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

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls EP92: Radio And Coney Island (1906 - 1960)

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On Friday, April 11th, 1947, CBS debuted a new situation comedy called My Friend Irma.

Marie Wilson starred as Irma Peterson, a …

On September 12th, 1987 actors Shirley Mitchell, Jack Kruschen and radio announcer George Walsh were guests of Jim Bohannon for a special broadcast of his radio show from Westwood One in Los Angeles, California. Walsh …

On September 12th, 1987 actors Shirley Mitchell and Jack Kruschen were in-studio guests of Jim Bohannon for a special broadcast of his radio show from Westwood One in Los Angeles, California. During the course of the …

On November 12th, 1976 Frank Sinatra was a guest of Johnny Carson's for an interview about his life and career, which preceded a surprise visit from Don Rickles and a Sinatra performance. During the course of the …

In November of 1970, director Bill Spier and actress June Havoc sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio to talk …

On October 21st, 1993, Larry and John Gassman of SPERDVAC interviewed radio producer/director Himan Brown and actor Ralph Bell at Brown's home in New York city. During the course of the interview Himan was asked about …

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls EP92: Radio and Coney Island (1906 - 1960)

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Late in 1956 CBS was able to sell individual commercial breaks for Suspense at reduced prices. On November 4th, 1956, the show moved to …

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls Episode 92: Radio And Coney Island (1906 - 1960)

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Broadway Is My Beat first took to the air from New York on February 27th, 1949, starring Anthony Ross and directed by John …

On the May 12th, 1946 episode of the Fred Allen Show, Fred and Portland take a trip to Allen's Alley to ask the residents how they feel about Coney Island re-opening for the new season. The third door they visited was …

On April 9th, 1960, Jean Shepherd told a great story about an old man and a batting cage for his WOR radio show. The batting cages Shepherd speaks of …

When NBC launched Monitor on June 12th, 1955, it was a true magazine of the air, running over NBC radio stations from Saturday mornings until Midnight Sunday in four hour blocks, completely taking over NBC’s airtime on …

In Breaking Walls episode 92 we open the summer season with a trip to Coney Island, Brooklyn. The New York city summer locale was frequented in radio programs and by radio performers. It was also, in the days of …

Alan Reed, TV's Fred Flintstone, was also a prolific radio and film character actor. On February 17th, 1975, Mr. Reed sat down with Chuck Schaden for …

In November of 1970, Actress June Havoc and her husband, the prolific radio director Bill Spier were guests of Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's …

Famed radio announcer André Baruch served in the original invasion of North Africa during World War II and spent almost four years overseas before …

On the June 3rd, 1949 501st episode of Bill Stern's Colgate Sports Newsreel, the sports reporter recapped important events from Memorial Day like a …

On the May 30th, 1941 Memorial Day episode of Lum & Abner, the duo take a holiday from their duties at the Jot ‘Em Down Store. Lum has recently …

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls EP91: The Hollywood Radio Western Renaissance (1954 - 1980)

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In 1979 Elliott Lewis teamed up with fellow …

This is audio recorded at Coney Island in the summer of 1932 of fairground rides, carnival barkers, and general fun-time ambience.

In 1979 Elliott Lewis teamed up with fellow radio veteran Fletcher Markle for a unique method towards reviving dramatic radio. The buying network …

When NBC launched Monitor on June 12th, 1955, it was a true magazine of the air, running over NBC radio stations from Saturday mornings until Midnight Sunday in four hour blocks, completely taking over NBC’s airtime on …

Former CBS news correspondent and "Murrow Boy" William L. Shirer recounts his experience at work on the day Germany surrendered in May of 1945.

On November 24th, 1954 Fred Allen was a guest of Tex and Jinx's New York talk show for a discussion about his life and career. During the course of the interview, Allen recounted a demonstration he gave to a friend …

The May 12th, 1946 episode of the Fred Allen Show featured a trip down Allen's Alley to discuss the reopening of Coney Island for the Alley residents. The final door was Falstaff Openshaw's, voiced by Allen Reed.

