On This Day, August 25: Bob and Ray Satire and Stan Kenton Modern Jazz
Also featured: This I Believe.
August 25 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 25 across American network, two satirical comedy tours-de-force by Bob and Ray (including Mary Backstayge & Barry Campbell), Stan Kenton breaking down progressive jazz innovations on NBC with Maynard Ferguson, and three inspiring personal philosophy essays on Edward R. Murrow's This I Believe from jurist Dr. Edmond R. Schlesinger, clergyman George Stewart, and banker Thomas C. Boushall (1949–1953):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story-First Plot Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Constitutional Law and Human Dignity (Dr. Edmond R. Schlesinger — Edward R. Murrow)" | CBS (WCBS) 1952-08-25 (Network Relay) |
Sustaining Personal Philosophy |
Edward R. Murrow (Host), Dr. Edmond R. Schlesinger | Raymond Swing (Producer) | ["Philosophy", "Human Interest", "History", "Inspirational", "Documentary"] |
"This I Believe, with Edward R. Murrow!" Austrian jurist and political refugee Dr. Edmond R. Schlesinger recounts fleeing Nazi totalitarianism, sharing his hard-won conviction that the bedrock of human dignity rests upon the rule of constitutional law and the sacred freedom of the individual conscience. |
| "Moral Courage in Times of Crisis (George Stewart — Edward R. Murrow This I Believe)" | CBS (WCBS) 1952-08-25 (Network Relay) |
Sustaining Personal Philosophy |
Edward R. Murrow (Host), Rev. Dr. George Stewart | Raymond Swing (Producer) | ["Philosophy", "Human Interest", "Inspirational", "Documentary", "Religion"] |
"This I Believe, hosted by Edward R. Murrow!" Clergyman and decorated combat veteran George Stewart reflects on facing fear on the battlefield, declaring his bedrock faith that quiet moral courage and compassionate self-sacrifice are the true arbiters of a meaningful life. |
| "Banking as a Social Trust (Thomas C. Boushall — Edward R. Murrow This I Believe)" | CBS (WCBS) 1952-08-25 (Network Relay) |
Sustaining Personal Philosophy |
Edward R. Murrow (Host), Thomas C. Boushall | Raymond Swing (Producer) | ["Philosophy", "Human Interest", "Inspirational", "Economics", "Documentary"] |
"This I Believe, with Edward R. Murrow!" Innovative Virginia banker Thomas C. Boushall explains his philosophy of banking as a social trust, maintaining that financial enterprise must always serve human welfare by extending credit and opportunity to working-class families. |
| "Behind the Scenes: Innovations in Modern Music (Stan Kenton & His Orchestra — NBC)" | NBC (WNBC) 1953-08-25 9:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Progressive Jazz Showcase |
Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Frank Rosolino | NBC Jazz Dept., Gene Hamilton | ["Music", "Jazz", "Big Band", "Progressive Jazz", "Documentary"] |
"The Stan Kenton Show, presenting Innovations in Modern Music!" Maestro Stan Kenton takes listeners behind the scenes of his revolutionary 20-piece progressive jazz orchestra, discussing daring modern arrangements with arranger Bill Russo and featuring explosive brass solos from Maynard Ferguson and Frank Rosolino. |
| "Barry Campbell's Motion Picture Debut (Bob Elliott & Ray Goulding — Matinee)" | WHDH Boston 1949-08-25 1:15 PM EDT |
Sustaining Deadpan Satire |
Bob Elliott, Ray Goulding (Barry Campbell) | Bob Elliott & Ray Goulding | ["Comedy", "Satire", "Parody", "Showbiz", "Skits"] |
"Matinee with Bob and Ray!" Comedy masters Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding present a deadpan interview with pompous Broadway actor Barry Campbell, who describes his utterly disastrous, low-budget Hollywood motion picture debut while spoofing cinematic grandeur. |
| "Mary Backstayge, Noble Wife & Wally Ballou (Bob & Ray — CBS)" | CBS (WCBS) 1952-08-25 5:45 PM EDT |
Sustaining Radio Comedy Satire |
Bob Elliott (Wally Ballou), Ray Goulding | Bob Elliott & Ray Goulding | ["Comedy", "Satire", "Parody", "Skits", "Absurdist"] |
"It's Bob and Ray on the CBS Radio Network!" Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding present an absurdist parody of radio soap operas with an episode of 'Mary Backstayge, Noble Wife', alongside roving reporter Wally Ballou interviewing a hotel lobby clerk who refuses to check in any guests. |