On This Day, August 23: Crime Doctor and Uncle Don (Puck)
Also featured: Mark Van Doren.
August 23 Exhaustive Update
This report documents the comprehensive provenance, broadcast scheduling, commercial sponsorship, credited cast, production personnel, alternate circulating titles, and story synopses for historical broadcasts transmitting on August 23 across American network, syndication, and British broadcasting history (1942–1970):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story-First Plot Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Moral Dilemmas of the Bible: King David & Nathan (Mark Van Doren & Maurice Samuel)" | NBC (WNBC) 1964-08-23 12:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining NBC Religious & Public Affairs |
Mark Van Doren, Maurice Samuel (Scholars) | Jewish Theological Seminary, Daniel Sutter, Mel Brandt | ["Docudrama", "Religious", "Literature", "Educational", "Philosophical"] |
Renowned poet Mark Van Doren and author Maurice Samuel engage in a lively dialogue analyzing the ethical crisis of King David and the Prophet Nathan, exploring the moral demands of conscience versus royal authority. |
| "The Eternal Light: Faith on the Lower East Side (Narrated by Norman Rose)" | NBC (WNBC) 1970-08-23 12:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining NBC Cultural Series |
Norman Rose (Narrator), Marian Seldes, Stefan Schnabel | Morton Wishengrad (Writer), Daniel Sutter, Peter Roberts | ["Drama", "Religious", "Historical", "Anthology", "Literature"] |
Actor Norman Rose narrates an inspiring dramatization celebrating the perseverance and cultural heritage of immigrant families arriving on the Lower East Side of New York, finding faith amidst hardship. |
| "Puck The Comic Weekly: Uncle Don Reads 'Bringing Up Father' (Jiggs & Maggie)" | Hearst Syndication 1953-08-23 (Sunday Edition) |
Hearst Newspapers Puck - The Comic Weekly |
Uncle Don (Don Carney / All Voices) | George McManus (Creator), Frank Gallup (Announcer) | ["Children's", "Comedy", "Comic Strips", "Variety", "Family"] |
Uncle Don reads the Sunday funny papers over the airwaves, performing zany character voices for George McManus's 'Bringing Up Father' as Jiggs sneaks out for corned beef and cabbage while Maggie wields a rolling pin. |
| "The Case of the Impatient Beneficiary (Starring Ray Collins as Crime Doctor — Philip Morris)" | CBS (WABC) 1942-08-23 8:30 PM EWT |
Philip Morris & Co. Philip Morris Cigarettes |
Ray Collins (Dr. Ordway), Johnny the Bellhop | Max Marcin (Creator), Jack Johnstone, Ken Roberts | ["Detective", "Psychological", "Mystery", "Medical", "Crime"] |
Amnesiac criminal psychiatrist Dr. Benjamin Ordway advises a state parole board regarding an ex-convict accused of shooting his wealthy uncle, using psychiatric deduction to trap the real heir who framed him. |
| "Too Clever for Love (Starring Hugh Burden & Barbara Couper — BBC)" | BBC Home Service 1952-08-23 9:15 PM |
Non-commercial BBC Radio Drama |
Hugh Burden, Barbara Couper, Avice Landone | L. du Garde Peach (Author), Raymond Raikes, Ronald Fletcher | ["Drama", "Comedy", "British", "Romance", "Theater"] |
A witty West End drawing-room romantic comedy about a sophisticated London bachelor author who believes he is far too clever and cynical to ever fall in love, until an eccentric young country heiress outwits him at his own game. |
| "The Queen and the Welshman (Starring Mary Morris as Queen Katherine — BBC)" | BBC Home Service 1958-08-23 9:15 PM |
Non-commercial BBC Radio Drama |
Mary Morris (Queen Katherine), Jack May (Owen Tudor) | Rosemary Anne Sisson (Playwright), Raymond Raikes, David Gretton | ["Drama", "Historical", "British", "Romance", "Royalty"] |
In Rosemary Anne Sisson's historical romance, the secret, passionate marriage between Queen Katherine of Valois (widow of King Henry V) and handsome Welsh courtier Sir Owen Tudor provokes political fury and imprisonment by the regency council. |