On This Day, September 4: Lord of the Rings and Arthur Godfrey
Also featured: Rex Stout.
September 4 Update
This report documents the historical provenance, broadcast scheduling, commercial sponsorship, credited cast, production personnel, alternate circulating titles, serial story arcs, and pure narrative synopses for broadcasts transmitting on September 4 across Michael Hordern confronting Saruman in Part 17 of Brian Sibley's landmark BBC radio dramatization of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Arthur Godfrey presenting winning vocalist Irene Carroll on Talent Scouts for Lipton Tea, Brian Donlevy starring in frontline combat medical drama on The Doctor Fights for Schenley Penicillin, Mortimer Meek's suburban mishaps on Meet the Meeks for Swift, and mystery author Rex Stout leading discussions on democratic literature on Speaking of Liberty, Michael Hordern (1982), Arthur Godfrey (1950), Brian Donlevy (1945), Forrest Lewis (1948), and Rex Stout (1941–1982):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Voice of Saruman (Part 17) with Michael Hordern" | BBC Radio 4 1982-09-04 |
Sustaining Fantasy Drama |
Michael Hordern (Gandalf) | Brian Sibley & Tolkien | ["Fantasy", "Adventure", "Lord of the Rings", "Michael Hordern", "JRR Tolkien"] |
Gandalf and King Théoden confront the fallen wizard Saruman at the fortress of Orthanc, resisting the seductive power of his enchanted voice. |
| "The Voice of Saruman (Broadcast Master) with BBC Radio 4" | BBC Radio 4 1982-09-04 |
Sustaining Fantasy Epic |
Michael Hordern & Howell | Brian Sibley (Adapt.) | ["Fantasy", "Adventure", "Lord of the Rings", "Michael Hordern", "BBC"] |
Gandalf breaks the staff of Saruman after the traitorous wizard refuses repentance at Isengard, while Wormtongue hurls the Palantír from above. |
| "Winner Irene Carroll with Arthur Godfrey and Lipton Tea" | CBS (WCBS) 1950-09-04 8:30 PM EDT |
Thomas J. Lipton Lipton Tea & Noodle Soup |
Arthur Godfrey (Host) | Irene Carroll & Bleyer | ["Variety", "Music", "Arthur Godfrey", "Talent Scouts", "Lipton"] |
Amateur talent scouts introduce rising musical performers, with the studio applause meter declaring young vocalist Irene Carroll the winner. |
| "Battle of the Bulge Surgeon with Brian Donlevy" | CBS (WABC) 1945-09-04 9:30 PM EWT |
Schenley Laboratories Penicillin Schenley |
Brian Donlevy (Star) | CBS Dramatic Staff | ["Drama", "Medical", "The Doctor Fights", "Brian Donlevy", "Schenley"] |
A military surgeon operating under relentless enemy mortar fire during the Ardennes offensive saves dozens of wounded soldiers with emergency plasma and penicillin. |
| "The Missing Lawnmower with Forrest Lewis as Mortimer Meek" | NBC (WNBC) 1948-09-04 11:00 AM EDT |
Swift & Company Swift's Cleanser |
Forrest Lewis & Allison | Donald D. Hoover (Writer) | ["Comedy", "Sitcom", "Meet the Meeks", "Forrest Lewis", "Swift"] |
Mortimer Meek attempts to borrow his neighbor's motorized lawnmower, causing a chaotic neighborhood property dispute. |
| "Writers in Defense of Democracy with Rex Stout" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1941-09-04 6:30 PM EDST |
Council for Democracy Public Affairs |
Rex Stout (Host) | Council Authors | ["Talk", "Public Affairs", "Speaking of Liberty", "Rex Stout", "NBC"] |
Prominent American authors discuss the vital role of free literature, journalism, and artistic independence in resisting authoritarian propaganda. |