On This Day, August 27: Bob and Ray and Speed Gibson
Also featured: The Navy Lark.
August 27 Update
This report documents the historical provenance, broadcast scheduling, commercial sponsorship, credited cast, production personnel, alternate circulating titles, and pure narrative synopses for broadcasts transmitting on August 27 across American, British, and South African radio, two comedic showcases with Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding on Bob and Ray (1948 WHDH Boston and 1952 NBC), aviation secret police serial Speed Gibson, highlife and Afro-jazz on Gold Coast Revue, Stephen Murray and Ronnie Barker in The Navy Lark on the BBC, and Frank King's beloved comic strip adaptation Gasoline Alley (1938–1967):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Matinee with Bob and Ray" | WHDH Boston 1948-08-27 2:00 PM |
Sustaining Boston Variety |
Bob Elliott, Ray Goulding | Bob & Ray Production | ["Comedy", "Satire", "Improv", "Parody", "Sketch"] |
Bob and Ray satirize local Boston radio commercials, trade dry deadpan banter, and improvise spoofs of daytime advice programs. |
| "Mary Backstayge & The Gunk Experiment" | NBC (WNBC) 1952-08-27 5:45 PM EDT |
Sustaining NBC Comedy |
Bob Elliott, Ray Goulding | Bob & Ray, NBC Staff | ["Comedy", "Satire", "Improv", "Parody", "Sketch"] |
Bob and Ray present a new chapter of 'Mary Backstayge, Noble Wife', followed by an interview with a clueless laboratory scientist inventing a miraculous sludge. |
| "Splinter and Barney Captured (Part 34)" | Syndicated 1938-08-27 Serial |
Sustaining Children's Serial |
John Gibson (Speed), Elliott Lewis (Barlow) | Howard McNear, World Broadcasting | ["Adventure", "Aviation", "Juvenile", "Action", "Espionage"] |
Speed Gibson flies his aircraft into the Himalayan mountains to rescue Splinter and Barney after they are ambushed by the Octopus cartel's henchmen. |
| "African Jazz & Rhythms" | Springbok Radio 1957-08-27 |
Commercial Variety Sponsors |
Gold Coast Revue Troupe, Dance Band | SABC Production | ["Music", "Jazz", "Variety", "World", "Afro-Jazz"] |
An energetic musical variety showcase presenting highlife rhythms, West African brass arrangements, and comedic sketches. |
| "Mr. Murray's Endurance Course" | BBC Light 1967-08-27 1:30 PM |
Sustaining BBC Comedy |
Stephen Murray, Leslie Phillips, Ronnie Barker | Lawrie Wyman, Alastair Scott Johnston | ["Comedy", "Military", "British", "Satire", "Sitcom"] |
The crew of HMS Troutbridge attempts to navigate Sub-Lieutenant Phillips through Number One's rigorous physical fitness obstacle course. |
| "Skeezix and Uncle Walt's New Invention" | Mutual / Synd 1948-08-27 5:30 PM |
Local Sponsors Family Sitcom |
Bill Lipton (Skeezix), Cliff Soubier (Walt) | Frank King (Creator) | ["Comedy", "Americana", "Domestic", "Family", "Sitcom"] |
Uncle Walt Wallet and Skeezix attempt to fix an unruly automobile carburetor in the garage before Nina and Aunt Phyllis discover the mess. |