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Artwork for Breaking Walls

Breaking Walls

James Scully
Suspense
World War II
Roma Wines
Hollywood
Orson Welles
CBS
Sorry, Wrong Number
Lucille Ball
Agnes Moorehead
Lucille Fletcher
New York
Cary Grant
Molle Mystery Theater
Home For the Fourth
Columbia Presents Corwin
Vincent Price
1944
Bernard Lenrow
Raymond Edward Johnson
Independence Day

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes515Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for Breaking Walls

Latest Episodes

This episode was originally released on 7/1/2021. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 117 we blast off with NBC in the fall of 1955 and spotlight... more

This episode was originally released on 6/1/2021. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 116, it’s June of 1955 and network radio is in uncharted te... more

This episode was originally released on 5/1/2021. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 115, we focus on one of the last experimental programs on t... more

This episode was originally released on 4/1/2021. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes. ____________ In Breaking Walls episode 114, as America moves to the suburbs in the mid-1950s, we m... more

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Recent Guests

Ray Bradbury
Famous American author known for his works in science fiction
Episode: BW - EP115: The CBS Radio Workshop (1956 - 1957) [Rewind]
Elliott Lewis
A prolific figure in 1950s radio, known for his work as producer, director, and actor, affectionately dubbed 'Mr. Radio'.
CBS
Episode: BW - EP113: A Week With Elliott Lewis in 1953 [Rewind]
Jack Benny
Legendary comedian and radio figure, known for his show on NBC before moving to CBS during the Christmas Week of 1948.
CBS
Episode: BW - EP110: Christmas Week 1948—The CBS Talent Raids [Rewind]
Edgar Bergen
Famous ventriloquist and actor who hosted a prominent radio show and also moved to CBS at the same time.
CBS
Episode: BW - EP110: Christmas Week 1948—The CBS Talent Raids [Rewind]
Robert Capa
A renowned photographer known for his work in combat photography and photojournalism.
Episode: BW - EP109: Thanksgiving 1948—The Changing Radio Landscape [Rewind]
Bob Reddick
Actor who took over the role of Johnny Dollar later
Episode: BW - EP102: The Return of Johnny Dollar (1955) [Rewind]
Dick Powell
Film veteran and actor who recorded an audition for 'Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar'
Episode: BW - EP102: The Return of Johnny Dollar (1955) [Rewind]
Jack Johnstone
Director and producer associated with 'Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar'
Episode: BW - EP102: The Return of Johnny Dollar (1955) [Rewind]
Ronald Colman
Academy Award-winning English actor.
Famous actor from classic films
Episode: BW - EP88: I Can't Stand Jack Benny—The Story Behind His 1945-46 Season [Rewind]

Host

James Scully
Host of a podcast focused on the history of American network radio broadcasting, providing insights into the evolution and notable figures within the medium.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 130 ratings
  • Enchanted with Context

    The historical context provided enhances the shows so much. We’re very lucky to have someone doing research for us to level up not only our listening experience but also our understanding of history.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    erikeric
    United States3 years ago
  • Background music

    Could do with out the loud music during the narration, it’s distracting. Otherwise, I really enjoy it.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Iowa Flight Design
    United States3 years ago
  • Love it when they break down the fourth wall!

    I can getOTR from any number of sources but I love the background interviews on this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fphillips52
    United States4 years ago
  • A Treasure for OTR fans

    Old Time Radio behind the scenes archive!!! This is gold! A compilation of interviews with stars, producers & directors, and pertinent portions of radio shows. It is not only entertaining and well crafted, but it’s an invaluable historical record. Everyone interviewed has been gone for so long; their genius is back on display. I am so impressed and loving it!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RehanKhan510
    United States4 years ago
  • Long podcasts the best…

    …the longer podcasts, I.e. over an hour, some as long as a couple hours, are really the best way to spend some of my time with my iPod. My old time radio hobby addiction can only be treated in this manner. Keep up the absolutely wonderful work producing these programs. Thank you very much.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    timmersj
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The podcast is well-known for its well-researched episodes and captivating storytelling, engaging both new and longtime fans of radio history.
Rich historical context enhances listening experiences, making it a treasure for fans of old-time radio.
Listeners appreciate the blend of interviews and programming analysis, contributing to a well-rounded exploration of broadcast history.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BW - EP113: A Week With Elliott Lewis in 1953 [Rewind]
Q: What was the atmosphere like for radio as television started to rise?
Elliott Lewis noted that the fall 1953 season saw television decimate radio's at-home audiences, meaning radio ratings had significantly dropped since the late 40s.
BW - EP113: A Week With Elliott Lewis in 1953 [Rewind]
Q: How busy were you at your busiest as far as being?
Elliott Lewis mentions that he counted doing 20 shows in one week in various capacities including production and acting, showcasing his intense schedule during this period.
BW - EP105: Sam Spade Comes to Radio (1946 - 1951) [Rewind]
Q: What is your favorite memory about the early days of the program?
I always liked to work with the top people; I'm not very good when I work with people who are not very good.
BW - EP105: Sam Spade Comes to Radio (1946 - 1951) [Rewind]
Q: Did you have a feeling for drama? Did you have an interest in it even then?
Yes, I did. I had always been, as Jimmy Durante says, a carnivorous reader.
BW - EP93: Radio And The New York City Subway (1941 - 1975) [Rewind]
Q: What would you consider yourself, what was your label in radio because you directed, you also created?
I never had a label. It was a way of life.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Breaking Walls

What is Breaking Walls about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focuses on the history of American network radio broadcasting, highlighting key personalities, shows, and the transitional phases of radio over the decades. Noteworthy content includes in-depth discussions on iconic figures and their contributions to the medium, along with explorations of significant events such as the CBS talent raids and the evolution toward television. The podcast provides a rich tapestry of anecdotes, behind-the-scenes insights, and carefully curated historical narratives, offering listeners a deeper understanding of radio's cultural impact, particularly in the golden age of broadcasting.

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How many listeners does Breaking Walls get?

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What are the audience demographics for Breaking Walls?

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How many subscribers and views does Breaking Walls have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Breaking Walls has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Breaking Walls?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Breaking Walls:

1. This Day in Jack Benny
2. The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society
3. Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)
4. The Rewatchables
5. The Rest Is History

How many episodes of Breaking Walls are there?

Breaking Walls launched 11 years ago and published 515 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Breaking Walls?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Breaking Walls?

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What guests have appeared on Breaking Walls?

Recent guests on Breaking Walls include:

1. Ray Bradbury
2. Elliott Lewis
3. Jack Benny
4. Edgar Bergen
5. Robert Capa
6. Bob Reddick
7. Dick Powell
8. Jack Johnstone

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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