On This Day, August 26: Kraft Music Hall (Joe Louis, Bing Crosby, Nelson Eddy) and Arch Oboler
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…
August 26 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 26 across American network, Clem McCarthy's iconic blow-by-blow call of the Joe Louis vs. Tommy Farr World Heavyweight Championship live from Yankee Stadium pre-empting the Kraft Music Hall, Bing Crosby swinging for victory on Kraft Music Hall with Rags Ragland, Nelson Eddy's Kraft rehearsal tracks, Dick Powell solving The Triangle of Death on Rogue's Gallery for Fitch Shampoo, Macdonald Carey sailing the South China Sea in Jason and the Golden Fleece, and Arch Oboler's bone-chilling Danse Macabre on Lights Out (1936–1954):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story-First Plot Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Triangle of Death (Dick Powell as Richard Rogue — Fitch Shampoo)" | NBC/Mutual 1945-08-26 8:30 PM EWT |
F.W. Fitch Co. Fitch Dandruff Remover |
Dick Powell (Richard Rogue), Peter Leeds (Eugor) | Ray Buffum, Dee Engelbach, Jim Doyle | ["Detective", "Hardboiled", "Mystery", "Noir", "Psychological"] |
"Fitch Shampoo presents Rogue's Gallery, starring Dick Powell as Richard Rogue!" Hardboiled private eye Richard Rogue is knocked unconscious while investigating an extortion racket targeting a wealthy socialite, journeying into 'Cloud Eight' to converse with his sarcastic alter-ego Eugor before waking up to expose a deadly love triangle for Fitch Shampoo. |
| "The Case of the Jade Goddess (Macdonald Carey as Jason Brian — NBC)" | NBC (WNBC) 1954-08-26 8:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Island Adventure Mystery |
Macdonald Carey (Jason), William Conrad (Dum-Dum) | Kenneth Perkins, Bill Karn, Don Pardo | ["Adventure", "Mystery", "Exotic", "Maritime", "Action"] |
"Jason and the Golden Fleece, starring Macdonald Carey!" Globetrotting adventurer Jason Brian sails his chartered schooner into the South China Sea to retrieve a stolen antique jade deity for an American museum curator, battling ruthless pirate warlords operating out of Macao. |
| "Danse Macabre by Arch Oboler (Raymond Edward Johnson — Lights Out)" | NBC Red (WMAQ) 1936-08-26 12:30 AM EDST |
Sustaining Midnight Macabre Horror |
Arch Oboler (Host/Writer), Raymond Edward Johnson | Arch Oboler (Creator/Dir.), Fred Jacky | ["Horror", "Macabre", "Supernatural", "Psychological", "Anthology"] |
"Lights Out, everybody! This is Arch Oboler bringing you stories of the dark and unusual..." In 'Danse Macabre', an arrogant concert pianist who murders his romantic rival at a midnight masquerade ball finds himself relentlessly stalked by skeletal phantom hands compelled to play Saint-Saëns' demonic waltz on his grand piano. |
| "Joe Louis vs. Tommy Farr World Championship (Clem McCarthy — Live Yankee Stadium)" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1937-08-26 10:00 PM EDST |
Kraft / Special Event Miracle Whip & Buick |
Clem McCarthy (Blow-by-Blow), Joe Louis, Tommy Farr | NBC Sports, Edwin C. Hill | ["Sports", "Historical", "Live", "Special Event", "Boxing"] |
"Live from Yankee Stadium in New York! The World Heavyweight Championship Bout between Champion Joe Louis and Welsh contender Tommy Farr, pre-empting Kraft Music Hall!" Clem McCarthy calls the blistering 15-round slugfest as 'The Brown Bomber' Joe Louis defends his world heavyweight crown against rugged Welshman Tommy Farr in a legendary championship battle. |
| "Comin' In on a Wing and a Prayer (Bing Crosby & Rags Ragland — Kraft)" | NBC (WEAF) 1943-08-26 9:00 PM EWT |
Kraft Cheese Co. Kraft Miracle Whip |
Bing Crosby, Rags Ragland, Mary Martin | Carroll Carroll, Cal Kuhl, Ken Carpenter | ["Music", "Variety", "Comedy", "Big Band", "Americana"] |
"The Kraft Music Hall, starring Bing Crosby, brought to you by Kraft Miracle Whip!" Der Bingle opens with the patriotic wartime hit 'Comin' In on a Wing and a Prayer', engages in hilarious vaudeville banter with burlesque comedian Rags Ragland, and duets with Mary Martin for Kraft. |
| "Get Happy: Studio Rehearsal (Nelson Eddy & Nadine Conner — Kraft Music Hall)" | NBC Network 1948-08-26 (Studio Track) |
Kraft Foods Co. Kraft Miracle Whip |
Nelson Eddy (Guest Host), Nadine Conner | Kraft Radio Productions, Ken Carpenter | ["Music", "Variety", "Vocal", "Classical", "Operetta"] |
"Studio Rehearsal Recording: The Kraft Music Hall, guest hosted by Nelson Eddy for Kraft Miracle Whip!" Operatic baritone Nelson Eddy leads the orchestra and cast through lively run-throughs and banter, singing Harold Arlen's 'Get Happy' alongside classic operetta duets with Nadine Conner. |