Podcasts about Jack Benny

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

Don flashes back to last year on Jack's birthday where the Beaver club is planning a birthday party. The Beavers talk about Jacks accomplishments as a highly rated football player,…

Jack Tries to buy game tickets

As we head into the long Labor Day weekend, enjoy this encore episode featuring one of radio's greatest comedians trading laughs for thrills as Jack Benny stars on Suspense! First, he finds a bag of money and a pile of trouble in "Murder in G-Flat" (originally aired on CBS on April 5, 1951). Then, he's an embezzling retiree who adjusts his pension plan in "A Good and Faithful Servant" (originally aired on CBS on June 2, 1952). Finally, we head to Mars where Benny's average Martian is recruited to welcome visitors from Earth in "Plan X" (originally aired on CBS on February 2, 1953).

Jack Benny | Chasing Rommel Through Libya || Liberty Ship || November 29, 1942; December 6, 1942: : : : :My other podcast channels include: DRAMA X THEATER -- SCI FI x HORROR -- MYSTERY X SUSPENSE -- VARIETY X ARMED FORCES -- THE COMPLETE ORSON WELLESEnjoy my podcast? You can subscribe to receive new post notices. Also, if you have a moment, please give a 4-5 star rating and/or write a 1-2 sentence positive review on your preferred service -- that would help me a lot.Thank you for your support.https://otr.duane.media | Instagram @duane.otr#comedyclassics #oldtimeradio #otr #radioclassics #jackbenny #fibbermcgeemolly #bobhope #lucilleball #martinandlewis #grouchomarx #abbottandcostello #miltonberle #oldtimeradioclassics #classicradio #duaneotr:::: :

November 22, 1950 - Jack Benny guest stars on Ronald and Benita Colman's program "The Halls of Ivy". Ronnie and Benita are playing characters but Jack is playing himself. Reference includes silent film stars John Benny, Flora Finch and Billie Dove, they also mention violinist Heifetz, and the radio program People are Funny!

Flashback to the previous Thursday to Jack's home in Beverly Hills. Jack learns that Rochester wants to have his own phone line installed. He needs it for emergencies, and to…

Jack and Dinah in London   Additional content available on my YouTube channel. Search for J Mac OTR or  @jmac5755 ... Please subscribe

Jello again. The feud between Jack Benny and Phil Harris is really going now. It's got to hit the boiling point soon. In the meantime, another episode of Buck Benny Rides Again comes our way.Episode 236 of The Jack Benny Show. The program originally aired on on December 13, 1936.Please email questions and comments to host@classiccomedyotr.com.Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/classiccomedyotr. Please share this podcast with your friends and family.You can also subscribe to our podcast on Spreaker.com, Spotify, iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and Google podcasts.This show is supported by Spreaker Prime.

January 7, 1937 - Jack Benny hosts the 25th anniversary of Paramount Pictures in honor of studio head Adolph Zukor. A night of music, laughs and stars. Enjoy!

Jack Benny 05-25-00 Jack's Mistakes

Flashback to Jacks home in Beverly Hills. As Rochester sleeps in, Jack is in the kitchen making breakfast. His chores in the kitchen are interrupted by a phone call. It's…

King Solomons Mine Part Two

A Cup Of Coffee    Additional content available on my YouTube channel. Search for J Mac OTR or  @jmac5755 ... Please subscribe

Suspense "Murder in G Flat" April 5, 1951 CBS starring Jack Benny  Suspense "Steel River Prison Break" September 3, 1951 on CBS  starring Jeff Chandler

The news stories of Victory in Japan day, August 14, 1945, 80 years ago. In addition we hear the Fred Waring show from August 14, 1945 with a live shortwave report from Jack Benny in Europe.  Then Command Performance, from August 14, 1945, Victory Extra.  The program begins with a prayer by Ronald Colman, followed by "Ave Maria," sung by Rise Stevens. Bing Crosby hosts the show as Bob Hope is in Europe.  Performers included Rise Stevens, Dinah Shore, Bette Davis, Jimmy Durante, Jose Iturbi, Lionel Barrymore, Marlene Dietrich, Burgess Meredith, Ginny Simms, Frank Sinatra, Janet Blair, William Powell, Harry Von Zell, Lucille Ball, The King Sisters, Cary Grant, Robert Montgomery, Loretta Young, and Lena Horne.We close with Fourteen August as broadcast on CBS August 14, 1945.  A moving and dramatic anti-war reading written on short notice by Norman Corwin and read by Orson Welles.  

