On This Day, September 4: Charlie McCarthy and Lena Horne
Also featured: Johnny Mathis.
September 4 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 4 across Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy trading rapid-fire insults with vaudeville comedian Ken Murray for Chase & Sanborn, four distinct eras of all-star musical appeals on Guest Star for the U.S. Treasury (Lena Horne in 1947, Gordon MacRae in 1955, Johnny Mathis in 1960, and Trini Lopez in 1966), alongside 1970s CBS relationship drama on Faces of Love, Edgar Bergen (1938), Lena Horne (1947), Gordon MacRae (1955), Johnny Mathis (1960), Trini Lopez (1966), and Joan Copeland (1938–1975):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Guest Ken Murray with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1938-09-04 8:00 PM EDST |
Standard Brands Chase & Sanborn Coffee |
Edgar Bergen & Charlie | Ken Murray & Eddy | ["Comedy", "Variety", "Chase and Sanborn", "Charlie McCarthy", "Ken Murray"] |
Charlie McCarthy trades rapid-fire comedic insults with vaudeville comedian Ken Murray and schemes to crash Hollywood movie sets. |
| "Guest Lena Horne with US Savings Bonds" | Syndication / Treasury 1947-09-04 |
U.S. Treasury Dept. U.S. Savings Bonds |
Lena Horne (Vocalist) | Treasury Orchestra | ["Music", "Vocal", "Guest Star", "Lena Horne", "US Treasury"] |
Vocalist Lena Horne performs sultry jazz standards and blues ballads to encourage public investment in peacetime security bonds. |
| "Guest Gordon MacRae (It Had to Be You)" | Syndication / Treasury 1955-09-04 |
U.S. Treasury Dept. U.S. Savings Bonds |
Gordon MacRae (Host) | Ray Bloch & Orch. | ["Music", "Vocal", "Guest Star", "Gordon MacRae", "US Treasury"] |
Baritone singer Gordon MacRae performs popular Broadway showtunes and romantic melodies led by It Had to Be You. |
| "Guest Johnny Mathis with US Savings Bonds" | Syndication / Treasury 1960-09-04 |
U.S. Treasury Dept. U.S. Savings Bonds |
Johnny Mathis (Vocalist) | Treasury Studio Band | ["Music", "Vocal", "Guest Star", "Johnny Mathis", "US Treasury"] |
Johnny Mathis delivers smooth pop ballad performances and appeals to American workers to enroll in payroll savings plans. |
| "Guest Trini Lopez with US Savings Bonds" | Syndication / Treasury 1966-09-04 |
U.S. Treasury Dept. U.S. Savings Bonds |
Trini Lopez (Guitar/Vocal) | Treasury Studio Band | ["Music", "Folk Pop", "Guest Star", "Trini Lopez", "US Treasury"] |
Trini Lopez plays rhythmic Latin folk-pop acoustic guitar hits and promotes the purchase of United States Savings Bonds. |
| "The Mask of Affection with Joan Copeland and Joan Lorring" | CBS Radio 1975-09-04 |
Sustaining Audio Drama |
Joan Copeland & Lorring | Ian Martin & Beck | ["Drama", "Anthology", "Faces of Love", "Joan Copeland", "CBS Radio"] |
Two estranged sisters confront unresolved marital jealousies and deceit when an unexpected legacy forces a tense family reunion. |