On This Day, September 21: WJSV Complete Broadcast Day and FDR Neutrality Address
Also featured: W.C. Fields, Walter Johnson, Updates 1–12 Updated.
September 21 Update & Historical Discoveries
This report durably records the historical discoveries, technical anomalies, verified cast roles, commercial integrity audits, and contemporary newspaper radio logs for old-time radio broadcasts transmitted on September 21.
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis & Discovered Historical Insights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Address to the Extraordinary Session of Congress on the Neutrality Act" | CBS / NBC / MBS / WJSV 1939-09-21 2:00 PM EST |
Public Service / Sustaining | President Franklin D. Roosevelt Speaker William B. Bankhead Vice President John Nance Garner |
White House Broadcast Staff | ["Historical", "Speech", "News"] |
Synopsis: President Franklin Delano Roosevelt urges a joint session of Congress to repeal the arms embargo and restore cash-and-carry neutrality policy. Background: Landmark emergency joint session convened three weeks following the invasion of Poland; FDR appeals to repeal the arms embargo provision of the Neutrality Act to assist democratic allies. Newspaper listing: The Washington Post, Sep 21, 1939, Front Page & Radio Listings, p. 1 & p. 14. |
| "Elmer Davis and the News: Day 21 of the War" | CBS Radio Network / WJSV 1939-09-21 8:55 PM EDST |
Sustaining Columbia Broadcasting System |
Elmer Davis (News Analyst) Hugh Conover (Announcer) |
Paul White (Director of Public Affairs) | ["News", "Commentary"] |
Synopsis: News analyst Elmer Davis reports on diplomatic maneuvering in Europe and presidential policy on the twenty-first day of the second world war. Background: Davis notes that on this 21st day of hostilities diplomatic talking was more pivotal than battlefield gunfire following FDR's address and the assassination of Romanian Premier Calinescu. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Sep 21, 1939, Radio Section, p. 32. |
| "Cleveland Indians at Washington Senators" | WJSV Washington 1939-09-21 3:15 PM EST |
General Mills (Wheaties) Mobilgas / Socony-Vacuum |
Harry McTigue (Play-by-Play) Arch McDonald |
WJSV Sports Production | ["Sports", "Baseball"] |
Synopsis: Announcer Harry McTigue calls play-by-play baseball coverage from Griffith Stadium as the Washington Senators battle the Cleveland Indians. Background: Live broadcast from Griffith Stadium under overcast autumn skies; rare real-time artifact of 1939 major league baseball with authentic Wheaties 'Breakfast of Champions' live copy. Newspaper listing: The Washington Post, Sep 21, 1939, Sports Section, p. 17. |
| "Ninth Inning at Griffith Stadium with Walter Johnson" | WJSV Washington 1939-09-21 5:00 PM EST |
Local WJSV Sponsors | Walter Johnson (Color & Play-by-Play) | WJSV Sports Production | ["Sports", "Baseball"] |
Synopsis: Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson delivers color play-by-play commentary in the ninth inning as Washington rallies against Cleveland. Background: Captures "The Big Train" Walter Johnson behind the microphone broadcasting live major league baseball from his home stadium. Newspaper listing: The Washington Post, Sep 21, 1939, Sports Section, p. 17. |
| "Guest W. C. Fields and the Garden Skunk Trap" | NBC Red Network 1941-09-21 8:00 PM EST |
Chase & Sanborn Coffee Standard Brands |
Edgar Bergen (Host / Ventriloquist) Charlie McCarthy W. C. Fields (Guest) Ray Noble and his Orchestra |
Edgar Bergen (Producer) | ["Comedy", "Variety"] |
Synopsis: Charlie McCarthy clashes with guest star W C Fields over a mischievous garden trap before exchanging sharp insult comedy on the Chase and Sanborn Hour. Background: Legendary radio duel between W. C. Fields and Charlie McCarthy; includes barbed insults regarding nose complexions and timber temperaments. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Sep 21, 1941, Radio Section, p. X10. |
| "Molly Can't Sleep: Sammy's Enlistment Eve" | CBS Radio Network 1942-09-21 1:45 PM EST |
Duz (Procter & Gamble) | Gertrude Berg (Molly Goldberg) James R. Waters (Jake Goldberg) Everett Sloane (Sammy Goldberg) |
Gertrude Berg (Writer / Creator) | ["Drama", "Soap Opera"] |
Synopsis: Molly Goldberg tosses and turns through a sleepless night in the moonlight on the eve of her beloved son Sammy departing for military service. Background: Powerful wartime domestic realism; portrays maternal devotion and quiet heartache across American households during the Second World War. Newspaper listing: The Washington Post, Sep 21, 1942, Radio Guide, p. 18. |
| "Marjorie's School Friend Visits Summerfield" | NBC Red Network 1941-09-21 6:30 PM PST / 9:30 PM EST |
Parkay Margarine (Kraft Foods) | Harold Peary (Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve) Lurene Tuttle (Marjorie Forrester) Walter Tetley (Leroy Forrester) |
Leonard L. Levinson (Writer) | ["Comedy", "Sitcom"] |
Synopsis: Throckmorton P Gildersleeve scrambles to rearrange bedroom quarters when Marjorie vivacious Southern school friend arrives for an extended visit. Background: Features early first-season domestic dynamics of the spin-off comedy with classic Peary vocal chuckles and Kraft Parkay Margarine commercials. Newspaper listing: Los Angeles Times, Sep 21, 1941, Radio Timetable, p. C7. |
