This episode was originally released on 9/1/2020. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 107, we go back to school with the Nelson family and find out why David and Ricky joined the program, and how it affected the entertainment industry forever. —————————— Highlights: • Oswald George Nelson—Boy from New Jersey • The Ukulele Craze and the Boy scout Jamboree • Ozzie Starts a Band • Splitting Time Between Football and Music • Cleaning Up Around Town • On the Banks of the Old Raritan • Law School and WMCA • Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra Gets on Radio • Ozzie Meet Harriet • Harriet Hilliard—One Heck of a Talent • Harriet Joins the Band • Joe Penner and Robert Ripley • Getting Married—Harriet Becomes a Film Star • Touring—David and Eric Are Born • Red Skelton • The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet is Born • Changing Networks in 1948 • Jack Benny Jumps to CBS—David and Ricky Join the Show • Finding Their Groove as a Family • ABC and a Ten-Year Contract • Here Come The Nelsons to Television • Looking Ahead to Halloween —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today’s episode was: • On the Air — By John Dunning • Ozzie — By Ozzie Nelson • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — By Jim Ramsburg • Before Television — By Glenhall Taylor • As well as articles from the archives of Broadcasting Magazine, Sponsor Magazine, Radio Daily, and Radio Mirror. —————————— On the interview front: • Ozzie Nelson spoke with: Johnny Carson, Chuck Cecil, and James Day • Ricky Nelson spoke with Johnny Carson and David Hartman • David Nelson spoke with David Hartman, and KRLA • Jack Wagner and Johnny Hayes were also with KRLA • While Harriet Nelson spoke with David Hartman and Chuck Schaden • Chuck Schaden also interviewed Jack Benny, Lurene Tuttle and Janet Waldo Hear these chats and others from Chuck’s forty-year career at SpeakingOfRadio.com —————————— Selected music featured in today’s episode was: • Theme from A Summer Place — By The Ventures • Colorado Trail — From Stephen Ives’ The West • On The Banks of the Old Raritan — By The Rutgers Alma Mater Choir • Auld Lang Syne — By the Manhattan Strings • Dream a Little Dream of Me and Jersey Bounce — By Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra • Get Thee Behind Me Satan — By Harriet Hilliard Nelson • I Will Follow You — By Ricky Nelson • The Haunted House Boogie — By Jack Rivers and Happy Wilson

BW - EP107: Back to School with The Nelsons (1933 - 1954) [Rewind]

This episode was originally released on 8/1/2020. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 106, we join Eve Arden at Madison High School and find out why we all love Our Miss Brooks. —————————— Highlights: • Who is Eunice Quedens? • Eve the heroine with Elizabeth Arden cosmetics. • Starting out in Hollywood • Getting on the Radio • Teaming with Danny Kaye, Jack Haley, and Jack Carson • William Paley and his Packaged Program Initiative • My Friend Irma and Two New Proposed Female-driven Situation Comedies • Our Miss Booth—Not Happening • Eve Arden, meet Connie Brooks • Our Miss Brooks—The New Summer Hit • Colgate Signs on in the Fall of 1948 • Cast Camaraderie • Eve Arden—Radio’s Top Comedienne • Miss Brooks Gains Traction • Taking the Show into TV without Jeff Chandler • Winding down the Radio Show • Looking Ahead to September —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today’s episode was: On the Air — By John Dunning Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — By Jim Ramsburg As well as articles from the archives of Broadcasting Magazine, Radio Daily, and Radio Mirror. —————————— On the interview front: Eve Arden, Gale Gordon, Jack Haley and Gloria McMillan were with Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingofRadio.com. Eve Arden was also with John Dunning on July 25th, 1982 for 71KNUS Mary Jane Croft was with SPERDVAC on March 14th, 1992. For more information, please go to SPERDVAC.com. Shirley Booth was with Dick Cavett in 1971. And Ozzie and Harriet Nelson were on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show on November 18th, 1969. —————————— Selected music featured in today’s episode was: • It’s Been a Long Long Time — By The Harry James Band • Easy Street — By June Christy • Living Without You — By George Winston • Hello Mary Lou — By Ricky Nelson