May 23, 1951 - Jack Benny guest stars on the radio show Family Theater, introduced by Lucille Ball. They reference The Marshall Plan, Hedda Hopper and hats. Enjoy!

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 • Sherlock Holmes and the Laughing Lemur • The Story Behind Bing Crosby's Departure from NBC and move to ABC • Ozzie, Harriet, David, and Ricky • Jack Benny goes Trick-Or-Treating • John Guedel, Art Linkletter, and People Are Funny • Looking Ahead to the Holiday Season —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today's episode was: • On The Air — By John Dunning • Terror On The Air!, Horror Radio in America — By Richard J. Hand • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — by Jim Ramsburg As well as articles by: • TUNE IN Magazine - September 1946 • Broadcasting Magazine - April 14th, July14th, and September 15th, 1947 —————————— On the interview front: • Chuck Schaden interviewed Jack Benny, Ken Carpenter, John Guedel, Shirley Mitchell, Arch Oboler, Hal Peary, Lurene Tuttle, and Mike Wallace. Hear their full chats at SpeakingofRadio.com. • Howard Duff, June Havoc, and Bill Spier were with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio. These interviews can be heard at GoldenAge-WTIC.org. • John Gassman of SPERDVAC was with Art Linkletter in 1991. For more information, please go to SPERDVAC.com. • Jack Kruschen and Shirley Mitchell were with Jim Bohannon on September 12th, 1987. • Chuck Cecil interviewed Ozzie Nelson. • Johnny Hayes, David Nelson, and Jack Wagner were interviewed by KRLA • Johnny Carson interviewed Orson Welles, Ozzie, Harriet, and Ricky Nelson for The Tonight Show, while David Hartman interviewed David, Harriet, and Ricky for Good Morning America. • Frank Bresee interviewed Bing Crosby, John Scott Trotter • And Dick Joy was with John Dunning for 71KNUS. —————————— Selected Music featured in today's episode was: • A Wicked Thought - By John Zacharely • Ghost Bus Tours - By George Fenton for High Spirits and • Travelin Man - By Ricky Nelson

As the show begins, Jack is absent. Mary announces that he's in the hallway, talking to his writers. We listen in as Mary goes to eavesdrop to learn that the…

Coming home from the train

Step into the witty, satirical world of The Fred Allen Show, one of radio's most celebrated comedy programs. Airing from 1932 to 1949, this legendary series starred Fred Allen, a master of clever wordplay, topical humor, and biting social commentary. Known for his signature segment “Allen's Alley,” where quirky characters offered humorous takes on current events, Fred Allen blended sharp satire with vaudeville charm. His feuds especially the playful rivalry with Jack Benny—became radio legend, adding to the show's enduring appeal. With a mix of monologues, sketches, and memorable characters, The Fred Allen Show remains a standout of radio's golden age—smart, funny, and always ahead of its time. This episode was originally broadcast October 7th, 1945 on NBC Radio.

Recorded February 15, 1953 - This is the rehearsal for the episode aired February 22, 1953 where the kids impersonate the Jack Benny show.

Jello again. Today we take a small break from Buck Benny, but what we do not get a break from is the feud between Jack Benny and Phil Harris. It really seems to be getting out of control.Episode 235 of The Jack Benny Show. The program originally aired on on December 6, 1936.Please email questions and comments to host@classiccomedyotr.com.Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/classiccomedyotr. Please share this podcast with your friends and family.You can also subscribe to our podcast on Spreaker.com, Spotify, iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and Google podcasts.This show is supported by Spreaker Prime.

