On This Day, September 26: Orson Welles Shadow Premiere and First Kennedy-Nixon Debate
Also featured: The Chordettes Debut.
September 26 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 26.
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis & Discovered Historical Insights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Shadow: Death House Rescue (Series Premiere)" | Mutual Broadcasting System 1937-09-26 5:30 PM EST |
'blue coal' (Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Coal Co.) | Orson Welles (Lamont Cranston / The Shadow) Agnes Moorehead (Margot Lane), Ken Roberts (Announcer) |
Harry Ingram (Director), Edward Hale Bierstadt (Writer) | ["Mystery", "Crime", "Drama"] |
Synopsis: The Shadow investigates a lethal bank robbery frame-up, racing against the midnight execution clock to obtain vital fingerprint evidence and exonerate an innocent man. Background: Historic premiere broadcast of the dramatized The Shadow radio series starring 22-year-old Orson Welles and Agnes Moorehead, establishing the iconic invisible crimefighter and the chilling laughter that captivated millions. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Sep 26, 1937, Section 11 (Radio), p. 12. |
| "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts: Winner The Chordettes" | CBS Radio Network 1949-09-26 8:30 PM EST |
Lipton Tea & Lipton Noodle Soup | Arthur Godfrey (Host) The Chordettes (Jinny Osborn, Janet Ertel, Carol Buschmann, Dorothy Schwartz), Archie Bleyer Orchestra |
Arthur Godfrey (Producer), Archie Bleyer (Musical Director) | ["Variety", "Music", "Comedy"] |
Synopsis: Barbershop quartet The Chordettes from Sheboygan, Wisconsin wins first prize on Arthur Godfrey's talent showcase through close vocal harmonies. Background: Landmark talent competition broadcast catapulting The Chordettes to nationwide fame, leading directly to their long-term residency on Godfrey's daytime programs and legendary chart-topping vocal hits. Newspaper listing: Chicago Daily Tribune, Sep 26, 1949, Radio Highlights, p. B2. |
| "Cavalcade of America: Yankee Doodle Debby" | NBC Radio Network 1950-09-26 8:00 PM EST |
DuPont ("Better Things for Better Living... Through Chemistry") | Joan Caulfield (Deborah Sampson) Ted Jewett, Bill Adams, Robert Armbruster Orchestra |
Homer Fickett (Director), Arthur Miller / Cavalcade Staff (Writers) | ["Drama", "Historical"] |
Synopsis: Joan Caulfield stars as Deborah Sampson, a courageous Massachusetts woman who disguises herself as a soldier to fight in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Background: Richly researched historical dramatization honoring the real-life Revolutionary War heroine Deborah Sampson, who enlisted under the alias Robert Shurtleff and fought with distinction in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment. Newspaper listing: The Philadelphia Inquirer, Sep 26, 1950, Radio Guide, p. 24. |
| "Gunsmoke: The Railroad (Unedited Studio Pre-Cut Session)" | CBS Radio Network 1952-09-26 8:00 PM EST |
Sustaining / Network Promos | William Conrad (Marshal Matt Dillon) Parley Baer (Chester Proudfoot), Howard McNear (Doc Adams), Georgia Ellis (Kitty Russell) |
Norman Macdonnell (Director/Producer), John Meston (Writer) | ["Western", "Drama"] |
Synopsis: Marshal Matt Dillon tries to defuse a tragic standoff when an unyielding widow takes up a rifle to protect her homestead from being seized by railroad developers. Background: Exceptional archival discovery of an unedited pre-broadcast studio take, preserving off-mic director slate marks, vocal retakes, and sound-effect rehearsals by the acclaimed CBS West Coast radio unit. Newspaper listing: Los Angeles Times, Sep 26, 1952, Radio-TV Schedules, p. B8. |
| "X Minus One: The Map Makers" | NBC Radio Network 1956-09-26 8:30 PM EST |
