Breaking Walls

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 - https://www.goldenage-wtic.org/gaor-36.html). Beck was a New York city native that had, to that point, had a forty year career as a voice actor and announcer in every format from radio (The Adventures of Superman, Philo Vance), commercials, and cartoons (Bluto in Popeye).

In this clip, Mr. Beck talks about some of those roles and tells a funny Louis Armstrong story.

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 - https://www.goldenage-wtic.org/gaor-36.html). Beck was a New York city native that had, to that point, had a forty year career as a voice actor and announcer in every format from radio (The Adventures of Superman, Philo Vance), commercials, and cartoons (Bluto in Popeye).

In this clip, Mr. Beck talks about some of those roles and tells a funny Louis Armstrong story.

In July of 1975 legendary sportscaster Mel Allen sat down with WTIC's Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for a conversation about his life and career (full interview here - https://goldenage-wtic.org/gaor-64.html).

Before Allen became famous for calling baseball he was working as a staff announcer at CBS. In the late 1930s and early 1940s as CBS and NBC were jockeying for position as the nation's number one network, the competitors tried various underhanded tactics to get a leg up in the sportscasting world. Allen shared some of those memories.

In July of 1975 legendary sportscaster Mel Allen sat down with WTIC's Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for a conversation about his life and career (full interview here - https://goldenage-wtic.org/gaor-64.html).

Before Allen became famous for calling baseball he was working as a staff announcer at CBS. In the late 1930s and early 1940s as CBS and NBC were jockeying for position as the nation's number one network, the competitors tried various underhanded tactics to get a leg up in the sportscasting world. Allen shared some of those memories.

This is a snippet from Breaking Walls Episode 98: Christmas Week 1947 with Radio's Biggest Stars

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For the four major radio networks, 1947 was a year or record business:

ABC saw a 7.25% gross billings increase. NBC sold out its entire primetime programming block. CBS had seventeen shows with ratings higher than fifteen. And Mutual Broadcasting had the most affiliates in the country. Total radio revenue was over five-hundred million dollars. There were now more than thirty-six million radio homes, and urban centers accounted for 60% of the US population.

It was in this season that Milton Berle finally established himself on radio. The Milton Berle Show was one of a half-dozen titles showcasing Berle in his star-crossed radio career. Until 1946 he was considered radio’s best-known ratings failure.

But NBC saw potential in Berle where CBS had failed. In March of 1947 they gave him his own variety show, sponsored by Philip Morris. It featured some of radio’s top comedic talent, like Arnold Stang, Pert Kelton, Arthur Q. Bryan, Jack Albertson, Ed Begley and Frank Gallop.

In its second season on NBC Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m, the show’s audience jumped 40% and Berle finally cracked radio’s Top 50. In December his rating was 17.5 against Big Town on CBS.

In June of 2007, Chuck Schaden had the pleasure of interviewing actress Gloria McMillan at Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound convention in Seattle, Washington (Full interview here - http://www.speakingofradio.com/interviews/mcmillan-gloria-actress/). During the conversation, Chuck asked Ms. McMillan how she landed the role of Harriet Conklin as a teenager on Our Miss Brooks.

In June of 2007, Chuck Schaden had the pleasure of interviewing actress Gloria McMillan at Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound convention in Seattle, Washington (Full interview here - http://www.speakingofradio.com/interviews/mcmillan-gloria-actress/). During the conversation, Chuck asked Ms. McMillan how she landed the role of Harriet Conklin as a teenager on Our Miss Brooks.

In February of 1971, Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran interviewed famed organist Rosa Rio about her long career in radio (Full interview here - https://goldenage-wtic.org/gaor-11.html). During the course of the conversation, Ms. Rio explained how shortened time in live radio led to much improvisation while playing.

In February of 1971, Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran interviewed famed organist Rosa Rio about her long career in radio (Full interview here - https://goldenage-wtic.org/gaor-11.html). During the course of the conversation, Ms. Rio explained how shortened time in live radio led to much improvisation while playing.

In April of 1971, radio child-actor legend Jackie Kelk, famous on both Superman and The Aldrich Family, sat down with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio (full interview here - https://goldenage-wtic.org/gaor-13.html). During the course of the interview Dick asked Jackie Kelk about his time on The Adventures of Superman. Jackie had a funny story.