On This Day, August 28: Peter Lorre and Perry Mason
Also featured: The Goldbergs.
August 28 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 28 across American network radio and syndication, Peter Lorre in Ben Hecht's macabre scientific thriller Beyond Good and Evil on Mystery in the Air for Camel Cigarettes, John Larkin investigating a missing lockbox key on Perry Mason for Tide Detergent, Gertrude Berg's chaotic Friday family dinner on The Goldbergs for Oxydol, Dan Seymour's Sing It Again, orchestral ballads on Just For You, and Algonquin Round Table wits celebrating Franklin P. Adams on Biography in Sound (1942–1956):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Beyond Good and Evil" | NBC (WEAF) 1947-08-28 10:00 PM EDT |
R.J. Reynolds Camel Cigarettes |
Peter Lorre, Peggy Webber | Geoffrey Becker & Ben Hecht | ["Horror", "Macabre", "Psychological Thriller", "Mystery", "Drama"] |
A brilliant scientist conducts macabre biochemical experiments on condemned criminals in a deranged quest to conquer human mortality. |
| "The Phantom Voice Mystery" | CBS (WABC) 1948-08-28 8:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Musical Game Show |
Dan Seymour, Alan Dale | Ray Bloch Orchestra | ["Game Show", "Music", "Vocal", "Quiz", "Variety"] |
Home listeners telephone the studio to identify a mysterious disguised celebrity singing classic pop standards for jackpot prizes. |
| "Temptation" | Syndicated Elec 1944-08-28 |
Commercial Regional Sponsors |
Studio Orchestra | Vocal Soloists | ["Music", "Easy Listening", "Pop Standard", "Orchestral", "Vocal"] |
A lush studio orchestra and vocal soloists perform romantic twilight ballads, featuring an arrangement of Nacio Herb Brown's 'Temptation'. |
| "The Case of the Counterfeit Key" | CBS (WABC) 1951-08-28 2:15 PM EDT |
Procter & Gamble Tide / Camay Soap |
John Larkin, Joan Alexander | Erle Stanley Gardner | ["Legal", "Detective", "Drama", "Mystery", "Serial"] |
Perry Mason investigates a missing lockbox key after a wealthy widow is blackmailed by a disreputable hotel clerk. |
| "No One Eats While Emma Serves" | CBS (WABC) 1942-08-28 5:15 PM EWT |
Procter & Gamble Oxydol Laundry Soap |
Gertrude Berg, James R. Waters | Gertrude Berg (Creator) | ["Sitcom", "Comedy", "Domestic", "Family", "Dialect"] |
Molly Goldberg attempts to soothe household tensions when cousin Emma insists on formal dining etiquette during a chaotic Friday family dinner. |
| "The Conning Tower — Franklin P. Adams" | NBC (WNBC) 1956-08-28 8:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Audio Documentary |
Clifton Fadiman, John Kieran | Marc Connelly & FPA | ["Documentary", "Biography", "Literature", "Journalism", "Historical"] |
Colleagues and Algonquin Round Table wits celebrate the satirical verse, newspaper column, and broadcasting career of columnist Franklin P. Adams. |