Sustaining | Bob Hastings, Wendell Holmes Alan Collins, Fred Collins (Announcer) |
Daniel Sutter (Director), Ernest Kinoy (Adaptor), Frederik Pohl (Author) | ["Science Fiction", "Drama"] |
Synopsis: An interstellar exploration vessel becomes hopelessly lost in deep space after a meteor collision destroys their navigational charts and hyperspace drives. Background: Classic mature Golden Age science fiction dramatization adapted from Frederik Pohl's cerebral story, examining psychological breakdown and mathematical intuition among deep-space explorers stranded beyond known celestial charts. Newspaper listing: The Washington Post, Sep 26, 1956, Radio Dial, p. 42. |
| "The Great Debate: Senator John F. Kennedy vs. Vice President Richard M. Nixon" | CBS / NBC / ABC / Mutual Joint Broadcast 1960-09-26 9:30 PM EST |
Public Service Broadcast (Unsponsored) | Senator John F. Kennedy, Vice President Richard M. Nixon Howard K. Smith (Moderator), Sander Vanocur, Charles Warren, Stuart Novins, Bob Fleming |
Don Hewitt (Producer / Director) | ["News", "Historical", "Debate"] |
Synopsis: Senator John F Kennedy and Vice President Richard M Nixon clash over domestic policy and economic growth in their historic first joint presidential debate. Background: Seminal watershed broadcast in modern American political history originating from CBS Chicago studios WBBM-TV; famously demonstrated the diverging perceptions of radio listeners, who judged Nixon ahead on content, versus television viewers swayed by Kennedy's poised visual presence. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Sep 26, 1960, Front Page War & Politics Summary, p. 1. |
| "Major League Baseball: New York Mets at Milwaukee Braves" | WABC / New York Mets Radio Network 1962-09-26 8:00 PM CST |
Rheingold Extra Dry Beer & Liebmman Breweries | Lindsey Nelson, Ralph Kiner, Bob Murphy Featuring Denny Lemaster, Roger Craig, Hank Aaron |
WABC Broadcast Production Team | ["Sports", "Live Event"] |
Synopsis: Sportscasters call late-season National League baseball action from Milwaukee as Denny Lemaster leads the Braves past Roger Craig and the expansion Mets. Background: Authentic continuous play-by-play broadcast capturing the inaugural season of the "Amazin' Mets" under manager Casey Stengel; Denny Lemaster strikes out nine batters while Hall of Fame broadcast trio Nelson, Kiner, and Murphy deliver wry, affectionate commentary on their 117th loss of the year. Newspaper listing: The Milwaukee Journal, Sep 26, 1962, Sports Section, p. 2. |
| "President John F. Kennedy: Address to the United Nations General Assembly" | Live Multi-Network Relay 1962-09-26 11:00 AM EST |
Sustaining / News Relay | President John F. Kennedy | United Nations Radio / USIA Relay | ["News", "Historical", "Speech"] |
Synopsis: President John F Kennedy addresses the United Nations General Assembly, warning that humanity must dismantle its nuclear weapons before atomic war abolishes mankind. Background: Urgent Cold War presidential oration delivered just three weeks prior to the outbreak of the Cuban Missile Crisis, solemnly challenging global leaders to halt atmospheric nuclear proliferation, safeguard Berlin, and pursue verifiable multilateral disarmament. Newspaper listing: The Boston Globe, Sep 26, 1962, Front Page World News, p. 1. |
| "Broadway Is My Beat: Paul Tracy" | CBS Radio Network 1949-09-26 9:30 PM EST |
Sustaining | Anthony Ross (Detective Danny Clover) Frank Campanella (Gino Tartaglia), Anne Seymour, John McIntire |
Lester O'Keefe (Director), Morton Fine & David Friedkin (Writers) | ["Mystery", "Crime", "Drama"] |