Zach welcomes film blogger Zoë Kaperonis (The Film Around the Corner) aboard a gondola that takes them straight to art deco Italy in their top hats and white ties as they unpack the 1935  Astaire & Rogers classic, TOP HAT!   Settle in as the two delve into the origins of the Astaire & Rogers partnership, marvel at the preparation and choreography courtesy of Hermes Pan, giggle along to plot that thankfully doesn't make sense, worship at the altars of Edward Everett Horton & Eric Blore, and then finally settle upon the many ways films like Top Hat have shaped the film landscape we see today.   —---   Be sure to follow Zoë's Golden Age Hollywood journey through her fabulous blog, THE FILM AROUND THE CORNER: https://thefilmaroundthecorner.substack.com   Her latest entry, as it happens, covers one of Jack Benny's craziest films and her thoughts on it are well worth the read here: https://thefilmaroundthecorner.substack.com/p/college-holiday-1936   And give her a follow on Social:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefilmaroundthecorner?igsh=MWFjcXZvMDVyZDVsZw== Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/zgkap.bsky.social

2 hours and 50 minutes of old time radio fun!Luke Slaughter Of Tombstone March 02,1958 Tracks Out Of Tombstone The Adventures Of Chick Carter Boy Detective  1944 The Fat Man On The Ferry Calling All Detectives 1948-07-19 A Hit and Run DeathHollywood SoundStage 1952-03-06 Dark Victory with Barbara Stanwyck and Carleton YoungThe Campbell Soup Show Starring Jack Carson 1946-10-02 Jack runs For County Commissioner I Deal In Crime 1946-04-15 Dime A Dance Girl starring William GarganInner Sanctum Mysteries 1945-08-28 Dead Man's Deal starring Larry Haines

Don sets the scene as Jack takes a walk early in the morning. He jokes to himself about smog, Beverly Hills, a horse and buggy, and his Maxwell. When Jack…

How  Jack met the colman's

Jello again. Jack Benny is still angry with band leader, Phill Harris, because he was late to the broadcast again. It looks like the beginning of a feud. The real reason for this strife, however, might be because Phil is more popular with the ladies than Jack is.Episode 234 of The Jack Benny Show. The program originally aired on on November 29, 1936.Please email questions and comments to host@classiccomedyotr.com.Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/classiccomedyotr. Please share this podcast with your friends and family.You can also subscribe to our podcast on Spreaker.com, Spotify, iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and Google podcasts.This show is supported by Spreaker Prime.

John Charles Daly hosts What's My Line? on TV with Jack Benny as the mystery guest. February 8, 1953 - Panel: Dorothy Kilgallen,  Steve Allen, Arlene Francis, and Hal Block June 21, 1959 - Panel: Arlene Francis, Steve Allen and wife Jayne Meadows, and Bennett Cerf June 5, 1966 - Phyllis Newman, Tony Randall, Arlene Francis, and Bennett Cerf

Jack Benny | Jack And Phil Go Target Shooting || George Washington Slept Here Premiere || November 1, 1942; November 22, 1942: : : : :My other podcast channels include: DRAMA X THEATER -- SCI FI x HORROR -- MYSTERY X SUSPENSE -- VARIETY X ARMED FORCES -- THE COMPLETE ORSON WELLESEnjoy my podcast? You can subscribe to receive new post notices. Also, if you have a moment, please give a 4-5 star rating and/or write a 1-2 sentence positive review on your preferred service -- that would help me a lot.Thank you for your support.https://otr.duane.media | Instagram @duane.otr#comedyclassics #oldtimeradio #otr #radioclassics #jackbenny #fibbermcgeemolly #bobhope #lucilleball #martinandlewis #grouchomarx #abbottandcostello #miltonberle #oldtimeradioclassics #classicradio #duaneotr:::: :

Dennis opens the show to remind us of last week's incident with Don refusing to sign his contract. Flashback to Jack's house where Dennis and Rochester talk. Jack is busy…

