On This Day, August 27: The Witch's Tale and Philco Hall of Fame
Also featured: Rudy Vallee.
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 international network radio, Alonzo Deen Cole's chilling Aztec curse in The Witch's Tale, Paul Whiteman on The Philco Radio Hall of Fame, Jack Moyles in A Man Named Jordan, and three distinct eras of The Rudy Vallee Show (1931 Fleischmann's Yeast with Ray Perkins, 1936 with Mary Boland, and 1942 Sealtest with Eugene Pallette & Xavier Cugat) (1931–1950):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Knife of Sacrifice" | Mutual (WOR) 1935-08-27 9:30 PM EDST |
Sustaining Early Horror Drama |
Adelaide Fitz-Allen (Old Nancy) | Alonzo Deen Cole (Creator) | ["Horror", "Supernatural", "Occult", "Anthology", "Mystery"] |
Old Nancy the Witch recounts the gruesome supernatural tale of an Aztec ceremonial obsidian dagger that exerts an irresistible hypnotic urge upon its modern collectors. |
| "Come Out, Wherever You Are (Philco Revue)" | NBC Blue (WJZ) 1944-08-27 6:00 PM EWT |
Philco Corp. Philco Radios |
Paul Whiteman, Martha Tilton | Deems Taylor (Host) | ["Variety", "Music", "Vaudeville", "Big Band", "Pop Standards"] |
Paul Whiteman conducts orchestral selections, Martha Tilton sings wartime hits, and guest stars stage theatrical comedy sketches honoring the week's entertainment achievements. |
| "Dr. Markoff's Discovery" | CBS (KNX) 1950-08-27 6:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Mystery Drama |
Jack Moyles (Rocky), Jay Novello (Sabaaya) | Larry Roman, Cliff Howell | ["Noir", "Detective", "Exotic", "Crime", "Hardboiled"] |
Cafe proprietor Rocky Jordan is drawn into danger in Cairo when an archaeologist carrying an ancient papyrus map is stabbed in the alley behind the Cafe Tambourine. |
| "Guest Ray Perkins" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1931-08-27 8:00 PM EDST |
Standard Brands Fleischmann's Yeast |
Rudy Vallee, Ray Perkins | Graham McNamee, NBC Staff | ["Variety", "Music", "Comedy", "Pop Standards", "Early Radio"] |
Rudy Vallee croons popular ballads and welcomes radio humorist Ray Perkins for witty piano interludes and musical satire. |
| "Guest Mary Boland" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1936-08-27 8:00 PM EDST |
Standard Brands Fleischmann's Yeast |
Rudy Vallee, Mary Boland | Graham McNamee, NBC Staff | ["Variety", "Music", "Comedy", "Hollywood", "Theatre"] |
Stage and screen comedienne Mary Boland performs a dramatic sketch alongside orchestral hits from Rudy Vallee's Connecticut Yankees. |
| "Guest Eugene Pallette" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1942-08-27 10:00 PM EWT |
Sealtest, Inc. Sealtest Ice Cream |
Rudy Vallee, Eugene Pallette, Joan Davis | Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra | ["Variety", "Comedy", "Music", "Hollywood", "Latin"] |
Gravel-voiced character actor Eugene Pallette trades hilarious insults with Rudy Vallee and Joan Davis amid Latin rhythms by Xavier Cugat. |