On This Day, August 28: The Bickersons and Chico Marx
Also featured: Our Miss Brooks.
August 28 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 28 across American network radio and syndication, Don Ameche & Frances Langford in The Bickersons summer finale for Philip Morris, Chico Marx visiting brother Groucho on Blue Ribbon Town for Pabst, Eve Arden volunteering to coach track on Our Miss Brooks, Hal Burdick's mystery narration on Night Editor, and Morton Downey singing on The Coke Club (1938–1951):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "John the Shoplifter (Broadcast)" | CBS (WABC) 1951-08-28 9:30 PM EDT |
Philip Morris & Co. "Call for Philip Morris!" |
Don Ameche, Frances Langford | Philip Rapp (Creator/Writer) | ["Sitcom", "Comedy", "Domestic", "Marriage", "Satire"] |
Blanche accuses John of shoplifting after finding a ladies' silk nightgown in his coat pocket that he accidentally picked up at a department store counter. |
| "John the Shoplifter (Series Finale)" | CBS (WABC) 1951-08-28 9:30 PM EDT |
Philip Morris & Co. Series Finale |
Don Ameche, Frances Langford | Philip Rapp (Creator/Writer) | ["Sitcom", "Comedy", "Domestic", "Marriage", "Satire"] |
In the final broadcast of the CBS summer series, John Bickerson frantically tries to return accidentally pocketed department store lingerie while Blanche threatens divorce. |
| "Guest Chico Marx" | CBS (WABC) 1943-08-28 8:00 PM EWT |
Pabst Brewing Co. Pabst Blue Ribbon |
Groucho Marx, Chico Marx | Virginia O'Brien, Donald Dickson | ["Variety", "Comedy", "Vaudeville", "Music", "Parody"] |
Mayor Groucho Marx welcomes his brother Chico Marx to town for zany piano solos, dialect routines, and rapid-fire vaudeville insults. |
| "Madison Summer Athletic Festival" | CBS (WABC) 1949-08-28 6:30 PM EDT |
Colgate-Palmolive Palmolive / Lustre-Creme |
Eve Arden, Gale Gordon | Jeff Chandler, Richard Crenna | ["Sitcom", "Comedy", "School", "Romantic Comedy", "Americana"] |
Connie Brooks volunteers to coach high school athletes for the summer sports festival in a desperate attempt to spend time with biology teacher Philip Boynton. |
| "The Fatal Compact" | Syndicated Elec 1938-08-28 |
Commercial Regional Sponsors |
Hal Burdick (The Night Editor) | Syndicated Dramatic Staff | ["Drama", "Mystery", "Journalism", "Anthology", "Noir"] |
The Night Editor recounts the tale of a diamond-encrusted makeup compact left at a penthouse crime scene that unmasks a corrupt city commissioner. |
| "Five Minutes More" | Mutual (WOR) 1946-08-28 12:00 PM EDT |
The Coca-Cola Co. "Refresh Yourself!" |
Morton Downey (Tenor) | Jimmy Lytell Orchestra | ["Music", "Vocal", "Big Band", "Pop Standard", "Variety"] |
Irish tenor Morton Downey serenades daytime listeners with romantic ballads, opening with Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn's hit 'Five Minutes More'. |