Harry Dearth

Harry Dearth
Born
Henry Alan Dearth

(1908-08-12)12 August 1908
Fulham, London
Died7 July 1964(1964-07-07) (aged 55)
Cammeray, Sydney
EducationCranleigh School, Surrey (1917–1923)
OccupationsActor, producer
SpouseMona Potts (m. 15 June 1935)
Children2

Harry Dearth (12 August 1908 – 7 July 1964) was an Australian actor and producer best known for his career in radio. He was one of the leading radio producers in Australia in the 1940s and 1950s.[1][2][3][4] He also worked in television[5] and theatre.[6]

Early life

Dearth was born on 12 August 1908 in Fulham, London, to Henry Dearth and Edith Eliza Eleanor, née Bristow, who were renowned singers. He attended Cranleigh School, Surrey from 1917 to 1923, where he passed the Oxford and Cambridge examination.[1]

Dearth claimed to have spent six months in the 20th Middlesex (Artists) Rifle Volunteers in London.[1] Arriving in Sydney on 31 May 1926, he worked as jackaroo on stations at Garangula, Cunningar and Wingadee, Coonamble.[1]

Career

In 1929, Dearth started working in theatre, in Sydney. with J. C. Williamson's. Beginning in the chorus, he progressed to minor roles in musical comedies, including 1933 productions of Our Miss Gibbs[1] and Gay Divorce. He left the cast of the latter production to take up a position as a radio announcer on 2FC.[7]

Continuing in radio, Dearth began a position with the ABC.[1] In 1934, he became an announcer on 2GB, presenting serials such as Melody and Mirth with Harry Dearth.[1] During this time, he took singing lessons to learn correct breathing.[1] He also played supporting roles with the BSA Players (Broadcasting Services Association), and took roles under Doris Fitton at Sydney's Independent Theatre.[1] He later became a director of the John Alden Company.[1]

In 1939, Dearth became a producer of the Australian version of Lux Radio Theatre, broadcast nationally.[1] He also produced and hosted talent series Australia's Amateur Hour from 1940. He continued on both series until beginning service in the RAAF in 1942.[1][8] His appointment ended in December 1945, after which time he returned to Lux Radio Theatre, where he remained until its conclusion in 1951.[1]

From 1952 to 1954, Dearth became producer and compère of Leave It to the Girls and The General Motors Hour on 2GB, before moving to 2UW to present Harry Dearth's Playhouse.[1]

On television, Hearth produced simulcasts for 2GB/ATN-7, before becoming production manager at ATN in 1960.[1] He also produced and had an acting role in the television series Jonah in 1962.[1][9]

Personal life

After having appeared on stage with actress Mona Potts in a J. C. Williamson's production of Gay Divorce in 1933,[10][6][7] Dearth married Potts on 15 June 1935 at St Philip's Anglican Church, in Sydney.[1]

In 1963, while was overseas studying television techniques, Dearth's respiratory health declined. He died of cancer on 7 July 1964 at home in Cammeray, Sydney, and was survived by his wife, daughter, Harriet and son, Henry.[1][11]

Select credits

Radio

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1934 Melody and Mirth with Harry Dearth Presenter Serial [1]
1939–1942; 1945–1951 Lux Radio Theatre Producer Serial [1]
1940–1942 Australia's Amateur Hour Producer Serial [1][8]
1952–1954 Leave It to the Girls Producer / Compère Serial [1]
1952–1954 The General Motors Hour Producer / Compère Serial [1]
Harry Dearth's Playhouse Presenter Serial [1]

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1933 Our Miss Gibbs Actor J. C. Williamson's [1]
1934 The Girl Friend Porter King's Theatre, Melbourne with J. C. Williamson's [6][12]
Gay Divorce Porter Theatre Royal, Adelaide, Theatre Royal Sydney with J. C. Williamson's [6]
Blue Mountain Melody Reggie Theatre Royal Sydney with J. C. Williamson's [6]
1942 Thumbs Up Performer Her Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane with J. C. Williamson's [6]
1950 The Merchant of Venice Bassanio St James' Hall, Sydney with John Alden Company [13]
1951–1952 King Lear Director Theatre Royal, Adelaide, Albert Hall, Canberra with John Alden Company [6]
John Alden Company National Tour Director Australian tour [6]
1952 The Merchant of Venice Director Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, Theatre Royal, Adelaide with John Alden Company [6]
The Merry Wives of Windsor Director Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, Theatre Royal, Adelaide, Albert Hall, Canberra with John Alden Company [6]
A Midsummer Night's Dream Director Theatre Royal, Adelaide with John Alden Company [6]
The Winter's Tale Director His Majesty's Theatre, Perth with John Alden Company [6]

Film and television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1937 A Nation Is Built Narrator TV documentary film
1941 It's the Navy Narrator Short film
Road to Victory: Milestones in the Struggle for Liberty Narrator Documentary film
1957 Pantomime Quiz Host 2 episodes
1958 What’s in the Picture Host Series
1960 This is Television Presenter Documentary [14]
1960–1961 Whiplash Casting consultant 25 episodes
1961 Sir John Wickett 1 episode
1962–1963 Jonah Executive producer / actor 19 episodes [1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Combe, Diana R. (1993). "Henry Alan (Harry) Dearth (1908–1964)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Melbourne University Press. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  2. ^ Australian Broadcasting Commission (26 January 1946) [1939], "HARRY DEARTH RETURNS", v. : ill. ; 29cm., ABC Weekly, 8 (2), Sydney: ABC, nla.obj-1353598424, retrieved 26 June 2023 – via Trove
  3. ^ "harry Dearth Leaving 2GB". Illawarra Daily Mercury. New South Wales, Australia. 4 September 1954. p. 1. Retrieved 26 June 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ Australian Broadcasting Commission (9 August 1947) [1939], "Lux Producer-Director Harry Dearth Says COMMERCIAL RADIO RELIES ON PEACE IN INDUSTRY", ABC Weekly, 9 (32), Sydney: ABC, nla.obj-1425388950, retrieved 26 June 2023 – via Trove
  5. ^ "Popular radio artist dies". The Canberra Times. Vol. 38, no. 10, 894. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 8 July 1964. p. 1. Retrieved 26 June 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Harry Dearth". AusStage. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  7. ^ a b "Stage Romance". The Sun. 19 October 1934. p. 10. Retrieved 10 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia / Trove.
  8. ^ a b "AUSTRALIA'S AMATEUR HOUR". National Film and Sound Archive. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  9. ^ Vagg, Stephen. "Forgotten Australian TV Series: Jonah". FilmInk. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  10. ^ "Australia – Revivals: The Girl Friend – 1934 Revival". Theatre Heritage Australia. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  11. ^ "Popular radio artist dies". The Canberra Times. 8 July 1964. p. 1. Retrieved 10 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia / Trove.
  12. ^ "The Girl Friend – 1934 Revival". AusStage. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  13. ^ "The Merchant of Venice, John Alden Company; 25 August 1950; 204". www.ehive.com. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  14. ^ Vagg, Stephen. "Forgotten Australian Television Documentaries: This is Television". FilmInk. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
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