Big Town

Broadcast History: 19 October 1937 to 2 July 1942, 5 October 1943 to 22 June 1947, 14 September 1948 to 25 December 1951 and 12 December 1951 to 25 June 1952

Big Town was perhaps the most famous series of reporter dramas. It featured the adventures of Steve Wilson, the crusading editor of The Illustrated Press. The show was written by Jerry McGill, an ex-newspaperman, and his reporters were diligent, sober champions of justice, zealously pushing freedom of the press, creating a memorable slogan; “Freedom of the press is a flaming sword! Use is justly … hold it high … guard it well.” The shows occasionally attacked juvenile delinquency, racism and drink driving amongst other soapbox related incidents.