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Clip description
A popular radio jingle advertising an Australian brand of jelly crystals. The song was recorded in 1938 and broadcast on Sydney radio in the 1940s – up to 100 times a day.
Curator’s notes
John Dunne, a 2SM presenter and studio manager, is believed to have conducted the 2SM orchestra for the recording of the jingle. Dunne brought in ideas from America for the station and was keen to link advertisers with talent quests. The violin solo towards the end of the tune is performed by prize-winner Betty Elsa Gillas (later Rofe) who had won first prize on Uncle Tom’s Amateur Hour, a talent quest children’s program presented on 2SM by John Dunne. Seven-year-old Joy King won a state-wide competition in New South Wales to sing the 'Aeroplane Jelly Song’.
The tune is undeniably catchy, though its recognition factor was probably helped by the longevity of the advertising campaign and the frequency of the broadcast. A big part of the recording’s appeal is down to Joy’s charming and plaintive delivery of the simple lyrics. And in case you were wondering what aeroplanes have to do with jelly, the lyrics provide the answer: 'The quality’s high as the name will imply’. So now you know!