On March 12th, 1983 Herb Ellis and Herb Vigran were guests of SPERDVAC ( http://www.sperdvac.com ) for a conversation about their intersecting lives and careers in radio, film, and TV. During the course of the …

In 1965 while Fran Sinatra was recording his album, "September of My Years," he allowed CBS to record the process, and gave Walter Cronkite an unprecedented interview on his life. During the course of the interview, …

On August 9th, 1986, actor and director Lawrence Dobkin was part of a SPERDVAC ( http://www.sperdvac.com ) panel along with Don Diamond and Lilian Buyeff to discuss their lives and careers. During the course of the …

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls Episode 91: The Hollywood Radio Western Renaissance (1954 - 1980).

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The only western series of note to begin …

In 1948 a syndicated version of the soap opera Claudia, starring Katharine Bard and Paul Crabtree produced an episode for airing on August 25th …

In June of 1981, famed radio announcer André Baruch and his songstress wife Bea Wain were honored guests of SPERDVAC ( http://www.sperdvac.com )for a dinner conversation about their lives and careers. At the beginning …

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls Episode 91: The Hollywood Radio Western Renaissance (1954 - 1980).

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The second adult-western show CBS …

On October 8th, 1983, veteran actor Lou Krugman was part of a SPERDVAC (http://sperdvac.com)panel discussion during the course of which, he explained how a radio actor learned on the job.

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls Episode 91: The Hollywood Radio Western Renaissance (1954 - 1980).

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After Have Gun, Will Travel went off the …

In August of 1971 Hans Conried was a guest of Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for the 17th episode of WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio (full interview here …

In June of 1974 Arnold Stang, who had a several decade radio career, was a guest of Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran on WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio …

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls Episode 91: The Hollywood Radio Western Renaissance (1954 - 1980).

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After Gunsmoke spent 1957 as CBS’ only …

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls Episode 91: The Hollywood Radio Western Renaissance (1954 - 1980).

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In 1956 public interest and advertising …

In January of 1976 famed radio director William N. Robson was a guest of Dick Bertel and Ed Corcorcan for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio (full …

In Breaking Walls episode 91, we finish the adult western trilogy with a focus on the period after television decimated radio’s listening audience, …

On July 14th, 1979 writer/actor/producer/director Elliott Lewis was a guest of SPERDVAC's to talk about his radio career. This interview was …

Actor Parley Baer was interviewed in the mid 1970s for a Gunsmoke radio documentary by WAMU's John Hickman. During one of their conversations Baer …

In 1982, John Dehner was an in-studio guest of Neil Ross' at KMPC for a conversation about his acting career. During the course of the chat, Dehner shed some light on oncoming stereo audio in the late 1950s and early …

On August 9th, 1986, Lawrence Dobkin, Lillian Buyeff, and Don Diamond were guests of SPERDVAC for a conversation about their radio careers. During the course of the conversation, Dobkin (who started in New York before …

On May 5th, 1982, actor Vic Perrin was a guest of Neil Ross' for his KMPC program. During the course of the interview, which touched on many subjects, the conversation turned to Barton Yarborough, who passed away …

In 1955 when Gunsmoke debuted on television they turned to John Wayne for a one-minute promo spot to give the show credibility.

When Wayne heard that …

The April 27th, 1958 episode of Frontier Gentleman entitled "Random Notes," featured a vignette in which an old western man named Short Horn Tom …

In June of 1950, Elliott Lewis was named producer and director of Suspense, replacing William Spier.

The program’s new sponsor Autolite preferred to …

Escape, CBS’s high-adventure anthology, debuted on July 7th, 1947.

During its erratic seven year run it was shifted and dropped frequently, almost …

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls Episode 90: The Hollywood People Behind Radio’s Baby Boomer Boom (1945 - 1954)

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In early 1949 NBC found itself …

On the final day of January in 1975 Eve Arden was an interview guest of Chuck Schaden (Full Interview here - …

On the February 13th, 1975 episode of The Tonight Show, Mel Brooks was the guest. The interview took place not long after Young Frankenstein debuted.

