The Bush Legend Explained

The Bush Legend is a 1938 Australian musical operetta by Clive Douglas.^{[1] [2] [3]}

It was used to launch the Tasmanian radio station 7ZR.^[4] It was one of the ABC's major productions of the year.^[5]

The story was reportedly based on one from Aboriginals in the Weeroona River area.^[6]

There were other produdctions in 1948 and it was played for the BBC in 1950.^[7]

Premise

"A dramatic impression based on aboriginal folk-lore, and captures the atmosphere of the Australian bush. Woven into it is an idealised conception of the aborigine as he was in ages past. Mr. Douglas has made free use of aboriginal names and expressions both for their euphonious beauty and the added local colour."

Notes and References

1. G. W. Howard, 'Douglas, Clive Martin (1903–1977)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/douglas-clive-martin-10036/text17695, published first in hardcopy 1996, accessed online 9 February 2024.
2. News: Clive Douglas . . XXXIV . 1739 . 28 November 1941 . 9 February 2024 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
3. News: Music and Drama Tasmanians Will Supply . . CXLVIII . ((21,068)) . 4 June 1938 . 9 February 2024 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: New Broadcasting Station . . 28 . 2592 . 2 June 1938 . 9 February 2024 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
5. Sixth Annual Report and Balance-Sheet of The Australian Broadcasting Commission for Year 1937-38 . Sydney . Australian Broadcasting Commission . 9 February 2024 . Trove.
6. News: Tabloid Opera . . 57 . ((17,199)) . 21 August 1941 . 9 February 2024 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
7. News: Australian Music From BBC . . ((22,818)) . 11 July 1950 . 9 February 2024 . 8 . National Library of Australia.