William Conrad Tells a Beautiful Story About Howard McNear's Funeral

In April of 1974, John Hickman hosted "An Evening With William N. Robson" for his WAMU program, called Reflections. During the course of the five hour extravaganza, Robson spoke about the power of James Poe's adaptation …

In August of 1987, famed radio director Jack Johnstone was a guest of SPERDVAC's at the Thousand Oaks Library in California. During the course of the conversation on Johnstone's life and career, SPERDVAC's Larry Gassman …

William Conrad tells a funny story about an interaction he had with a fan during the Gunsmoke radio days.

In April of 1986, Jimmy Stewart was a guest of Larry King's Mutual Broadcasting radio show for an amazing hour on his life and career. During the course of the conversation, the topic of radio drama came up. Here's what …

In August of 1982, SPERDVAC hosted a CBS character actor panel featuring Virginia Gregg, Peggy Webber, Parley Baer, Vic Perrin, Harry Bartel, and John Dehner. In this clips Mr. Dehner explains how he came to be a radio …

In August of 1987, famed radio director Jack Johnstone was a guest of SPERDVAC's at the Thousand Oaks Library in California. During the course of the conversation on Johnstone's life and career, he was asked by a guest …

More than a year before James Stewart starred as Brit Ponset in The Six Shooter on NBC, he appeared as the character In April of 1952 on The …

In January of 1981 Bob Hope made an appearance on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. In this conversation they spoke about radio, playing golf, performing …

Jack Benny’s most famous Irish Tenor, Dennis Day was born on May 21st, 1916 and raised in the Throggs Neck section of The Bronx, New York City—The second of five children born to Irish immigrants Patrick & Mary …

In 1976 John Hickman put together an outstanding History of Gunsmoke five-part mini-series. Towards the end of part 4, Gunsmoke director Norman Macdonnell spoke about dramatic radio drying up in Los Angeles during the …

During William N. Robson's December 6th, 1949 production of Escape, entitled "Command," CBS ran this mid-show network 60-second spot advertising upcoming episodes of Burns & Allen and Bing Crosby. Escape had no …

Don Wilson remembers Jack's brilliance, and explains how Jack Benny differed from most "funny" comedians in this clip.

In Breaking Walls episode 88, we spotlight the 1945-46 season of The Jack Benny Program. This season introduced characters like telephone operators Gertrude and Mabel, press agent Steve Bradley, hot dog vendor Mr. …

When Jack Benny passed away on December 26th, 1974 after a short battle with cancer at the age of 80, it was Jack's best friend George Burns who was …

As major network radio drama was winding down in the 1950s in favor of more news, talk, and music, NBC launched Monitor on June 12th, 1955 with this closed circuit broadcast. It was a true magazine of the air, running …

After the story end of the July 30th, 1950 episode of The Saint on NBC airwaves called "The Case of the Previewed Crime," Vincent Price came on for a …

On the April 7th, 1946 episode of the Lucky Strike Program, Van Johnson guest starred in a skit called "Weekend at Acme Plaza" in which he receives dating advice from the one and only "Van Jackson," Jack Benny.

In June of 1984, actor, screenwriter, and radio director Fletcher Markle was a guest of SPERDVAC to discuss his life and career. During the course of the conversation, Markle explained how hearing Orson Welles on the …

At 1PM on the Wednesday before thanksgiving, November 24th, 1954, Fred Allen appeared on NBC's Tex and Jinx mid-day talk Show. It was recorded on a grey, rainy Wednesday before Thanksgiving in Peacock Alley at The …

After being robbed for $10,000, on the November 11th, 1945 episode of the Jack Benny Program, Jack coyly tries to get former Heavyweight Boxing champion Joe Louis to be his bodyguard. Louis thinks he's there to learn to …

During a 1980s Interview with John Dunning for 71KNUS in Denver, Dennis Day explained how he came to be hired by Jack Benny and the interview process.

In 1971, Lucille Ball—along with her daughter and Carol Burnett—sat down for a long interview with Dick Cavett. The conversation centered around both …

On Jack Carney's June 20th, 1983 Comedy Program, he played a portion of an interview with the late Jack Benny, recorded some years earlier. In this clip Jack says he preferred television over radio and why.

This audio is a section from BW - EP87: New Year's Day On the Air (1946 - 1956)

Eve Arden broke into radio on The Danny Kaye show in 1945 before co-starring with Jack Haley in 1946, and with Jack Carson on The Sealtest …

In June of 1991, famed Radio producer and director Himan Brown was in Chicago at the Museum of Broadcast Communications where he was interviewed by …

Unusually, the Friday October 26, 1945 broadcast of the Danny Kaye Show, airing on the CBS radio network, featured Jack Benny and practically the entire cast of the Jack Benny show filling in for Kaye, who was on a USO …

In the late 1980s, famed radio director and writer (Superman, The Six Shooter, Johnny Dollar) Jack Johnstone was in California to be interviewed by …

In June of 1983, Jack Carney broadcast a two-part audio documentary on the life and career of Jack Benny featuring interviews and recollections with …

On the October 14th, 1945 episode of the Lucky Strike Jack Benny Program, Ingrid Bergman was the guest. The two performed a satire of a scene from Bergman's 1944 film hit, "Gaslight."

