On This Day, September 3: Bob Hope and Mel Tormé
Also featured: The Aldrich Family.
September 3 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 3 across early rapid-fire Bob Hope variety comedy featuring guest jazz vocalist Mel Tormé for Pepsodent, classic teenage domestic misadventures on The Aldrich Family (Ezra Stone in 1939 and Norman Tokar in 1942), high-energy AFRS Jubilee broadcasts with Ernie Whitman spotlighting The Treniers and New Orleans jazz pioneer Kid Ory, and offbeat network studio satire with Bob and Ray, Bob Hope (1936), The Aldrich Family (1939, 1942), Jubilee (1948, 1949), and Bob and Ray (1936–1952):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Tutti Frutti by Mel Tormé with Bob Hope and Pepsodent" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1936-09-03 |
The Pepsodent Co. Pepsodent Toothpaste |
Bob Hope (Host) | Mel Tormé & Ennis | ["Comedy", "Music", "Bob Hope", "Mel Torme", "Pepsodent"] |
Bob Hope trades rapid-fire one-liners before introducing young jazz vocalist Mel Tormé for a swinging rendition of Tutti Frutti. |
| "Henry Takes Aunt Harriet to the Movies with Ezra Stone" | NBC Blue (WJZ) 1939-09-03 8:00 PM EDST |
General Foods Jell-O Gelatin |
Ezra Stone (Henry) | Jackie Kelk & Goldsmith | ["Comedy", "Sitcom", "The Aldrich Family", "Ezra Stone", "Jell-O"] |
Henry Aldrich is tasked with escorting his fussy aunt to an evening cinema showing but loses her ticket in a comedy of errors. |
| "Henry Builds a Bird Bath with Norman Tokar as Henry Aldrich" | NBC (WEAF) 1942-09-03 8:30 PM EWT |
General Foods Postum Cereal Beverage |
Norman Tokar (Henry) | Jackie Kelk & Jameson | ["Comedy", "Sitcom", "The Aldrich Family", "Norman Tokar", "Postum"] |
Henry and Homer attempt to construct a concrete bird bath in the backyard, inadvertently damaging Mr. Aldrich's prized prize-winning flowerbed. |
| "Starring Ernie Whitman and The Treniers with AFRS" | AFRS Transcription 1948-09-03 |
Armed Forces Radio Military Entertainment |
Ernie Whitman (MC) | The Treniers & Carter | ["Music", "R&B", "Jubilee", "Ernie Whitman", "The Treniers"] |
Ernie Whitman hosts an energetic jump blues and R&B showcase featuring The Treniers and Benny Carter's swing orchestra for overseas troops. |
| "Guest Kid Ory and His Creole Jazz Band with Ernie Whitman" | AFRS Transcription 1949-09-03 |
Armed Forces Radio Military Entertainment |
Ernie Whitman (Host) | Kid Ory & Creole Band | ["Music", "Jazz", "Jubilee", "Kid Ory", "Ernie Whitman"] |
Trombonist Kid Ory leads his traditional New Orleans Creole jazz ensemble in fiery Dixieland standards recorded for military personnel. |
| "Little Brother Visits and Sings with Bob and Ray on NBC" | NBC (WNBC) 1952-09-03 5:45 PM EDT |
Sustaining Network Comedy |
Bob Elliott & Ray Goulding | Bob & Ray Staff | ["Comedy", "Satire", "Bob and Ray", "Bob Elliott", "Ray Goulding"] |
Bob and Ray introduce an obstreperous singing kid brother character who disrupts the broadcast studio and heckles the organist. |