BW - EP106: Summer Vacation with Our Miss Brooks (1948 - 1954) [Rewind]

This episode was originally released on 7/1/2020. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls Episode 105 we pour shots and take dictation with The Adventures of Sam Spade. —————————— Highlights: • Bill Spier’s Musical Beginnings Lead to Suspense • Howard Duff: Unknown Actor • How About Now For Sam Spade? • CBS and ABC compete for Spade • Spade Versus Bergen & McCarthy • 1947-48: Radio’s Highest-Rated Season • Spade Hits Its Stride • Stop The Music • June Havoc, Uncredited Spade Actress • Unamerican Hammett? Unamerican Duff? • Spade Gets Cancelled—Twice • Howard Duff: Radio Preservationist • What’s Next —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today’s episode was: On the Air — By John Dunning Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — By Jim Ramsburg As well as articles from the archives of Billboard Magazine, Broadcasting Magazine, Radio Daily, and Variety. —————————— On the interview front: • Eve Arden, Howard Duff, and Lurene Tuttle were with Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingofRadio.com. • Dick Joy, Elliott Lewis, and E. Jack Neuman were with John Dunning for his 71KNUS program from Denver. • Howard Duff, June Havoc, and Bill Spier were with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. Hear their full chats at https://goldenage-wtic.org/ • Lurene Tuttle remembered radio with Same Time, Same Station on February 6th, 1972. • Frank Stanton spoke with CBS in honor of their 50th anniversary in 1977. • Mary Jane Croft was with SPERDVAC on March 14th, 1992. For more information, please go to SPERDVAC.com. —————————— Selected music featured in today’s episode was: • Fever — By Peggy Lee • Smoke Gets In Your Eyes — By The Mallett Men • Young At Heart — By Frank Sinatra • The Prologue and Main Title piece from High Spirits — By George Fenton • Atomic Cocktail — By Slim Gaillard

BW - EP105: Sam Spade Comes to Radio (1946 - 1951) [Rewind]

This episode was originally released on 6/1/2020. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls Episode 104 we focus on Orson Welles’ radio career from Pearl Harbor through the end of radio’s peak, and pick up where we left off in Breaking Walls episode 79. —————————— Highlights: • Orson Returns to Radio In the Fall of 1941 • The Magnificent Ambersons Enters Productions • December 7th, 1941 • Orson and Norman Corwin Collaborate • Orson is Named Pan-American Goodwill Ambassador • It’s All True and Brazil • Problems with RKO • Endings Changed, Others Destroyed • Orson gets fired—Returns to the United States in the fall of 1942 • Ceiling Unlimited And Hello Americans • Jane Eyre • Jack Benny Gets Sick, Orson filles in as host • The Mercury Wonder Show • Rita • Marriage, again • Busy Radio Days in 1944 • The Orson Welles Almanac • Campaigning for FDR • Donovan’s Brain • D Day • Election Day—1944 • Rita and Orson meet Rebecca • Christmas 1944 • This is My Best • Our President is Dead • More Collaborations with Corwin • The War Ends • The Stranger • Around the World in Eighty Days • The Mercury Summer Theater • The Lady From Shanghai • Divorce • Macbeth • Europe and the end for Welles on American radio —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today’s episode was: • Citizen Welles by Frank Brady • This is Orson Welles by Welles and Peter Bogdanovich • On the Air — By John Dunning • Discovering Orson Welles by Jonathan Rosenbaum • Orson Welles on the Air, at OrsonWelles.Indiana.edu • Wellesnet.com. —————————— On the interview front: • Orson Welles was with Peter Bogdonavich, Dick Cavett, Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, Leslie MeGahey, Dinah Shore, and Huw Wheldon. • Byron Kane and Jeanette Nolan were with SPERDVAC, the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety, and Comedy. For more information, please go to SPERDVAC.com • Norman Corwin was with Chuck Schaden. Hear the full chat at SpeakingofRadio.com. • Howard Duff was with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. Hear their full chat at Goldenage-WTIC.org. • Robert Wise was with Leslie MeGahey. • Jack Benny spoke with Jack Carney. • Lurene Tuttle spoke with Same Time, Same Station in 1972. • Agnes Moorehead was with Dick Cavett in 1973. —————————— Selected music featured in today’s episode was: • Perfida — By Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra • The Klezmer’s Wedding — By Andre Moisan • The Third Man — By Anton Karas • Hooray for Hollywood — By Don Swan • The Battle Cry of Freedom — By Jacqueline Schwab • Star of Bethlehem — Conducted by John Williams