The scene is ripe with topical …

On Easter Sunday in April of 1982, Dennis Day was a guest of John Dunning's on 71K Newstalk radio in Denver, CO. They spoke about Day's life and career—especially his quarter-century association with Jack Benny. During …

During the debut episode of the 1945-46 Season of Jack Benny's Lucky Strike Program, a new character—Press Agent Steve Bradley—was introduced. …

While by the 1952-53 season, radio audiences were leaving in droves, the networks were still willing to invest resources in the medium. Radio was also being left to the radio people, which allowed for creative growth.

On …

In Breaking Walls episode 87, we spotlight some New Year’s Day radio programming from the Golden Age of radio, specifically beginning in 1946 after …

This audio is a section from BW - EP80: Forecast—The Most Important Forgotten Series in Radio History (1940 - 1941)

____

On August 26th, 1940 Norman Corwin directed a pilot called “Bethel Merriday” based on the 1940 …

This audio is a section from BW - EP85: From Hoboken to Eternity—Frank Sinatra's Radio Career (1935-1955)

____

Thanks to “From Here to Eternity,” Sinatra was again on the rise. He was, however, still broke. NBC radio …

The week between Christmas and New Year’s can sometimes be spent returning unappreciated gifts. That’s exactly what was happening on Dinah Shore’s Bird’s Eye Open House broadcast on December 27th.

Her guest star for the …

In the 1980s, radio writer/actor/director/producer Elliott Lewis was a guest of John Dunning on his 71K Newstalk Radio program out of Denver, CO. During the course of this wide-ranging interview, Lewis spoke about how …

This clip comes from the December 23rd, 1945 episode of The Great Gildersleeve, which aired Sunday at 6:30PM for East coast audiences, but was recorded at NBC's KFI Studios in Los Angeles. A second broadcast was done at …

In the spring of 1973, longtime radio announcer Tony Marvin sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio to discuss …

Sunday night’s highest rated comedy was The Charlie McCarthy Show starring Edgar Bergen and his famous ventriloquist dummy, Charlie McCarthy.

Edgar Bergen had first come to the attention of American audiences on Rudy …

In 1967 musician and composer Rex Koury sat down for a documentary interview with John Hickman on Gunsmoke. During the course of the chat he explained how he came to be associated with the show, and how he composed the …

On the Friday, December 21st, 1945 episode of Duffy's Tavern on NBC, Archie and the gang performed their own hilarious version of "A Christmas …

Both Dragnet and Gunsmoke shared Chesterfield as a sponsor. During Gunsmoke's January 1st, 1956 episode, entitled "Puckett's New Year," the mid-show 60-second commercial for Chesterfield featured Jack Webb talking …

In the 1970s, Radio producer/director Norman Macdonnell sat down with a documentary crew for an interview on his time in the radio industry. During the interview, he spoke of how radio's changing executive in the 1950s …

In the early 1990s, Red Skelton was a guest of Canadian television host Dini Petty's talk show. They spoke about his life and career. In this clip, Red Skelton explains how comedian Ed Wynn got him started in show-biz …

In the early 1980s, Elliott Lewis was a guest of John Dunning's on his 71K Newstalk Radio program in Denver, CO. During the conversation Elliott spoke about working with Jack Benny early in Lewis' career.

In the early 1970s, William Conrad, then starring in TV's Cannon, spoke about his career as a radio actor and his time as star of radio's Gunsmoke for a 5-part Gunsmoke audio documentary.

In this clip he speaks about …

Newscasting had become a full fledged wing of broadcasting during the war. In 1945 there were twenty-nine separate prime-time news programs appearing …

In June of 1980 famed radio announcer Don Wilson, who starred on Jack Benny's program for decades, sat down with Chuck Schaden for a conversation …

In the early 1970s, famed radio writer and director William N. Robson was interviewed for a documentary on the history of Gunsmoke. During the course …

As night fell on Christmas Eve, a crowd of 10,000 gathered on the snow covered south lawn of the White House to witness the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. They were a mix of men, women, and children with all …

In the early 1980s, radio actor/writer/producer/director Elliott Lewis was a guest of John Dunning's Old-Time Radio program for 71K Newstalk Radio in Denver, CO.

