WALTER WINCHELL ABC RADIO, MAY 6, 1945

WALTER WINCHELL ABC RADIO, MAY 6, 1945
I have collected some of the “rapid fire” radio reports by Walter Winchell (1897-1972) which seem appropriate to share on my channel. Say what you want about Winchell, he had a huge radio audience in his radio heyday. My generation largely remembers Winchell long after his radio years as the narrator of the Desilu Productions TV program “The Untouchables” (1959-1963). The Winchell of radio was highly opinionated and feared by many as he had the ability to make or break careers with a comment or two during his weekly newscasts, which were more commentary than actual news reports. Here is Winchell in his prime. This Sunday night report came at an important juncture in 20th Century history. Churchill was expected at any moment to announce the end of World War II in Europe-VE Day. Meanwhile, Winchell is broadcasting on this night at the site of the international conference in San Francisco, which was forming the post-war United Nations. The ultimate location for the UN was not yet decided, but a pitch for Philadelphia is reported.