On This Day, August 22: Perry Como and Sammy Kaye
Also featured: Smiley Burnette, Heartbeat Theatre.
August 22 Exhaustive Update
This report documents the comprehensive provenance, broadcast scheduling, commercial sponsorship, credited cast, production personnel, alternate circulating titles, and story synopses for 6 historical broadcasts transmitting on August 22 across American network and syndicated broadcasting history (1936–1965):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story-First Plot Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Fallen Star (The Tragedy of a Silent Screen Idol)" | Syndicated 1936-08-22 (American Weekly) |
Hearst Newspapers The American Weekly Magazine |
New York Radio Ensemble | The American Weekly Staff, Roger Bower (Announcer) | ["Drama", "Anthology", "Show Business"] |
A dramatic adaptation from The American Weekly chronicling the tragic downfall of a celebrated silent screen starlet who descends into financial ruin and addiction after sound pictures render her expressive pantomime obsolete in Hollywood. |
| "Ready to Climb (The Sierra Peak Rescue)" | Syndicated 1965-08-22 (Salvation Army) |
The Salvation Army "Where there's a need, there's the Salvation Army" |
Don MacLaughlin (Host), Parley Baer (Tom Bradley), Tommy Cook (Randy Miller) | George W. Allen (Writer), Don Hill (Director), Eddie Dunstedter (Music) | ["Drama", "Inspirational", "Adventure"] |
A bitter, headstrong teenage boy attempts to conquer a perilous Sierra Nevada peak without safety ropes, forcing an aging mountain rescue volunteer to risk his own life on a sheer cliffside to teach the boy humility. |
| "Perry Como Sings 'Catch a Falling Star'" | CBS (WCBS) 1958-08-22 7:00 PM EDT |
Ford Motor Company Ford Division & Fairlane 500 |
Perry Como (Guest Vocal Sensation), Ray Bloch and his Orchestra | J. Walter Thompson Agency, New York | ["Music", "Variety", "Easy Listening"] |
Pop crooner Perry Como highlights this summer driving music program for Ford, performing his chart-topping hit 'Catch a Falling Star' along with easy listening favorites backed by the Ray Bloch Orchestra. |
| "The Drake Country Estate Dispute" | NBC-WMAQ Chicago 1947-08-22 (Transcribed Syndication) |
General Mills Regional Department Stores |
Elizabeth Reller (Betty Drake), Carl Frank (Bob Drake), Edith Spencer | Frank & Anne Hummert (Producers), Pierre Andre (Announcer) | ["Drama", "Soap Opera", "Serial"] |
Betty and Bob Drake confront an aggressive real estate developer who attempts to seize the family's country estate through a fraudulent easement contract, uncovering their neighbor's complicity. |
| "Smiley Sings 'I'm Nobody's Baby' and 'Mama Don't Allow'" | RadiOhio Syndication 1947-08-22 (Transcribed) |
Western Auto Supply Local Feed & Seed Stores |
Smiley Burnette (Frog Millhouse), The Sunshine Girls vocal trio | Smiley Burnette (Writer & Performer), RadiOhio Studios | ["Western", "Comedy", "Music", "Novelty"] |
Western comedy star Smiley Burnette entertains with his trademark homemade musical contraptions, singing comical novelty tunes including 'I'm Nobody's Baby' and 'Mama Don't Allow No Music Playing in Here' with harmony by the Sunshine Girls. |
| "Sammy Kaye and His 'Swing and Sway' Orchestra: 'All or Nothing at All'" | CBS (WABC) 1943-08-22 1:30 PM EWT |
Chrysler Corporation Plymouth Motor Division |
Sammy Kaye and his Orchestra, Tommy Ryan, Billy Williams, The Kaye Choir | Ruthrauff & Ryan Agency, Tony Marvin (Announcer) | ["Music", "Big Band", "Swing"] |
Sammy Kaye and his Orchestra perform romantic wartime big band hits for Chrysler, featuring vocal soloists on 'All or Nothing at All', 'Sunday, Monday or Always', and 'Paper Doll'. |