Break the Bank began as a summertime show during the war. With a different host each week, greenhorn-host Bert Parks, fresh faced and just back from the war, greatly impressed the producers and was made the permanent host when the show became a weekly Saturday morning program in 1945. After WWII, quiz shows were the hottest thing and the radio waves exploded with tough questions and hefty giveaways. Break the Bank was promoted as "the highest paying quiz program in the world," according to a 1948 Radio Mirror.The show was created for intelligent people with elephant memories for both useful and useless facts. The show began with $1,000 in the "bank" and increased each week until someone hit the jackpot. The highest paid winner was Mrs. Powers, a young mother who became a contestant on the show because her three-year-old son ran onto the stage just before air time. Scurrying to retrieve him, she was offered a place with the contestants by the courteous Bert Parks. After eight correct answers, she walked out of the studio $9,020 richer. So grab some Cheetos and dust off your thinking cap, because it’s time to see if you can Break the Bank!
(Please note that some of the rare recordings in this collection may be of inferior sound quality.)
These classic recordings are available in the following formats:
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I grew up in the 1930s and my favorite form of entertainment was listening to old time radio shows on my family's radio. One of my all-time favorites was the quiz show "Break the Bank." I loved the excitement of hearing people answer trivia questions and try to win big prizes.
Recently, I stumbled upon the website OTRCAT and was delighted to find that they have an extensive collection of old time radio shows, including "Break the Bank." I was thrilled to be able to listen to my favorite show again after all these years.
The website is easy to navigate and has a huge selection of shows from the golden age of radio. They have a wide range of genres, including comedy, drama, and suspense, so there is something for everyone.
The sound quality is fantastic, and I was transported back in time to my childhood as I listened to these classic shows. It was like being a child again, listening to these shows with my family. I even found some new shows that I hadn't heard before, and I am looking forward to exploring more of the site.
I am so grateful for OTRCAT for preserving these classic radio shows and making them available to us all. I highly recommend this website to anyone who loves old time radio shows or is interested in preserving our cultural heritage. It's a great way to relive the excitement of these classic shows and to introduce them to a new generation.
Janet
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Janet
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