During the course of the conversation the two were …

In the spring of 1973, longtime radio announcer Tony Marvin sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio to discuss …

Radio actor John Gibson (of Casey, Crime Photographer; Terry and the Pirates) seen here (far left) with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran, was a guest of …

Tuesday night’s comedy lineup featured the three highest-rated shows on the air. Between 9 and 11 PM eastern time on Tuesdays, NBC ran Amos n’ Andy, …

In the early 1980s, radio, film, and theater actress Eve Arden spoke with John Dunning for 71K News Radio in Denver, Co. During the course of the conversation John asked her how Our Miss Brooks, her most famous radio …

In New York, WABC signed on at 5AM the morning of Wednesday December 5th, 1945 with news. WEAF followed at 5:30 with recorded music. WOR at 5:45 with …

Normally after Suspense aired at 8:00 over CBS stations on Thursdays, The FBI in Peace and War followed at 8:30. Thursday December 6th 1945’s usually …

In Breaking Walls Episode 86, we spotlight what was on the air over the US’ major radio networks during December of 1945.

Highlights:
• The First …

Almost nine years to the day after making his first appearance on Rudy Vallée's Royal Gelatin Program, Edgar Bergen and his alter-ego Charlie McCarthy hosted Susan Hayward on their radio program. McCarthy, always the …

In the 1970s, Prolific New York stage, radio, and TV commercial actress Jan Miner sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for their WTIC Golden Age …

In 1932 RCA field engineers were testing an Iconoscope pickup tube linked to a transmitter installed on the roof of a Camden, NJ research plant. …

ABC's 30-second promo spot for their crime drama, Mr. District Attorney, which aired Friday nights at 9:30PM for sponsor Vitalis over ABC stations. …

In late autumn 1945, Bob Hope returned to Hollywood from an overseas tour entertaining troops. On this early December edition of his show, he offers …

In October of 1976, Chuck Schaden sat down with famed actress Mercedes McCambridge to talk about her career (full interview available to stream for …

In 1987 prolific radio writer and director Jack Johnstone was a guest of SPERDVAC for a talk about his radio career. During the course of the …

In 1972, writer Carroll Carroll sat down for Same Time Same Station to talk about Bing Crosby's radio career. Carroll had been a long-time Crosby …

At 9:30PM EST on the Christmas evening in 1945, the Mutual Broadcasting System aired its coast-to-coast year in review. This 90-minute program told …

New York City Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia had his own radio show on WNYC from 1941-1945 and on ABC for the first six months of 1946. In this clip from January of 1945, when LaGuardia was still Mayor, he rails on …

In the 1980s John Dunning interviewed writer E. Jack Neuman for 710 KNUS Radio in Denver. Neuman wrote many radio scripts under the pen name "John …

In 1974, Mel Blanc sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran to talk about his career as a voice actor for their WTIC program, "The Golden Age of …

In 1971 Jim Jordan, better known as Fibber McGee, sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's the Golden Age of Radio to talk about his …

On the frigid, blustery night of December 16th, 1835, the worst fire in New York city history swept through Manhattan. Everything south of Maiden Lane and east of Broad street—at that time the city’s chief merchant …

In 1975, long-time New York radio actor Staats Cotsworth sat down with Ed Corcoran at a radio convention to chat about his career. This interview was …

At the end of Jack Benny's December 30th, 1945 program, he offered a message about the just passing 1945 and the upcoming 1946.

In September of 1974 east-coast radio actor Mandel Kramer sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio (the full …

In November of 1945, with Jack Benny's rating slipping for the first time in years, Benny and his writers devised an ingenious way to bring …

In 1952 Frank Sinatra released eight singles. None topped the charts at higher than number 19. Four failed to chart altogether.

Columbia’s A&R …

In the winter of 1945 there were many soldiers who were still injured and recovering in army hospitals across the world. To help pay back its war …

In October of 1945, the Jack Benny Program's ratings were falling. It was a short period of time that would later be known as "the Benny slump." In …

The Tommy Dorsey Band was staring at the Palladium when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and Manilla, finally sending the United States into World …

In Breaking Walls episode 85, we spotlight the radio career of Frank Sinatra. We’ll find out how a brash, skinny kid from Hoboken, New Jersey became …

Sammy Davis Jr. speaks with Tom Cottle about his friendship with Frank Sinatra and being jealous of him.

On March 25th, 1954, Frank Sinatra won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his roll as Maggio in "From Here to Eternity."

On the Sundays bookending …

In 1995 in honor of Frank Sinatra's 80th birthday, Nancy Sinatra Jr. sat down with Larry King to talk about a retrospective book she put together on Frank Sinatra's career. During the wide-ranging interview, Larry King …

Command Performance took to the airwaves on March 1, 1942 over a special service division of the war department, called The Armed Forces Radio Service.

