On This Day, August 28: The Magic Key and Family Theater
Also featured: Calling All Cars.
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 regional hookups, Milton Cross introducing the NBC Symphony on The Magic Key of RCA (1938–1939), Robert Young and Jeff Chandler in inspirational dramas on Family Theater (1947–1952), Vincent Price as The Saint, and LAPD patrol units busting a heroin ring on Calling All Cars for Rio Grande Gasoline (1935–1952):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Symphony and Shortwave from Radio City" | NBC Blue (WJZ) 1938-08-28 2:00 PM EDST |
RCA RCA Victor Radios / Records |
Milton Cross, Frank Black | NBC Symphony Orchestra | ["Variety", "Music", "Classical", "Symphonic", "Broadcast History"] |
Dr. Frank Black conducts the NBC Symphony in classical selections paired with live international shortwave hookups and variety performances. |
| "International Stars and Shortwave" | NBC Blue (WJZ) 1939-08-28 8:30 PM EDST |
RCA RCA Victor / Radiotrons |
Milton Cross, Frank Black | Guest Concert Artists | ["Variety", "Music", "Classical", "Symphonic", "Broadcast History"] |
Milton Cross introduces overseas concert pickups and live Radio City orchestral suites demonstrating RCA high-fidelity broadcasting. |
| "The World of David Lee" | Mutual (WOR) 1947-08-28 10:00 PM EDT |
Father Peyton Family Theater Crusade |
Robert Young, Lurene Tuttle | David Young (Director) | ["Drama", "Inspirational", "Music", "Anthology", "Americana"] |
A visually impaired young pianist struggles against self-pity and family overprotection to pursue his dream of performing in a major concert hall. |
| "The People's Voice" | Mutual (WOR) 1952-08-28 9:30 PM EDT |
Father Peyton Family Rosary Crusade |
Roddy McDowall, Jeff Chandler | Mutual Drama Staff | ["Drama", "Journalism", "Inspirational", "Political", "Anthology"] |
An idealistic small-town newspaperman risks his career and printing press to expose election bribery by a corrupt political machine. |
| "The Baseball Team Shooting (Duplicate Entry)" | Mutual (WOR) 1949-08-28 7:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Mystery Drama |
Vincent Price (Simon Templar) | Leslie Charteris (Creator) | ["Detective", "Hardboiled", "Mystery", "Sports", "Action"] |
Simon Templar investigates the fatal shooting of a star baseball pitcher on the field during the bottom of the ninth inning. |
| "Bad Dope" | CBS Pacific (KNX) 1935-08-28 8:30 PM PST |
Rio Grande Petroleum "Crack-Proof" Gasoline |
Chief James E. Davis | Jesse L. Rosenquist | ["Police Procedural", "Docudrama", "Crime", "Noir", "Americana"] |
LAPD radio patrol officers track down a ruthless narcotics ring peddling adulterated heroin following the fatal overdose of a dock worker. |