On This Day, August 31: Jack Benny and Perry Mason
Also featured: The Goldbergs.
August 31 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 31 across American network comedy milestones, legal detective dramas, and beloved immigrant family soap operas, Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone on The Jell-O Program (1932, 1934), John Larkin as Erle Stanley Gardner's Perry Mason on CBS (1951, 1954), and Gertrude Berg as Molly Goldberg in The Goldbergs (1932–1954):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Indoor Sports Night with Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone" | NBC Blue (WJZ) 1932-08-31 8:00 PM EDST |
General Foods Jell-O |
Jack Benny, Livingstone | Frank Black Orchestra | ["Comedy", "Variety", "Jack Benny", "Mary Livingstone", "Jell-O"] |
Jack Benny attempts to organize a parlor athletic competition in the studio while Mary Livingstone reads insulting fan letters from Plainfield. |
| "The House of Benny with Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone" | NBC Blue (WJZ) 1934-08-31 8:30 PM EDST |
General Foods Jell-O (6 Flavors) |
Jack Benny, Livingstone | Don Bestor Orchestra | ["Comedy", "Variety", "Jack Benny", "Mary Livingstone", "Jell-O"] |
Jack boasts about his grand new Hollywood mansion, only to have the cast expose that the estate is leased and completely unfurnished. |
| "The Murder at the Lake House with John Larkin" | CBS (WCBS) 1951-08-31 2:15 PM EDT |
Procter & Gamble Tide / Camay Soap |
John Larkin, Alexander | Erle Stanley Gardner | ["Courtroom", "Legal", "Mystery", "Perry Mason", "CBS"] |
Perry Mason questions a lakeside boat rental operator to reconstruct a missing client's movements before a body was discovered floating near the dock. |
| "Ed Beekman's Daughter with John Larkin" | CBS (WCBS) 1954-08-31 2:15 PM EDT |
Procter & Gamble Tide Detergent |
John Larkin, Robinson | Erle Stanley Gardner | ["Courtroom", "Legal", "Mystery", "Perry Mason", "CBS"] |
Perry Mason investigates threatening anonymous telegrams sent to a wealthy client's daughter prior to an estate inheritance hearing. |
| "Mickie Is Suspicious with Gertrude Berg" | CBS (WABC) 1942-08-31 11:30 AM EWT |
Procter & Gamble Duz / Oxydol |
Gertrude Berg, Waters | Gertrude Berg (Writer) | ["Soap Opera", "Comedy", "Drama", "The Goldbergs", "CBS"] |
Molly Goldberg attempts to smooth over misunderstandings when Mickie misinterprets a neighbor's secretive visits to the apartment. |
| "Birdie Makes Matters Worse with Gertrude Berg" | CBS (WABC) 1943-08-31 1:45 PM EWT |
Procter & Gamble Duz Soap |
Gertrude Berg, Colaer | Gertrude Berg (Writer) | ["Soap Opera", "Comedy", "Drama", "The Goldbergs", "CBS"] |
Molly intervenes to calm household tensions after well-meaning Aunt Birdie gives conflicting romantic advice to Rosalie. |