Valley of the Sky

Valley of the Sky is a 1937 Australian novel by Tarlton Rayment that was based on the life of Angus McMillan.[2]

Valley of the Sky
AuthorTarlton Rayment
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
Set inGippsland
PublisherAngus & Robertson
Publication date
1937
AwardsBritish Empire Prize[1]

According to one magazine "This is perhaps the first occasion in which Australian natives have figured so prominently in a novel other than children’s books or native fairy-tales. Prologue and epilogue belong entirely to the aborigines."[3]

The novel won a British Empire prize, was translated into a number of other languages, was assigned as a school text, and the film rights were sold to Warner Bros, an American company.[1][4]

It was adapted for radio in 1939 by Edmund Barclay.[5][6]

Premise

The story of Angus McCallan, a pioneer farmer.

1939 radio adaptation
The Valley of Sky
Wireless Weekly, July 5, 1939
Genredrama serial
Running time8:00 pm–
Country of originAustralia
Language(s)English
Home station2BL[7]
SyndicatesABC
Written byEdmund Barclay
Directed byLawrence H. Cecil
Recording studioSydney
Original release3 October 1938
No. of series1

The novel was adapted for radio in 1938.[8] Then it was broadcast again in 1939.[9]

It was part of an increasing number of Australian written scripts on the ABC.[10]

According to a press release "Dealing with the efforts of early Gippsland pioneers to wrest a livelihood from a virgin country, this story should find ready appeal with listeners. Based on historical facts, it has a well-drawn character in Angus Mac Allan for its central figure. Forest aborigines, who are qiven very sympathetic treatment by Rayment, play a moving part in the development of the serial. Apart from its deft characterisation and quiet humor, the story is full of quick moving action."[11]

Wireless Weekly said " I have never spoken to an aboriginal.But I venture to suggest that certain players in the National serial, “Valley of the Sky,” were a little too cultured in their portrayals of Australian natives. “Valley of the Sky” is a good, solid story, and one that should do well as a radio play."[12]

Select episodes
  • Ep 1 Land Hungry[13] or Partners[14]
  • Ep 2 Tribal Law[15]
  • Ep 3 Pointing the Bone
  • Ep 4 Winsome
  • Ep 5 My Son[16]
  • Ep 6 The Newcomers
  • Ep 7 Good and Bad[17]
  • Ep 8 Diane
  • Ep 9 Treachery
  • Ep 10 Blood Lust
  • Ep 11 The Choice
  • Ep 20
  • Final episode The Sky[18]

References
  1. "Distinguished Visitor". The Inverell Times. New South Wales, Australia. 19 June 1944. p. 2. Retrieved 26 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. Kenneth L. Walker, 'Rayment, Percy Tarlton (1882–1964)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/rayment-percy-tarlton-8164/text14271, published first in hardcopy 1988, accessed online 26 September 2023.
  3. "Let's Talk About Books", The Australian woman's mirror., Sydney: The Bulletin Newspaper (Vol. 13 No. 19 (6 April 1937)), nla.obj-529037896, retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Trove
  4. "New Firm to Take Over Thomson Seating Co.", Everyones., Sydney: Everyones Ltd (Vol.15 No.351 (9 September 1936)), nla.obj-570053207, retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Trove
  5. ""VALLEY OF THE SKY"". Daily Examiner. Vol. 30, no. 9648. New South Wales, Australia. 10 July 1939. p. 7. Retrieved 26 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Author Rayment's Work". Smith's Weekly. Vol. XXVIII, no. 28. New South Wales, Australia. 7 September 1946. p. 27. Retrieved 26 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. Australasian Radio Relay League, "Monday, Oct. 3 – Rapid Radio Guide", The wireless weekly: the hundred per cent Australian radio journal, Sydney: Wireless Press (Vol. 32 No. 14 (September 30, 1938)), nla.obj-714588323, retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Trove
  8. "The Days of the Pioneers". Macleay Argus. No. 8713. New South Wales, Australia. 18 July 1939. p. 6. Retrieved 26 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "On National Radio To-Night". The Sun. No. 9208. New South Wales, Australia. 10 July 1939. p. 16 (Late Final Extra). Retrieved 26 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. Australasian Radio Relay League (August 2, 1939), "Australian Plays By A.B.C.", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, Sydney: Wireless Press, 34 (19), nla.obj-726372772, retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Trove
  11. Australasian Radio Relay League (September 30, 1938), "Aunty Tanya's Mail Box", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, Sydney: Wireless Press, 32 (14), nla.obj-714586280, retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Trove
  12. Australasian Radio Relay League, "Slipped Out Of Character", The wireless weekly: the hundred per cent Australian radio journal, Sydney: Wireless Press (Vol. 34 No. 18 (July 26, 1939)), nla.obj-725877537, retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Trove
  13. Australasian Radio Relay League, "Radio Plays – National Network", The wireless weekly: the hundred per cent Australian radio journal, Sydney: Wireless Press (Vol. 32 No. 14 (September 30, 1938)), nla.obj-714586501, retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Trove
  14. Australasian Radio Relay League, "Monday.... July 10", The wireless weekly: the hundred per cent Australian radio journal, Sydney: Wireless Press (Vol. 34 No. 15 (July 5, 1939)), nla.obj-725863113, retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Trove
  15. Australasian Radio Relay League, "Monday.... July 17", The wireless weekly: the hundred per cent Australian radio journal, Sydney: Wireless Press (Vol. 34 No. 16 (July 12, 1939)), nla.obj-725851711, retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Trove
  16. Australasian Radio Relay League (August 2, 1939), "Monday. . . . Aug 7", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, Sydney: Wireless Press, 34 (19), nla.obj-726375454, retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Trove
  17. Australasian Radio Relay League, "Monday ... Aug. 21", The wireless weekly: the hundred per cent Australian radio journal, Sydney: Wireless Press (Vol. 34 No. 21 (August 16, 1939)), nla.obj-726400738, retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Trove
  18. Australasian Radio Relay League, "MONDAY .... OCT. 2", The wireless weekly: the hundred per cent Australian radio journal, Sydney: Wireless Press (Vol. 34 No. 27 (September 27, 1939)), nla.obj-726320377, retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Trove
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