This article is a combination of my interests in Old Time Radio shows and History and my addiction to Genealogy. I have been a fan of old time radio shows for the past thirty years and they have been a source of entertainment on long drives across Canada. By old time radio shows I mean radio shows from the 1930’s and 40’s like Fibber McGee and Molly, Suspense, Lights Out, Jack Benny, etc. These are primarily US-based programs. However, there are many Canadian-based old time radio shows such as The Happy Gang, This is Canada, etc. One Canadian show that caught my attention was Nazi Eyes on Canada (“Nazi Eyes”).
This article will give some background on Nazi Eyes, go on a bit of an historical junket regarding war propaganda, share interesting trivia and provide some (Nazi Eyes) links to genealogy that hopefully leave you wondering where else your ancestors left their mark.
Background
Nazi Eyes is a radio series, aired by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (“CBC”) and sponsored by the National War Finance Committee. But first, a word from our sponsor. The National War Finance Committee (the “Committee”) was established by the Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Government of Canada, on January 7, 1942. The Committee arranged, promoted and conducted campaigns for the sale of Victory Bonds to support the war effort. In addition, it developed and carried out campaigns to stimulate increased public appreciation of the need for, and value of, maximum voluntary savings out of wartime income. Nazi Eyes is an example of war propaganda broadcast during the Second World War.
Propaganda is “really no more than the communication of ideas designed to persuade people to think and behave in a certain way”, which was the desired effect of the Nazi Eyes broadcasts.
An essential characteristic of propaganda is that it rarely tells us the whole truth. Nazi Eyes fulfills that requirement. Propaganda can be characterized as being either “black” or “white”. Black propaganda describes material emanating from an undisclosed source, so that the receiver either has no idea where it is coming from or incorrectly identifies the source.
White propaganda is propaganda emanating from a clearly identifiable source such as the CBC, the National Film Board or the British Broadcasting Corporation. Nazi Eyes is clearly “white” propaganda since we know it was produced by the CBC and sponsored by the National War Finance Committee. Is there an example of “black” propaganda to come in this article? Read on!
When was it originally produced?
Nazi Eyes was produced in 1942 by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and aired in September and October 1942. In terms of the war effort, Nazi Eyes was produced when victory by the Allies was uncertain. A book published in 2011 by P.M.H. Bell, identifies twelve turning points of the Second World War fitting into three distinct phases. The first phase (1940-1941) represents the initial triumphs of the Axis forces (i.e. Battle of France, Pearl Harbour and initial victories in Russia). The second phase from the end of 1942 to 1943 represents a period of recovery for the Allied forces (Defeat of Rommel, Stalingrad, Battles of the Atlantic and Midway). The third phase of the war from 1943 to 1945 represents the final push to victory for the Allied powers. Winston Churchill’s statement on November 10, 1942, after the defeat of Rommel’s forces at El Alamein, supports this view: “Now, this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning”.
While Nazi Eyes did not change the course of the war, it was broadcast at a point in the war when the outcome was uncertain.
Nazi Eyes was comprised of six episodes which are summarized in further detail in Endnote # 1. The six episodes had similar characteristics and formats, and were based in New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
The episodes were broadcast on Sunday night from September 20, 1942 to October 24, 1942, and started with introductory comments from the main actor/narrator in the episode. These were always well known U.S. actors (i.e. Vincent Price, Orson Welles, Helen Hayes, Quentin Reynolds, etc.).
The first episode included an address from Prime Minister William Lyon MacKenzie King. The actor/narrator discussed the inspiration for Nazi Eyes: a book by a Nazi spy named Colin Ross, and introduced the Canadian family being portrayed in the episode including names and sometimes street address. Each family was seen in a friendly setting over dinner discussing the need for active support of the war effort. The same families were then seen five years later after the Axis forces had won the war. The families were shown suffering under Nazi control and wishing they had done more for the war effort. At the end of each episode the Canadian families being represented were asked for their reaction to the episode (perhaps one of your ancestors). Two common closing themes are: 1) “Nazi eyes on Canada must never become Nazi feet in Canada” and 2) “Open your Victory loan next week”.
Who is the author?
