BW - EP126—001: April 1954—Eisenhower Talks Fear, Lum And Abner Play Jokes

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

As the United States entered April 1954 with the cold war at its height, Congress and The President authorized the founding of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. Walt Disney was signing a contract with ABC—TV for a Disneyland series, with plans to build a new theme park in Southern California. Legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini was retiring, as Elvis Presley was recording his debut single, “That’s All Right.” The hydrogen bomb now existed. Brown vs. The Board of Education was being decided. A certain senator from Wisconsin was claiming the armed forces were rife with communist spies. And there was worry about involvement in present-day Vietnam. On April 4th, Dwight Eisenhower gave this speech on fear. Three days later, he unveiled his “Domino Theory,” portending that for every country who fell under Communism’s grip, more were likely to follow. It was no secret that Eisenhower didn’t see eye-to-eye with Senator McCarthy, and the former Supreme Commander of World War II’s Allied Forces understood how internal division could make a country vulnerable. That was the same for the radio industry, where those who could find work in TV were doing so with rapidity. Of the top fifteen TV shows, at least nine had begun on radio in some form. This included Dragnet, Arthur Godfrey, The Life of Riley, Our Miss Brooks, This Is Your Life, and The Jack Benny Show. But, American forefather Alexander Hamilton once said that, “in times of great chaos, people can make their name.” That was never truer than in the spring of 1954. Of course, as Joseph McCarthy would find out, people who create great chaos, can at times, lose theirs. Tonight, we’ll find out more. ________________________ In April 1954 Lum and Abner was airing as a weekday, fifteen minute serial. The show was syndicated out of KABC in Los Angeles. That year, The American Broadcasting Company’s flagship L.A. station had changed its call letters from KECA. Chester Lauck was Lum Edwards. Norris Goff was Abner Peabody. Although the comedy was reaching the end of the line, it was still one of the most beloved, folksy radio shows of all-time. On this day, Lum found out he needed famous ancestors if he wanted to marry Miss Priddle, while Abner set up a prank. Lum and Abner would sign off the air for the final time on May 7th. However the duo would star in one more film: Lum and Abner Abroad, in 1956.