Dennis Tries To Borrow Money

Jack Dreams He is married

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 theme, like the New York city subway. While this episode will take place in or around New York's public transportation system, we'll focus just as much on the relationships forged by radio's legends on both coasts. Highlights: • Mercedes McCambridge, Himan Brown, and Grand Central Station • How Bill Spier influenced the careers of his wife June Havoc and his protégé Elliott Lewis • From Suspense to Broadway is My Beat, Elliott Lewis shines • Jack Benny stars on Suspense • Cathy Lewis: Mrs Radio • Mandel Kramer, Jan Miner, and Subway Soaps from New York • Byron Kane and Subways Are For Sleeping • William N. Robson, Shirley Mitchell, Virginia Gregg and Jack Kruschen on radio in the 1950s • Bob and Ray head down into the Subway • Himan Brown brings dramatic radio back to life in the 1970s • Next Stop: The Soda Shop 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 • The CBS Radio Mystery Theater Handbook - by Gordon Payton & Martin Grams Jr. • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 - by Jim Ramsburg • The Museum of Broadcast Communications Encyclopedia of Radio - by Christopher H. Sterling as well as articles from: • Broadcasting Magazine - November 3rd, 1947 • And Billboard Magazine - May 1st, 1948 On the interview front: • Himan Brown, June Havoc, Mandel Kramer, Elliott Lewis, E.G. Marshall, Jan Miner, William Spier and William N. Robson were with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio. These interview can be heard at GoldenAge-WTIC.org. • Ralph Bell, Himan Brown, Lawrence Dobkin, Betty Lou Gerson and Byron Kane, were with SPERDVAC. For more information, please go to S-P-E-R-D-V-A-C.com. • Himan Brown, Virginia Gregg, Elliott Lewis, Mercedees McCambridge, Shirley Mitchell and Alan Reed were interviewed by Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats and many others from Chuck's over thirty-nine year career and SpeakingofRadio.com. • Ellott Lewis was with John Dunning on May 23rd, 1982. • Jack Kruschen, Shirley Mitchell, and George Walsh were with Jim Bohannon on September 12, 1987. • And Morton Fine was with Dan Haefele on August 9th, 1988. Selected music featured in today's episode was: • It's been a Long, Long Time - by Keely Smith • Smoke Gets in Your Eyes - by the Mallet Men • The Big Heist and Salute to Charlie Christian - by Barney Kessel • Atlantis and Roller Coaster - by Les Baxter • I'll Take Manhattan - by Blossom Dearie • And Fly Me To the Moon - by Julie London

Flashback to Jack's house where Don is trying to renegotiate his contract. When a stalemate is reached, Jack sends Don to a room to think it over, and locks him…

Jack Listens To The World Series

In this episode of Becoming a Bowhunter, Matty catches up with two stickbow hunters and top blokes — Benny Fensom and Jack Spinks — for a laugh-filled and brutally honest yarn about traditional archery, wild meat processing, serious health scares, and why red deer still haunt their dreams. From hand-pumping 20 kilos of sausages to dodging disease from deer urine, this one covers all the messy, meaty, and memorable moments that come with hunting hard and living wild. Podcast Topics: Rutting Chaos – Benny & Jack give some detailed recaps of their fallow rut together plus some yarns from previous rut experiences they've shared. Red Deer Vs Fallow – Which deer is harder to hunt and why is it reds? Stickbow Only – No wheels here. The boys break down why they've gone all-in on trad bows and what it takes to consistently get kills inside 10 meters.Sausage Shenanigans – Making 100kg of snags with a cement mixer, exploding cheese sticks, and the absolute art of tying off links without losing your mind.Q Fever & Lepto – Benny's experience with leptospirosis, which had him bed-bound for a few weeks. The wild strain, not native to Australia that landed him in hospital for a week.Big Kev the Stag – The legendary red named Big Kev.  Stickbow Dropouts – Why many trad shooters burn out after 6 months, and how to stick with it when the compound itch creeps in. This one's got it all — equal parts funny, filthy, and full of hard-won bowhunting wisdom. Find Benny & Jack: Benny: @benny_fensom Jack: @jackspinks_ Jabstick Outdoors: @jabstickoutdoors https://jabstickoutdoors.au/ Find Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcastHosted by: @mattyafter Episode Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off. @dogandguncoffeeKayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off. @kayuga_broadheadsVenture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt. @venturehuntingJab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off. @jabstickoutdoors