Using a broad definition of author, Nazi Eyes has several contributors to its development, leading to a familiar name: Colin Ross. J. Frank Willis produced Nazi Eyes and would have overseen and orchestrated the making of the radio show. J. Frank Willis would have relied on Alan King, a writer for CBC Radio to write the script, either original material or based on a source. On several occasions during the airing of Nazi Eyes we are told that programs are based on the writings of Colin Ross, specifically the book titled “Zwischen USA und Dem Pol” (Between USA and the Pole) published in 1934.
The book is referenced in the bibliography but is apparently only available in German. After the book was published, an article appeared in the New York Times noting the Pan-American view put forth by Colin Ross: “Pan-America can only be created through deliberate repression both in Canada and the United States of the unduly dominating Anglo-Saxon note”. Ross felt that the only predestined bearers of the Pan-American ideal are the Germans. Ross spent considerable time in the 1930’s in North America espousing his views (i.e. ‘black” propaganda). Padover stated that “Ross, as an officer of the Stuttgart propaganda institute, believed that democracy would soon collapse in America allowing Nazis to assume control”.
Who was the intended audience?
The intended audience for Nazi Eyes was a subset of Canadians who had radio sets in 1942. The assumption could be made that the audience would also need to be Canadians who had available resources to consider investing in Victory Bonds. However, that may be an invalid assumption as younger Canadians, listening to Nazi Eyes, might be motivated to ask their parents how they were contributing, or even consider how they could contribute to the war effort.
A secondary question would be whether the intended audience was listening. Here we have good news. The Archives of the Bank of Canada have provided an extract of a survey prepared in October of 1942 measuring the listening audience for Nazi Eyes. The survey was completed by the Canadian marketing research firm Elliott-Haynes. The result of the survey indicate that listenership was very high and Nazi Eyes was fifth in the ratings after very popular U.S. programs such as Fibber McGee and Lux Radio Theatre (See Table 1).
Table 1
Top Commercial Programs
(in terms of popularity during the month of October 1942)
| Position | Program Name |
| 1 | Lux Radio Theatre |
| 2 | Jack Benny |
| 3 | Charly McCarthy |
| 4 | Fibber McGee and Molly |
| 5 | Nazi Eyes on Canada |
| 10 | NHL Hockey |
While it is surprising to see NHL Hockey as number ten in the ratings that shock subsided quickly once it was noted that the 1942-43 NHL season did not start until October 31.
Why was this document produced?
Nazi Eyes was produced tor two primary reasons. The first reason was explicitly stated in each episode, and that was to encourage Canadians to buy Victory Bonds. The second reason was to stimulate the need for Canadians to be ever vigilant and supportive of the war effort by any means.
So, was Nazi Eyes successful in motivating people to buy Victory Bonds? The answer is unclear as there is no direct link. Several other fundraising efforts were being used simultaneously (i.e. advertising, newspapers, posters and billboards, other radio programs, etc.). Furthermore, the sales data combines individual and institutional purchases (i.e. Banks and pension funds). Nazi Eyes aired during the Third Victory Loan campaign which was is effect from October 19, 1942 to November 7, 1942. That campaign achieved 132% of its objective of $750 million.
One Canadian of note proposed another reason why Nazi Eyes was produced. William Aberhart, the Premier of Alberta, was quoted in the Regina Leader Post of October 27, 1942 as saying: “What are they trying to do to us? Scare us into supporting the war effort?”
What is omitted from this source?
It is well and good to produce war propaganda to garner support for Victory Bonds but Nazi Eyes, was only produced in English. What about the French population of Quebec? Were episodes of Nazi Eyes produced in French? The short answer is no! However, there was French language war propaganda. “Notre Canada” was a thirteen episode series aired in the same period. It was a slightly different format and was also loosely based on the writings of Colin Ross. In fact, the Bank of Canada survey shows that “Notre Canada” ranked sixth in Quebec.
The specific primary source, cited in this paper only includes five episodes of Nazi Eyes. There is a sixth episode which is missing. The episode, based in Quebec, has a similar format to the other Nazi Eyes episodes and was broadcast on September 27,1942. Old Time Radio enthusiasts are hopeful that this missing episode is safely stored in someone’s attic, waiting to be discovered.