Lauded by Time, the program had an estimated weekly budget of …

In the early 1970s, Vincent Price sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio to discuss his career. During the chat …

By late spring in 1937, the WPA’s Federal Theater Project was under intense scrutiny for staging what some felt to be too many left-leaning labor …

In the 1970s, Frank Sinatra remembered a funny story involving his grandfather and a concert at the Paramount where Sinatra was performing in the …

In 2003 singer and musician Jo Stafford, who had 10 top-5 hits between 1944 and 1959, sat down with musician Michael Feinstein to talk about her career. During the conversation she touched on many subjects like her …

In October of 1944 Frank Sinatra was enjoying the greatest popularity of his early career. Still only 29, he had taken to radio acting as well as …

On November 12th, 1976 Frank Sinatra was a guest on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. They spoke of their relationship and Frank's career. In the middle of the interview Don Rickles surprised the duo by walking out on …

Longtime radio announcer Andre Baruch tells of American Tobacco President George Washington Hill's control of the show. Hill churned through many a …

In the early 1970s Rudy Vallée, the most popular music artist of the late 1920s and early 1930s, sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's …

With the most recent episode of Breaking Walls being on radio’s macabre, mystery, and horror programming, and the upcoming episode on Frank Sinatra’s …

In 1955 Frank Sinatra starred in Otto Preminger's production of The Man With The Golden Arm. It was a film many consider to be well-ahead of its time …

After the November 20th, 1947 episode of Suspense, Roma Wines wrapped up its sponsorship of the series. For the next five weeks CBS broadcast Suspense on Friday evenings. Beginning on January 3rd, 1948 the program …

In the 1950s, Orson Welles reflected upon the public reaction to his War of the Worlds broadcast on October 30th, 1938, and also admits that he and the rest of his Mercury Theater production crew did the broadcast to …

In 1965, CBS cameras followed Frank Sinatra around with unprecedented access to the performer's personal life. In this clip, seated at Jilly Rizzo's …

In 1934, as Chicago was cresting as the center for radio production, NBC Writer and director Wyllis Cooper created a program for NBC's Chicago affiliate WENR that drastically altered the tone of radio horror.

Cooper had …

After World War II ended, transcription became a network possibility as CBS and ABC in particular, pumped resources into programming. New mystery …

In Breaking Walls Episode 84, it’s the Simple Art of Macabre, to your ears from the mouths of some of the best who ever produced radio’s stuff of nightmares.

Highlights:

• Why Do We Like To Be Scared?

• What pre-dated …

In 1982, SPERDVAC hosted a panel discussion with some of CBS's well-known Hollywood radio character actors. During the discussion, Harry Bartel told …

In August of 1982 at a SPERDVAC panel discussion with some of CBS Hollywood's biggest radio character actors, Peggy Webber, who played numerous parts …

Impresario Samuel 'Roxy' Rothafel in rehearsal for his radio show to be broadcast from Radio City in New York City, 1932. In this clip, Roxy Rothafel stands at microphone onstage in front of orchestra talking to comic …

In August of 1970, Jan Miner, Network Radio Soap Actress and heroine of "Hilltop House," sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran to talk about her career as a radio actress in New York city. In this clip she explains …

In January of 1976 famed radio producer/director William N. Robson sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran to discuss his career for WTIC's The …

In February of 1948, Suspense's famed producer/director William Spier left the broadcast. Suspense was taken over by Bill Robson for two broadcasts …

Noted radio writer, producer, and director Arch Oboler sat with Chuck Schaden on August 5th, 1976 and explained why he once broke his hand on Lou …

In August of 1982, SPERDVAC (The Society To Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety, and Comedy) was hosting a panel discussion with some of the most famous west-coast radio character actors of the 1940s-50s. During …

In the early 1980s, radio announcer Ken Roberts sat down for a documentary on the Shadow. Here he recounts how he came to be the announcer for the program in the early 1930s.

In August of 1976, Chuck Schaden sat down with famed radio writer, producer, and director Arch Oboler for a conversation about Oboler's career. In …

*For the full story about CBS' Forecast, tune into Breaking Walls EP80*

At 9:30PM on July 22, 1940, CBS' experimental pilot series, Forecast, …

Vincent Price explains how he became a radio actor even though he wasn't part of any radio stock company. Price worked in radio drama either in the United States, or in another country for the rest of his life.

In December of 1972, Raymond Edward Johnson, famous as the host of Inner Sanctum Mysteries, sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran to talk about …

In March of 1974 E.G. Marshall was a guest of Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran on WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio. In this clip he talks about the …

In August of 1971, radio and television character actor Hans Conried spoke with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's Golden Age of Radio. In this …

In 1976 Orson Welles was a guest of Johnny Carson's on The Tonight Show. In this clip the two share radio stories and Orson Welles talks about why he …

In November of 1972, Vincent Price was a guest on WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio, with hosts Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran. Price lauded radio's power …

On July 14th, 1979, radio writer/producer/actor/director Elliott Lewis was a guest of SPERDVAC in California. In this clip, he speaks about the …

As 1933 ended, the business of RCA was improving and its deficit narrowing, although the economy continued to languish despite the New Deal legislation passed at President Roosevelt’s behest.

