barry Jones
Barry Jones
Barry Jones may refer to:*Barry Jones, Baron Jones , British politician*Barry Jones , member of the ALP*Barry Jones , British-born actor...
was a member of the Melbourne panel in 1947 and 1948. Others included Sue Pearson (mother of Christopher Pearson
Christopher Pearson
Christopher Pearson is an Australian journalist who writes for The Australian.He comes from Adelaide and received a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from Flinders University as well as a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Adelaide...
), David Low, Nola Manning, Michael Connors, Leon Smith, Yvonne Cossart, Milton Osborne, Alana Conlan, Tom Kalmar, Annette Cumine. The first team in 1942 consisted of James Hagan, Bernard Lake, Alan Mitchell, Audrey Baker and Dorothy Revie.
The program was broadcast on 2GB Sunday 7:30pm; Tues 8pm from 1943; Sun 7:30pm from 1959
Sponsors were Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive Company is an American diversified multinational corporation focused on the production, distribution and provision of household, health care and personal products, such as soaps, detergents, and oral hygiene products . Under its "Hill's" brand, it is also a manufacturer of...
1942–44; Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....
1944–58(?)
The program was revived for television on Network 7 from 1964–1968 after an abortive simulcast attempt in 1957.
Acting career
John was an active supporter of live theatre, helping Peter FinchPeter Finch
Peter Finch was a British-born Australian actor. He is best remembered for his role as "crazed" television anchorman Howard Beale in the film Network, which earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Actor, his fifth Best Actor award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and a...
establish the Mercury Theatre in 1946.
Apart from parts in episodes of various TV series (Chopper Squad, Case for the Defence, Certain Women), he played Sir Hubert Wilkins in the 1946 movie Smithy, 'Whitty' in the 1970 movie Ned Kelly
Ned Kelly (1970 film)
Ned Kelly is a 1970 British adventure film. It was the second Australian feature film version of the story of 19th century Australian bushranger Ned Kelly....
and newsreader 'Ken' in the successful 1978 movie Newsfront
Newsfront
Newsfront is a 1978 Australian drama film starring Bill Hunter, Wendy Hughes, and Bryan Brown, directed by Phillip Noyce. The screenplay is written by David Elfick, Bob Ellis, Philippe Mora, and Phillip Noyce. The original music score is composed by William Motzing...
.. He was also in demand as commentator on newsreels and travelogues such as The Dance of the Eyes.
Politics
Always of leftish persuasion (he was associated with the Aid Russia Committee Paper and presented a paper at the Congress of Friendship and Aid to the Soviet Union in Sydney Town Hall, 30 August 1941), he was elected vice-president of Actors Equity but forced to resign in 1948 after being labelled a Communist. In 1972 he appeared in an ALP advertisement under the slogan 'It's Time' although he was an Australia PartyAustralia Party
The Australia Party was the name of a minor political party in Australia ....
candidate for the Commonwealth seat of Evans. He joined the Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
in 1974.
Sources
- 'Out of the Bakelite Box' Jacqueline Kent, Angus & Robertson ISBN 0 207 14486 9
-
-
- (Ms Kent gives a telling account of her brush, as guest panelist, with quizmaster Dease)
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