WHEN RADIO WAS KING and THE KING LIVED IN ENCINO

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

At one time radio was the most popular entertainment medium in America. And the "king" of daytime radio was the variety show host of Breakfast In Hollywood, Encino's Tom Breneman.  Tom's show, originally aired on KFWB began broadcasting in January of 1941, cheered up America during the years of WW II and lasted until 1948. The characters on his show were as well known as situation comedy tv stars are today.

Tom Breneman and his oldest guest, Miss Sarah Van Dyke of Sacramento, California - vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)

Polio was the scurge of America in the 1940s. Here Mischa Auer and Tom Breneman celebrate over
$ 523,000 contributed to the March of Dimes through the radio show Breakfast in Hollywood. vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)

Tom Breneman and his pal Uncle Corny - vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)

RADIO WAS ONCE A GIANT FORCE IN AMERICAN MEDIA

Radio Celebrity Tom Breneman and Family - vintage postcard Collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - Gift of Gary Fredburg 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

For many years, one of the most popular personalities in the United States was radio talk-show host Tom Breneman. What began as a gimmick to promote his restaurant on Sunset and Vine in Hollywood, grew into a money making machine. Breneman's raido show, entitled Breakfast in Hollywood dazzled a star struck America.
Tom Breneman's quick wit and the often surprise visits by celebrities amazed his out-of-town audiences, and went a long way to make Hollywood synonymous with glamour and style. Breneman may well have been the father of the integration of commercial products into Hollywood scripts and shows. He made much of his morning show an on-going product placement series. Ivory Soap Flakes and Kellogg's cereal came at the radio audience as quick as his jokes.
Like dozens of show business personalities, Tome Breneman made his home in the privacy of the San Fernando Valley.