On This Day, August 27: Golden Gate Quartet and Crime Doctor
Also featured: Bold Venture.
August 27 Update
This report documents the historical provenance, broadcast scheduling, commercial sponsorship, credited cast, production personnel, alternate circulating titles, and pure narrative synopses for broadcasts transmitting on August 27 across American network radio, syndication, and the BBC Home Service, The Golden Gate Quartet's close-harmony jubilees on CBS, Ray Collins diagnosing amnesia on Crime Doctor for Philip Morris, Humphrey Bogart & Lauren Bacall dodging past lovers in Havana on Bold Venture, mystery author Brett Halliday presenting Murder by Experts, and two major productions on BBC Saturday Night Theatre (1949 post-war racial drama Deep Are the Roots and 1955 domestic comedy Mrs. Columbus) (1940–1955):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Reuben and Rachel" | CBS (WABC) 1940-08-27 8:30 PM EDST |
Sustaining Jubilee Gospel |
The Golden Gate Quartet | CBS Music Department | ["Gospel", "Jubilee", "Folk", "Vocal", "A Cappella"] |
The Golden Gate Quartet performs close-harmony jubilee spirituals and rhythmic vocal adaptations, opening with the traditional folk duet 'Reuben and Rachel'. |
| "The Case of the Amnesiac Banker" | CBS (WABC) 1944-08-27 8:30 PM EWT |
Philip Morris & Co. "Call for Philip Morris!" |
Ray Collins (Dr. Ordway) | Max Marcin (Creator) | ["Psychological Thriller", "Mystery", "Medical", "Crime", "Detective"] |
Dr. John Ordway uses forensic psychiatry to determine whether an injured bank executive claiming total memory loss is a victim or a co-conspirator in an armed heist. |
| "Slate's Old Flame" | Ziv Syndicated 1951-08-27 |
Commercial Regional Sponsors |
Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall | Frederic W. Ziv (Producer) | ["Adventure", "Hardboiled", "Crime", "Noir", "Romance"] |
Slate Shannon's past catches up with him in Havana when a glamorous former lover arrives on the run from a syndicate hitman. |
| "Death Takes a Honeymoon" | Mutual (WOR) 1951-08-27 8:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Mystery Anthology |
Brett Halliday (Host), Dramatic Cast | David Kogan (Director) | ["Mystery", "Suspense", "Noir", "Crime", "Anthology"] |
A newlywed bride at a remote mountain resort suspects her charming husband is methodically preparing to murder her for her inheritance. |
| "Deep Are the Roots" | BBC Home Service 1949-08-27 9:15 PM |
Sustaining BBC Radio Drama |
BBC Drama Repertory | Arnaud d'Usseau & James Gow | ["Drama", "British", "Social Issue", "Post-War", "Anthology"] |
A decorated Black war veteran returns home to a deeply segregated Southern town, challenging local racial prejudice and systemic injustice. |
| "Mrs. Columbus" | BBC Home Service 1955-08-27 9:15 PM |
Sustaining BBC Radio Drama |
BBC Drama Repertory | Stella Martin Currey (Writer) | ["Comedy", "British", "Domestic", "Marriage", "Anthology"] |
A witty domestic comedy exploring the private household turmoil and neighborhood gossip surrounding an intrepid explorer's devoted wife. |