On This Day, September 4: Lux Radio Theatre and Murrow in London
Also featured: Mr. DA.
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 two star-studded adaptations on Lux Radio Theatre for Lux Toilet Soap (Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy in Maytime under Cecil B. DeMille in 1944, and Dennis Morgan & Ruth Roman in One Sunday Afternoon under William Keighley in 1950), Edward R. Murrow's historic CBS live report from London following the British declaration of war in 1939, Jay Jostyn prosecuting murderous household impostors on Mr. District Attorney for Vitalis, Frank Morgan and Baby Snooks on Maxwell House Coffee Time, and Gail Patrick on Skippy Hollywood Theater, Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy (1944), Dennis Morgan (1950), Edward R. Murrow (1939), Jay Jostyn (1946), Frank Morgan & Fanny Brice (1941), and Gail Patrick (1939–1950):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Maytime with Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy" | CBS (KNX) 1944-09-04 9:00 PM EWT |
Lever Brothers Co. Lux Toilet Soap |
Jeanette MacDonald & Eddy | Cecil B. DeMille (Host) | ["Drama", "Romance", "Lux Radio Theatre", "Jeanette MacDonald", "Nelson Eddy"] |
An American opera prima donna in 19th-century Paris falls in love with an impoverished baritone student despite being betrothed to her controlling mentor. |
| "One Sunday Afternoon with Dennis Morgan and Ruth Roman" | CBS (KNX) 1950-09-04 9:00 PM EDT |
Lever Brothers Co. Lux Toilet Soap |
Dennis Morgan & Roman | William Keighley (Host) | ["Drama", "Romance", "Lux Radio Theatre", "Dennis Morgan", "Ruth Roman"] |
A small-town dentist contemplates lethal revenge when the corrupt rival who stole his sweetheart and framed him for embezzlement sits in his dental chair. |
| "Edward R. Murrow on British Wartime Evacuation from London" | CBS (WABC) 1939-09-04 |
Sustaining Special News Broadcast |
Edward R. Murrow (London) | CBS News Staff | ["News", "WWII", "Radio News", "Edward R Murrow", "CBS"] |
Edward R. Murrow reports from London following the British declaration of war on Germany, describing the evacuation of children and social shifts in wartime society. |
| "The Case of the Wrong Servant in the House with Jay Jostyn" | NBC (WEAF) 1946-09-04 9:30 PM EDT |
Bristol-Myers Co. Vitalis & Ipana |
Jay Jostyn (Garrett) | Vicki Vola & Devine | ["Police", "Procedural", "Mr District Attorney", "Jay Jostyn", "Vitalis"] |
District Attorney Paul Garrett investigates an impostor posing as a domestic butler to poison an elderly philanthropist for an inheritance. |
| "Two in Love with Frank Morgan and Baby Snooks" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1941-09-04 8:00 PM EDST |
General Foods Maxwell House Coffee |
Frank Morgan & Fanny Brice | Hanley Stafford & Willson | ["Comedy", "Variety", "Maxwell House Coffee Time", "Frank Morgan", "Fanny Brice"] |
Baby Snooks disrupts Daddy's evening with outrageous romantic matchmaking schemes while Frank Morgan spins tall tales about his youthful courtships. |
| "Haze of Honeymoon with Gail Patrick" | Syndication / Skippy 1943-09-04 |
Rosefield Packing Skippy Peanut Butter |
Gail Patrick (Star) | Les Mitchel (Dir.) | ["Drama", "Anthology", "Skippy Hollywood Theater", "Gail Patrick", "Skippy"] |
A newlywed bride discovers her husband's idyllic mountain cabin hides secrets connecting him to a missing heiress. |