Breaking Walls

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BW - EP153—011: Independence Day 1944—Norman Corwin's Home For The Fourth Jul 11, 2024

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Support Breaking Walls at https://www.patreon.com/thewallbreakers By 1944 Norman Corwin had free rein over his productions. In six years he’d gone from a network rookie to the most-lauded creator on the air. He was now the poet-laureate of radio, a nickname which would stick with him the rest of his life. That March, The Columbia Workshop was rechristened as Columbia Presents Corwin for a twenty-two week run. At 10PM eastern time on Independence Day 1944 Corwin broadcast "Home For the Fourth." In this play, two brothers are away at war. One, played by Dane Clark, gets a two-day pass to see his family and fiance. It’s a slice of American life written and directed in a way that came to define Corwin. He understood that people were a part of, and yet transcended their own time. This play is eighty years old, but sounds like we could have spent time with these people eighty minutes ago.

BW - EP153—010: Independence Day 1944—Words At War Jul 10, 2024

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Words at War was an anthology of war stories “told by the men and women who have seen them happen.” It was produced in cooperation with the Council on Books in Wartime, promising “stories of the battlefronts, of behind-the scenes diplomacy, of underground warfare, of action on the seas, and of the home front.” Each show was to be “a living record of this war and the things for which we fight.” Debuting on June 24th, 1943 from New York, during its first year on the air despite being given a late-night timeslot, it was praised by Variety as “one of the most outstanding programs in radio,” by the New York Times as the “boldest, hardest-hitting program of 1944,” and by Newsweek as “one of the best contributions to serious commercial radio in many a year.” Initially network cost-sustained, it was given stirring music by NBC’s symphony orchestra. The sound patterns had Japanese dive bombers: the growl of heavy machinery, the chatter of machine guns, the steady drone of an airplane as two pilots stood on a runway and spoke what might be their last thoughts. Though sonically important, the success of Words at War could be attributed to the immediacy of its subject matter. There were dramatizations of “the most significant books to thus far come out of this great world conflict,” with the war’s outcome by no means assured. This atmosphere—of a country fighting for its life—gave the stories maximum impact. In the summer of 1944, the show was sponsored by Johnson’s Wax and took over Fibber McGee and Molly’s Tuesday 9:30PM eastern time slot. On Independence Day 1944, the episode was called “War Criminals And Punishment.”

BW - EP153—009: Independence Day 1944—The Molle Mystery Theater Jul 09, 2024

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The man you just heard was Raymond Edward Johnson. He is best-remembered for being the longtime host on Inner Sanctum Mysteries on CBS. After returning from the War, Johnson left the show to pursue more diversified acting interests. However by then, NBC had launched their own mystery program which Johnson often found himself appearing in. It was called The Molle Mystery Theater. Launched on September 7th, 1943 and sponsored by Molle Brushless Shaving Cream, Mystery Theater was hosted by Bernard Lenrow as Geoffrey Barnes, crime fiction connoisseur. Veteran radio actor Bernard Lenrow routinely read one-hundred mystery novels each year and personally selected the stories to be dramatized on the show. Molle featured ’‘the best in mystery and detective fiction,” with tales running from classics by Poe, to moderns by Raymond Chandler. The trademarks were high tension and shocking endings. In July of 1944 it was pulling a rating of 9.1 Tuesdays at 9PM. Many of New York’s most-famous radio actors appeared, like Richard Widmark, Elspeth Eric, Anne Seymour, and Joseph Julian.

BW - EP153—008: Independence Day 1944—Theater Of Romance Goodbye Mr. Chips Jul 07, 2024

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Opposite of A Date With Judy at 8:30PM, CBS broadcast Theater of Romance, hosted by the just-heard Arnold Moss, who was also known for his acting prowess. Romance first took to the air on April 19th, 1943 with host Frank Gallop as “your guide through the pages of the great stories of all-time.” It went off the airwaves June 20th, 1944 before re-debuting on July 4th as Theater of Romance, sponsored by Colgate Tooth Powder. This episode featured Gertrude Warner and Karl Swenson in James Hilton’s Goodbye Mr. Chips. In 1975 Swenson was interviewed with his wife and fellow actress, Joan Tompkins, by Chuck Schaden.