Unlike film and theater, …

By 1948, CBS Chairman WIlliam S. Paley understood that programmers alone could not develop programs that would enable CBS to surpass NBC. Stars were …

In Breaking Walls Episode 83, we focus the radio industry of the 1930s and 40s—especially on the career of David Sarnoff, as RCA’s network, NBC begins to lose its grip on the top spot in the broadcasting industry while …

Prolific radio producer and director William N. Robson, who directed shows such as The Columbia Workshop, Escape, The Man Behind the Gun, and …

Prolific American playwright, screenwriter, novelist, producer, and director Arch Oboler was a guest of SPERDVAC'S on October 8th, 1977. In this clip …

In December of 1973, Himan Brown was a guest of Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran's on their WTIC Hartford, CT-based "Golden Age of Radio" Program. In this …

In November of 1970, famed actress June Havoc—along with her husband, acclaimed radio producer and director Bill Spier—sat down with Dick Bertel and …

Radio Actress Fran Carlon speaks about why radio actors and actresses needed to be on their toes for script cuts and news cutaways during World War II.

When the 1939 World’s Fair opened in Flushing Meadows, David Sarnoff was there to share the spotlight with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and New York City’s Mayor, Fiorello LaGuardia.

There he announced, via a single …

President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away on April 12, 1945. Two days later at his funeral, roaming CBS announcer Arthur Godfrey was added to the CBS news team for the special coverage. Choking back tears, he …

During the Korean War, NBC sent reporters to talk to the soldiers on the front lines during the conflict. This is some of what they said.

On February 24th, 1953 Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis played host on their radio show to Marilyn Monroe. All three of the entertainers were on the rise. Martin introduced the play she'd perform in as, "Tonight's play is …

Seventy-three years ago this day Japan accepted the United States' terms of surrender, officially ending World War II.

That evening, Norman Corwin produced a special broadcast commemorating this event. It was a …

One of the most successful television shows of all-time, I Love Lucy, starring husband and wife team Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, debuted on CBS …

For Westinghouse's 50th Anniversary in 1970, Long-time NBC radio announcer Ben Grauer spoke about being on his toes with news relays during World War II.

For CBS's 50th anniversary celebration in 1977, CBS anchors Doug Edwards and Charles Osgood spoke about on-air flubs. Mr. Edwards told a great story …

Back In 1933, in part because of President Roosevelt’s fireside chats, the newspaper publishers decided that radio had scooped the press once too often. They closed their wire services to the networks and demanded the …

In 1945 as World War II ended, Bing Crosby decided that he wanted to pre-record his Kraft Music Hall program on NBC. There’d been disc-transcriptions since the late 1920s, and while the Mutual Broadcasting System had no …

In Breaking Walls episode 82 we focus on the state of the radio broadcasting industry in the late 1930s and early 1940s, as Broadcasting booms while the world goes to War. 

Highlights:
• Early days at NBC’s Radio City in …

In July of 1945 during a newspaper deliveryman's strike, New York City mayor Fiorello LaGuardia took to the air on WNYC and read comics to the kids. …

Head of CBS William S. Paley talks about some of the early struggles he had running CBS in the late 1920s.

This is the first bulletin to take to the airwaves on the morning of D Day, June 6th, 1944 at 3:30AM Eastern War Time.

NBC newsman Robert St. John …

During World War II the technology which would allow transcription discs started to become feasible.

After the war ended Bing Crosby saw this as an …

On April 15, 1945, Edward R. Murrow reported back to CBS for their World News Roundup about his experience at the Buchenwald concentration camp. This …

On April 15, 1945, Edward R. Murrow reported back to CBS for their World News Roundup about his experience at the Buchenwald concentration camp. It's a haunting account, and one that only scratches the surface of what …

Previously on A Man Named Marlowe: At 4:30 in the morning the woman who hired Marlowe comes to his hotel room in Spokane. She explains what happened and why she lied to Phillip. Her real name is Janice Thomlinson. …

For NBC's 50th anniversary broadcast in 1976, Bob Hope spoke about being a performing passenger on the Queen Mary the night that England entered World War II in 1939.

Breaking Walls Episode 82 will be on the state and …

Famed radio & television broadcaster, MC, and entertainer talks about how he got started in radio in 1929.

Breaking Walls Episode 82 will be on the state and growth of the radio industry during the 1930s and 1940s, …

In September of 1972, former NBC engineer and producer Aldo Gizalbert sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for their Hartford, CT-based WTIC …

Coming July 22nd, 2018: The Final Episode of A Man Named Marlowe, entitled “The Windup & The Phoenix.

In episode 6, it’s the windup… and it’s a …

Long-time radio announcer Ben Grauer spoke in 1970s about the buttoned-up nature of radio in the 1930s.

