Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Springbok Radio #4 - Squad Cars & Trials


This is the 4th in a series of blog posts featuring Springbok Radio, the SABC's first commercial radio station, that was broadcasting from 1950-1985 before it was closed.

The visual canvasses are from the most recent UNESCO World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2012 exhibition at SABC.

One of probably the most popular programs on Springbok Radio was Squad Cars:


Squad Cars 

"They prowl the empty streets of night... These are the men of Squad Cars"


"Week by week a dramatized story of the South African Police at work would unfold.
The series was directed by Colin Fish, produced by David Gooden and recorded at the Sonovision Studios in down-town Johannesburg.
A total of 823 episodes were recorded."


             - Frans Erasmus, former custodian of the Springbok Radio collection


Two programmes about Investigation and Trial:


Consider Your Verdict


"Consider Your Verdict" started on Springbok Radio in 1954, and ended in December 1985.

The series presented a different court case every week and was loosely based on the imported radio series "Famous Jury Trials", which was also broadcast on Springbok Radio prior to "Consider Your Verdict".

The series presented a different court case every week and was loosely based on the imported radio series "Famous Jury Trials", which was also broadcast on Springbok Radio prior to "Consider Your Verdict"

                       - Frans Erasmus



Inspector Carr investigates


"The Epic Casebook / Inspector Carr investigates" started on Springbok Radio in May 1957 with Douglas Laws playing Inspector Carr.

The series concerned retired Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Carr, who gave a weekly story from his casebook of crime.

All the stories were written & produced by Michael Silver and recorded at the CRC Studios in Johannesburg.

The series was called "The Epic Casebook" from 1957-1977, named after the sponsor "The Epic Oil Company". 

During 1977 the series was called "Inspector Carr investigates" after a decision by Springbok Radio not to tie up a series with just one sponsor."


            - Retha Buys, custodian of Springbok Radio material.



Related posts:

- Springbok radio #1 - The history 

- Springbok Radio #2 - News and Comedy

- Springbok Radio 3 - Afrikaans



Springbok Radio content on canvasses by Retha Buys, custodian of Springbok Radio.

Blog post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans archivist in the SABC Radio Archives.


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