In this episode of Becoming a Bowhunter, Matty catches up with two stickbow hunters and top blokes — Benny Fensom and Jack Spinks — for a laugh-filled and brutally honest yarn about traditional archery, wild meat processing, serious health scares, and why red deer still haunt their dreams. From hand-pumping 20 kilos of sausages to dodging disease from deer urine, this one covers all the messy, meaty, and memorable moments that come with hunting hard and living wild. Podcast Topics: Rutting Chaos – Benny & Jack give some detailed recaps of their fallow rut together plus some yarns from previous rut experiences they've shared. Red Deer Vs Fallow – Which deer is harder to hunt and why is it reds? Stickbow Only – No wheels here. The boys break down why they've gone all-in on trad bows and what it takes to consistently get kills inside 10 meters.Sausage Shenanigans – Making 100kg of snags with a cement mixer, exploding cheese sticks, and the absolute art of tying off links without losing your mind.Q Fever & Lepto – Benny's experience with leptospirosis, which had him bed-bound for a few weeks. The wild strain, not native to Australia that landed him in hospital for a week.Big Kev the Stag – The legendary red named Big Kev.  Stickbow Dropouts – Why many trad shooters burn out after 6 months, and how to stick with it when the compound itch creeps in. This one's got it all — equal parts funny, filthy, and full of hard-won bowhunting wisdom. Find Benny & Jack: Benny: @benny_fensom Jack: @jackspinks_ Jabstick Outdoors: @jabstickoutdoors https://jabstickoutdoors.au/ Find Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcastHosted by: @mattyafter Episode Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off. @dogandguncoffeeKayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off. @kayuga_broadheadsVenture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt. @venturehuntingJab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off. @jabstickoutdoors

January 31, 1946 - Command Performance USA hosted by Robert Young with special guests Chico Marx, Lina Romay and Jack Benny in his version of the Suspense play "Sorry Wrong Number".

In Jack's house, he and Rochester put together a photo scrapbook. They're out of glue, and have no flour to make homemade paste. Jack sets out for Ronald Colemans to…

May 26, 1946 - The Fred Allen Show with special guest star Jack Benny. In this episode they spoof the radio program "Queen for a Day".  Other references include The Lone Ranger, Ralph Edwards, Mary Margaret McBride, The Street Singer, Duncan Phyfe, Marconi, Sidney Greenstreet, "The Postman Always Rings Twice", President Truman, Camels cigarettes, and the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe.

Don sets the stage for a flashback in the Brown Derby where two waiters argue over who has to take care of Jack Benny. While Jack and Mary wait for…

Helaine Witt joined me me to discuss watching Bonanza in color; Ed Sullivan Show; her mom not liking Jack Benny; going to Elmont High School; John Mulaney; seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and earlier on Jack Paar; Ringo not playing live at Shea; Elton John; teaching in 1970's NY; bad neighborhoods; being laid off by NYC; going to a stand up club in SF and taking classes; selling jokes to Joan Rivers; coming back to NY in 1991; working with Gladys Simon; working with Vanessa Hollingshead as a coach; going to the Actors Temple with Rabbi Jill; Simpsons "stealing" her jokes; Tom Padovano; my ending joke; Carrie Snow; her writing process; wanting to write for Gutfeld; being able to submit for Leno; more time for stand up after retiring from teaching in 2011; Governors Comedy Cub; Jewish Comedy Contest becomes a documentary called Still Standing; working with Jo Firestone on doc Good Timing; appearing on MSNBC and Wendy Williams; Joan Rivers didn't want a roast; Next Door app; Seinfeld; appearing in short film Singles Retreat and its premiere

November 29, 1945 - In order to get and inheritance, George Burns has to go to college. Gracie Allen gets George's friend, Jack Benny, to join him.

