On This Day, September 2: Dick Powell and Boris Karloff
Also featured: Lights Out.
September 2 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 September 2 across hardboiled detective satire, South China Sea maritime adventure, comic strip youth serials, apocalyptic horror dramatizations, and all-star musical variety, Dick Powell as Richard Rogue for Fitch (1945), Macdonald Carey in Jason and the Golden Fleece (1954), Milton Caniff's Terry and the Pirates (1946), Arch Oboler's visionary Lights Out classic The Last War (1936), and The Kraft Music Hall featuring Bob Burns, Boris Karloff, and Bing Crosby (1936–1954):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Triangle Murder Case with Dick Powell and F.W. Fitch" | Mutual (WOR) 1945-09-02 8:30 PM EWT |
F.W. Fitch Co. Fitch Shampoo |
Dick Powell (Rogue) | Ray Buffum (Writer) | ["Detective", "Mystery", "Rogues Gallery", "Dick Powell", "Fitch"] |
Private eye Richard Rogue is knocked unconscious while investigating a romantic blackmail ring and confers with his alter ego Eugor in Cloud Eight. |
| "The Case of the Jade Goddess with Macdonald Carey and NBC" | NBC (KFI) 1954-09-02 9:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Maritime Adventure |
Macdonald Carey (Jason) | NBC Radio Staff | ["Adventure", "Maritime", "Jason Golden Fleece", "Macdonald Carey", "NBC"] |
Cargo schooner captain Jason sails into a turbulent South China Sea port where rival smugglers compete to steal a priceless carved jade idol. |
| "Pat Is on the Trail of the Killer with Quaker Puffed Wheat" | ABC (WJZ) 1946-09-02 5:00 PM EDT |
Quaker Oats Co. Puffed Wheat Sparkies |
Jackie Kelk, Carpenter | Milton Caniff (Author) | ["Children", "Adventure", "Terry And The Pirates", "Milton Caniff", "Quaker"] |
Pat Ryan pursues a dangerous riverside assassin through crowded Shanghai alleys to clear an innocent riverboat engineer. |
| "The Last War with Arch Oboler and NBC Red" | NBC Red (WMAQ) 1936-09-02 12:30 AM EDST |
Sustaining Post-Apocalyptic Horror |
Dramatic Cast | Arch Oboler (Writer/Dir) | ["Horror", "Sci-Fi", "Lights Out", "Arch Oboler", "NBC Red"] |
A harrowing post-apocalyptic allegory depicts the final survivors of global chemical warfare encountering civilized beasts reclaiming a ruined earth. |
| "Guest Host Bob Burns with Guests Boris Karloff and Dolores Del Rio" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1937-09-02 10:00 PM EDST |
Kraft-Phenix Miracle Whip & Velveeta |
Bob Burns, Karloff | Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra | ["Variety", "Music", "Comedy", "Kraft Music Hall", "Boris Karloff"] |
Bob Burns trades hillbilly humor with horror screen icon Boris Karloff and welcomes glamorous Hollywood film star Dolores Del Rio. |
| "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin' with Bing Crosby and Frank McHugh" | NBC (KFI) 1943-09-02 9:00 PM EWT |
Kraft Cheese Co. Kraft Mayonnaise |
Bing Crosby, McHugh | John Scott Trotter Orch. | ["Variety", "Music", "Comedy", "Kraft Music Hall", "Bing Crosby"] |
Bing Crosby introduces Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin' from Oklahoma! and trades banter with comedian Frank McHugh. |