The CBS Western Luke Slaughter of Tombstone came to radio at a time when both sponsorship and listenership were at an all-time low. The program lasted just sixteen episodes, and only on one single broadcast did they …

By 1951 director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston were working on multiple projects at CBS and continuing their refinement of the radio …

At the end of the Sunday, May 6th, 1956 episode of Fort Laramie entitled "Never the Twain," CBS broadcast a promotional spot for Yours Truly Johnny …

In 1963, during the height of Perry Mason's television fame, Raymond Burr sat down with Jack Webster for an interview about his career and the changes that playing Perry Mason brought into his life. During the course of …

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls Episode 90: The Hollywood People Behind Radio’s Baby Boomer Boom (1945 - 1954).

In 1952, Jack Johnstone was …

The twice-broadcast episode of Frontier Gentleman called "Random Notes" told a series of stories in vignette form, one of which had J.B. Kendall …

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls Episode 90: The Hollywood People Behind Radio’s Baby Boomer Boom (1945 - 1954).

Jeff Chandler was born Ira …

During the January 18th, 1959 episode of Have Gun, Will Travel, CBS used one of the mid-show act breaks for this CBS World News Roundup promo spot.

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls Episode 90: The Hollywood People Behind Radio’s Baby Boomer Boom (1945 - 1954).

By 1946 Los Angeles was the …

In 1976 John Hickman of WAMU put together an expansive five-part audio documentary on the history of the radio version of Gunsmoke, complete with cast and production crew interviews, show clips, and reflections.

During …

In Breaking Walls episode 90 and on the second part of our western trilogy, dramatic radio goes from boom to bust in a nine year period after World War II, as a group of actors become radio legends, while the radio …

Radio’s first significant western soap opera, A Woman of America told the dramatic story of a young woman’s struggle to find happiness in the …

The Empire Builders first came to the NBC Blue airwaves on January 14th, 1929, the day after Wyatt Earp passed away.

Sponsored by The Great Northern …

In 1986 as Lucille Ball was about to premiere Life With Lucy (her last sitcom) on ABC, she was a guest on Joan Rivers' talk show for a wide-ranging conversation on Lucy's career. During the course of the chat Lucy spoke …

On the afternoon of February 23rd, 1958, CBS premiered Luke Slaughter of Tombstone and ran the fourth episode of Frontier Gentlemen back-to-back at 2:05 and 2:30PM. Both of the shows were unsponsored and cost-sustained …

In 1977 for CBS' 50th anniversary, Frank Stanton, President of CBS, sat down with interviewers to talk about his life at the broadcasting network. It was here that he explained how CBS programming changed when CBS Head …

In 1976 John Hickman of WAMU put together an outstanding History of Gunsmoke five-part mini-series. One of the people interviewed was Gunsmoke director Norman Macdonnell.

In this clip Macdonnell speaks about the sound …

In the early 1980s, the legendary Eve Arden was a guest on John Dunning's 71KNUS Old Time Radio program from Denver, Co. During the course of the conversation, they spoke about Our Miss Brooks and Eve's original Mr. …

In early 1950 as NBC launched Night Beat starring Frank Lovejoy as Chicago night beat reporter Randy Stone, they sent this recording of the episode "Zero" out to potential sponsors with a sales message taking the place …

Shortly after the death of Hand Conried in January of 1982, Byron Kane was a guest of SPERDVAC (http://www.sperdvac.com) for a conversation on his life and career. During the course of the conversation, he spoke of his …

In 1977, head of CBS William S. Paley gave his feelings on radio for CBS's 50th Anniversary broadcast. Paley had grown CBS from a ragtag group of near-bankrupt affiliates into one of the world's leading broadcast …

On the March 17th, 1937 episode of Town Hall Tonight, Fred Allen joked about his new-found friendship with Jack Benny, three days after squashing their beef in a sensational broadcast from the Hotel Pierre in New York …

