On This Day, August 27: The Shadow and Rocky Jordan
Also featured: Roy Rogers.
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, Bret Morrison and Gertrude Warner in The Shadow for Carey Salt, Frank Hummert's Hearthstone of the Death Squad, Jack Moyles as Rocky Jordan in Cairo, Helen Hayes starring in Sinclair Lewis's Bethel Merriday on Forecast, Meredith Willson's Musical Revue for Johnson's Wax, and Roy Rogers & Dale Evans in The Roy Rogers Show for Quaker Oats (1940–1952):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Murder on Wheels" | Mutual (WOR) 1950-08-27 5:00 PM EDT |
Carey Salt Co. Carey Table Salt / Coal |
Bret Morrison (Shadow), Gertrude Warner (Margot) | Carl Caruso, Mutual Staff | ["Superhero", "Mystery", "Detective", "Hardboiled", "Crime"] |
The Shadow investigates when a professional stock car racer is sabotaged during a high-speed championship race, unmasking an extortion syndicate fixing sporting wagers. |
| "The Case of the Fatal Prescription" | CBS (WCBS) 1952-08-27 8:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Police Procedural |
Alfred Shirley (Hearthstone), James Monk | Frank Hummert, Anne Hummert | ["Police", "Procedural", "Detective", "Mystery", "Crime"] |
Inspector Hearthstone and Detective Cook investigate the sudden poisoning of a wealthy dowager, tracing the lethal dose to an altered apothecary ledger. |
| "Dr. Markoff's Discovery" | CBS (KNX) 1950-08-27 6:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Exotic Mystery |
Jack Moyles (Rocky), Jay Novello (Sabaaya) | Larry Roman, Cliff Howell | ["Noir", "Detective", "Exotic", "Crime", "Hardboiled"] |
Cafe proprietor Rocky Jordan is drawn into danger in Cairo when an archaeologist carrying an ancient papyrus map is stabbed in the alley behind the Cafe Tambourine. |
| "Sinclair Lewis's Bethel Merriday" | CBS (WABC) 1940-08-27 9:00 PM EDST |
Sustaining Dramatic Pilot |
Helen Hayes, Sinclair Lewis (Author) | Davidson Taylor | ["Drama", "Theatre", "Literature", "Anthology", "Americana"] |
A young stage-struck Midwestern girl leaves home to join a touring summer stock theatrical troupe, navigating the triumphs and heartbreaks of life behind the footlights. |
| "Summer Symphony & Choral Harmonies" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1940-08-27 9:30 PM EDST |
S.C. Johnson Johnson's Wax & Carnu |
Meredith Willson, The Choralairs | Meredith Willson Orchestra | ["Music", "Classical", "Vocal", "Concert", "Pop Standards"] |
Meredith Willson conducts the concert orchestra in American light orchestral compositions, virtuosic flute interludes, and choral arrangements. |
| "The Rustlers of Red Rock Canyon" | Mutual (KHJ) 1950-08-27 6:00 PM EDT |
Quaker Oats Co. Puffed Wheat & Rice |
Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Pat Brady | Foy Willing, Riders Purple Sage | ["Western", "Adventure", "Country", "Americana", "Juvenile"] |
Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and Trigger track a gang of ruthless cattle rustlers diverting a river to force homesteaders off their drought-stricken ranches. |