On This Day, August 22: Pat Novak and Fibber McGee
Also featured: Molly, One Man's Family.
August 22 Exhaustive Update
This report documents the comprehensive provenance, broadcast scheduling, commercial sponsorship, credited cast, production personnel, alternate circulating titles, and story synopses for 6 historical broadcasts transmitting on August 22 across American network and syndicated broadcasting history (1943–1955):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story-First Plot Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Mystery Subjects: Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral (Wildroot Cream-Oil)" | Mutual (WOR) 1953-08-22 8:00 PM EDT |
Wildroot Company Wildroot Cream-Oil Hair Tonic |
Bill Slater (Quizmaster), Fred Van Deventer, Florence Rinard, Herb Polesie | Del Sharbutt (Director), Frank Waldecker (Announcer) | ["Quiz", "Game Show", "Panel"] |
Quizmaster Bill Slater challenges regular panelists Fred Van Deventer, Florence Rinard, Herb Polesie, and teenage sensation Johnny McPhee to deduce mystery subjects sent in by listeners in twenty questions or less for Wildroot Cream-Oil. |
| "The Dix Dixon Case (San Francisco Waterfront Murder)" | KGO / ABC Pacific 1946-08-22 7:00 PM PST |
Gallenkamp's Shoes ABC Pacific Sustaining |
Jack Webb (Pat Novak), Jack Kruschen (Jocko Madigan), Raymond Burr (Hellman) | Richard L. Breen (Writer), William Rousseau (Director), Casey Davies (SFX) | ["Detective", "Hardboiled", "Mystery", "Noir"] |
Waterfront boat-renter Pat Novak is framed for the murder of a small-time dockside gambler on Pier 19, turning to philosophizing ex-lawyer Jocko Madigan to outmaneuver the bullying Inspector Hellman and expose a blackmailing nightclub singer. |
| "The Diplomat's Daughter and the Smuggled Microfilm" | CBS (WCBS) 1951-08-22 9:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining CBS Summer Drama |
Peter Capell (Michael Sterling), Joan Lazer, Santos Ortega (Gomez) | Robert Cenedella (Writer), John Dietz (Director), Jerry McCarthy (SFX) | ["Drama", "Aviation", "Espionage", "Mystery"] |
At New York International Airport (Idlewild), airport officials and federal customs inspectors intercept an international flight carrying a foreign diplomat's distressed daughter who has been coerced into smuggling encrypted diplomatic microfilms across the border. |
| "Fibber's Stolen Lawn Sprinkler" | NBC (KNX / WNBC) 1955-08-22 10:00 PM EDT |
Prudential Insurance Prudential Life Insurance |
Jim Jordan (Fibber), Marian Jordan (Molly), Arthur Q. Bryan (Doc), Gale Gordon | Phil Leslie & Ralph Goodman (Writers), Max Hutto (Director) | ["Comedy", "Sitcom"] |
Fibber McGee accuses Doc Gamble of stealing his revolving brass lawn sprinkler from the 79 Wistful Vista front yard, staging an elaborate neighborhood stakeout with Molly that results in Fibber accidentally drenching Mayor LaTrivia. |
| "Book 47, Chapter 7: Paul's Advice to Clifford on Wartime Service" | NBC (KPO) 1943-08-22 8:30 PM EWT |
Standard Brands Fleischmann's Yeast & Tender Leaf Tea |
J. Anthony Smythe, Minetta Ellen, Michael Raffetto, Bernice Berwin | Carlton E. Morse (Author & Director), Paul Carson (Organ), Ken Niles (Announcer) | ["Drama", "Family", "Serial", "Soap Opera"] |
In Book 47, Chapter 7, Father Barbour and Paul discuss Clifford's impending overseas military deployment at the Sea Cliff family home, reflecting on familial sacrifices, moral duty, and the strength of the Barbour household during wartime. |
| "Book 77, Chapter 7: Hazel's Financial Dilemma with Bill" | NBC (WNBC) 1950-08-22 3:00 PM EDT |
Miles Laboratories Alka-Seltzer & One-A-Day Vitamins |
J. Anthony Smythe, Minetta Ellen, Bernice Berwin, Russell Thorson | Carlton E. Morse (Author & Director), Ken Niles (Announcer) | ["Drama", "Family", "Serial", "Soap Opera"] |
In Book 77, Chapter 7, Hazel confides in Mother Barbour regarding financial disagreements and marital strains with Bill Herbert, while Father Barbour offers wise counsel from his garden bench at Sea Cliff. |