On the March 17th, 1941 episode of Burns & Allen, Gracie Allen recounts her afternoon marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. It results in a …

On August 14th, 1982, SPERDVAC (Full interview: http://www.sperdvac.com/sperdvac_presents.html) hosted a conversation with some of radio's most …

In March of 1983 radio actors Herb Vigran and Herb Ellis were guests of SPERDVAC (http://www.sperdvac.com) to talk about their radio careers. During the course of the conversation, Herb Vigran shed some much needed …

In 1982, radio actor Byron Kane was a guest of SPERDVAC (http://www.sperdvac.com) in California for a conversation about his life and career. During …

Jack Benny's historic 1945-46 season began on the Sunday evening after Daylight Savings Time's expiration in 1945. He needs to get ready for his program, but is unsure of what the time is. Hilarity ensues.

This season's …

This is a snippet from BW-EP89: The Birth of The Adult Radio Western (1929 - 1945)

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Buck Jones was born Charles Frederick Gebhart in …

During Sunday March 9th, 1958's episode of Luke Slaughter of Tombstone, CBS dedicated the network-sustained show's mid-episode break spot to a promo for the upcoming episode of Frontier Gentleman.

The two shows ran back …

In January of 1976, famed radio director William N. Robson was a guest of Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran's on WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio (full …

In the winter of 1951, Dick Powell was starring as Richard Diamond Private Detective Friday evenings at 8PM on ABC. The program was sponsored by Camels cigarettes.

Their ad campaign touted the lack of throat irritation …

On January 9th, 1949 NBC debuted the Screen Guild Theater with a radio rendition of John Ford's 1939 film, "Stagecoach." John Wayne and Claire Trevor …

At a SPERDVAC meeting on March 14th, 1992 which featured Jeanette Nolan, Mary Jane Croft, and Sam Edwards, radio legend Jeanette Nolan explained how …

In 1961 Ruth Cornwall Woodman, the creator of one of the first western radio dramas, Death Valley Days, was honored at the 1st annual Western Heritage Awards for the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, in …

In Breaking Walls episode 89, we explore the birth of the dramatic radio western show, specifically targeted to adult audiences. This is the first of …

In 1952, as CBS launched Gunsmoke, they presented a long promo to showcase the strengths of the series, which included audio from an episode. This is that promo.

In late 1935, a second coast-to-coast NBC broadcast connection was established from New York.

While the first line was brought to San Francisco in the late 1920s, this one went to Los Angeles.

The circuit was able to …

On February 11th, 1929, the very first broadcast of The Edison Hour took to the airwaves over NBC's Blue Network from their WJZ New York City studios.

With Edison's company manufacturing radios, it was thought to be a …

In May of 1975, film legend Joan Fontaine joined Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran as their guest for the Golden Age of Radio on Hartford, CT's WTIC. In …

In February of 1973 radio and film legend Don Ameche appeared on Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran's WTIC program The Golden Age of Radio to talk about his …

In April of 1974, John Hickman hosted "An Evening With William N. Robson" for his WAMU program, called Recollections. During the course of the five …

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 August of 1982 SPERDVAC (http://www.sperdvac.com) hosted a CBS panel at the Thousand Oaks Library in California. The panel featured some of the best known radio character actors of the 1940s and 1950s. One of them, …

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 November 11th, 1975 famed singer and emcee Kate Smith was a guest of Chuck Schaden's (full interview here -…

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 …

In October of 1984, Chuck Schaden sat down with actress Shirley Mitchell for a conversation about her life and career (full interview here - …

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)

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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)

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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 late 1972, Vincent Price sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio (full interview here - …

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. …

In March of 1973, Jackson Beck was a guest of Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran on WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio (full interview here - …

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 …

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 …

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 acted in numerous dramatic radio productions in both in the United States and Europe.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

I've been fortunate enough to interview David Shields (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Shields) for Breaking Walls twice before, The first …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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. …

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

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 …

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 …

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

Highlights:
• Beginnings in Illinois …

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

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 …

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 …

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 …