On This Day, August 27: Orson Welles in Les Misérables and Alec Templeton
Also featured: Kraft Music Hall.
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, Phillips H. Lord's Gang Busters for Tide, blind piano virtuoso Alec Templeton with Ray Noble, Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre in Les Misérables: The Barricade, H.V. Kaltenborn's CBS analysis on the eve of World War II, and two classic editions of The Kraft Music Hall (Bob Burns with Merle Oberon & Pat O'Brien in 1936, Bob Crosby with Milton Berle, Eve Arden, and Desi Arnaz in 1942) (1936–1949):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Case of Roy Frank Godby (Part 1)" | CBS (WCBS) 1949-08-27 9:00 PM EDT |
Procter & Gamble Tide Detergent |
Don MacLaughlin, Phillips H. Lord | Phillips H. Lord Production | ["Docudrama", "Crime", "Police", "Investigative", "Action"] |
State police launch an intensive manhunt for convicted armed robber Roy Frank Godby following a daring prison escape across state borders. |
| "Gershwin Rhapsody & Musical Parodies" | NBC (WEAF) 1943-08-27 10:30 PM EWT |
Dubonnet Wine Schenley Import |
Alec Templeton, Ray Noble | Marvin Miller, NBC Staff | ["Music", "Classical", "Jazz", "Comedy", "Pop Standards"] |
Blind virtuoso pianist Alec Templeton performs classical improvisations, satirical opera parodies, and Gershwin arrangements with Ray Noble's orchestra. |
| "The Barricade (Part 6)" | Mutual (WOR) 1937-08-27 10:00 PM EDST |
Sustaining Mercury Theatre |
Orson Welles (Valjean), Martin Gabel | Orson Welles, Ray Collins | ["Drama", "Classics", "Historical", "French", "Literature"] |
Jean Valjean joins the student revolutionaries at the Paris street barricades, where he spares the captured Inspector Javert and rescues the wounded Marius. |
| "Neville Henderson & European War Eve Analysis" | CBS (WABC) 1939-08-27 10:30 PM EDST |
Sustaining CBS News Analysis |
H.V. Kaltenborn | CBS News Staff | ["News", "Analysis", "Wartime", "Historical", "Political"] |
H.V. Kaltenborn analyzes British Ambassador Sir Nevile Henderson's diplomatic mission to Berlin and European military mobilizations on the brink of World War II. |
| "Guest Host Bob Burns with Merle Oberon & Pat O'Brien" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1936-08-27 10:00 PM EDST |
Kraft-Phenix Miracle Whip Mayonnaise |
Bob Burns, Merle Oberon, Pat O'Brien | Jimmy Dorsey, Ken Carpenter | ["Music", "Variety", "Comedy", "Hollywood", "Big Band"] |
Guest host Bob Burns welcomes screen stars Merle Oberon and Pat O'Brien for Arkansas folklore sketches, bazooka solos, and Jimmy Dorsey swing numbers. |
| "Guest Host Bob Crosby with Milton Berle & Desi Arnaz" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1942-08-27 9:00 PM EWT |
Kraft Cheese Parkay Margarine |
Bob Crosby, Milton Berle, Desi Arnaz | Bob Cats, Ken Carpenter | ["Music", "Variety", "Comedy", "Jazz", "Big Band"] |
Bob Crosby leads the Bob Cats in Dixieland jazz arrangements while Milton Berle and Eve Arden trade rapid-fire comedy and Desi Arnaz performs Latin rhythms. |