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, Yarborough, Lewis, and Hawk Larabee • Escape Moves the Western Forward • The Life and Death of Jeff Chandler • CBS Becomes Number 1 • NBC Fires Back with New Western Shows • Elliott Lewis, Suspense, On Stage, and Crime Classics • The Birth of Gunsmoke • Jack Johnstone, Jimmy Stewart, and The Six Shooter • The Networks Pull the Plug in 1954 • What's Next The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers The reading material used in today's episode was: • On The Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio - by John Dunning • Radio Rides The Range: A Reference Guide to Western Drama on the Air, 1929 - 1967 by Jack French and David S. Siegel • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-1953 - by Jim Ramsburg As well as passages from • Broadcast Magazine — 12/22/1947, 2/16/1948, 3/1/1948 • Sponsor Magazine — 10/1/1951 On the Interview Front: • Parley Baer, Harry Bartell, Lillian Buyeff, Mary Jane Croft, John Dehner, Lawrence Dobkin, Sam Edwards, Herb Ellis, Virginia Gregg, Jack Johnstone, Byron Kane, Elliott Lewis, Jeanette Nolan, and Herb Vigran were with SPERDVAC, the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety, and Comedy. For more information, please go to SPERDVAC.com • Hans Conried, Howard Duff, and Elliott Lewis with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio. The full interviews can be heard at GoldenAge-WTIC.org • Jack Benny, Hans Conried, Betty Lou Gerson, Elliott Lewis, and Lurene Tuttle were with Chuck Schaden. Chuck's interviews from an over 39-year career can be listened to for free at SpeakingofRadio.com • Eve Arden, Elliott Lewis, and E. Jack Neuman were with John Dunning for his 1980s 71KNUS Radio program from Denver. Some of his interviews can be found at OTRRLibrary.org • William Conrad, John Dehner, Rex Koury, Norman Macdonnell, John Meston, William N. Robson, and George Walsh were John Hickman of WAMU for his Gunsmoke documentary. • Mr. Hickman was the longtime host of “Recollections.” A modern version of this program is heard each Sunday evening as “The Big Broadcast.” For more information, please go to WAMU.org • William Conrad was also with collector Chris Lambesis for a December 15th, 1969 interview • Jimmy Stewart was with Larry King in 1986 • And William S. Paley and Frank Stanton were interviewed for CBS's 50th Anniversary program in 1977. Selected Music Featured in Today's Episode Was: • I've Got the World on a String - by Frank Sinatra • Pyramid of the Sun & Voodoo Dreams - by Les Baxter • I'll Be Seeing You - by The Harry James Orchestra • Route 66 - by Nat King Cole

In the spring of 1946, Phil Harris and his wife Alice Faye were interviewed on the Chicago radio show of columnist Nate Gross. A week later, Jack Benny was the guest on the program. Here are both 15 minute episodes!

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 webinar for Part 1. And if you're interested in this Part 2 webinar and can't make it live on Monday, June 30th at 7PM, don't worry I'll be emailing every person who registers a video of Part 2's webinar as soon as it's done. Here's a link to register — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-cbs-talent-raids-part-2-the-early-television-era-webinar-tickets-1419361692029?aff=oddtdtcreator Here's an overview of the webinar below: When David Sarnoff officially launched network television at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City, he intended to have TV sets in everyone's homes by the early 1940s. World War II interrupted his plans. Meanwhile network radio soared in popularity throughout the 1940s. By the fall of 1948, three of the four major radio networks — ABC, CBS, and NBC — were funneling their soaring radio profits into the burgeoning television side of their businesses. And because all individual U.S. citizens were taxed 77% on all income over $70k (roughly $907k today), big stars of the day like Jack Benny, Bing Crosby, and Freeman Gosden had the idea to incorporate their popular shows as businesses in order to qualify for significant breaks under capital gains tax laws. What happened when David Sarnoff and RCA, the parent company of NBC, the nation's #1 network at the time, refused to make this deal with its stars? It's time to uncover how a smart bet by CBS helped it overtake its main rival during the golden age of radio and exactly how this affected the early years of television. Join James Scully — Radio historian and producer/host of Breaking Walls, the docu-podcast on the history of U.S. network radio broadcasting for the second part of this two-part series that explores the events surrounding the CBS Talent Raids of 1948, and the many men and women who benefited from this monumental period in entertainment. In Part Two: Early Network Television, we'll focus on the rise of TV throughout the 1940s and early 1950s as the CBS Talent Raids took hold, including: • From Farnsworth to the 1939 World's Fair — Early TV History and How World War II slowed TV's oncoming growth • How NBC, CBS, and ABC Launched into TV while siphoning radio profits into their TV networks • The Dumont Network and Pro Rasslin' — Could the network have lasted longer? • Berle, Godfrey, Sullivan and The TV ratings landscape as we enter the 1950 • I Love Lucy Launches, forever altering Television viewing • How Television's explosive growth in the early 1950s changed America's way of life • TV's profits are radio's losses Afterward, I'll do a Q&A — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!Can't attend live? Not to worry! I'll be recording the event and sending the video out to all guests who register so you can watch it later. See you (virtually) there!

