On This Day, August 25: Cary Grant and Betsy Drake (Blandings)
Also featured: Linda Darnell (AFRS), Tarzan.
August 25 Exhaustive Update
This report documents the comprehensive provenance, broadcast scheduling, commercial sponsorship, credited cast, production personnel, alternate circulating titles, serial multi-part narrative arcs, and story synopses for historical broadcasts transmitting on August 25 across American network, Hollywood stars Cary Grant & Betsy Drake in Mr. and Mrs. Blandings for Raleigh Cigarettes, Linda Darnell & Mel Blanc boosting troop morale on G.I. Journal, Edgar Rice Burroughs' family starring in 1933 Tarzan of the Apes, late-night horror on Murder at Midnight, and Salvation Army rehabilitation dramas on Heartbeat Theatre (1933–1963):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story-First Plot Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "None So Blind (Don MacLaughlin — The Salvation Army)" | Mutual (WOR) 1957-08-25 8:30 PM EDT |
The Salvation Army Rehabilitation Ministry |
Don MacLaughlin, Eleanor Sherman | Col. B. Vincent Cunningham, Karl Weber | ["Drama", "Anthology", "Religious", "Inspirational", "Human Interest"] |
"Heartbeat Theatre, presented by The Salvation Army!" An embittered artist who lost his sight in an industrial accident learns to find purpose and spiritual vision through the encouragement of a dedicated Salvation Army caseworker. |
| "The Harbor Light Bum (Lawson Zerbe & Mandel Kramer — Salvation Army)" | Mutual (WOR) 1963-08-25 8:30 PM EDT |
The Salvation Army Harbor Light Outreach |
Lawson Zerbe, Mandel Kramer | Col. B. Vincent Cunningham, Karl Weber | ["Drama", "Anthology", "Religious", "Inspirational", "Human Interest"] |
"Heartbeat Theatre... stories of hope and human compassion!" A former corporate executive living on skid row is brought into a Salvation Army Harbor Light center, where he confronts the tragic guilt of his past to reclaim his dignity. |
| "The Ivory Raiders of Opar (Part 1 — James H. Pierce as Tarzan)" | Syndicated 1933-08-25 (KFWB/WOR) |
Sustaining Jungle Adventure |
James H. Pierce (Tarzan), Joan Burroughs | Edgar Rice Burroughs, American Radio | ["Adventure", "Jungle", "Action", "Pulp", "Pulp Fiction"] |
"From the heart of the jungle comes the savage cry of the ape-man... Tarzan of the Apes!" In Part 1 of The Ivory Raiders of Opar, Tarzan and Jane defend the sacred ancient city of Opar from a ruthless safari of Belgian poachers and ivory plunderers. |
| "Guest Editor Linda Darnell & Kay Kyser (Mel Blanc as Sad Sack — AFRS)" | AFRS Shortwave 1944-08-25 (Overseas) |
War Department Troop Morale Service |
Linda Darnell, Kay Kyser, Mel Blanc | AFRS Hollywood, Don Wilson | ["Variety", "Comedy", "Music", "Military", "World War II"] |
"This is the Armed Forces Radio Service, presenting your G.I. Journal!" Hollywood starlet Linda Darnell takes over as guest editor-in-chief, welcoming bandleader Kay Kyser, Ish Kabibble, and Mel Blanc as Private Sad Sack for comedy and tunes including 'How Many Hearts Have You Broken'. |
| "Anniversary of Moving Into the Dream House (Cary Grant & Betsy Drake — Raleigh)" | NBC (WNBC) 1951-08-25 8:30 PM EDT |
Brown & Williamson Raleigh 903 Cigarettes |
Cary Grant (Jim), Betsy Drake (Muriel) | Eric Hodgins, Nat Wolff, Arthur Q. Bryan | ["Comedy", "Sitcom", "Domestic", "Marriage", "Americana"] |
"The National Broadcasting Company presents Cary Grant and Betsy Drake in Mr. and Mrs. Blandings, brought to you by Raleigh 903 Cigarettes!" Jim and Muriel celebrate their first anniversary of moving into their chaotic Connecticut dream house, hosting a dinner that devolves into plumbing and electrical disasters. |
| "Deadman's Turn (Mandel Kramer & Raymond Edward Johnson — Mutual)" | Mutual (WOR) 1947-08-25 11:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Macabre Mystery |
Raymond Edward Johnson, Mandel Kramer | Louis Vittes (Writer), Anton M. Leader | ["Horror", "Macabre", "Suspense", "Mystery", "Psychological"] |
"Midnight... the witching hour, when the night is black and the grave opens to surrender its dead! Murder at Midnight!" A reckless racecar driver conspires to eliminate his rival by sabotaging his steering column at the treacherous mountain hairpin known as Deadman's Turn, only to be haunted from beyond the grave. |