BW - EP104: Orson Welles' Radio Career From Pearl Harbor to the End of Radio’s Peak (1941—1948) [Rewind]

This episode was originally released on 5/1/2020. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls Episode 103 we visit the town of Wistful Vista to spend a weekend at Walt’s Malt Shop with Fibber McGee and Molly. While between 1938 and 1950, Jim and Marian Jordan’s comedy never finished lower than fifth in national radio ratings, in this episode, we’ll focus on the period after, when the show became a closed production and aired for fifteen minutes, five days per week. —————————— Highlights: Jim Jordan—Saver of Things Who is this Fibber McGee and What does he do? First Smackout, by way of Chicago Marian Jordan—Molly McGee Fibber and Molly join NBC When Tuesday Night was Comedy Night Television takes over as NBC’s Stars Jump Ship Fibber and Molly Take a Ratings Hit Marian’s Health Deteriorates NBC’s plan for the 1950s Fibber and Molly Becomes a Serial Finding Success Taking Over Walt’s Malt After the Weekend Winding Down Looking Back to Look Forward —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today’s episode was: On the Air — By John Dunning Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — by Jim Ramsburg As well as several articles from Broadcasting Magazine, Radio & TV Mirror, and Sponsor Magazine. —————————— On the interview front: Parley Baer and Harry Bartell were with SPERDVAC, the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety, and Comedy. For more information, please go to SPERDVAC.com Elvia Allman, Jim Jordan, Jim Jordan Jr, Phil Leslie, Willard Waterman, and Don Wilson were with Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingofRadio.com. Jim Jordan was with John Dunning for his 71KNUS program from Denver in 1982. Don Quinn was interviewed in Hawaii by Owen Cunningham while on vacation in 1951. And John Gibson and Jim Jordan were with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. Hear their full chat at Goldenage—WTIC.org —————————— Selected music featured in today’s episode was: Caravan — By Gordon Jenkins Goodbye Montana, Pt. 1 — By George Winston I Forgot to Remember to Forget — By Elvis Presley Route 66 — By Nat King Cole

BW - EP103: A Weekend at the Malt Shop with Fibber McGee and Molly (1955) [Rewind]

This episode was originally released on 4/1/2020. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls Episode 102, we travel back to the fall of 1955 for the re-launch of Yours Truly Johnny Dollar. Although the five-part Dollar format would last for only a year, listeners then and in the years since have praised the productions as some of the best ever. —————————— Highlights: • Who is Johnny Dollar? • Dick Powell: Not Johnny Dollar • Dollar Launches in February of 1949 • Enter The Movie Star • Enter The Second Movie Star • Dollar Signs Off • The Radio Networks Revamp Programming • Jack Johnstone and Jimmy Stewart • Dollar Reborn, with Gerald Mohr? • Bob Bailey Gets the Role • Relaunching Johnny Dollar • After The Final Curtain • Looking Back to Look Ahead —————————— The WallBreakers: thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today’s episode was: • The 1955 Broadcasting Magazine Yearbook • The 1955 Radio Networks Annual • The Winter 1956 Journal of Broadcasting Quarterly • The Who Is Johnny Dollar Matter — By John C. Abbott • On the Air — By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — by Jim Ramsburg • Broadcasting Magazine — September 19th, 1955; October 3rd, 1955; and April 2nd, 1956 • Radio & TV Mirror — 1955 —————————— On the interview front: • Mary Jane Croft, Herb Ellis, Jack Johnstone, Elliott Lewis, Jeanette Nolan, were with SPERDVAC, the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety, and Comedy. For more information, please go to SPERDVAC.com • Virginia Gregg and Parley Baer were with Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingofRadio.com. • Roberta Bailey Goodwin and E. Jack Neuman were with John Dunning for his 71KNUS program from Denver • Hans Conried was with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. Hear their full chat at Goldenage—WTIC.org —————————— Selected music featured in today’s episode was: • Caravan — By 80 Drums Around The World. • Pyramid to the Sun & Roller Coaster — By Les Baxter • Exotique Bossa Nova — By Martin Denny • I’ll Be Seeing You — By The Harry James Band • Sleep Walk — By Henri René • Good Timin’ — By Jimmy Jones