GGACP's celebration of Pride Month continues with this look back at a 2015 interview with the daughter of horror icon Vincent Price, author and public speaker Victoria Price. In this episode, Victoria talks about her father's run-ins with the Hollywood blacklist, his distaste for slasher films, his lifelong friendships with Christopher Lee and Peter Lorre and his rumored bisexuality. Also, Victoria lauds horror movie fans, deconstructs “The Abominable Dr. Phibes”, and visits the set of “Theater of Blood”! PLUS: The wonder of Emergo! Vincent Price meets Jack Benny! Martin Scorsese praises “House of Wax”! And the return of “The Tingler”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 ingenious marketing campaigns in entertainment history took place: The “I Can't Stand Jack Benny” Contest. Highlights: • Jack's slipping ratings • Problems with General Foods • Jack changes sponsors • The War ends and a new season begins • Mabel Flapsaddle & Gertrude Gearshift • Steve Bradley and his big ideas • $10,000 and $646,000 • Jack gets robbed • The Contest • Mail pours in • The Colmans can't stand Jack Benny • Jack's ratings soar • Christmas of 1945 & The Rose Bowl • Fred Allen and the end of the Contest • Isaac Stern • Palm Springs • Van Jackson • Ed Sullivan and the end of the season • King for a Day The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers The reading material used in today's episode was: • Sunday Nights at Seven - by Jack and Joan Benny • On The Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio - by John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-1953 - by Jim Ramsburg • As well as articles from Radio Life on January 27th and February 3rd, 1946 On the interview front: •Jack Benny, Ezra Stone, Kate Smith, Don Wilson, Eliott Lewis, Phil Harris, Frank Nelson and Dennis Day were with Chuck Schaden. Chuck's interviews from an over 39-year career can be listened to for free at SpeakingofRadio.com • Vincent Price and Mel Blanc were with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio. The full interviews can be heard at GoldenAge-WTIC.org • Dennis Day was also with John Dunning for his 1980s 71KNUS Radio program from Denver. Some of his interviews can be found at OTRRLibrary.org • And Finally Jack Benny, Dennis Day, Phil Harris, Frank Nelson, Don Wilson and Mel Blanc were also with Jack Carney for his early 1980s Comedy Program. Much of this audio was originally taken from a 1972 PBS Documentary on Great Radio Comedians. Thank you Goodmond Danielson for supplying me with the audio. Selected music featured in today's episode was: • Love in Bloom by Bing Crosby • It's Been a Long, Long, Time by the Harry James Orchestra • Chickery Chick by Sammy Kaye with Billy Williams & Nancy Norman • Manhattan Serenade by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with Jo Stafford • It Might as Well Be Spring by Larry Stephens • Danny Boy by Dennis Day • Along the Navajo Trail by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters WallBreakers Links: Patreon - patreon.com/thewallbreakers Social Media - @TheWallBreakers URL - thewallbreakers.com Online Store - jamesthewallbreaker.com/shop/

“Get this and get it straight!” We're celebrating Gerald Mohr - the radio actor who brought a two-fisted intensity to Philip Marlowe - in honor of his birthday on June 11. He was one of the best stars of the era, and his performance makes The Adventures of Philip Marlowe one of the best detective dramas of the day. We'll hear Mohr as Marlowe in “The Easy Mark” (originally aired on CBS on January 29, 1949) and “The Long Arm” (originally aired on CBS on February 7, 1950). Then, he's a less scrupulous character in “Lady with a Key” from The Whistler (originally aired on CBS on April 2, 1950). Finally, he co-stars with Jack Benny in “A Good and Faithful Servant,” a story of a $50,000 department store heist and the mild-mannered clerk who pulls it off, from Suspense (originally aired on CBS on June 2, 1952).