PODCAST

Breaking Walls

James Scully

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

history

All Episodes

02:13:46

BW - EP103: A Weekend at the Malt Shop with Fibber...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/10/06

This episode was originally released on 5/1/2020. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes.____________ In Breaking Walls Episode 103 we visit the town of Wistful Vista to spend a weekend at Walt’s Malt Shop with Fibber McGee and Molly. While between 1938 and 1950, Jim and Marian Jordan’s comedy never finished lower than fifth in national radio ratings, in this episode, we’ll focus on the period after, when the show became a closed

02:31:20

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

Breaking Walls ·

2025/09/29

This episode was originally released on 4/1/2020. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes.____________ In Breaking Walls Episode 102, we travel back to the fall of 1955 for the re-launch of Yours Truly Johnny Dollar. Although the five-part Dollar format would last for only a year, listeners then and in the years since have praised the productions as some of the best ever. —————————— Highlights: • Who is Johnny Dollar? • Dick Powell:

03:37:45

BW - EP101: Frontier Gentleman and The Saga of Belle...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/09/24

This episode was originally released on 3/1/2020. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes.____________ In Breaking Walls episode 101, we spotlight the career of John Dehner during 1958. In February of that year, Dehner was cast in the title role of J.B. Kendall in Antony Ellis’ short-lived western, Frontier Gentleman. We’ll focus on four episodes of the series which had a recurring character named Belle Siddons, a beautiful gambler and

02:45:43

BW - EP100: The Radio Career of Lucille Ball (1938 -...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/09/07

This episode was originally released on 2/1/2020. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes.____________ In Breaking Walls episode 100 we focus on the radio career of Lucille Ball, arguably the most famous comedienne of the twentieth century. She rose through the ranks in New York as a model before a small role in Eddie Cantor’s Roman Scandals brought her to Hollywood in 1933 where she gained prominence. When the 1940s began, Ball was

03:24:23

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

Breaking Walls ·

2025/08/31

This episode was originally released on 1/1/2020. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes.____________ In Breaking Walls episode 99 we wrap up our trilogy on the most popular season in radio history with a look at the major network programming surrounding New Year’s 1948. —————————— Highlights: • Scenes from the Post-Christmas Blizzard Aftermath • Breakfast in Hollywood • Checking in on Lora Lawton • Lois Lane Has Been Framed •

03:26:57

BW - EP98: Christmas Week 1947 with Radio's Biggest...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/08/24

This episode was originally released on 12/1/2019. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes.____________ In Breaking Walls Episode 98 we continue our trilogy on the most popular season in radio history with a look at Christmas Week 1947. —————————— Highlights: • Ralph Edwards and Truth or Consequences—A Record Rated Show • It’s Christmas Week and Jerusalem is in Shambles • The Eternal Light and One Man’s Family • Jack Benny Does Last

02:23:59

BW - EP97: Thanksgiving 1947—The Most Popular Season...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/08/17

This episode was originally released on 11/1/2019. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes.____________ In Breaking Walls Episode 97 we usher in the holiday season with the first of a three-part mini-series on the 1947-48 radio season. The 1947-48 season had the largest radio audience in history. Homes with radios jumped 6%, car radios 29%. The major networks—NBC, CBS, ABC, and the Mutual Broadcasting System added 147 new affiliates

03:12:16

BW - EP96: Halloween on the Air (1943 - 1953) [Rewind]

Breaking Walls ·

2025/08/11

This episode was originally released on 10/1/2019. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls Episode 96, we laugh, scream, and cry while we join radio’s best as they celebrate Halloween on the air. —————————— Highlights: • The Birth of the Great Gildersleeve • Sam Spade has a Halloween adventure • Ernest Chappell says, “Don’t Tell Me About Halloween” • Spike Jones and His City Slickers Celebrate •

00:00:59

Thursday 8.14.2025 — The Final Part of the Orson...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/08/05

Hey everyone, James Scully here, producer and host of Breaking Walls, the docu-podcast on the history of US Network Radio Broadcasting. I wanted to let you know about a new webinar I’m doing next Thursday August 14th at 7PM eastern time. It's the final part of a 3-part mini series on Orson Welles' life and career. "Orson Welles' Career, Part 3: Welles In Europe (1948 - 1956)," is on an often-forgotten and underrated part of Orson Welles' career during his years living and working in Europe. It

03:19:23

BW - EP95: Radio And The Classroom (1939 - 1965)...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/08/03