Breaking Walls Episode 82 will be on the state and growth of the radio industry during the 1930s and 1940s, and will …

Film narrator, radio announcer, news commentator, talk show host, disc jockey and sportscaster André Baruch was taking a walk through Coney Island one day when his life was changed forever. Here he tells how his career …

Conductor Howard Barlow, who'd later go on to be known as "the voice of Firestone," was conducting in-studio for CBS during their first big broadcast in 1927. In this clip, recorded for Westinghouse's 50th anniversary …

Previously on A Man Named Marlowe: After Marlowe’s meeting with nightclub owner and gangster Benny Chance, he drives to his friend Lou’s automat only to find that Lou has been murdered. Marlowe goes to his office …

On Sunday December 30th, 1936, during the East Coast Broadcast of Town Hall Tonight. Allen had on in his amateur performance section of the show, a …

On the evening of Independence Day in 1964, writer, storyteller and radio personality Jean Shepherd was at the Limelight in Greenwich Village, New …

Coming July 8th, 2018: Episode 5 of A Man Named Marlowe, entitled “The Release, The Ruse, & The Meeting.

In episode 5, Spokane begins to yield …

In Breaking Walls episode 81, we spotlight the life and career of one of the twentieth century’s most famous comedians, Fred Allen. Amongst other comedians and entertainers, almost no one was beloved as much as him. His …

Saturday September 19, 1914: 8am

Fred St. James(Fred Allen's then stage name) is pulling up to Mrs. Montfort’s boarding house on west 40th street …

After Fred Allen passed away on St. Patrick's Day in 1956, the entire radio community mourned. That May 29th, in honor of what would have been his …

Previously on A Man Named Marlowe: Marlowe stops in at an all-night diner in an attempt to decompress from the murders he’s witnessed. When he gets back to his apartment, he receives a call from a henchman, telling him …

After Fred Allen passed away on St. Patrick's Day in 1956, the entire radio community mourned. That May 29th, in honor of what would have been his …

At 1PM on November 24th, 1954, Fred Allen appeared on NBC's Tex and Jinx Show out of WEAF. It was recorded on a grey, rainy Wednesday before Thanksgiving in Peacock Alley at The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York city. …

Coming June 24th, 2018: Episode 4 of A Man Named Marlowe, entitled "The Ghost & The Odyssey."

In Episode 4, two more murders bring Marlowe to the edge, until a visit from a ghost sends him to Spokane looking for …

At 1PM on November 24th, 1954, Fred Allen appeared on NBC's Tex and Jinx Show out of WEAF. It was recorded on a grey, rainy Wednesday before Thanksgiving in Peacock Alley at The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York city. …

After Fred Allen passed away on St. Patrick's Day in 1956, the entire radio community mourned. That May 29th, in honor of what would have been his …

Previously on A Man Named Marlowe: Marlowe gets tailed across town to his friend Bernie Ohl’s house. After leaving Bernie’s he heads up to Big Bear Lake to investigate the cabin his new client Ruth Moriarity mentioned. …

An Excerpt from Norman Corwin's "Home For the Fourth"—7.4.1944 by

On the eve of World War II (for the United States) Norman Corwin had control of CBS' Columbia Workshop for 26 weeks. It was his final night as the …

At 1PM on November 24th, 1954, Fred Allen appeared on NBC's Tex and Jinx Show out of WEAF. It was recorded on a grey, rainy Wednesday before Thanksgiving in Peacock Alley at The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York city. …

Coming June 12th, 2018 : Episode 3 of A Man Named Marlowe, entitled "The Aftershock & The Proposition."

In Episode 3, Marlowe's offered a large sum of money to drop the case and stop looking for John Moriarity, even …

Perhaps the most experimental of all the Forecast broadcasts was the August 18th, 1941 episode called The Country Lawyer. Experimental because the …

Question? What do starlets Marlene Dietrich, Kay Thompson, Margaret Sullivan, and Loretta Young have in common? How about writers and directors …

Mel Allen began his broadcasting career as a staff announcer at CBS before transitioning to sportscasting. In July of 1975, he appeared on Dick …

Previously on A Man Named Marlowe:
Los Angeles, 1935. It’s the heart of the Great Depression and Philip Marlowe is broke. He stops into his friend Lou’s automat for a sandwich. Lou tells Marlowe he’s got some work for …

Suspense and Sam Spade producer William Spier and his second wife, actress June Havoc (famed author/singer/actress Kay Thompson was his first wife) …

On November 20, 1958 head of CBS William S. Paley received an award for his thirty years of work in the field of programming.

Paley had purchased a …

Coming May 29th, 2018: Episode 2 of A Man Named Marlowe, entitled "The Advice & The Horror." In Episode 2, a busted tail job, a birthday dinner, and a trip north set Marlowe on a path to a grizzly series of murders …

Los Angeles, 1935. It’s the heart of the Great Depression and Philip Marlowe is broke. He’s contemplating whether he should pawn his .38, give up his …

In November of 1972 Vincent Price appeared on WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran. During the interview he spoke about …

Radio, television, and cartoon character actor Hans Conreid sat for an interview with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for their Hartford, CT-based WTIC …

What if everything you knew was destined to change? What if it was all a lie you created to keep you getting up in the morning? What if murder …

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls EP79: The Boy Wonder—Orson Welles' Early Career (1931-1941) which you can find in the same feed as this track if you've subscribed to the podcast. You can subscribe by searching for …

In Breaking Walls Episode 79, we present a detailed look at Orson Welles’ radio career through the end of 1941.

