On This Day, August 23: Lincoln Highway and Chandu the Magician
Also featured: Tad Lincoln Dramatization.
August 23 Exhaustive Update
This report documents the comprehensive provenance, broadcast scheduling, commercial sponsorship, credited cast, production personnel, alternate circulating titles, and story synopses for historical broadcasts transmitting on August 23 across American and British broadcasting history (1932–1955):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story-First Plot Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Death of Tad Lincoln (Morton Wishengrad Dramatization)" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1942-08-23 4:30 PM EWT |
Sustaining Wartime Morale Drama |
Raymond Edward Johnson (Lincoln), Barbara Weeks, Tommy Donnelly | Morton Wishengrad (Writer), Homer Fickett (Director) | ["Historical", "Drama", "Biographical", "Anthology"] |
A historical dramatization of the White House in the 1860s, depicting President Abraham Lincoln and first lady Mary Todd Lincoln as they endure the devastating fever and untimely death of their beloved young son Tad Lincoln amidst the turmoil of the Civil War. |
| "AFRS Gold Coast Rhythm Show: Big George Miller (Louis Jordan & Wynonie Harris)" | AFRS Hollywood 1949-08-23 (AFRS Disc) |
Non-commercial AFRS Troop Radio |
Big George Miller (Host / DJ) | AFRS Hollywood Production | ["Music", "Jazz", "Rhythm and Blues", "Variety"] |
AFRS disc jockey Big George Miller spins scorching rhythm and blues sides for overseas servicemen, joking with GI listeners about feeling left out of Hollywood parties while dropping records by Louis Jordan, Wynonie Harris, and Dinah Washington. |
| "The Roadside Diner Along U.S. 30 (Starring Gladys George — Shinola)" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1941-08-23 11:00 AM EDST |
Hecker Products Shinola Shoe Polish & 2-in-1 Wax |
Gladys George (Guest Star), John McIntire, Karl Swenson | Bate Greer (Writer), Theodora Yates (Director), Ed Herlihy | ["Drama", "Anthology", "Romance"] |
Stage and screen star Gladys George portrays a worldly-wise roadside diner owner along U.S. Route 30 who helps a desperate young runaway couple reconcile with their estranged families and start an honest new life. |
| "The Belgian Congo Safari Expedition (Norman Gerlach)" | Mutual (WGN) 1947-08-23 11:30 AM EDT |
Sustaining Chicago Adventurers Club |
Norman Gerlach (Himself), Raymond Edward Johnson, Mandel Kramer | Frank O'Connor (Writer), Martin Magner (Director), Carl Warren | ["Adventure", "Docudrama", "Action", "Travel"] |
Explorer Norman Gerlach relives his harrowing encounter in the Belgian Congo with the Adventurers Club of Chicago, describing how a rogue rogue elephant herd ambushed his safari expedition deep inside the impenetrable rainforest. |
| "Contraband (Episode 3) — The Cornish Smuggler's Cove (Berkeley Mather)" | BBC Light Programme 1955-08-23 8:30 PM |
Non-commercial BBC Public Radio |
Patrick Barr (David Morgan), Sarah Lawson, Geoffrey Keen | Berkeley Mather (Writer), Michael Bakewell (Producer) | ["Crime", "Thriller", "Drama", "British"] |
Ex-naval intelligence officer David Morgan goes undercover on the Cornish coast to infiltrate a syndicate smuggling illicit foreign currency and contraband into post-war Britain, navigating treacherous tides and armed smugglers. |
| "The Catacombs of Alexandria (Part 154) — White King Soap" | Don Lee / Mutual 1932-08-23 8:00 PM PST |
Los Angeles Soap Co. White King Granulated Soap |
Gayne Whitman (Chandu), Margaret MacDonald, Cyril Armbrister | Harry A. Earnshaw & Raymond Morgan (Writers), Howard Culver | ["Fantasy", "Adventure", "Occult", "Mystery"] |
Frank Chandler uses his mystic Eastern powers as Chandu the Magician to penetrate the underground catacombs of Alexandria, battling the illusionary illusions of master villain Roxor to rescue Egyptian Princess Nadji from hypnotic entrapment. |