On This Day, August 27: Paul Whiteman and Favorite Story
Also featured: The Life of Riley.
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, Paul Whiteman conducting jazz standards on Forever Tops, Ronald Colman presenting Victor Hugo's The Bishop's Candlesticks and Sarah Grand's When the Door Opened on Favorite Story, Frank Graham as private eye Jeff Regan, Jesse L. Lasky's The Gateway to Hollywood, and William Bendix launching The Houseboat Vacation on The Life of Riley for the American Meat Institute (1939–1950):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Fun on the Telephone" | ABC (WJZ) 1948-08-27 9:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Musical Variety |
Paul Whiteman, Mindy Carson | Whiteman Rhythm Boys | ["Music", "Jazz", "Big Band", "Pop Standards", "Variety"] |
Paul Whiteman leads his orchestra in jazz arrangements and novelty tunes while chatting with listeners over live studio phone connections. |
| "The Bishop's Candlesticks (Les Misérables)" | Syndicated (Ziv) 1946-08-27 |
Commercial Literary Anthology |
Ronald Colman (Host/Narrator) | Lawrence & Lee (Writers) | ["Drama", "Classic Literature", "French", "Inspirational", "Anthology"] |
An impoverished ex-convict sheltered by a compassionate bishop steals the parish silver candlesticks, only to be saved from re-arrest by the bishop's mercy. |
| "When the Door Opened" | Syndicated (Ziv) 1949-08-27 |
Commercial Literary Anthology |
Ronald Colman, Benita Hume | Lawrence & Lee (Writers) | ["Drama", "Mystery", "Romance", "Literature", "Anthology"] |
A suspicious husband returns unexpectedly to his country estate after midnight and discovers an open front door leading to a bewildering romantic riddle. |
| "Gentlemen Prefer Horses" | CBS (KNX) 1950-08-27 8:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Detective Mystery |
Frank Graham (Regan), Frank Nelson (Lyon) | E. Jack Neuman (Writer) | ["Detective", "Hardboiled", "Noir", "Horse Racing", "Crime"] |
Hardboiled private investigator Jeff Regan is hired to guard a prized thoroughbred racehorse after its trainer receives death threats from underworld bookies. |
| "For Tonight Only" | CBS (WABC) 1939-08-27 6:30 PM EDST |
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Doublemint Gum |
Jesse L. Lasky (Host), RKO Finalists | Jesse L. Lasky Production | ["Drama", "Hollywood", "Talent Search", "Showcase", "Anthology"] |
Producer Jesse L. Lasky introduces two aspiring young contest finalists in an original dramatic showcase to win RKO Radio Pictures screen contracts. |
| "The Houseboat Vacation (Part 1)" | NBC Blue (WJZ) 1944-08-27 3:00 PM EWT |
American Meat Inst. Meat for the War Effort |
William Bendix, Paula Winslowe, John Brown | Irving Brecher (Creator) | ["Sitcom", "Comedy", "Domestic", "Family", "Americana"] |
Chester A. Riley rents an old, dilapidated houseboat for the family's summer vacation, only for the vessel to drift away downriver while they are asleep. |