Highlights:
• Beginnings in Illinois …

On October 28, 1940, Orson Welles and H.G. Wells met for the first time in San Antonio, TX. They appeared on a panel for KTSA discussing H.G. Wells' take on Orson's War of the Worlds broadcast as well as the upcoming …

In 1976 Orson Welles appeared on Johnny Carson and the two shared a funny story about Jack Benny and George Burns, two legendary comedians.

Hear more about Orson Welles' life and career, coming May 1, 2018 on Breaking …

In 1960, Orson Welles sat down with BBC's Huw Wheldon for their Monitor program. The conversation centered around Orson's work as an actor, director and filmmaker, with special attention paid to the 1941 Citizen Kane. …

Radio, television, and cartoon character actor Hans Conried sat for an interview with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for their Hartford, CT-based WTIC …

Shortly before his 18th birthday, in the spring of 1933, Orson Welles booked second class passage on a tramp steamer, The Exermont  bound for Morocco. While onboard he worked on an introduction for a book he was writing …

May 1, 1941 outside the Palace Theatre in New York city on West 47th street and Broadway.

There’s a throng of onlookers comprising every social strata of New York society. They’ve come to see one man. That man—as …

In 1979 Orson Welles was a guest on the Dinah Shore daytime television show. Dinah asked Orson his thoughts on how to win over an audience. He quickly exclaimed that today's (1979s) audience they were speaking with …

Coming on May 15, 2018: an original audio drama called: A Man Named Marlowe.

Author Raymond Chandler set The Big Sleep, the first of his novels …

In 1976 Orson Welles appeared on Johnny Carson and the two shared stories of pranks and ribs they'd pulled or seen pulled during their days working …

Coming May 1, 2018. Download and Subscribe everywhere you get your podcasts or at thewallbreakers.com.

In Breaking Walls Episode 79, we'll spotlight "The Boy Wonder," Orson Welles' radio, stage, and screen work between …

Sometime during early 1937 while pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals, Dizzy Dean hurt his arm. It's quite possible that whatever the injury was, it …

This clip, from Breaking Walls Episode 77: The Birth of The Radio Networks—From NBC to CBS to Mutual Broadcasting (1922 - 1934) tells the story of the birth of the Mutual Broadcasting System.

In the early 1930s, WOR in …

In Breaking Walls Episode 78, in honor of Major League’s Baseball’s opening day, we present stories, recollections, and in-game sounds from some of …

After Jackie Robinson's playing career ended, he hosted a syndicated radio show called Jackie Robinson's Radio Shots.

In 1960 Jackie Robinson spoke with long-time baseball executive Branch Rickey on The Continental …

On the Friday March 22nd, 1946 episode of Bill Stern's Sports Newsreel, which was sponsored by Colgate and aired on NBC at 10:30PM, Bill Stern's …

After Jackie Robinson's playing career ended, he hosted a syndicated radio show called Jackie Robinson's Radio Shots.

In 1960 Jackie Robinson spoke with Satchel Paige about Paige's career in both the Negro and Major …

On October 24, 1929, the same day that the US Stock Market lost 11 percent of its value at the opening bell, The Fleishchmann Yeast Hour premiered on NBC at 8PM.

It had been packaged by the ad agency J Walter Thompson, …

Coming April 1, 2018. Download and Subscribe everywhere you get your podcasts or at thewallbreakers.com.

In Breaking Walls Episode 78, in honor of Major League’s Baseball’s opening day, we’ll present stories, …

By 1934, Los Angeles was beginning to be a cultural and recording center for radio broadcasting. This clip, from Breaking Walls Episode 77: The Birth …

In Breaking Walls Episode 77 we pick up our story on the history of American radio broadcasting, as a few ramshackle radio stations become large national networks, giving rise to an entire generation of entertainment …

In Breaking Walls Episode 76, we pick up our story on the history of American dramatic radio after the sinking of the Titanic in April of 1912.

The time between 1912 and 1922 saw three competing interests battle for …

Brooklyn-born bandleader Vincent Lopez (12.30.1895 – 9.20.1975) talks about his first night on the air for WJZ on November 27, 1921. Lopez, who began leading his own band at age 17, was 25 at the time. Lopez worked …

John Bradley Gambling (4.9.1897 – 11.21. 1974)was the host from 1925 to 1959 of "Rambling with Gambling" on WOR. In an interview from 1970 he talks about how he was hired by WOR in 1925 and how his early-morning …

Radio legend and Chief Engineer Jack Poppele (02.04.1898 - 10.07.1986)recalls his part in the launch of WOR on 2.22.1922 during an interview he gave in 1970.

WOR took to the air from Bamberger’s department store in …

In Breaking Walls Episode 75 we go back in time to the beginning of radio to tell the story of how this medium began.

