On This Day, August 27: Lionel Hampton and The Aldrich Family
Also featured: The Thin Man.
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 and Armed Forces Radio, Lionel & Gladys Hampton tearing up the stage on AFRS Jubilee, two hilarious misadventures on The Aldrich Family (1939 living room band practice for Jell-O and 1942 runaway goat for Postum), Dr. Joyce Jordan investigating a murder weapon on Joyce Jordan, M.D. for Dreft, and two classic Nick and Nora Charles mysteries on The Adventures of the Thin Man (1941 Hollywood diamond extortion for Woodbury Soap and 1943 nightclub singer murder for Maxwell House) (1939–1949):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Guests Lionel Hampton & Gladys Hampton" | AFRS Jubilee 1949-08-27 |
US Armed Forces AFRS Military Broadcast |
Ernie Whitman, Lionel Hampton | Gladys Hampton | ["Music", "Jazz", "Big Band", "Swing", "Live Broadcast"] |
Lionel Hampton electrifies the bandstand with virtuoso vibraphone and two-finger piano solos alongside his hard-swinging big band. |
| "Henry's Band Practice" | NBC Blue (WJZ) 1939-08-27 7:00 PM EDST |
General Foods Jell-O Puddings & Gelatin |
Ezra Stone, Jackie Kelk, House Jameson | Clifford Goldsmith (Creator) | ["Sitcom", "Comedy", "Teen", "Family", "Americana"] |
Henry Aldrich organizes a chaotic amateur jazz band in the family living room, driving his father to distraction before an important town meeting. |
| "Henry and Homer's Errand" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1942-08-27 8:30 PM EWT |
General Foods Postum Cereal Beverage |
Norman Tokar, Jackie Kelk, House Jameson | Clifford Goldsmith (Creator) | ["Sitcom", "Comedy", "Teen", "Family", "Americana"] |
Henry and Homer attempt to return a borrowed lawnmower and get sidetracked by a neighbor's runaway prize goat. |
| "The Bloodstained Knife" | CBS (WCBS) 1947-08-27 10:45 AM EDT |
Procter & Gamble Dreft Dishwashing Soap |
Ann Elstner, Alan Baxter | Julian Funt (Writer) | ["Soap Opera", "Drama", "Medical", "Mystery", "Serial"] |
Dr. Joyce Jordan and reporter Mike Malone discover an incriminating bloody pocketknife in an abandoned house during a murder inquiry. |
| "Twinkle, Twinkle, Where's the Star?" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1941-08-27 8:00 PM EDST |
Andrew Jergens Woodbury Facial Soap |
Les Damon, Claudia Morgan | Dashiell Hammett, Milton Lewis | ["Detective", "Comedy", "Mystery", "Hardboiled", "Society"] |
Nick and Nora Charles uncover an audacious diamond extortion plot while vacationing at an exclusive Hollywood hillside hotel. |
| "The Case of the Crooner Who Croaked" | CBS (WABC) 1943-08-27 8:30 PM EWT |
General Foods Post Toasties & Maxwell House |
Les Damon, Claudia Morgan | Dashiell Hammett (Creator) | ["Detective", "Comedy", "Mystery", "Hardboiled", "Nightclub"] |
Nick and Nora investigate the backstage poisoning of an egotistical nightclub radio singer on the eve of his national broadcast. |