Using 2019 sensitivities in 1942, might have alleviated Mr. Aberhart’s concerns noted in the last section. While Aberhart may have been excessive with his comments regarding “scaring the population”, it should be remembered that this was broadcast a mere four years after the Orson Welles “War of the Worlds” broadcast. Should some effort have been made to alert listeners that the Nazi conquest was fictional?
What can family historians and other historians know about the past from this source?
Nazi Eyes is a valuable resource for Family historians. The real Canadian families in each episode speak at the end of the episode. The prospect of hearing your grandmother or great grandmother’s voice on the radio in 1942 is quite exciting.
Historians can learn about the application of war propaganda and possibly use it as a measure of its potential positive and negative impacts. These programs, broadcast across Canada, possible hardened prejudices and stereotypes that have lasted far beyond the end of the war.
Political historians can assess the impact of various tools in persuading people to act in a certain way. Nazi Eyes and other propaganda used in 1942 was very successful in getting people to buy Victory Bonds. What else can we do with this kind of propaganda?
Bibliography
Archives, Bank of Canada, National War Finance Committee Fond. I wish to thank the Bank of Canada Archives for the material they provided in the completion of this article.
Bell, P. M. H. (Philip Michael Hett). Twelve Turning Points of the Second World War. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2011.
Churchill Society London. Churchill’s Speeches. Accessed March 2, 2019. http://www.churchill-society-london.org.uk/EndoBegn.html.
Colombo, John Robert. Colombo’s Canadian References. —. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1976.
Committee, Canada National War Finance. Statistics and Information on Dominion Government Public Borrowing Operations from September 1939 to December 1945.
King, Alan. “Nazi Eyes on Canada.” Radio broadcast (two sound cassettes) by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (“CBC”). Approximately 2 Hours and 30 Minutes.
Produced by J. Frank Willis, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 1942. Rights owned by Scenario Productions (2000).
New, W. H. (William Herbert), and Canadian Electronic Library – York University. Encyclopedia of Literature in Canada. Canadian Electronic Library. Toronto, Ont: University of Toronto Press, 2002. http://ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/login?url=http://books.scholarsportal.info/viewdoc.html?id=/ebooks/ebooks0/gibson_crkn/2009-12-01/6/418285
OTTO D TOLISCHUS. Wireless to THE NEW,YORK TIMES. (1935, Jun 16). NAZIS WOULD LEAD PAN-AMERICA MOVE. New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from http://ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/docview/101440976?accountid=15182
PADOVER, S. K.. “‘Unser Amerika’.” Forum and Century (1930-1940), 01, 1939, 3, http://ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest.com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/docview/90831733?accountid=15182.
Ross, Colin. “ Zwischen USA. und dem Pol”, 310 S. Leipzig, F.A. Brockhaus, 1934
Taylor, Philip M. Munitions of the Mind: A History of Propaganda from the Ancient World to the Present Day. 3rd ed. Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press, 2003.
EndNotes
EndNote # 1: Episodic summary of Nazi Eyes
Episode 1 was broadcast on September 20,1942. It featured the Welsh family of 287 Ossington in Toronto, Ontario. This episode included an introductory address by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. Helen Hays, the First lady of American theater, is key participant, leads the narration and participates in the episode.
She tells us that the story is based on a book written by Colin Ross, a Nazi spy. The story is of the happy Welsh family having a fun Saturday evening talking of their contribution to the war effort. The scene shifts to five years later and the same family assuming the Axis forces won the war and conquered Canada. The initial assertion is: “What couldn’t happen has happened”. We failed, I could have worked harder, millions of others could”. Now it’s too late.” Toronto Island is now a prisoner of war camp for Canadians and food is scarce. The Germans tell the Welsh family that their daughters will be sent to camps to fulfill their function of becoming Nazi mothers. At the end one of the episode one of the daughters exercises her last freedom: the freedom to die. Canadians are exhorted by the National War Finance Committee to support the Canadian war effort and buy Victory Bonds. The comment made in closing is that “Nazi eyes on Canada must never become Nazi feet in Canada”
Episode 2 was broadcast on September 27, 1942. It featured the inhabitants of the parish of Ste. Jeanne de Chantal on Ile Perrot near Montreal. Bert Lytell, a leading figure in American theater was a key participant. Unfortunately, while we know of the existence of the episode and its broadcast date, the episode has been lost or it is waiting to be discovered in someone’s attic. The episode’s goal was to help Canada realize the necessity of an all-out war effort and to purchase Victory Bonds.
