Breaking Walls

James Scully

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

  1. BW - EP124: February 1954—Benny, McCarthy, and McCarthy [Rewind]

    1d ago

    BW - EP124: February 1954—Benny, McCarthy, and McCarthy [Rewind]

    This episode was originally released on 2/1/2022. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 124 we pick up our 1954 mini series in February. We’ll focus on radio programming and national news from that month. —————————— Highlights: • Radio Billings Are Down. Now What? • Dragnet—Still Going Strong • Lee Deforest and The Hallmark Hall of Fame • Americana • Jack Benny Turns 39? 40? 60? • Guest Star and The McCarthy News • The College Quiz Bowl • Mr and Mrs North • Polio • Stars Over Hollywood • Ending with Bergen and McCarthy • Looking Ahead to March with Edward R. Murrow —————————— 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 — By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings — by Jim Ramsburg As well as articles from • Broadcasting Magazine • LIFE Magazine —————————— On the interview front: • Jack Benny, Frank Nelson, and Don Wilson spoke to Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingOfRadio.com. • Jack Benny also spoke for Great Radio Comedians in 1972. • Harry Bartell, Himan Brown, Lilian Buyeff, Bill Froug, Virginia Gregg, Lou Krugman, and Peggy Webber were with SPERDVAC. For more information, go to SPERDVAC.com • Hans Conried and Edgar Bergen spoke with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. Hear this full interview at Goldenage-wtic.org. • Dennis Day spoke with John Dunning for his 71KNUS program from Denver. • Lee Deforest spoke at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. —————————— Selected music featured in today’s episode was: • Sh-Boom — By The Crewcuts • Serious Serenade — By Duke Ellington

    2h 13m
  2. Haunted Bay Ridge, Brooklyn Walking Tour — Saturday 6/6/2026 at 6:30PM

    6d ago

    Haunted Bay Ridge, Brooklyn Walking Tour — Saturday 6/6/2026 at 6:30PM

    How do we define a ghost? What makes us gravitate towards spooky stories, and not just in October? What causes these supposed paranormal things to happen? Are they trapped spirits who are unable to move on? Inter-dimensional visitors? Energetic imprints from the past history of a house? Or is it something ancient? Something tied to the land itself. I grew up in a house on Bay Parkway in Bensonhurst that had lots of strange activity. Don’t believe me? Just ask my mom. Want to take a ghost tour and see me in person? I’m leading Haunted Bay Ridge on Saturday June 6th at 6:30PM. Tickets can be found here — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/haunted-bay-ridge-revised-tickets-1987612124369, at the tours and events tab at BayRidgeDigest.com, or through the linktr.ee at @BayRidgeDigest or @TheWallBreakers on Instagram.

    2 min
  3. BW - EP123: January 1954—Radio's Uncertain Future [Rewind]

    May 24

    BW - EP123: January 1954—Radio's Uncertain Future [Rewind]

    This episode was originally released on 1/1/2022. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 123 we open 2022 with a six-part mini-series on radio business and programming in 1954. We’ll begin with January, in a radio half-season that was for many, the end of the line. —————————— Highlights: • Ringing in the New Year with Fibber McGee and Molly • Gunsmoke’s Stage Holdup • People Are Funny is Radio’s Top-Rated Show • January 1954 with Ozzie, Harriet, David, and Ricky • Jack Benny’s Face is Familiar on Suspense • Smog and Other Current Events • Beulah • The Death of Edward Howard Armstrong • Looking Ahead to February 1954 —————————— 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 General: David Sarnoff & The Rise of the Communications Industry - by Kenneth Bilby • On the Air — By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings — by Jim Ramsburg As well as articles from • Broadcasting Magazine • LIFE Magazine • Time Magazine —————————— On the interview front: • John Guedel, Phil Leslie, and Don Wilson spoke to Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingOfRadio.com. • Norman MacDonnell and George Walsh spoke to John Hickman, 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 • Art Linkletter spoke to John Gassman. • Ozzie Nelson was with James Day. • Jack Benny spoke for Great Radio Comedians. • Jack Benny and Don Wilson spoke with Jack Carney. —————————— Selected music featured in today’s episode was: • Auld Lang Syne — By The Manhattan Strings • January Stars — By George Winston • The Klezmer’s Wedding — By André Moisan • Love in Bloom — By Bing Crosby • Seance on a Wet Afternoon — By John Barry • Danse Macabre — By Camille Saint-Saëns

    2h 23m
  4. BW - EP122: December With The Six Shooter (1953 - 1954) [Rewind]

    May 6

    BW - EP122: December With The Six Shooter (1953 - 1954) [Rewind]

