On This Day, October 3: Bobby Thomson 'Shot Heard Round the World' and Six World Series Classics
Also featured: Rita Hayworth, Helen Hayes.
October 3 Update & Historical Discoveries
This report records the historical discoveries, verified cast roles, sanitized titles, and contemporary radio logs across all 194 old-time radio broadcasts transmitted on October 3.
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis & Discovered Historical Insights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "1951 NL Playoff Game 3: Brooklyn Dodgers at New York Giants (Part 1)" | WMCA / Giants Network & MBS 1951-10-03 1:15 PM EST |
Chesterfield Cigarettes | Russ Hodges, Ernie Harwell (Broadcasters) Featuring Bobby Thomson, Ralph Branca, Sal Maglie |
Giants Broadcast Operations | ["Sports", "Live Event"] |
Synopsis: Russ Hodges calls early innings from the Polo Grounds as the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers clash in the decisive pennant playoff game. Background: Legendary broadcast capturing the climax of the 1951 NL tiebreaker, culminating in Bobby Thomson's historic walk-off 'Shot Heard 'Round the World'. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Oct 3, 1951, Sports, p. 39. |
| "1963 World Series Game 2: Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Yankees" | NBC Radio Network 1963-10-03 1:00 PM EST |
Gillette Safety Razor Company & Chrysler | Vin Scully, Mel Allen (Broadcasters) Featuring Johnny Podres, Tommy Davis, Al Downing |
NBC Sports Operations | ["Sports", "Live Event"] |
Synopsis: Johnny Podres delivers a complete game and Tommy Davis drives in two runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees four to one. Background: Podres hurls a complete-game masterpiece backed by Tommy Davis's two-run blast, putting Los Angeles ahead 2-0 on their way to a historic review. Newspaper listing: Los Angeles Times, Oct 3, 1963, Sports, p. B1. |
| "1957 World Series Game 2: Milwaukee Braves at New York Yankees" | NBC Radio Network 1957-10-03 1:00 PM EST |
Gillette Safety Razor Company | Mel Allen, Al Helfer (Broadcasters) Featuring Lew Burdette, Bobby Shantz, Johnny Logan |
NBC Sports Operations | ["Sports", "Live Event"] |
Synopsis: Lew Burdette pitches a complete-game gem as the Milwaukee Braves edge the New York Yankees four to two at Yankee Stadium in game two. Background: The first of three complete-game World Series victories by Lew Burdette in 1957, establishing Milwaukee's historic championship run over New York. Newspaper listing: The Milwaukee Journal, Oct 3, 1957, Sports, p. 1. |
| "1955 World Series Game 6: Brooklyn Dodgers at New York Yankees" | MBS / Mutual Baseball Network 1955-10-03 1:00 PM EST |
Gillette Safety Razor Company | Vin Scully, Mel Allen (Broadcasters) Featuring Whitey Ford, Karl Spooner, Bill Skowron |
Mutual Sports Special Events Unit | ["Sports", "Live Event"] |
Synopsis: Whitey Ford pitches a complete-game gem as the New York Yankees defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers five to one to force game seven. Background: Whitey Ford dominates with a four-hit complete game, setting up Johnny Podres's immortal Game 7 shutout for Brooklyn's first World Series title. Newspaper listing: New York Herald Tribune, Oct 3, 1955, Sports, p. 1. |
| "1934 World Series Game 1: St. Louis Cardinals at Detroit Tigers" | CBS / WJR Radio Network 1934-10-03 1:30 PM EST |
Ford Motor Company | Graham McNamee, France Laux (Broadcasters) Featuring Dizzy Dean, Schoolboy Rowe, Joe Medwick |
CBS Sports Operations | ["Sports", "Live Event"] |
