On This Day, September 5: Secret Missions and This Is My Best
Also featured: Straight Arrow.
September 5 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 5 across two declassified naval espionage accounts on Admiral Ellis M. Zacharias's Secret Missions for Mutual (1948, 1949), Orson Welles previewing the literary showcase This Is My Best for Cresta Blanca Wines (1944), western action on Straight Arrow for Nabisco (1949), Raymond Massey narrating veteran rehabilitation on Treasury Salute (1945), and swing trio jazz on The Navy Swings (1964), Orson Welles (1944), Raymond Massey (1945), and Ellis M. Zacharias (1948, 1949):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Empty Sleeve with Raymond Massey" | Syndicated Radio 1945-09-05 |
US Treasury Dept. War Finance Division |
Raymond Massey & Cast | Treasury Radio Unit | ["Docudrama", "History", "Treasury Salute", "Raymond Massey", "US Treasury"] |
The true wartime story of an amputee combat veteran whose courage inspires hospital rehabilitation workers and community reintegration. |
| "Marty Napoleon Trio with George Skinner" | Syndicated Radio 1964-09-05 |
US Navy Recruiting Service |
Marty Napoleon & Skinner | Marty Napoleon Trio | ["Music", "Jazz", "The Navy Swings", "Marty Napoleon", "US Navy"] |
Jazz pianist Marty Napoleon and his swing trio perform upbeat standards and improvisational jazz numbers. |
| "Hollywood Program Preview with Orson Welles" | CBS (KNX) 1944-09-05 9:30 PM EWT |
Schenley Distillers Cresta Blanca Wines |
Orson Welles & Cast | Orson Welles (Director) | ["Drama", "Anthology", "This Is My Best", "Orson Welles", "Cresta Blanca"] |
Orson Welles introduces an upcoming season of radio adaptations celebrating America's greatest short stories and literary masterpieces. |
| "Cry of the Raven with Howard Culver" | Mutual-Don Lee 1949-09-05 8:00 PM EDT |
National Biscuit Co. Nabisco Shredded Wheat |
Howard Culver & Delano | Ted Robertson (Director) | ["Western", "Adventure", "Straight Arrow", "Howard Culver", "Nabisco"] |
Comanche warrior Straight Arrow uncovers a renegade gang imitating ominous raven calls to frighten homesteaders off mineral claims. |
| "The Moslem Brotherhood with Admiral Ellis M. Zacharias" | Mutual (WOR) 1948-09-05 9:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Naval Espionage |
Admiral Zacharias & Cast | Ellis M. Zacharias (Host) | ["Espionage", "Docudrama", "Secret Missions", "Ellis M Zacharias", "Mutual"] |
Naval Intelligence agents infiltrate covert underground political factions operating throughout Cairo and the Suez Canal zone. |
| "Caribbean Mission with Admiral Ellis M. Zacharias" | Mutual (WOR) 1949-09-05 9:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Naval Espionage |
Admiral Zacharias & Cast | Ellis M. Zacharias (Host) | ["Espionage", "Docudrama", "Secret Missions", "Ellis M Zacharias", "Mutual"] |
Naval Intelligence operatives intercept covert U-boat refueling rendezvous points hidden among remote Caribbean coves. |