On This Day, August 29: Cavalcade of America and The Weird Circle
Also featured: Big Town.
August 29 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 29 across American network radio and syndication, Robert Montgomery starring as John Adams defending the Boston Massacre on DuPont's Cavalcade of America (1950), Edgar Allan Poe's gothic masterpiece The Fall of the House of Usher on The Weird Circle (1943), Maurice Tarplin hosting The Mysterious Traveler (1950), Edward Pawley & Fran Carlon in two investigative newspaper crusades on Big Town (1944–1950), and Bill Stern's sports highlights for Colgate (1942–1950):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Fall of the House of Usher" | NBC / Mutual Synd 1943-08-29 |
Sustaining Gothic Horror |
Dramatic Repertory | Edgar Allan Poe (Author) | ["Horror", "Gothic", "Mystery", "Supernatural", "Adaptation"] |
A traveler visits the decaying ancestral mansion of Roderick Usher and witnesses the terrifying resurrection of his entombed sister. |
| "Murder Has a Price" | Mutual (WOR) 1950-08-29 8:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Suspense Drama |
Maurice Tarplin (Host) | Arthur & Kogan (Writers) | ["Suspense", "Mystery", "Horror", "Thriller", "Crime"] |
A desperate embezzler hires an underworld assassin to eliminate a blackmailer, only to become the target of escalating extortion demands. |
| "The Voice From the Pit" | CBS (WABC) 1944-08-29 8:00 PM EWT |
Sterling Drug Ironized Yeast |
Edward Pawley, Carlon | Jerry Devine (Director) | ["Newspaper", "Drama", "Crime", "Detective", "Investigative"] |
Illustrated Press editor Steve Wilson investigates an abandoned quarry pit where trapped construction workers uncover a hidden bootlegging vault. |
| "Murder Takes a Joyride (National Safety Council Special)" | NBC (WNBC) 1950-08-29 8:00 PM EDT |
Lever Brothers Lifebuoy Soap / Rinso |
Edward Pawley, Carlon | Jerry Devine (Director) | ["Newspaper", "Drama", "Crime", "Detective", "Docudrama"] |
Steve Wilson launches a crusading newspaper campaign to shut down reckless hot-rod drag-racing rings endangering city pedestrians. |
| "John Yankee with Robert Montgomery" | NBC (WNBC) 1950-08-29 8:00 PM EDT |
DuPont Better Things for Better Living |
Robert Montgomery (Adams) | Russell Hughes (Writer) | ["Historical", "Biography", "American Revolution", "Legal Drama", "Anthology"] |
John Adams risks his political career and public standing to defend British soldiers on trial for the Boston Massacre in 1770. |
| "Guest Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio Highlights" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1942-08-29 10:00 PM EWT |
Colgate-Palmolive Colgate Shave Cream |
Bill Stern (Host) | Sports Newsreel Staff | ["Sports", "Newsreel", "Baseball", "Biography", "Interview"] |
Bill Stern recounts legendary baseball pennant race dramatic finishes and interviews prominent wartime major league athletes. |