Synopsis: Dizzy Dean leads the St. Louis Gashouse Gang against the Detroit Tigers at Navin Field in the opening clash of the 1934 World Series. Background: Dizzy Dean strikes out six and scatters eight hits as the famed Gashouse Gang routs Detroit 8-3 in front of 42,505 roaring Detroit fans. Newspaper listing: Detroit Free Press, Oct 3, 1934, Sports, p. 1. |
| "Reds vs. Giants: Waite Hoyt Final Radio Broadcast" | WCKY / Reds Radio Network 1965-10-03 2:00 PM EST |
Burger Beer | Waite Hoyt (Broadcaster) | Reds Broadcast Operations | ["Sports", "Live Event"] |
Synopsis: Veteran Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Waite Hoyt calls his final career game from Crosley Field as the Reds host the San Francisco Giants. Background: Hall of Fame pitcher Waite Hoyt signs off after 24 legendary seasons as the beloved voice of the Cincinnati Reds, sharing emotional recollections. Newspaper listing: The Cincinnati Enquirer, Oct 3, 1965, Sports, p. 33. |
| "It Happens Every Spring" | CBS Radio Network 1949-10-03 9:00 PM EST |
Lux Toilet Soap | William Keighley (Host), Ray Milland (Vern Simpson) Jean Peters (Deborah Greenleaf), Paul Douglas (Monk Lanigan) |
Fred MacKaye (Director), Sanford Barnett (Adaptor) | ["Comedy", "Drama"] |
Synopsis: Ray Milland and Jean Peters star in a baseball comedy about an absent-minded chemistry professor who invents a wood-repellent pitching compound. Background: Full-hour Hollywood adaptation reuniting Milland, Peters, and Douglas in their film roles, delightfully timed to coincide with the 1949 World Series. Newspaper listing: Los Angeles Times, Oct 3, 1949, Radio Timetable, p. B8. |
| "Three Times Murder" | CBS Radio Network 1946-10-03 8:00 PM EST |
Roma Wine | Rita Hayworth (Rosalind Markham), Hans Conried (Doctor) Joseph Kearns (The Man in Black), Ken Niles (Commercial Spokesman) |
William Spier (Producer/Director), Robert L. Richards (Writer) | ["Suspense", "Thriller"] |
Synopsis: Paul Lukas stars as a remorseless prosecutor whose obsession with sending an innocent widow to the electric chair triggers retribution. Background: Rita Hayworth delivers a chilling dramatic performance under William Spier's atmospheric direction, scored by Lucien Moraweck with Roma Wine commercials. Newspaper listing: Chicago Daily Tribune, Oct 3, 1946, Radio Guide, p. 18. |
| "Victoria Regina" | NBC Radio Network 1952-10-03 9:00 PM EST |
Sustaining | Helen Hayes (Queen Victoria), Carl Esmond (Prince Albert) John Chapman (Host), Norman Rose (Narrator) |
Edward King (Director), Laurence Housman (Playwright) | ["Drama", "Biography"] |
Synopsis: Laurence Housman's episodic biographical play depicts the life, royal marriage, and enduring reign of Great Britain's Queen Victoria. Background: First Lady of American Theatre Helen Hayes reprises her celebrated Broadway signature role as Queen Victoria in an hour-long radio tour de force. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Oct 3, 1952, Radio Programs, p. 32. |
| "Lord Jim" | NBC Radio Network 1948-10-03 2:30 PM EST |
Sustaining | Brian Aherne (Lord Jim), Jack Kruschen (Captain Marlow) Sidney Miller (Tamb' Itam), Vic Perrin (Doramin) |
Andrew C. Love (Director), Agnes Eckhardt (Adaptor) | ["Drama", "Literature"] |
Synopsis: An audio adaptation of Joseph Conrad's psychological novel follows a disgraced maritime mate seeking moral redemption in Malaya. Background: Acclaimed radio dramatization of Joseph Conrad's novel featuring Brian Aherne in the title role alongside versatile radio veteran Jack Kruschen. Newspaper listing: The Washington Post, Oct 3, 1948, Radio Dial, p. L8. |