Tom Breneman/Breakfast In hollywood

Starter of this subject: Jim Hilliker
Last post in this subject: 9/17/2003
Messages in this subject: 11

Jim Hilliker 9/17/2003
11 replies
I just read this week that Tom Breneman (Jr.??), the son of OTR host Tom Breneman, has died at the age of 70...He also worked in radio broadcasting and related fields.

I have never heard "Breakfast In Hollywood", but I know that Tom Breneman Sr. died at the age of 48 in 1948, while the show was still on the air...

Can anyone tell me a bit about "Breakfast In Hollywood", and how it was different from Don McNeal's "Breakfast Club"?? Were the two programs on the same network, and if so, how did they work that out? Which show was more popular?

How long was "Breakfast In Hollywood" on the air? Any bio on Breneman? The son said his mom and dad met while they worked at KFWB in Hollywood in the early 1930s.

Thanks.

Jim Hilliker

Lou 9/17/2003
2 replies
Tom Breneman had several "Breakfast" shows:

  1. Breakfast at Sardi's Aug 42 - NBC Blue
  2. Breakfast With Breneman
  3. Breakfast in Hollywood Jan 41- ABC
  4. Welcome to Hollywood ... - Jan 50

Don McNeil's Breakfast Club ran between 1933 and 1968; also on NBC Blue or ABC

Popularity:
1943-44 season, Breakfast with Breneman had a 6.8 Hooper
Same season, Breakfast Club had a 3.5 Hooper

1947-48 season, Breakfast in Hollywood had a 6.8 Hooper
Same season, Breakfast Club had a 6.4

For reference, in 1947-48, Arthur Godfrey had a 6.9 Hooper, and Art Linkletter's House Party had a 5.0 Hooper

Jim Hilliker 9/18/2003
1 replies
Many thanks, Lou.

That helps very much.

Did someone else take over as host of Breneman's show after his death in '48??

Jim

Danny Goodwin 9/18/2003
0 replies
Garry Moore hosted the program after Tom Breneman died.
Jim Hilliker 9/18/2003
0 replies
P.S.?? Why was Breneman's show so popular at the time? Did he use a lot of Hollywood celebrities as guests on his show, or was there another factor as to why he had such high ratings at the time?

Jim Hilliker

Ted Hering 9/18/2003
0 replies
Golden Pictures made a full length movie, "Breakfast In Hollywood," in 1945, featuring Tom Breneman, Zasu Pitts, Billy Burke, and several musical groups. Public domain videos are floating around. (The movie has a rather sappy story, but is interesting for its OTR history. And I like the Spike Jones segments!)
sherrilee 3/28/2004
4 replies
Glad that I found this site and your message. I have been searching information about this radio show and have found some but not exactly what I am looking for. My mother sang on this radio program in mid 1940's. I have done a lot of searching trying to find out if there are tapes still around? Or are these progams aired anywhere? Are there logs of the people who sang on the show? She also sang on KGW radio in Portland Oregon, same time frame and cannot find information on it either. Appreciate any suggestions.
Thank you,Sherri
George Tirebiter 3/29/2004
3 replies
Hi Sherilee,

Jay Hickerspn's book (the standard reference) indicates this show ran - under different names- from 3/1/43 to 1/13/50 and that there are "38 shows available; most from 1945-48". I don't have any of these, but hopefully someone else will be able to give you information on how to find them. Good luck and I hope you get a show featuring your Mom.

sherrilee 3/29/2004
0 replies
Thank you George for your response, I appreciate it.
The time that she sang on that show was sometime about 1946. Yes it would be wonderful if I could come across the actual tape so I could hear her singing. Thanks again for your information and maybe I can locate something.
Sherrilee
sherrlee 4/23/2004
1 replies
George,
Thank you for your reply. Where can I find Jay Hickerspn's book ?
Thanks
Sherrilee53@hotmail.com
Ivan G. Shreve, Jr. 4/24/2004
0 replies
Sherrlee--

Here's all you need to know:

http://www.old-time.com/sponsors/hickerson.html#history

It's a great book -- essential to any OTR library,

Ted Hering 6/30/2004
0 replies
An 78 rpm souvenier record of highlights of this show is now available for bids at the auction site eBay. Click here:
http://cgi.