This episode was originally released on 9/1/2019. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls Episode 95, we go back to school with radio’s teacher’s pets, class clowns, and perhaps the most iconic “Miss” in radio history. —————————— Highlights: • How William Paley used The Columbia Workshop to launch shows and careers. • Suspense Moves to Hollywood and Gets Sponsorship • The Radio Rise of Eve Arden and the

03:16:30

BW - EP94: Radio And The Drugstore/Malt Shop (1940 -...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/07/28

This episode was originally released on 8/1/2019. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 94 we visit the malt shops, drug stores, and soda counters in America’s heartland and spend time with radio’s best dramatic actors and actresses. Highlights • Norman Corwin, Margaret Sullavan, and Byron Kane’s Big Break • The Pharmacist Goes to War—and Saves a Life • Inner Sanctum and Santos Ortega • Dennis

03:05:30

BW - EP93: Radio And The New York City Subway (1941 -...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/07/20

This episode was originally released on 7/1/2019. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes.____________ In Breaking Walls episode 93 we ride the rails with some of the most famous stars in radio history. During radio’s golden age, there were three main production hubs: New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. With so much daily content to produce, radio’s greatest minds developed programs and episodes centered around every recognizable

00:01:59

Thursday 7.17.2025 — A New Webinar: Orson Welles'...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/07/15

Hey everyone, James Scully here, producer and host of Breaking Walls, the docu-podcast on the history of US Network Radio Broadcasting. I wanted to let you know about a new webinar I’m doing this Thursday July 17th, at 7PM on Orson Welles' early career of Orson Welles through the end of 1941. If you can't make it live this Thursday July 17th at 7PM, don't worry, I’ll be emailing every person who registers a video of the webinar once it's over. Here's a link to register:

02:25:06

BW - EP92: Radio And Coney Island (1906 - 1960) [Rewind]

Breaking Walls ·

2025/07/13

This episode was originally released on 6/1/2019. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes.____________ In Breaking Walls episode 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 wireless telegraphy, an important station location for Guglielmo Marconi. Highlights: • Marconi’s last link • André Baruch

03:06:50

BW - EP91: The Hollywood Radio Western Renaissance...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/07/06

This episode was originally released on 5/1/2019. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 91, we finish the adult western trilogy with a focus on the period after television decimated radio’s listening audience, forever altering the broadcasting landscape. Dramatic radio’s time as America’s number one entertainment genre was over, but it was far from dead. Our story won’t conclude on that fabled

03:54:25

BW - EP90: The Hollywood People Behind Radio’s Baby...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/07/01

This episode was originally released on 4/1/2019. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes.____________ In Breaking Walls episode 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 western grows up. Highlights: • William S. Paley’s Plan to Overtake NBC • The West-Coast Hollywood Actors • Robson,

00:02:20

Monday 6.30.2025 — A New Webinar: The CBS Talent...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/06/25

Hey everyone, James Scully here, producer and host of Breaking Walls, the docu-podcast on the history of US Network Radio Broadcasting. I wanted to let you know about a new webinar I’m doing on Monday June 30th, 2025 at 7PM. It’s Part 2 of the CBS Talent Raids on the early Television era. This webinar focuses on the rise of TV throughout the 1940s and early 1950s as the CBS Talent Raids took hold. If you missed Part 1, don’t worry, when you register for Part 2 I’ll email you a video of the

02:20:50

BW - EP89: The Birth of The Adult Radio Western (1929...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/06/22

This episode was originally released on 3/1/2019. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 89, we explore the birth of the dramatic radio western show, specifically targeted to adult audiences. This is the first of a three-part mini-series on adult western radio shows. Highlights: • Back to the Very Beginning • What is a Western Show? • The Birth of Western Dramatic Radio Shows • Empire Builders •

03:17:52

BW - EP88: I Can't Stand Jack Benny—The Story Behind...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/06/15

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. Kitzel, and Ronald and Benita Colman. This season featured guest appearances from Ingrid Bergman, Isaac Stern, Van Johnson, Ray Milland, Peter Lorre, Louella Parsons, Fred Allen, Ed Sullivan and others. It also was the season in which Dennis Day returned from the Navy and one of the most

01:52:16

BW - EP87: New Year's Day On the Air (1946 - 1956)...

Breaking Walls ·

2025/06/08

This episode was originally released on 1/1/2019. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes.____________ In Breaking Walls episode 87, we spotlight some New Year’s Day radio programming from the Golden Age of radio, specifically beginning in 1946 after the end of World War II and television's post-war rise. Highlights: • Skelton • Casey Crime Photographer and the Invasion of TV • Radio City Playhouse and Our Miss Brooks • The Railroad

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