On This Day, August 30: Blondie and Hollywood Hotel
Also featured: After Henry.
August 30 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 30 across American network radio, British BBC comedy, and syndicated moral drama, Arthur Lake and Penny Singleton on Blondie for Camel Cigarettes (1943), Dick Powell and Marion Davies in Page Miss Glory on Hollywood Hotel for Campbell's Soup (1935), Prunella Scales and Joan Sanderson in Simon Brett's After Henry (1986), Al Pearce's low-pressure salesman Elmer Blurt (1940), and two moral docudramas on Heartbeat Theatre (1935–1986):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Cold (Series 2, Episode 5)" | BBC Radio 4 1986-08-30 1:30 PM BST |
Sustaining BBC Comedy |
Prunella Scales, Sanderson | Simon Brett (Writer) | ["Comedy", "British", "Sitcom", "Domestic", "Simon Brett"] |
Sarah tries to nurse her demanding mother through a mild head cold while juggling domestic disputes and Russell's unsolicited medical advice. |
| "Dagwood Takes Up Carpentry" | CBS (WABC) 1943-08-30 7:30 PM EWT |
R.J. Reynolds Camel Cigarettes |
Arthur Lake, Singleton | Chic Young (Creator) | ["Comedy", "Sitcom", "Domestic", "Comic Strip", "Chic Young"] |
Dagwood attempts to build a backyard garden shed from scratch to impress Mr. Dithers but ends up accidentally trapping the mailman inside. |
| "Elmer Blurt Sells Door-to-Door" | CBS (WABC) 1940-08-30 10:00 PM EDST |
R.J. Reynolds Camel Cigarettes |
Al Pearce, Bryan, Allman | Al Pearce and Gang Staff | ["Comedy", "Variety", "Vaudeville", "Sketches", "Al Pearce"] |
Meek low-pressure salesman Elmer Blurt attempts to peddle household goods to reluctant suburban homeowners. |
| "Page Miss Glory with Dick Powell and Marion Davies" | CBS (WABC) 1935-08-30 9:00 PM EDST |
Campbell Soup Co. Campbell's Soups |
Dick Powell, Marion Davies | Raymond Paige and Orchestra | ["Drama", "Comedy", "Musical", "Hollywood", "Adaptation"] |
Two desperate promoters invent a composite beauty contest winner and scramble to find a real woman to play the role. |
| "Once a Thief" | Syndicated Drama 1959-08-30 |
The Salvation Army Inspirational / Moral |
Dramatic Voice Cast | Heartbeat Theatre Staff | ["Drama", "Inspirational", "Moral", "Anthology", "Salvation Army"] |
A reformed ex-convict striving to build an honest life faces suspicion and blackmail when payroll money vanishes from his workplace. |
| "A Little Child" | Syndicated Drama 1964-08-30 |
The Salvation Army Inspirational / Moral |
Dramatic Voice Cast | Heartbeat Theatre Staff | ["Drama", "Inspirational", "Moral", "Anthology", "Salvation Army"] |
A troubled married couple contemplating divorce find renewed compassion and reconciliation after helping a lost orphan girl. |