Shorter Notices
One Man in His Time. By Bruce Belfrage. (Hodder and Stoughton. 12s. 6d.) One Man in His Time. By Bruce Belfrage. (Hodder and Stoughton. 12s. 6d.) MR. BRUCE BELFRAGE has played Many parts, but—so universal is a radio audience—it is as a news announcer that he is best known. Probably many readers of this modest and engaging autobiography will turn first to his account of the celebrated bomb which exploded at the B.B.C. one evening while he was reading the news: what did he actually say on that occasion ? In his book he lists some of the things he didn't say (despite the testimony of listeners) and goes on to explain that, in fact, he said nothing that wasn't in the news-script. The author's B.B.C. experi- ences cover a much wider range than mere news-reading, though that too has its difficul- ties, as for example when an otherwise innocuous bulletin contains -a lurking word like Dniepropetrovsk. Belfrage- joined the Corporation in 1936, and he tells us some remarkable things about the inside workings of that mysterious body, including a few that will not be particularly welcomed at Broadcasting House. Just at this time, when the question of the B.B.C. charter is once more under review, the opinions of a writer as sensible and well-informed as Bruce Belfrage make illuminating reading. There is a chapter here which ought to be studied by those most nearly concerned with the problem. The rest of Belfrage's story— touring the world with various theatrical companies, lecturing on Security to units of the Royal Navy, playing in films—might perhaps be paralleled by other writers. But Belfrage obviously brings to every activity a likeable and forthright personality, and it is this, rather than the events he records, which makes the interest of his book.
K. H.
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