On This Day, August 23: Lord of the Rings and Death Valley Days
Also featured: Vic and Sade.
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 (1934–1981):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story-First Plot Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Madame Moustache: The Eleanor Dumont Story (20 Mule Team Borax)" | NBC Blue (WJZ) 1934-08-23 9:00 PM EDST |
Pacific Coast Borax 20 Mule Team Borax & Boraxo |
Tim Frawley (The Old Ranger), Jeanette Nolan, John McIntire | Ruth Cornwall Woodman (Writer), Edwin M. Whitney | ["Western", "Historical", "Drama", "Anthology"] |
The Old Ranger recounts the colorful historical frontier true story of Eleanor Dumont, the legendary French twenty-one card dealer known as Madame Moustache who ran honest gambling halls across the rough mining boomtowns of Nevada and California. |
| "The Legend of Oofty Goofty (20 Mule Team Borax Flakes)" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1940-08-23 8:30 PM EDST |
Pacific Coast Borax 20 Mule Team Borax Flakes |
Harry Humphrey (The Old Ranger), Jack MacBryde, Geoffrey Bryant | Ruth Cornwall Woodman (Writer), George Hicks (Announcer) | ["Western", "Historical", "Drama", "Comedy"] |
The Old Ranger relates the bizarre Gold Rush history of Leonard Borchardt, the indestructible San Francisco sideshow eccentric known as Oofty Goofty, who survived wild stunts in Barbary Coast music halls and boxing rings without feeling pain. |
| "The Sons of the Pioneers: 'Do I Worry' (Dr Pepper 10-2-4 Ranch)" | ABC (WFAA) 1945-08-23 4:30 PM CWT |
Dr Pepper Company Dr Pepper Carbonated Drink |
The Sons of the Pioneers (Bob Nolan, Lloyd Perryman), Martha Mears | Gene O'Fallon (Director), Bill Ring (Announcer) | ["Western", "Country", "Music", "Vocal"] |
The Sons of the Pioneers bring their world-famous cowboy harmonies to the 10-2-4 Ranch for Dr Pepper, performing western favorites and a sweet rendition of 'Do I Worry' featuring solo vocals by Bob Nolan and Lloyd Perryman. |
| "Vic Models in Sunday Clothes for Miz Wheeler (Crisco Shortening)" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1940-08-23 4:30 PM EDST |
Procter & Gamble Crisco Vegetable Shortening |
Art Van Harvey (Vic), Bernardine Flynn (Sade), Billy Idelson (Rush) | Paul Rhymer (Creator & Writer), Bob Brown (Announcer) | ["Comedy", "Sitcom", "Domestic", "Satire"] |
Vic Gook gets roped into posing in his finest Sunday suit as a portrait model for eccentric neighbor Miz Wheeler, suffering agonizingly long stationary poses in the parlour while Sade and Rush mercilessly critique the artistic results. |
| "The Lord of the Rings #25: Homeward Bound (Starring Ian Holm & Michael Hordern)" | BBC Radio 4 1981-08-23 12:00 PM |
Non-commercial BBC Radio Drama |
Ian Holm (Frodo), Michael Hordern (Gandalf), Robert Stephens, Bill Nighy | J.R.R. Tolkien (Author), Brian Sibley (Adapter) | ["Fantasy", "Adventure", "Literature", "Drama", "British"] |
In Episode 25, Homeward Bound, Frodo Baggins and the surviving Hobbits begin their journey home to the Shire following the crowning of King Elessar, stopping at Rivendell to reunite with an aging Bilbo Baggins before crossing the Misty Mountains. |
| "Three About Children (Starring Mercedes McCambridge & Elliott Lewis)" | Mutual (WOR) 1945-08-23 10:00 PM EWT |
Sustaining Mutual Drama |
Mercedes McCambridge, Elliott Lewis, Tommy Cook | Arch Oboler (Writer & Director), Gordon Jenkins | ["Drama", "Anthology", "Psychological", "Experimental"] |
Arch Oboler presents a trilogy of poignant, innovative psychological radio dramas exploring the inner emotional worlds, vivid imaginations, and innocent wartime perceptions of three children facing adult conflicts. |