Highlights:
* Why the Blizzard of …

In Breaking Walls episode 74, we celebrate the WallBreakers’ 6th birthday with an anniversary extravaganza!

First, we’ll chat with the creator of the …

In Breaking Walls Episode 73 we spotlight the 1970s CBS and Mutual Broadcasting dramatic radio revival and why it ultimately failed.

Highlights:


• Go …

In Breaking Walls Episode 72 we tell some of the story of American dramatic radio’s last decade on the air through one of the last shows to air, …

In Breaking Walls Episode 71, we offer season’s greetings, glad tidings, and a preview of what our next episode (72) of Breaking Walls will be on …

In Breaking Walls Episode 70, we’re celebrating the month of December by spotlighting The Jack Benny Program. Jack Benny was the highest rated comedian of his era. Beginning on radio in 1932, he was a radio mainstay …

In Breaking Walls Episode 69, I talk about some of the things I’m most grateful for this year. For the past four months I’ve been working on a …

In Breaking Walls Episode 68, we welcome November’s theme of “Gratitude” with an interactive look back at Norman Corwin’s radio plays, originally heard on U.S. radio around Thanksgiving of 1941. There are a lot of …

Breaking Walls Episode 67, we’ve got a return guest in Staten Island based recording artist Brodie Jaymz. Brodie was a guest on Breaking Walls episode 26 in October of 2015, and Breaking Walls episode 42 in October of …

In Breaking Walls episode 66, we weave the history of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense, into an interactive story told by producer …

In episode 64 of Breaking Walls, we sit down with New York City-based professional ballet dance Laura DeLaurentis for a chat about her life, career, and lessons she’s learned along the way. in order to see what her …

On Breaking Walls Episode 63, we head to Mana Contemporary Studios in Jersey City, New Jersey for a chat with groundbreaking artist Shantell Martin. Shantell produces large scale murals and installations designed to …

In episode 62 of Breaking Walls we profile Lucille Ball's life and career in honor of her upcoming 106th birthday.

From chorus girl, to 1940s movie starlet, to radio comedian, to television star, to studio executive, to …

In Breaking Walls Episode 61, we head to Governor's Island to explore the participatory art project Writing On It All, and speak with artistic director Alexandra Chasin.

Highlights
• An abridged history of Governor's …

On episode 60 of Breaking Walls, we present a look at the history of audio in America on the fourth of July in honor of the 241st anniversary of …

On Breaking Walls Episode 59, we go inside the New York City-based Maggie Flanigan acting studio for an in-depth conversation with studio head and teacher Charlie Sandlan, and an exclusive listen in on Charlie and …

On Breaking Walls EP58, we continue our Radio Chronicles series with a look at old-time radio plays that took place on, or around, the New York City …

On Breaking Walls Episode 57, we examine the unique connection between radio during its golden age, and Coney Island during the last of its heyday …

On Breaking Walls episode 56, we go behind the scenes at The American Museum of Natural History’s new #Mummies Exhibit. You'll hear from museum …

In episode 55 of Breaking Walls, join myself and author David Shields for brunch at the famous #Jewish restaurant Russ and Daughters in the #LowerEastSide. David and I last spoke in November of 2015 shortly after the …

A City grows in #Brooklyn!

Here's a sneak peak of Friday's podcast.

Have you heard about Industry City? The former Bush Terminal in Sunset Park, Brooklyn (seen here in 1958) has been converted into an incredible, growing …

In Breaking Walls Episode 53 we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a look at some of the on-air St. Paddy’s Day shenanigans throughout the Golden Age …

In Breaking Walls Episode 52 we present a chat with Radio Hall of Fame member Chuck Schaden about his life and career. Chuck was on the air on Chicago radio between 1970-2009 The Radio Hall of Fame lists him as the man …

In episode 51 of Breaking Walls, we attend the debut gallery event for Brooklyn-based art collective Noumenal Space. InARTguration took place on …

In episode 50 of Breaking Walls, we pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Norman Corwin with an uplifting audio piece in honor of our rights and duties as citizens of the United States of America.

Among the …

In Breaking Walls Episode 49, in honor of the last day of 2016, we present to you an up close look at how New Year’s Eve was handled on radio during …

In Breaking Walls Episode 48, experience an evening unlike any other at BAM with BitterSuite, a fully immersive concert experience with one catch—the …

In Episode 47 of Breaking Walls, we introduce a new sub-series to Breaking Walls called, The Radio Chronicles. It’s the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. In honor of this momentous day …

In episode 46 of Breaking Walls, we sit down with corporate art & design consultant Elle Neale for a conversation about the ways she’s learned to …

In Episode 44 of Breaking Walls, we sit down with Illustrator and illustration professor Cheryl Gross for a conversation about how she uses fear as a catalyst in her art.

Highlights Include:
• The significance of …

In episode 43 of Breaking Walls the old cohorts are back together as Lina Gonzalez and James Scully sit down for a chat about why fear is so …