    This episode was originally released on 12/1/2021. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 122 we spend the holidays in the old west with Jimmy Stewart, director Jack Johnstone, and The Six Shooter. —————————— Highlights: • Jack Johnstone’s Early Radio Career • The State of Network Radio in December of 1953 • James Stewart on the Hollywood Star Playhouse • The Six Shooter Launches • A Pressing Engagement • The Radio Industry - More Than Kin • Britt Ponsett’s Christmas Carol • Britt Ponsett Rides Off Into the Sunset • Looking Ahead of January 1954 —————————— 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 - By John Dunning • Radio Rides The Range: A Reference Guide to Western Drama on the Air — by Jack French and David S. Siegel • Network Radio Ratings — By Jim Ramsburg As well as articles from • The Los Angeles Times —————————— On the interview front: • Dick Beals, Virginia Gregg, and Herb Vigran spoke to Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingOfRadio.com. • Parley Baer, Harry Bartell, Sam Edwards, Jack Johnstone, Marvin Miller and Vic Perrin were with SPERDVAC. For more information, go to SPERDVAC.com. • Art Linkletter spoke with John Gassman. • Jimmy Stewart was with Larry King and Johnny Carson. —————————— Selected music featured in today’s episode was: • Somewhere in My Memory and Star of Bethlehem — By John Williams • The Klezmer’s Wedding — By André Moisan • Highland Lament — By The Corries • Sonata No. 1 for Violin, Opus 13: I. Molto Moderato — Played by Michael Davis

    2h 50m
  5. BW - EP121: Radio and The Homecoming (1942 - 1972) [Rewind]

    Apr 27

    BW - EP121: Radio and The Homecoming (1942 - 1972) [Rewind]

    This episode was originally released on 11/1/2021. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 121, we finish our Americana mini-series by coming home for November’s festivities. We’ll cheer for the home team, taste the best turkey dressing, and remember what’s most important with some of radio’s best. —————————— Highlights: • What Can We Be Thankful For? • Thanksgiving with The Answer Man and Radio’s Origin • Ken Carpenter and One Man’s Family • The Columbia Workshop Relaunches • Hearts in Harmony • Damon Runyon’s Football Homecoming • John Brown’s Communist Troubles • Thanksgiving with Miss Brooks • Bob Bailey and Let George Do It • Thanksgiving with Ozzie and Harriet • Checking in With Bob and Ray • Have Gun Will Travel • Ending with Jean Shepherd • Looking ahead to December —————————— 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 - By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings — By Jim Ramsburg —————————— On the interview front: • Eve Arden, Ken Carpenter, Norman Corwin, Gale Gordon, Virginia Gregg, Gloria McMillan, Carlton E. Morse and Janet Waldo spoke to Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingOfRadio.com. • Eve Arden, Roberta Bailey-Goodwin and Dick Joy, spoke with John Dunning for his 71KNUS program from Denver. • John Dehner spoke to SPERDVAC. For more information, go to SPERDVAC.com. • John Dehner also spoke with Neil Ross for KMPC and John Hickman of WAMU. • Ozzie Nelson spoke with Johnny Carson and James Day. • Frank Stanton spoke with CBS for their 50th Anniversary in 1977 • William Paley spoke while receiving an award on November 20th, 1958. —————————— Selected music featured in today’s episode was: • Thanksgiving and Joy — By George Winston • The Holly and the Ivy — By Velvet & Voices • Simple Gifts, Pachelbel’s Canon, and Autumn Stars — By Michael Silverman • The Pavane — By Steve Erquiaga

    3h 12m
  6. BW - EP120: Radio and The Harvest (1936 - 1954) [Rewind]

    Apr 8

    BW - EP120: Radio and The Harvest (1936 - 1954) [Rewind]

    This episode was originally released on 10/1/2021. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 120, we continue our Americana mini-series in autumn with a host of harvest-centered radio programing. We’ll warm by the fire and listen in on stories from some of the medium’s most prominent. —————————— Highlights: • Welcome to October, Welcome to Harvest Season • Fibber and Molly Launches • Feast from Cavalcade’s Harvest • Mel and Dennis Get Their Own Shows • Gale Gordon’s Green Acres • How Mild Can Richard Diamond on ABC Be? • From Peary to Waterman as Gildy Changes Leads • Escape From the Death of Network Dramatic Radio • Looking Ahead to the Homecoming —————————— 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 - By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings — By Jim Ramsburg —————————— On the interview front: • Mel Blanc, Dennis Day, Gale Gordon, Phil Harris, Jim Jordan, Jim Jordan Jr., Harold Peary, and Willard Waterman spoke to Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats and many others from Chuck’s forty year career at SpeakingOfRadio.com. • Mel Blanc, Jim Jordan, and William N. Robson spoke with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. Hear these full interviews at Goldenage-WTIC.org. • Harry Bartell and Virginia Gregg spoke to SPERDVAC. For more information, go to SPERDVAC.com. • Don Quinn was interviewed by Owen Cunningham in 1951. • Ozzie Nelson was a guest of Johnny Carson’s in 1969. • Mel Blanc also spoke with Jack Carney. • Dennis Day also spoke with John Dunning for his 71KNUS program from Denver. —————————— Selected music featured in today’s episode was: • Autumn — By Michael Silverman • Ghost Bus Tours — By George Fenton for High Spirits • Moon — By George Winston • Shine On Harvest Moon — By Joan Morris and William Bolcom

