On This Day, August 24: Edward R. Murrow (Battle of Britain) and The Thin Man
Also featured: Dr. Kildare.
August 24 Exhaustive Update
This report documents the comprehensive provenance, broadcast scheduling, commercial sponsorship, credited cast, production personnel, alternate circulating titles, serial multi-part narrative arcs, and story synopses for historical broadcasts transmitting on August 24 across American network, frontline war reporting, screwball detective comedy, and hospital medical drama radio history (1940–1952):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story-First Plot Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Young Surgeon's Dilemma (Lew Ayres & Lionel Barrymore — MGM)" | MGM Synd. 1950-08-24 (WMGM NY) |
Sustaining MGM Radio Attractions |
Lew Ayres (Dr. Kildare), Lionel Barrymore (Dr. Gillespie) | Max Brand (Creator), William P. Rousseau, Dick Joy | ["Drama", "Medical", "Hospital", "Human Interest", "Anthology"] |
At Blair General Hospital, Dr. James Kildare confronts a difficult diagnostic puzzle involving an injured concert pianist whose paralysis may be psychological rather than physical, seeking the gruff wisdom of mentor Dr. Leonard Gillespie. |
| "The King of Clowns (Clyde Beatty Big Cat Circus — Kellogg's)" | Mutual (WOR) 1950-08-24 5:30 PM EDT |
Kellogg's Cereals Kellogg's Corn Flakes |
Clyde Beatty, Hal Peary, Lurene Tuttle | Shirley Thomas (Producer), Paul Pierce, Frank Goss | ["Adventure", "Circus", "Animals", "Action", "Family"] |
World-renowned big cat trainer Clyde Beatty investigates mysterious sabotage under the big top after the circus's beloved lead clown is targeted during a daring three-ring lion act. |
| "The Escape of the Black Leopard (Starring Clyde Beatty — Mutual)" | Mutual (WOR) 1952-08-24 5:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Circus Adventure Drama |
Clyde Beatty (Self), Herb Vigran, Parley Baer | Shirley Thomas (Producer), Paul Pierce, Frank Goss | ["Adventure", "Circus", "Animals", "Action", "Family"] |
Clyde Beatty uses his whip, chair, and extraordinary instincts when a dangerous black leopard escapes its traveling circus cage near a crowded county fair midway. |
| "The Case of the Talking Horse (Les Tremayne & Claudia Morgan — Maxwell House)" | CBS (WABC) 1945-08-24 8:30 PM EWT |
General Foods Corp. Maxwell House Coffee |
Les Tremayne (Nick), Claudia Morgan (Nora), Asta | Dashiell Hammett, Himan Brown, Tom Shirley | ["Detective", "Comedy", "Mystery", "Hardboiled", "Crime"] |
While vacationing in Saratoga, sophisticated sleuth Nick Charles and Nora investigate the murder of a wealthy racehorse trainer whose prized stallion is rumored to talk and reveal racetrack betting fixers for Maxwell House Coffee. |
| "This Is London: Air Raid Over the Thames (Edward R. Murrow — CBS)" | CBS (WABC) 1940-08-24 6:45 PM EDST |
Sustaining CBS Transatlantic News |
Edward R. Murrow (London), Elmer Davis (New York) | CBS News Special Events Team in London & New York | ["News", "Journalism", "World War II", "Historical", "Live Broadcast"] |
"This... is London." Edward R. Murrow delivers a gripping live rooftop broadcast during a massive Luftwaffe bombing raid on London, describing anti-aircraft shrapnel lighting up the night sky, sirens wailing over the Thames, and the calm resilience of British civilians during the height of the Battle of Britain. |
| "Archie's Summer Jalopy Disaster (Bob Hastings as Archie — Swift's)" | NBC (WEAF) 1946-08-24 10:30 AM EDT |
Swift & Company Peter Pan Peanut Butter |
Bob Hastings (Archie), Hal Stone (Jughead), Gloria Mann | Bob Montana (Creator), Kenneth MacGregor, Kenneth Banghart | ["Comedy", "Sitcom", "Teen", "High School", "Americana"] |
Riverdale teen Archie Andrews and loyal pal Jughead Jones attempt to rebuild an old jalopy to impress Veronica Lodge, resulting in an explosive carburetor backfire that coats Mr. Lodge's flower garden in motor grease. |