The B.B.C. has no doubt had to feel about, as
it were, for the ideal commentator on current events, and some of its experiments have been calamitous. But in Mr. J. B. Priestley, who was not so obscure that he need have been left till third or fourth choice, we have got something very near the ideal. There is a robustness about the whole thing that is irresistibly encouraging, and the Yorkshire tang in the strong and admir- ably cogrolled voice adds sensibly to the effect. Mr. Priestley is commendably ready to take risks. Last Sunday's story of the duck on the Whitestone Pond might quite easily not have come off. But it did come off, and once the speaker had started on it there was no question of your not hearing him to the end on that and whatever else he had to say. Mr. Priestley ought to be continued indefinitely; as long as he can stand it we can. One other recent talk, Mr. Attlee's last Saturday, deserves a tribute, too. The Lord Privy Seal has not an ideal micro- phone voice, but his matter was singularly good, and the note of confidence without over-confidence was struck accurately and firmly.
Previous page