Synopsis: Detective Danny Clover investigates the murder of Broadway producer Paul Tracy, finding conflicting motives among actors and investors. Background: Atmospheric New York police procedural featuring Anthony Ross as the philosophic Danny Clover; gritty jazz score by Wilbur Hatch and razor-sharp script by Fine and Friedkin. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Sep 26, 1949, Radio listings, p. 38. |
| "The Adventures of Philip Marlowe: The Red Wind" | CBS Radio Network 1950-09-26 10:00 PM EST |
Sustaining | Gerald Mohr (Philip Marlowe) Jeff Corey, Lou Merrill, Frances Robinson |
Norman Macdonnell (Director), Milton Geiger (Adaptor), Raymond Chandler (Author) | ["Mystery", "Crime", "Drama"] |
Synopsis: Detective Philip Marlowe witnesses a fatal tavern shooting during a hot desert windstorm and uncovers blackmail and stolen pearls. Background: Seminal hard-boiled classic adapted from Raymond Chandler's celebrated 1938 novelette; Gerald Mohr's iconic cynical delivery perfectly captures the dry Santa Ana winds that make men do crazy things. Newspaper listing: Los Angeles Times, Sep 26, 1950, Radio-TV, p. A8. |
| "Suspense: Statement of Employee Henry Wilson" | CBS Radio Network 1946-09-26 8:00 PM EST |
Roma Wines | Gene Lockhart (Henry Wilson) William Johnstone (The Man in Black), Paul Frees (Announcer), Bernard Herrmann (Composer) |
William Spier (Producer/Director), Robert L. Richards (Writer) | ["Thriller", "Mystery", "Drama"] |
Synopsis: A meek clerk plots the perfect murder of his tormenting department store manager, dictating his formal confession as the plan unravels. Background: Masterclass in psychological dread starring Gene Lockhart as a timid office worker whose methodical vengeance descends into paranoia; score directed by Bernard Herrmann. Newspaper listing: Chicago Daily Tribune, Sep 26, 1946, Radio Guide, p. 14. |
| "Quiet Please: Light the Lamp for Me" | Mutual Broadcasting System 1948-09-26 9:30 PM EST |
Sustaining | Ernest Chappell (Adam) Cecil Roy, Jack Johnstone |
Wyllis Cooper (Writer/Director) | ["Horror", "Drama", "Fantasy"] |
Synopsis: A lonely lighthouse keeper encounters a mysterious maritime entity that demands the eternal burning of his coastal beacon. Background: Haunting, dreamlike radio drama written and directed by Wyllis Cooper, showcasing Ernest Chappell's intimate, direct-to-listener conversational delivery and eerie organ accompaniment. Newspaper listing: The Washington Post, Sep 26, 1948, Radio Section, p. L6. |
| "The Great Gildersleeve: Marjorie Gets A Job" | NBC Red Network 1945-09-26 8:00 PM EST |
Kraft Parkay Margarine | Harold Peary (Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve) Walter Tetley (Leroy Forrester), Louise Erickson (Marjorie), Richard LeGrand (Mr. Peavey) |
Paul West (Director), John Whedon & Sam Moore (Writers) | ["Comedy"] |
Synopsis: Gildersleeve reacts with blustering alarm when his niece Marjorie announces she has taken an after-school position at Peavey's drugstore. Background: Peak Golden Age domestic situation comedy spotlighting Harold Peary's signature laugh and Walter Tetley's sharp banter as nephew Leroy; includes lively musical bridges by Jack Meakin. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Sep 26, 1945, Radio Guide, p. 32. |
| "Our Miss Brooks: Mr. Lathrop Returns to School" | CBS Radio Network 1948-09-26 6:30 PM EST |
Palmolive Soap & Colgate Tooth Powder | Eve Arden (Connie Brooks) Gale Gordon (Osgood Conklin), Richard Crenna (Walter Denton), Jane Morgan (Mrs. Davis), Jeff Chandler (Philip Boynton) |
Al Lewis (Writer/Director) | ["Comedy"] |
Synopsis: Connie Brooks scrambles to appease Principal Osgood Conklin when an eccentric former school board supervisor makes a surprise campus inspection. Background: Flawless comedic ensemble work led by Eve Arden with Gale Gordon's sputtering fury and a teenage Richard Crenna as squeaky-voiced student Walter Denton. Newspaper listing: Los Angeles Times, Sep 26, 1948, Radio Highlights, p. B10. |