BW - EP153—007: Independence Day 1944—A Date With Judy's Election Mixup Jul 07, 2024

Show notes

Debuting on June 24th, 1941, A Date With Judy was the teenage girl’s answer to Archie Andrews and The Aldrich Family. Billed as the adventures of the “lovable teenage girl who’s close to all our hearts,” it initially starred Ann Gillis in a summer replacement for Bob Hope. While filming at Paramount, Hope met Gillis and introduced her to his radio sponsors. They cast her in the adolescent comedy being prepared by writer Aleen Leslie. Leslie had come up through the Hollywood ranks working for Columbia Pictures, and writing for Deanna Durbin, Mickey Rooney, and Henry Aldrich films. Leslie wrote the lead with her friend Helen Mack in mind, but Mack was pregnant and declined. After the birth of her child. Mack came in as producer-director, the only woman to do so in a prime-time role at the time. In three summertime runs, two for Hope and one for Eddie Cantor, Judy was played by Gillis, Joan Lorring, and finally Louise Erickson. Erickson also played Marjorie on The Great Gildersleeve. In January of 1944, Judy was given a full-time run and Erickson held the role for the next six years. In July of 1944 the show was pulling a rating of 9.1 on NBC. On Independence Day at 8:30PM, an overheard election mixup causes comedic embarrassment for Judy’s father.

BW - EP153—006: Independence Day 1944—The Ginny Simms Purple Heart Show Jul 05, 2024

Show notes

Virginia Ellen, “Ginny” Simms was born in San Antonio, Texas on May 25rd, 1913. Her family moved to California, where she attended Fresno High School and Fresno State Teachers College. There she studied piano and began performing. Singing with her sorority sisters, she formed a popular vocal trio. In 1932, Simms became the vocalist for the Tom Gerun band in San Francisco. In 1934, she joined the Kay Kyser Orchestra, receiving her first national exposure on his radio program. Simms appeared in three films with Kyser: That's Right—You're Wrong in 1939, You'll Find Out, in 1940, and Playmates in 1941. On April 6th, 1941, Simms and Kyser co-starred in an original comedy, “Niagara to Reno,” on CBS' Silver Theater. The two nearly married, but upon breaking up, she left his orchestra in September. Just a few days later, on September 19th 1941, Simms was on CBS solo for five minutes on Fridays at 9:55. Then on Tuesday September 8th, 1942 at 8PM, she took to the air with her own show for Philip Morris. Originally called Johnny Presents, it was later changed to The Purple Heart Show, with an emphasis on wounded and decorated servicemen. Edgar “Cookie” Fairchild led the orchestra. She starred in more films, including Here We Go Again in 1942, Hit The Ice, in 1943, and Broadway Rhythm, which premiered in January of 1944. On Independence Day 1944 at 8PM, Ginny Simms took to the air with her Purple Heart Show. Opposite in New York, CBS aired Big Town, and both ABC and Mutual aired news commentary.

BW - EP153—005: Independence Day 1944—Norman Corwin In England With Edward R. Murrow Jul 04, 2024

Show notes

In early 1942 Norman Corwin began a unique show over all four major radio networks. It was a thirteen episode, non-commercial broadcast called This is War, bringing together the best talent and resources of the broadcast and entertainment industry, like actor Joe Julian. That summer, Corwin went to England to produce a series helping to improve relations between the English and Americans, which were, surprisingly, strained. People like aviation legend Charles Lindbergh were anticommunism, but pro-isolationism and pro-eugenics. All three views were supported by the Nazi party. President Roosevelt was deeply angry at Lindbergh's opposition to his administration's interventionist policies. He told Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau in 1941, "If I should die tomorrow, I want you to know this, I am absolutely convinced Lindbergh is a Nazi." Linbergh publicly denounced anti-semitism in 1941, but many people remained anti-anglo throughout the country, with some even citing the American Revolution and the War of 1812 as reasons. Called An American In England, it was a joint effort from BBC and U.S. broadcasters. Edward R. Murrow would produce. The entire available London Philharmonic Orchestra would be used. The series would be sent back to the states by short-wave. Because it was to be heard live at 10PM for Eastern War time, that meant it was broadcast overnight in England. The result was a limited-release series considered to be among the most important works Corwin ever produced.

BW - EP153—004: Independence Day 1944—Tom Mix And Hop Harrigan Fight The War Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

