On This Day, August 25: The First Nighter Program (4 Eras) and Nick Carter (Old Dutch)
Also featured: Jay Jostyn.
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, four distinct eras of The First Nighter Program from the Little Theater off Times Square (Don Ameche in 1933, Les Tremayne in 1939, Olan Soule in 1949 and 1953), Lon Clark solving a bigamy blackmail conspiracy on Nick Carter for Old Dutch Cleanser, and Chuck Schaden's archival interview with Mr. District Attorney star Jay Jostyn (1933–1975):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story-First Plot Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Case of the Extra Husbands (Lon Clark as Nick Carter — Old Dutch Cleanser)" | Mutual (WOR) 1946-08-25 5:30 PM EDT |
Cudahy Packing Co. Old Dutch Cleanser |
Lon Clark (Nick Carter), Charlotte Manson | Jock MacGregor, Ferrin N. Fraser, Michael Fitzmaurice | ["Detective", "Mystery", "Hardboiled", "Crime", "Investigation"] |
"Famous for over fifty years! Nick Carter, Master Detective, brought to you by Old Dutch Cleanser!" Master detective Nick Carter investigates a wealthy heiress who is blackmailed by three different men claiming to be her legally wedded spouse, untangling a fraudulent bigamy ring operated by a disgraced city registrar for Old Dutch Cleanser. |
| "The Matchmakers (Don Ameche & June Meredith — Campana Italian Balm)" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1933-08-25 10:00 PM EDST |
Campana Corp. Campana's Italian Balm |
Don Ameche, June Meredith, Charles P. Hughes | Eric Sagerquist Orchestra, Pierre Andre | ["Drama", "Romance", "Comedy", "Theater", "Anthology"] |
"Good evening, Mr. First Nighter! From the Little Theater off Times Square, Campana's Italian Balm presents The First Nighter Program!" Don Ameche and June Meredith star in 'The Matchmakers', a sparkling romantic comedy about two stubborn socialites whose scheming families try to force an arranged marriage, only for them to fall in love when they team up to sabotage the plan. |
| "Yesterday Is Gone (Barbara Luddy & Les Tremayne — Campana Italian Balm)" | CBS (WABC) 1939-08-25 8:00 PM EDST |
Campana Corp. Italian Balm & Dreskin |
Barbara Luddy, Les Tremayne, Bret Morrison | Wallace West, Vincent Pelletier | ["Drama", "Romance", "Melodrama", "Theater", "Anthology"] |
"The First Nighter Program, starring Barbara Luddy and Les Tremayne, presented by Campana's Italian Balm!" In 'Yesterday Is Gone', a brilliant concert pianist who lost his confidence after a bitter divorce meets an optimistic young music teacher in a seaside village who helps him overcome the shadows of his past. |
| "Pay-Off (Barbara Luddy & Olan Soule — Campana Italian Balm)" | CBS (WCBS) 1949-08-25 10:30 PM EDT |
Campana Sales Co. Italian Balm & Solitair Makeup |
Barbara Luddy, Olan Soule, Macdonald Carey | Joe Ainley (Dir.), Vincent Pelletier | ["Drama", "Suspense", "Crime", "Theater", "Anthology"] |
"Welcome to the Little Theater off Times Square! Campana presents The First Nighter Program!" Barbara Luddy and Olan Soule star in 'Pay-Off', a tense urban crime thriller about a quiet bank teller who agrees to help an undercover detective expose a syndicate embezzler, risking his career and his life for Campana Italian Balm. |
| "The Diamond Horseshoe (Barbara Luddy & Olan Soule — NBC First Nighter)" | NBC (WNBC) 1953-08-25 8:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Radio Theater Showcase |
Barbara Luddy, Olan Soule, Marvin Miller | Joe Ainley (Dir.), Vincent Pelletier | ["Drama", "Romance", "Comedy", "Theater", "Anthology"] |
"The First Nighter Program, starring Barbara Luddy and Olan Soule!" In 'The Diamond Horseshoe', a talented young costume designer and an aspiring Broadway playwright navigate backstage feuds, eccentric divas, and frantic opening-night rehearsals to score a hit musical comedy. |
| "Jay Jostyn: Mr. District Attorney (Chuck Schaden Interview — Masquers Club)" | WNIB Chicago 1975-08-25 (Speaking of Radio) |
Sustaining Archival Interview |
Chuck Schaden (Host), Jay Jostyn (Guest) | Chuck Schaden (Producer) | ["Interview", "History", "Oral History", "Biography", "Documentary"] |
"Speaking of Radio, with host and broadcast historian Chuck Schaden!" Radio historian Chuck Schaden conducts an intimate 18-minute interview with veteran radio actor Jay Jostyn at the Masquers Club in Hollywood, discussing his eleven-year run as the crusading prosecutor in Mr. District Attorney, working in live network radio, and his behind-the-microphone memories. |