The following 13 tapes are the raw interviews used for Spectrum 378 to 381 - The Scrimgeour Story. Content is as follows:
T 2380. Tells of early life, education, early church ministry and discusses experiences in various jobs. 1903-20. Dur: 25'00".
T 2381. Was a city missioner in Auckland, a Methodist Minister and Māori missioner. Recalls his relief work during the Depression and his socialist political outlook. 1925-35. Dur: 27'00".
*preserved to TCDR2381-2382, track one*
T 2382. His start in broadcasting, Tom Garland (Uncle Tom), religious broadcasting, the early days in radio, his Friendly Road programme and B Station broadcasting. 1935. Dur: 26'00".
*preserved to TCDR2381-2382, track two*
T 2383. Politicians and broadcasting, the jamming incident, John A.Lee, Labour Party politics and some personal comments about Michael J. Savage, Professor Shelley and John A.Lee. 1935-39. Dur: 27'00".
*preserved to TCDR2383-2384, track one*
T 2384. His feud with Peter Fraser who suspended the Friendly Road programme, mentions John A. Lee and Harry Holland, locked out of his own studio by Fraser, stood for Parliament against Fraser and was suspended for disobedience. 1938. Dur: 25'00".
*preserved to TCDR2383-2384, track two*
T 2385. Reinstated as Broadcasting head, called into military service (exeption withdrawn), volunteered for the Air Force, claims Fraser wanted him killed, left the Air Force, went to Australia and worked there for two newspapers. 1940. Dur: 23'00".
T 2386. In Australia, various aspects of Australian broadcasting, scientific writings and programmes, drama productions, being a rep for Towers Of London, the Ethics Committee, making commercials and being the advisor to the Police Boys Club. 1940-45. Dur: 28'40".
T 2387. Scrimgeour’s interest and involvement in early colour television experiments in Australia, David Sarnoff's early appearance on television in the experimental stage (USA), the purchase of Pagewood Studios, plant and lease (Sydney, Australia) in partnership with Sir Ben Fuller from Ealing and the difficulty of sustaining Australian film production in a ‘closed market’. Covers period 1940-50.
T 2388. Television in Australia, problems getting a licence and his loss to Frank Packer. After the death of Sir Ben Fuller, Fuller's son took over the partnership and then dissolved it, some of his own health problems, sponsored a protein business and became a boxing manager.
Claims New Zealand's 2 television networks are a financial disaster. 1950. Dur: 21'30".
T 2389. Went to China to direct the founding of television in China as a planning consultant. Comments on the Chinese, the language and technical problems. The celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the Republic Of China. 1958. Dur: 28'00".
T 2390. In China to set up television and comments on Chinese lifestyle, television programming, liaison officer between China and Western countries, award and citation from Chou En Lai, returned to Australia and his attempts to make protein without animals. 1950's. Dur: 27'00".
T 2391. The technical aspects of television in China, returned to China in 1968 for a visit, involvement with TV in New Zealand in 1972 for the second channel, personal philosophies and more on flying in his early days. Kingsford Smith and political problems, the Tasman airmail route, Scrim flew the Southern Cross for part of the last journey, Smith's fatal flight, Scrim organised a search and claims the search was obstructed. 1960/1950. Dur: 31'00".
T 2392. Various meanderings on his life, the Japanese invasion of China, his methods of broadcasting with no script used, the Friendly Road, comments by his wife Pam, and a general recap of his life. Dur: 24'31".