At 5:30PM eastern time over Mutual Broadcasting on Independence Day, 1944, The Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooters took to the air. Originally airing from NBC in Chicago in 1933, it featured the just-heard Hal Peary, and the ever-present Willard Waterman. Tom Mix was created as an advertising vehicle for the Ralston Purina Company. Its format was devised by Charles Claggett, a St. Louis adman and based on the life of a real cowboy, Tom Mix. Born in Pennsylvania in 1880, he became a soldier and champion roper, winning a national title in 1909. Mix began appearing in movies, and much like Buffalo Bill Cody, his legend soon outgrew his actual exploits thanks to natural showmanship. By the time radio got him, he was seldom mentioned in print without a platoon of fantastic adjectives. Perhaps the most famous actor to play Tom Mix was Russell Thorson, who held the role for the Blue Network in the early 1940s, until it was canceled on March 27th, 1942. Tom Mix was revived and moved to Mutual beginning June 5th, 1944 in a fifteen minute serial. By then, Mix joined others like Jack Armstrong, Captain Midnight, and even Superman in the war against the axis. The show became known as “radio’s biggest western-detective program.” Joe “Curley” Bradley played Mix throughout the later run. Bradley was a former Oklahoma cowboy and Hollywood stuntman who had learned to sing around bonfires. As for the real Tom Mix, he had nothing to do with the serial. He died in a car accident near Florence, Arizona on October 12th, 1940. At 6:15PM it was Hop Harrigan’s turn to sign on, over The Blue Network’s WJZ. It starred Chester Stratton as Hop Harrigan, young aviator known as “America’s ace of the airways,” with Jackson Beck as Tank Tinker. Beck was all over radio. Hop Harrigan first took to the air on August 31st, 1942, running on The Blue Network and later ABC until August 2nd, 1946. It was revived from October 2nd, 1946 through February 6th, 1948 over Mutual Broadcasting. Hop went on missions in dangerous territory behind enemy lines. He had dogfights, went underground in war-torn Berlin, and saw heavy service in the Pacific during the battle for Okinawa.

BW - EP153—003: Independence Day 1944—Raymond Scott & Celebrations Around The Country Jun 30, 2024

Show notes

At 4:45PM on Independence Day 1944, The Raymond Scott Orchestra took to the air for fifteen minutes of music on CBS’ WABC in New York. Born Harry Warnow on September 10th, 1908 in Brooklyn to Ukrainian Jewish parents, his older brother Mark, also a musician, encouraged Harry’s career. He graduated from the Juilliard School of Music in 1931 where he studied piano, theory, and composition. He began his professional career as a pianist for the CBS Radio house band under his birth name. Mark, older by eight years, conducted the orchestra. Harry adopted the pseudonym "Raymond Scott" to spare his brother charges of nepotism when the orchestra began performing the pianist's unique compositions. In late 1936, Scott assembled a band from among his CBS colleagues. Although it was a six-piece group, he called it the Raymond Scott Quintette, joking with a reporter that calling at a sextet might take one’s mind off the music. Scott believed in composing and playing by ear. He composed not on paper, but "on his band"—by humming phrases to his sidemen or by demonstrating riffs and rhythms on the keyboard, instructing players to interpret his cues. Also a sound engineer, he recorded the band's rehearsals, using them as references to develop his compositions. Scott reworked, re-sequenced, and deleted passages, and added themes from other discs to construct finished pieces. While he controlled the band's repertoire and style, he rarely took piano solos, preferring to direct the band from the keyboard and leave solos and leads to his sidemen. He also had a penchant for adapting classical motifs into his work. Independence Day 1944 was celebrated with remembrance, prayer, and War Bond drives. Norman Rockwell’s July 1st Saturday Evening Post cover featured a wounded veteran holding up a $100 war bond. The July 3rd cover of LIFE Magazine featured a G.I with a leg wound being helped by a compatriot. There was a prominent sticker on top that said “buy war bonds.” Meanwhile in Bedford, New Hampshire, an unexpected explosion at the John P. Bedricks powder works sent nearly seventy-miles of New England into a panic as windows as far away as Worchester, Massachusetts were destroyed. Despite this, there were no fatalities. At 4PM, NBC celebrated the Treasury Department’s “Salute To the Navy” from Philadelphia’s Navy Yard. Speakers included Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthaur Jr., and Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal. In New York, Edward J. Nathan, Manhattan’s Borough President, addressed a rally of Jewish war veterans at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Riverside Drive, while the Knights of Columbus and sixty-seven affiliated councils, sponsored a parade and band concert in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. That evening, a Special Fifth War Bond Rally was held at Lewisohn Stadium in City College.

BW - EP153—002: Independence Day 1944—Vic And Sade Play Cards On Fourth Of July Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

On Tuesday July 4th, 1944 at 11:15AM, the homespun Vic and Sade took to the air over NBC’s WEAF in New York. First airing on June 29th, 1932, Vic and Sade was created by Paul Rhymer. Known as “radio’s home folks,” the show was broadcast from The Merchandise Mart in Chicago. Rhymer wrote the script each morning before heading to watch the rehearsal and broadcast. On good days, one rewrite sufficed. On difficult days, the script would be ripped up again and again and poured over. The result was a standalone twelve-minute sketch that, over time, told the life story of Mr. and Mrs Victor Gook and their family and friends at “the small house halfway up in the next block” in a rural town somewhere in Illinois. The town was populated by strange eccentrics with some of the most wonderful names ever heard in fiction. Most of the characters were only spoken about and sound effects were purposely sparse, save for the ever-present telephone. In radio circles, the show was regarded as one of the all-time best. Among its devoted fans were Jean Shepherd, Norman Corwin, Jim and Marion Jordan, Carlton E. Morse, Stan Freberg, Ray Bradbury, and Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.

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