BW - EP102: The Return of Johnny Dollar (1955) [Rewind]

This episode was originally released on 3/1/2020. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 101, we spotlight the career of John Dehner during 1958. In February of that year, Dehner was cast in the title role of J.B. Kendall in Antony Ellis’ short-lived western, Frontier Gentleman. We’ll focus on four episodes of the series which had a recurring character named Belle Siddons, a beautiful gambler and ex-Confederate spy. Although Frontier Gentleman only aired for nine months, it has left a lasting impression on listeners in the years since. —————————— Highlights: • John Dehner: Artist and Disney Animator • How John Dehner Got Into Radio • Breaking Into the Inner Circle of CBS West-Coast Character Actors • Television Usurps Radio Drama in the 1950s • How Gunsmoke Influenced the Western Drama • Antony Ellis • CBS Radio Turns a Profit in 1957 • Frontier Gentleman Is Launched • The Radio Landscape in February of 1958 • The Travels of J.B. Kendall • Who Is Belle Siddons? • Love and Honor • Have Gun Will Travel Replaces Frontier Gentleman • Radio Drama Dies • Looking Ahead to the Return of Johnny Dollar —————————— The WallBreakers: thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today’s episode was: • On The Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio - by John Dunning • Radio Rides The Range: A Reference Guide to Western Drama on the Air, 1929 - 1967 by Jack French and David S. Siegel • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-1953 - by Jim Ramsburg As well as articles from: • U.S. Radio, 2/1958, and Broadcasting Magazine 2/101958, and 12/8/1958 —————————— On the interview front: • Harry Bartell, Lilian Buyeff, John Dehner, Lawrence Dobkin, Sam Edwards, Virginia Gregg, Jack Johnstone, and Vic Perrin were with SPERDVAC, the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety, and Comedy. For more information, please go to SPERDVAC.com • Virginia Gregg was also with Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chat at SpeakingofRadio.com. • William Conrad, John Dehner, Norman Macdonnell, and William N. Robson were with John Hickman. Mr. Hickman was the longtime host of WAMU’s Recollections. Today, this program is heard each Sunday evening as The Big Broadcast. For more information, please go to WAMU.org • John Dehner and Vic Perrin were also heard with Neil Ross for KMPC in 1982. • Vincent Price and William N Robson were with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. These interviews can be heard at GoldenAge-WTIC.org. • And Roberta Goodwin was with John Dunning for his 71KNUS program from Denver on February 7th, 1982. —————————— Selected Music featured in today’s episode was: • Hog of The Forsaken - By Michael Hurley • Ghost Bus Tours - By George Fenton for High Spirits • Sligo Creek - By Al Petteway and Debi Smith for Ken Burns’ The National Parks—America’s Best Idea • Get a Job - By The Silhouettes • Someone to Watch Over Me - By Rosemary Squires & The Ken Thorne Orchestra • Young at Heart - By Frank Sinatra • Guess Things Happen That Way - By Johnny Cash

BW - EP101: Frontier Gentleman and The Saga of Belle Siddons (1958) [Rewind]

