REMEMBERING DON MC NEILL
on the 68th Anniversary of
The Breakfast Club

Originally broadcast on WDCB
Saturday, June 23, 2001

BREAKFAST CLUB (6-23-58) Don McNeill stars on the long-running program’s 25th An­niversary broadcast from the College Inn Por­terhouse of the Hotel Sherman in Chicago. Ap­pearing are Don, singer Dick Noel, Fran Allison (as Aunt Fanny), Sam Cowling (“Fiction and Fact from Sam’s Almanac”) and Eddie Ballentine and the orchestra. Don chats with members of the audience who raised their children while listening over the past quarter-century and hears predictions for radio in the next 25 years. McNeill introduces his sister, his mother and father, and his wife Kay and sons Tom, Don, Jr. and Bob. Plus: the mo­ment of silent prayer and the march around the breakfast table. Multiple sponsors, ABC. (29 min & 31 min)

FRED ALLEN SHOW (5-9-48) Don McNeill joins Fred and the Allen’s Alley regulars. Fred tells Don his idea for a new radio quiz show. Cast includes Kenny Delmar (Sen. Claghorn), Parker Fennelly (Titus Moody), Minerva Pious (Mrs. Nussbaum), Peter Donald (Ajax Cassidy). Ford Dealers, NBC. (30 min)

SILVER SALUTE TO AFTRA (1961) Host Don McNeill presides over the 25th anniversary salute to the Chicago Chapter of the Ameri­can Federation of Television and Radio Art­ists. Broadcasting from the Sheraton Chicago Hotel in the Windy City, McNeill presents awards and introduces performers who got their start in Chicago: Pat Buttram, Les Paul and Mary Ford, Marvin Miller, Jim Jordan, Cliff Arquette, Hugh Downs, Pat Flanagan, Virginia Payne, Cliff Norton, Marilyn Maxwell, Fran Allison, and Les Tremayne. Announcers are John Harrington, Pierre Andre, and John Holtman. Frankie Masters and the orchestra. WLS, Chicago. (29 min)

REFRESHMENT CLUB (2-5-37) Don McNeill hosts an informal half hour of music and fun from Chicago, featuring Clark Dennis, Helen Jane Behlke, the Cadets, Walter Blaufus and the orchestra. A few corny jokes and some music for mid-day. Coca Cola, NBC. (30 min)

BREAKFAST CLUB (4-28-58) Excerpt. Don McNeill welcomes guest Bob Hope who an­swers questions from the audience. (23 min)