On This Day, August 27: Host Planet Earth and Fletcher Henderson
Also featured: W.C. Fields.
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 and British radio, Charles Chilton's British sci-fi serial Host Planet Earth, Fletcher Henderson on AFRS Jubilee, W.C. Fields feuding with Charlie McCarthy on The Chase and Sanborn Program, Agnes Moorehead and Ricky Nelson on Guest Star for U.S. Savings Bonds, and Himan Brown's The Faces of Love (1939–1975):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Arrival (Part 5)" | BBC Light 1967-08-27 6:30 PM |
Sustaining Sci-Fi Serial |
David Brierley, Noel Johnson | Charles Chilton | ["Science Fiction", "Thriller", "British", "Serial", "Space"] |
An alien reconnaissance vessel penetrates Earth's upper atmosphere, prompting international scientists to attempt emergency radio communication before global panic erupts. |
| "Jubilee with Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra" | AFRS 1945-08-27 Program #146 |
US War Dept AFRS Jubilee |
Ernie 'Bubbles' Whitman (MC), Fletcher Henderson | AFRS Hollywood Production | ["Music", "Jazz", "Big Band", "Swing", "Variety"] |
Ernie 'Bubbles' Whitman introduces swing arrangements and jump blues performances by Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra recorded for Allied troops overseas. |
| "Guest W.C. Fields & The Pool Game Feud" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1939-08-27 8:00 PM EDST |
Standard Brands Chase & Sanborn Coffee |
Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy, W.C. Fields | Don Ameche, Dorothy Lamour | ["Comedy", "Variety", "Ventriloquism", "Satire", "Music"] |
Charlie McCarthy trades insult comedy with W.C. Fields regarding temperance and pool games while Don Ameche and Dorothy Lamour perform romantic duets. |
| "Agnes Moorehead in 'The Trap'" | US Treasury 1950-08-27 Program #179 |
US Treasury U.S. Savings Bonds |
Agnes Moorehead (Lead), Harry Von Zell | US Treasury Staff | ["Drama", "Americana", "Western", "Historical", "Public Affairs"] |
Agnes Moorehead stars in a dramatic sketch about a courageous pioneer woman outwitting a frontier swindler, followed by an appeal for U.S. Savings Bonds. |
| "Ricky Nelson Sings 'Travelin' Man'" | US Treasury 1961-08-27 Program #753 |
US Treasury U.S. Savings Bonds |
Ricky Nelson, Jimmie Haskell Orchestra | US Treasury Staff | ["Music", "Rock & Roll", "Pop Standards", "Vocal", "Americana"] |
Ricky Nelson performs his chart-topping hit 'Travelin' Man' and 'Hello Mary Lou' alongside musical arrangements in support of U.S. Savings Bonds. |
| "The Two Sisters" | Syndicated 1975-08-27 |
Sustaining Drama Anthology |
Joan Copeland, Joan Lorring, Jackson Beck | Himan Brown, Ian Martin | ["Drama", "Romance", "Mystery", "Psychological", "Anthology"] |
Two estranged sisters reunite at a secluded country manor to settle an inheritance dispute, uncovering a buried family secret involving a forged love letter. |