This episode was originally released on 2/1/2020. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 100 we focus on the radio career of Lucille Ball, arguably the most famous comedienne of the twentieth century. She rose through the ranks in New York as a model before a small role in Eddie Cantor’s Roman Scandals brought her to Hollywood in 1933 where she gained prominence. When the 1940s began, Ball was a b-film actress known for playing the other woman. As she gained critical respect for both her dramatic and comedic ability, she insisted that her and Desi Arnaz made a perfect on-screen duo. It led to a revolution in the way TV was shot and produced in the 1950s, all under their company Desilu. —————————— Highlights: • Jack Haley, Phil Baker, and RKO • Lucy Meets Gale Gordon • How a Holiday Publicity Trip to New York changed Lucy’s Life • Lucy meets Desi • Too Many Girls • Lucy and Desi Elope in November 1940 • Harold Lloyd’s A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob and The Old Gold Comedy Theater • The Tragic Death of Carole Lombard and Lucy’s First Miscarriage • Lucy Stars on Suspense • Desi Strays and Lucy Files for Divorce • The Couple Reconciles and Decides To Work in Radio • Desi and Bob Hope • CBS, My Sister Eileen, and My Friend Irma • Lucy Guests with Jimmy Durante and Bob Hope • Eve Arden and Our Miss Brooks • Lucy Says "Yes" to Bill Paley and My Favorite Husband is Born • Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll Jr., and Madelyn Pugh Join The Team • Lucy Wants to Work With Desi • I Love Lucy is Developed and Philip Morris Signs On • The I Love Lucy Radio Pilot • Changing History and Looking Ahead —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today’s episode was: • The I Love Lucy Book - By Bart Andrews • Love Lucy - By Lucille Ball • On the Air - By John Dunning • Desilu - By Coyne Stevens Sanders and Tom Gilbert • The Complete History of the Most Popular TV Show Ever - By Michael McClay • Forever Lucy - By Joe Morella • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — by Jim Ramsburg As well as several articles from: Broadcasting Magazine and Radio Daily, from between 1938 and 1951 —————————— On the interview front: • Lucille Ball was interviewed by Dick Cavett in 1970 and 1971; by Johnny Carson in 1974; and by Joan Rivers in 1984 • Desi Arnaz was interviewed with Bob Hope by Johnny Carson in 1976 and by David Letterman in 1983 • Jess Oppenheimer was interviewed in 1961. This interview came courtesy of Gregg Oppenheimer and I Love Lucy: The Untold Story. Gregg also provided My Favorite Husband outtakes. • Chuck Schaden spoke to Gale Gordon, Jack Haley, and Herb Vigran. Hear their full chats at SpeakingofRadio.com. • SPERDVAC was with Madeline Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll Jr. on March 12th, 1994 • Hans Conried was with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. These interviews can be heard at GoldenAge-WTIC.org. • William Paley gave a speech while receiving an award on November 20th, 1958, and spoke in memoriam of Lucille Ball in 1989. • Lee Philip was with Connee Boswell. —————————— Selected Music featured in today’s episode was: • Black Coffee and Fly Me To The Moon - By Julie London • The Look of Love - By Billy May • Cuban Pete - By Desi Arnaz

BW - EP100: The Radio Career of Lucille Ball (1938 - 1952) [Rewind]

This episode was originally released on 1/1/2020. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 99 we wrap up our trilogy on the most popular season in radio history with a look at the major network programming surrounding New Year’s 1948. —————————— Highlights: • Scenes from the Post-Christmas Blizzard Aftermath • Breakfast in Hollywood • Checking in on Lora Lawton • Lois Lane Has Been Framed • Staats Cotsworth’s Other Gig, and Dennis Day’s Old One • Ringing in the New Year with The Mayor and Duffy • Mr. District Attorney and The Big Story • Bing Crosby’s Feeling Festive • Jimmy Durante is Sick • Happy New Year, 1948 • Truman’s Lack of Popularity and a Severe Labor Strike Issue • The First Rose Bowl Telecast in Los Angeles • Mel Allen • Jack Benny, George Burns, Gracie Allen • Al Jolson and Casey • Radio Reader’s Digest, Mr. President, and Family Theater • CBS Takes on Eddie Cantor with The First Nighter • Wrapping Up The Holiday Season and Looking Ahead —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today’s episode was: • On the Air — By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — by Jim Ramsburg As well as articles from: • Radio Daily — December 1947 and January 1948. • Broadcasting Magazine — May 31st, 1948 —————————— On the interview front: • Mel Allen, Jackson Beck, John Gibson, Jackie Kelk, Tony Marvin, Jan Miner, Rosa Rio, and William N. Robson were with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. These interviews can be heard at GoldenAge-WTIC.org. • Chuck Schaden spoke to Barbara Luddy, Gloria McMillan, Olan Soule, Rudy Vallée, and Harry Von Zell. Hear their full chats at SpeakingofRadio.com. • William Paley gave a speech while receiving an award on November 20th, 1958. • Arthur Godrey and Andy Rooney spoke for CBS’ 50th anniversary. • George Burns and Jack Benny were interviewed for Great Radio Comedians. • Bing Crosby was interviewed for Same Time, Same Station in 1972, while SPERDVAC was with Betty Lou Gerson in 1979 and Dennis Day was with John Dunning for 71KNUS on Easter Sunday, April 11th, 1982. —————————— Selected Music featured in today’s episode was: • What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? - By Margaret Whiting • Campana Sobre Campana - By J.P. Torres • Auld Lang Syne - By The Manhattan Strings and by Guy Lombardo • Someone to Watch Over Me - By Rosemary Squires & The Ken Thorne Orchestra • I’ll Be Seeing You - By The Harry James Band

