The Pumamouse Website: South African Old-Time Radio: Jet Jungle Gems

Oh, this is something rare and precious...thus the title "Jet Jungle Gems".

An episode of the daily children's radio serial, "The Adventures Of Jet Jungle", was the first sample of South African OTR which I ever heard. The popular science-fiction space adventure series, which aired from February 1965 until the closing of Springbok Radio in December 1985, starred Brian O'Shaughnessy in the title role as "Jet Jungle", Victor Melleney as Professor "Spaghetti" Villetti, and Diane Appleby as Samantha. Although I had not known anything about Jet and his friends as a child, I was instantly struck by fond memories of Superman, The Lone Ranger, Zorro, and the various other super heroes of my youth.

Admittedly, my personal memories of super heroes are based upon the television series which I enjoyed, rather than the radio serials which preceded them in the USA. Having been raised on visual entertainment, it was somewhat difficult for me at first to imagine any joy in hearing the action without seeing it. Of course, I realized that the "pictures" one could create in one's head while listening to a radio production were probably better than any of the scenes which could be produced for television. And yet, the dramatic "theatre of the mind" OTR productions which I had heard always seemed more geared towards adults than children. Hearing "The Adventures Of Jet Jungle" gave me a better understanding of what it was like to listen faithfully to Springbok Radio every day, regardless of age. I could finally relate to the sense of anticipation and that of the familiar comfort which the daily serial inspired. My understanding greatly increased as a result of listening to an episode of Jet Jungle with those who could vividly recall it from their childhood. Indeed, hearing the memories which the mere mention of the name "Jet Jungle" usually inspires from those who were raised on a steady diet of radio adventure, Jungle Oats, and Black Cat Peanut Butter is always a delicious treat for me.

And so, you can probably imagine my joy when John P. Gillam first informed me of his collection of Jet Jungle memorabilia. Those of you who are familiar with The Pumamouse Website may know that John is the son of Springbok Radio "Back Room Boy" Del Gillam. I have always been very grateful for John's many contributions to "The Back Room Boy" subsection of this website, and now, I am doubly grateful to him for his many contributions to this new "Jet Jungle Gems" subsection.

Within this subsection, you will find all sorts of Jet Jungle related memorabilia�photos, adverts, comics, newsletters, sounds�but most importantly, you will perhaps find a gentle reminder�a distant memory of your own youth, when life was so much more simple for all of us than it is today. This sort of nostalgia is the genuine stuff that childhood dreams are made of, and I believe an occasional glimpse at it is truly beneficial to the spirit of the child who still lives in us all. So, please, make yourself comfortable, and browse through this subsection often at your leisure, and become a kid again with me, even if just for a little while�

The Pumamouse
(MaryAnne)
April 2004

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Pumamouse Pawnote: Special thanks to John P. Gillam for sharing his Jet Jungle treasures with The Pumamouse so that everyone may enjoy them!