| "The Fresh Air Taxicab Company Accounts" | CBS Radio Network / WJSV 1939-09-21 7:00 PM EST |
Campbell's Soup | Freeman Gosden (Amos) Charles Correll (Andy) Del Sharbutt (Announcer) |
Freeman Gosden & Charles Correll | ["Comedy", "Sitcom"] |
Synopsis: Amos and Andy deliberate business hurdles and taxicab company finances following an evening Bulova watch time signal on Washington WJSV. Background: Iconic fifteen-minute evening serial broadcast transcribed off-air in Washington; preceded immediately by a live local chime Bulova Watch time signal. Newspaper listing: The Washington Post, Sep 21, 1939, Radio Listings, p. 14. |
| "The Harlem Roustabouts" | CBS Radio Network 1939-09-21 9:00 PM EST |
Chrysler Corporation Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler |
Major Edward Bowes (Host) The Harlem Roustabouts Ralph Edwards (Announcer) |
Major Edward Bowes (Director) | ["Variety", "Music"] |
Synopsis: Major Edward Bowes welcomes aspiring amateur performers starting with the Harlem Roustabouts on his celebrated national talent showcase. Background: Features high-energy vocal swing harmonies from Harlem quartets alongside Major Bowes' famous gong and live voting instructions for regional telephone exchanges. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Sep 21, 1939, Radio Listings, p. 32. |
| "The Sundial Morning Broadcast" | WJSV Washington 1939-09-21 6:30 AM EST |
Local Washington Merchants | Arthur Godfrey (Host / Announcer) | WJSV Production Staff | ["Variety", "Music", "Morning Show"] |
Synopsis: Arthur Godfrey wakes up Washington listeners with easygoing chatter, time checks, and phonograph records on the Sundial on WJSV. Background: Rare pristine transcription of Arthur Godfrey's signature early-morning broadcast style combining self-deprecating wit, spontaneous live ad-libbing, and local time signals. Newspaper listing: The Washington Post, Sep 21, 1939, Radio Directory, p. 14. |
| "No Man of Her Own: Rail Disaster Alias" | NBC Radio Network 1950-09-21 9:00 PM EST |
RCA Victor / Anacin | Barbara Stanwyck (Helen Harkness) Lyle Bettger (Stephen Morley) Mitchell Leisen (Director) |
Howard Wiley & Bill Karn | ["Drama", "Suspense"] |
Synopsis: Barbara Stanwyck portrays a desperate mother who assumes a new alias after a rail disaster only to be hunted by her ruthless former lover. Background: Star vehicle radio adaptation of Cornell Woolrich's novel; Mitchell Leisen directs Stanwyck with live Hollywood orchestral scoring. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Sep 21, 1950, Radio Section, p. 55. |
| "Silver Blaze: The Curiously Silent Hound" | BBC Light Programme / Syndication 1954-09-21 8:30 PM GMT |
Sustaining / BBC Transcription | Sir John Gielgud (Sherlock Holmes) Sir Ralph Richardson (Dr. John H. Watson) |
Harry Alan Towers (Producer) | ["Mystery", "Detective"] |
Synopsis: Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson investigate the sudden disappearance of an acclaimed racehorse and the brutal murder of its trainer on Dartmoor. Background: Iconic pairing of Sir John Gielgud and Sir Ralph Richardson with violin themes by Sydney Torch; features the classic deduction regarding the watchdog in the night. Newspaper listing: The Daily Telegraph, Sep 21, 1954, Radio Guide, p. 8. |
| "Intercollegiate Quiz: Syracuse vs. Goucher" | NBC Radio Network 1953-09-21 8:00 PM EST |
World Book Encyclopedia | Allen Ludden (Quizmaster) Varsity Teams of Syracuse and Goucher |
John Moses & Don Reed | ["Quiz", "Academic"] |
Synopsis: Allen Ludden hosts the intercollegiate academic tournament as student teams from Syracuse University and Goucher College compete in trivia. Background: Golden age radio predecessor to television's G.E. College Bowl; rapid-fire buzzer matches pitting varsity squads against literary parody questions. Newspaper listing: The Washington Post, Sep 21, 1953, Radio Timetable, p. 12. |
| "The End of Dirty Eddy" | Mutual Broadcasting System 1955-09-21 9:30 PM EST |
Sustaining (Family Theater Inc.) | Natalie Wood (Hostess) Wallace Ford (Dirty Eddy) William Campbell |
Father Patrick Peyton (Executive Producer) | ["Drama", "Anthology"] |
Synopsis: Hostess Natalie Wood presents a compelling drama as an aging vagrant named Dirty Eddy faces a turning point when townsfolk take notice. Background: Broadcast just weeks prior to the cinematic release of Rebel Without a Cause; features Natalie Wood hosting in support of Father Peyton's famous family motto. Newspaper listing: Los Angeles Times, Sep 21, 1955, Radio Schedule, p. B10. |
| "Victory in the Desert: The Roosevelt Dam" | Westinghouse Syndication 1954-09-21 7:15 PM EST |
Westinghouse Electric Corporation | Paul Shannon (Narrator) | Westinghouse Research Laboratories | ["Science", "Dramatization"] |
Synopsis: Engineers and reclamation crews brave rugged terrain to construct a vital irrigation dam uniting the Tonto and Salt rivers in Arizona. Background: Archival dramatization documenting the perilous engineering feat that erected the Roosevelt Dam, turning arid desert valleys into fertile agricultural land. Newspaper listing: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sep 21, 1954, Daily Radio Log, p. 19. |