BW - EP99: New Year's 1948 On The Air [Rewind]

This episode was originally released on 12/1/2019. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls Episode 98 we continue our trilogy on the most popular season in radio history with a look at Christmas Week 1947. —————————— Highlights: • Ralph Edwards and Truth or Consequences—A Record Rated Show • It’s Christmas Week and Jerusalem is in Shambles • The Eternal Light and One Man’s Family • Jack Benny Does Last Minute Christmas Shopping • Fred Allen’s Highest Rated Season Becomes His Downfall When the Music Stops • Walter Winchell gives ABC a Ratings Win • Breakfast with Fred Waring • CBS Dominates Monday Nights and Lux Radio Broadcasts Miracle on 34th Street • Lora Lawton’s Husband is Missing • Milton Berle’s Finally Cracks the Top-50 • NBC’s Tuesday Night Comedy Dominations • The Lone Ranger Hangs ‘Em High • Lionel Barrymore’s Christmas Tradition • Christmas Eve with Bing and Gildersleeve • Road to Rio Opens • Merry Christmas 1947 with King George VI • Don Ameche Hosts an Elgin Special • The Right to Happiness—December’s Highest-Rated Soap Opera • Gracie Allen is Sick, Al Jolson is Rich, and Casey is Lonely • Father Patrick and Family Theatre • A Crippling Blizzard and the Last Sustained Half-Hour Suspense • Looking Ahead to the End of the Year —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today’s episode was: • On the Air — By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — by Jim Ramsburg As well as articles from: • Broadcasting Magazine: December 8th, and December 22nd, 1947 • LIFE Magazine: December 22nd, 1947 and January 5th, 1948 • Radio Daily From the entire month of December 1947 —————————— On the interview front: • Don Ameche, Mel Blanc, Himan Brown, Staats Cottsworth, John Gibson, Jim Jordan, Mandel Kramer, E.G. Marshall, Jan Miner, Vincent Price and Bill Spier were with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. These interviews can be heard at GoldenAge-WTIC.org. • Chuck Schaden interviewed Milton Berle, Dennis Day, Ralph Edwards, Virginia Gregg, Jim Jordan, Mercedes McCambridge, Shirley Mitchell, Carlton E. Morse, Hal Peary, Lurene Tuttle, and Don Wilson. Hear their full chats at SpeakingofRadio.com. • Johnny Carson was with Orson Welles on The Tonight Show, and Fred Allen was with Tex and Jinx on November 24th, 1954. • John Dunning was with Roberta Goodwin Bailey, and Westinghouse interviewed Fran Carlon. • SPERDVAC with Vic Perrin, and Frank Brese was with Elliott Reid. —————————— Selected Music featured in today’s episode was: • Sleigh Ride - By Lloyd Glenn and His Orchestra • White Christmas - By Booker T and the MGs • Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day - By the Marlborough Cathedral Choir • It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - By Andy Williams • Jingle Bells - By J.P. Torres • I Saw Three Ships - By The Norwich Cathedral Choir • I’ll Be Home For Christmas and Baby It’s Cold Outside - By Jackie Gleason and Jack Marshall • Christmas Is - by Lou Rawls

BW - EP98: Christmas Week 1947 with Radio's Biggest Stars [Rewind]

Breaking Walls: The Podcast on the History of American Network Radio Broadcasting.

James Scully

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