    3h 6m
  7. BW - EP119: Radio and The Diner (1937 - 1965) [Rewind]

    Mar 27

    BW - EP119: Radio and The Diner (1937 - 1965) [Rewind]

    This episode was originally released on 9/1/2021. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 119 we continue our Americana mini-series by bringing our appetites to the diner. We’ll hear stories from some of radio’s best and center ourselves around shows taking place in establishments. —————————— Highlights: • What Exactly is a Diner? • Lux Presents Hollywood • Suspense At the End of World War II • The Diner After World War II • Bill Conrad, Burt Lancaster, and The Killers • ABC Takes Friday Nights With This Is Your FBI • Frank Sinatra and His Rocky Fortune • Going Back to Gunsmoke • James Earl Jones and Theater Five —————————— 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 - By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings — By Jim Ramsburg As well as: • From Hash House to Family Restaurant: The Transformation of the Diner and Post-World War II Consumer Culture — By Andrew Hurley from The March 1997 Journal of American History. And other articles from: • Paste Magazine • Smithsonian Magazine —————————— On the interview front: • Parley Baer, Conrad Binyon, Norman Corwin, and Lurene Tuttle spoke to Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingOfRadio.com. • Parley Baer, Jerry Devine, Lawrence Dobkin, Fred Foy, and Bob Maxwell, were with SPERDVAC. For more information, go to SPERDVAC.com. • William Spier spoke with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. Hear this full interview at Goldenage-WTIC.org. • John Dehner was with Neil Ross for KMPC. • Frank Sinatra spoke with Arlene Francis, Walter Cronkite, and Larry King. • William Conrad with Chris Lambesis. • Norman Macdonnell with John Hickman of WAMU for his Gunsmoke documentary. —————————— Selected music featured in today’s episode was: • Theme From A Summer Place — By Percy Faith • I’ve Got The World on a String and Why Try To Change Me Now — By Frank Sinatra • The Venice Dreamer Pt1 and 2 — By George Winston • Across the Alley from the Alamo — By The Mills Brothers

    3h 5m
  8. BW - EP118: Radio and The Gas Station (1939 - 1982) [Rewind]

    Mar 16

    BW - EP118: Radio and The Gas Station (1939 - 1982) [Rewind]

    This episode was originally released on 8/1/2021. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 118 we hit the road with part one of an Americana mini-series. We’ll gas up with some of radio’s best and examine shows taking place at America’s filling stations. —————————— Highlights: • Al Hodge and The Green Hornet • Getting a Checkup at Doctor Christian’s • Lux Presents: They Drive By Night with Lana Turner and Lucille Ball • Orson Welles and The Hitchhiker • ABC competes with NBC and CBS • Dragnet leads to The Lineup • Stacey Keach and The Last Tales of the Texas Rangers • The Gas Crisis and the CBS Radio Mystery Theater —————————— 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 - By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings — by Jim Ramsburg As well as articles from • The Association For Convenience and Fuel Retailing • Family Tree Magazine • NationalParkService.Org • Newsweek • The Smithsonian Magazine —————————— On the interview front: • Virginia Gregg and Lurene Tuttle spoke to Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingOfRadio.com. • Himan Brown, Larry Haines, Vincent Price, and Rudy Vallée spoke with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. Hear these full interviews at Goldenage-WTIC.org. • Herb Ellis, Byron Kane, Stacy Keach Sr, and Herb Vigran were with SPERDVAC. For more information, go to SPERDVAC.com. • Bing Crosby and John Scott Trotter spoke with Same Time, Same Station. • Lucille Ball was with both Dick Cavett and Joan Rivers. • Orson Welles with Johnny Carson. • Al Hodge with Richard Lamparski. • Vic Perrin with Neill Ross for KMPC. • Joel McCrae was interviewed by Al Greenberg for Orco Development. —————————— Selected music featured in today’s episode was: • Route 66 — By Nat King Cole • Deep Night — By Rudy Vallée • The Klezmer’s Wedding — By Andre Moisan • Living Without You — By George Winston • Fly Me To The Moon — By Julie London

    3h 42m
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4.8
out of 5
108 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    James Scully
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    507
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Breaking Walls

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