On This Day, August 29: Pete Kelly's Blues and Agatha Christie
Also featured: Edward R. Murrow.
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 BBC Radio 4, Jack Webb starring as jazz cornetist Pete Kelly in Kansas City speakeasy battles on Pete Kelly's Blues (1951), Edward R. Murrow's live eyewitness reports during London's longest air raid on The World Today (1940), June Whitfield starring as Agatha Christie's Miss Marple on BBC Air Castle, Irna Phillips' The Guiding Light for Duz, and Meet the Press interviews (1940–1998):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "DNC Chairman Stephen A. Mitchell on 1954 Midterm Elections" | NBC (WNBC) 1954-08-29 6:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Public Affairs |
Martha Rountree, Spivak | Stephen A. Mitchell | ["Public Affairs", "Interview", "Journalism", "Politics", "Elections"] |
Democratic National Committee Chairman Stephen A. Mitchell defends party strategy and attacks Republican economic policies ahead of the 1954 midterms. |
| "Congressman William H. Ayres on Civil Rights and Education Policy" | NBC (WRC) 1965-08-29 6:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Public Affairs |
Ned Brooks, Spivak | Rep. William H. Ayres | ["Public Affairs", "Interview", "Journalism", "Politics", "Civil Rights"] |
Ohio Congressman William H. Ayres is questioned regarding Congressional school desegregation legislation and federal antipoverty funding. |
| "This One's About Pete Kelly" | NBC (WNBC) 1951-08-29 8:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Jazz Drama |
Jack Webb (Pete Kelly) | Richard L. Breen (Writer) | ["Jazz", "Hardboiled", "Drama", "Music", "Noir"] |
Speakeasy cornetist Pete Kelly recounts how he fought off an extortionist gang trying to control his Kansas City jazz band. |
| "The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side" | BBC Radio 4 1998-08-29 |
Sustaining Literary Drama |
June Whitfield (Marple) | Agatha Christie (Author) | ["Mystery", "Detective", "British", "Literature", "Cozy Mystery"] |
Miss Marple investigates the poisoning of a local villager during a glamorous reception hosted by an American film star in St. Mary Mead. |
| "Ted Has Large Debt with New House" | CBS (WCBS) 1950-08-29 1:45 PM EDT |
Procter & Gamble Duz / Ivory Flakes |
Jone Allison, L. Sudrow | Irna Phillips (Creator) | ["Soap Opera", "Serial", "Drama", "Domestic", "Family"] |
Meta and Ted White quarrel over mounting construction mortgages and secret loans as their suburban dream home nears completion. |
| "London's Longest Air Raid Yet" | CBS (WABC) 1940-08-29 6:45 PM EDST |
Sustaining News Broadcast |
Edward R. Murrow, Trout | CBS News Staff | ["News", "Journalism", "World War II", "Battle of Britain", "Live Report"] |
Edward R. Murrow broadcasts live from London describing six continuous hours of nighttime German air sirens, searchlights, and anti-aircraft fire. |