On This Day, August 27: Life of Bliss and Perry Mason
Also featured: The Goldbergs.
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, George Cole in A Life of Bliss on BBC Home Service, Dan Seymour hosting the $53,000 jackpot on Sing It Again, John Larkin starring as Perry Mason for Tide, and three Gertrude Berg Bronx family classics on The Goldbergs (1941 Seymour's courtship for Oxydol, 1942 Birdie's warning, 1943 missing Birdie for Duz) (1941–1957):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Flat" | BBC Home Service 1957-08-27 8:30 PM |
Sustaining BBC Radio Comedy |
George Cole, Colin Gordon, Petula Clark | Godfrey Harrison (Writer) | ["Sitcom", "Comedy", "British", "Domestic", "Americana"] |
Perpetual bachelor David Bliss moves into a newly rented bachelor flat and encounters exasperating domestic dilemmas with eccentric landlords and furnishings. |
| "Phantom Voice $53,000 Jackpot" | CBS (WCBS) 1949-08-27 8:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Musical Quiz Showcase |
Dan Seymour, Alan Dale, Patti Clayton | Ray Bloch Orchestra | ["Quiz", "Music", "Game Show", "Live Broadcast", "Variety"] |
Dan Seymour hosts telephone quiz contestants guessing the identity of the celebrity 'Phantom Voice' for a massive $53,000 jackpot prize. |
| "The Case of the Reluctant Witness" | CBS (WCBS) 1951-08-27 2:15 PM EDT |
Procter & Gamble Tide Detergent |
John Larkin (Perry), Joan Alexander (Della) | Erle Stanley Gardner | ["Legal", "Courtroom", "Drama", "Mystery", "Crime"] |
Defense attorney Perry Mason cross-examines a trembling eyewitness whose conflicting statements threaten to convict an innocent client of grand larceny. |
| "Is Seymour Eligible?" | CBS (WABC) 1941-08-27 5:00 PM EDST |
Procter & Gamble Oxydol Laundry Powder |
Gertrude Berg (Molly), James R. Waters | Gertrude Berg (Creator/Writer) | ["Sitcom", "Comedy", "Domestic", "Family", "Serial"] |
Molly Goldberg investigates whether a charming suitor named Seymour possesses the moral integrity and stability required to court her daughter. |
| "Birdie Warns Against Emma" | CBS (WABC) 1942-08-27 5:00 PM EWT |
Procter & Gamble Oxydol |
Gertrude Berg (Molly), James R. Waters | Gertrude Berg (Creator/Writer) | ["Sitcom", "Comedy", "Domestic", "Family", "Serial"] |
Molly receives an urgent warning from neighbor Birdie concerning a devious newcomer scheming to take advantage of neighborhood charity. |
| "Trying to Find Birdie" | CBS (WABC) 1943-08-27 5:00 PM EWT |
Procter & Gamble Duz ("Duz Does Everything!") |
Gertrude Berg (Molly), James R. Waters | Gertrude Berg (Creator/Writer) | ["Sitcom", "Comedy", "Domestic", "Family", "Serial"] |
Molly rallies the Bronx neighborhood on a determined search across town after faithful confidante Birdie uncharacteristically goes missing. |