On This Day, August 29: Kraft Music Hall and Alec Templeton
Also featured: Lightning Jim.
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, BBC Radio 4, and electrical transcription, three distinct eras of Kraft Music Hall headliners spanning Paul Whiteman, Arkansas humorist Bob Burns with John Garfield, and Edward Everett Horton (1935–1946), pianist Alec Templeton's musical parodies for Alka-Seltzer (1939), Marshal Lightning Jim chasing gold coach robbers, and London cabbie mishaps on Taxi! (1935–1971):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Musical Parodies and Impressions" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1939-08-29 9:30 PM EDST |
Miles Laboratories Alka-Seltzer / One-A-Day |
Alec Templeton, Edna O'Dell | Billy Mills Orchestra | ["Music", "Comedy", "Piano", "Variety", "Parody"] |
Blind pianist Alec Templeton performs dazzling classical improvisations and satirical impressions of opera divas. |
| "The Stagecoach Gold Ambush" | Syndicated Elec 1939-08-29 |
Commercial Regional Sponsors |
Frank Bingham (Marshal Jim) | Syndicated Western Staff | ["Western", "Adventure", "Action", "Law Enforcement", "Americana"] |
United States Marshal Lightning Jim pursues an outlaw gang that dynamited a mountain pass to rob an armored gold stagecoach. |
| "Herbert the Bullfrog" | BBC Radio 4 1971-08-29 |
Sustaining British Comedy |
Ray Brooks, Bob Grant | BBC Comedy Staff | ["Comedy", "British", "Sitcom", "Humor", "London"] |
A London cab driver is hired by an eccentric pet-store customer whose prize bullfrog escapes inside the backseat during rush hour. |
| "Paul Whiteman with Ramona and Jack Fulton" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1935-08-29 10:00 PM EDST |
Kraft-Phenix Cheese Kraft Mayonnaise / Miracle Whip |
Paul Whiteman, Ramona | Jack Fulton & King's Men | ["Variety", "Music", "Big Band", "Jazz", "Vocal"] |
Paul Whiteman conducts symphonic jazz arrangements and vocal solos alongside piano novelty numbers from the Kraft Music Hall. |
| "Guests John Garfield and Joseph Schildkraut" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1940-08-29 10:00 PM EDST |
Kraft Cheese Co. Kraft Mayonnaise / Miracle Whip |
Bob Burns, John Garfield | Joseph Schildkraut & Trotter | ["Variety", "Music", "Comedy", "Hollywood", "Vocal"] |
Bob Burns plays the bazooka, swaps Arkansas yarns, and welcomes dramatic actors John Garfield and Joseph Schildkraut for comedic banter. |
| "Summer Music with Edward Everett Horton and The Music Maids" | NBC (WNBC) 1946-08-29 9:00 PM EDT |
Kraft Foods Company Kraft Cheese / Miracle Whip |
Edward Everett Horton | The Music Maids & Trotter | ["Variety", "Music", "Comedy", "Vocal", "Pop Standard"] |
Edward Everett Horton hosts summer variety sketches and lively vocal harmonies with The Music Maids while Bing Crosby vacations. |