Episode 3 was broadcast on October 4, 1942. It featured the Stephenson family of High River, Alberta (8 miles from the Duke of Windsor EP Ranch). Catherine Ross and House Daymond were the key participants. They were the main actors on a popular U.S. radio program of that time: “The Aldrich Family”. They remind the audience of Colin Ross, the Nazi spy who wrote the book on which this radio drama is based. They reiterate the phrase: “ What if Nazi eyes are followed by Nazi feet on Canada”. In a similar plot line to the previous episodes, the family is shown to be typically Canadian, enjoying a discussion of the events of the day. The comment is made that: “we won’t win the war unless we pour all our savings into the war effort”. The scene then shifts to five years later after the Nazi conquest of Canada. Families are being torn apart and children sent to re-education camps. The episode ends with an appeal for money. “everything above actual needs of life” and the exhortation that “nothing matters now but victory”.
Episode 4 was broadcast on October 11, 1942. It featured the Smith family of Fredericton, New Brunswick. Quentin Reynolds was the key narrator and talked about the Sandy Smith family. Quentin Reynolds was a well known American journalist and World War II correspondent. As in previous episodes the Smith’s are shown as a typical, happy Canadian family. The discussion turns to the Smith children already serving in the Canadian forces and everyone is reminded of service Canadian forces are doing for us. Five years later and Canada has been invaded by the Germans from the North and the Japanese on the West coast. Food rationing is imposed, families are separated and the men are sent to work camps. Sandy takes matters into his own hands and assassinates the Nazi Governor for the North Atlantic region. In retaliation all the males of Fredericton are killed. The women are sent to work camps and Fredericton is burned to the ground. Quentin says: “Impossible! Ask the residents of Lidice, Czechoslovakia. That is what they thought two years ago”.
Sandy Smith closed the episode with “Open your Victory loan next week”.
Episode 5 was broadcast on October 17, 1942. It featured Holly Metcalfe and Robert Q. Maxwell of Vancouver British Columbia. Judith Evelyn and Vincent Price were the key participants. Judith was an American-Canadian stage and film actress. Vincent Price was an up and coming stage actor in 1942.
During the episode we find that Holly and Bob are newlyweds. Bob is classified as providing an essential service and his not allowed to join the armed forces. Being a good Canadian he serves his country well and builds a successful business in British Columbia. He is proud of being Canadian and doing deals with “handshakes”. He terms that as being the “white man’s” way to do business. He continues with a discussion of his “not so good” clients, the Japanese. The Japanese are “the only people he has trouble with”.
Five years later the Nazi’s have conquered Canada and Hitler gave British Columbia to the Japanese. Bob says: “we were too busy looking after our interests”, “we could have done things differently in 1942” and “we failed because we thought we could win without giving our all, there is no victory without self-denial”.
In this episode the Canadian-Japanese extract revenge, families are split up and the Maxwell’s decide to commit suicide rather than live in this world.
Episode 6 was broadcast on October 24, 1942, almost four years to the day after the infamous “War of the Worlds” broadcast orchestrated by Orson Welles, our narrator for this episode of Nazi Eyes. The broadcast featured Sam Dornan, the editor of the Alameda Dispatch in Alameda, Saskatchewan. Alameda is a village of 300 people.
Sam is portrayed as a defender of the freedom of the press and one of the combatants in the resistance effort against the Nazi invasion of Canada. Sam is brought to Ottawa to stand trial while looking at the Nazi swastika flying over the Peace Tower.
The broadcast emphasizes the importance of exceeding the quota on money to be raised in the Victory Bond campaign, an achievement that Alameda Saskatchewan regularly accomplishes.
J.L. Ilsey, Canadian Minister of Finance thanked Orson Welles, on behalf of the National War Finance Committee for his efforts and asked (the listening audience) if everyone had given to their maximum.
Each episode concluded with a reminder by the real Canadians represented in each episode that everyone should do all they could to support the war effort.