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Dad and Dave from Snake Gully

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Dad and Dave from Snake Gully
GenreComedy
Country of originAustralia
LanguageEnglish
StarringGeorge Edwards
Nell Stirling
Created bySteele Rudd
Written byMaurice Francis
Lorna Bingham
Produced byGeorge Edwards
Original release1937 –
1953

Dad and Dave from Snake Gully was an Australian radio drama series based on the On Our Selection stories of Steele Rudd. The series is more often referred to simply as Dad and Dave.[1] It was hugely popular and ran for 2276 episodes, almost 17 years.[2] The first episode was broadcast on 1 April 1937[3] and the last on 29 December 1953.[4]

The show was created, and for most of its existence starred, George Edwards whose company, the George Edwards Production Unit, created it. Its sponsor for its entire run was the Wrigley Company. The show's cast was not made public so that (the Barrier Daily Truth told its readers in 1951) 'the characters may stand in their own right.'[5] Edwards died in 1953, and the show ceased production at the end of that year.

The theme tune was "The Road to Gundagai".[6] The standard accent used by actors and announcers in Australian broadcasting at the time was typically "Southern English", an upper class British version that emulated the BBC. The actual Australian accent was however acceptable only in low comedy productions such as this series.[7]

The program's popularity meant it resonated with the general population in a variety of ways, particularly during the Second World War, such as when:

Dave, overseas with the Air Force, received anonymous letters stating that Mabel was unfaithful. The letter Dave wrote to Mabel reaffirmed his faith in her and was full of hope for their future. So many listeners felt it expressed their own situation that stations were besieged with requests for copies and eventually the letter had to be published.[8]

One unique element of the show was the annual 'Snake Gully Cup'. In 1953 the Maryborough (Queensland) Chronicle reported:

The Snake Gully Cup has proved itself radio's most sensationally popular sporting event. Broadcast annually on the same day as the Melbourne Cup, the "Snake Gully" Cup has always aroused such tremendous interest amongst the listening public that, on the day of the broadcast, the key station 2UW has to appoint extra staff to the switchboard to cope with incoming calls. "Snake Gully" cup sweeps are run in homes and offices all over the Commonwealth.[9]

This famous Australian radio drama series can still be heard on Melbourne's Golden Days Radio 95.7FM (GDR95.7fm) every Saturday morning at 8.30am. The program is streamed around the world on www.goldendaysradio.com at that time. Dad and Dave is also heard on Vintage FM (87.6 Hawkesbury, 87.8 Penrith and 88.7 Camden) weekdays at 4 am, 10:30 am and 9 pm & in Newcastle Newy 87.8 FM daily at 2 am.

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ "DAD AND DAVE —All About 'Em", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 32 (10), Sydney: Wireless Press, 2 September 1938, retrieved 20 February 2024 – via Trove
  2. ^ Vagg, Stephen (30 August 2025). "Forgotten Australian Films: On Our Selection". Filmink. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  3. ^ 'Broadcasting Programmes for Week' Adelaide Mail, 29 May 1937 p. 24
  4. ^ 'Nearing End: Dad and Dave' Maryborough Chronicle 24 November 1953 p. 6
  5. ^ 'Dad and Dave - Australia's Longest Running Serial' Barrier Daily Truth 16 August 1951 p. 1
  6. ^ "RADIO NOTES". The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser (NSW : 1910 - 1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 8 June 1937. p. 1. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  7. ^ John Rickard, Australia: A Cultural History (1988) p. 141
  8. ^ 'Dad and Dave - Australia's Longest Running Serial' Barrier Daily Truth 16 August 1951 p. 1
  9. ^ 'Nearing End: Dad and Dave' Maryborough Chronicle 24 November 1953 p. 6
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