On This Day, August 30: Richard Diamond and Family Theater
Also featured: Judy Canova.
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 and Armed Forces transcription services, three archival transfers of Blake Edwards' hardboiled classic The Big Foot Grafton Case starring Dick Powell on Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1950 Network Master, West Coast Repeat, and 1953 AFRTS release), William Frawley in the sandlot baseball drama Brannigan's Bat on Family Theater (1950), Judy Canova's hillbilly musical comedy for Colgate (1947), and Olan Soule in Runaway on Author's Playhouse (1942–1953):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Brannigan's Bat with William Frawley" | Mutual (WOR) 1950-08-30 9:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Family Rosary Crusade |
William Frawley, O'Sullivan | Father Patrick Peyton (Host) | ["Drama", "Sports", "Baseball", "Inspirational", "Family Theater"] |
An aging sandlot baseball coach discovers a lucky bat that restores faith and teamwork to a struggling neighborhood youth team. |
| "Judy Canova and The Smart Sylvesters" | NBC (WEAF) 1947-08-30 10:00 PM EDT |
Colgate-Palmolive Halo / Colgate Dental |
Judy Canova, Mel Blanc | Rancho Canova Staff | ["Comedy", "Hillbilly", "Variety", "Music", "Judy Canova"] |
Country hillbilly singer Judy Canova tries to organize a charity barn dance while outwitting pretentious socialite neighbors. |
| "Runaway with Olan Soule" | NBC (WEAF) 1942-08-30 6:30 PM EWT |
Sustaining Literary Drama |
Olan Soule, Cast | Wynn Wright (Director) | ["Drama", "Anthology", "Literary", "Adaptation", "Youth"] |
A restless youth flees his rural hometown seeking big-city fortune only to encounter dangerous underworld drifters. |
| "The Big Foot Grafton Case (Network Master)" | NBC (WEAF) 1950-08-30 9:00 PM EDT |
Rexall Drug Co. Rexall Products |
Dick Powell, Gregg, Begley | Blake Edwards (Writer) | ["Detective", "Mystery", "Hardboiled", "Dick Powell", "Blake Edwards"] |
Richard Diamond protects an eccentric collector targeted by extortionists after acquiring a legendary oversized emerald. |
| "The Big Foot Grafton Case (West Coast Repeat)" | NBC Pacific 1950-08-30 8:00 PM PST |
Rexall Drug Co. Rexall Products |
Dick Powell, Gregg, Begley | Blake Edwards (Writer) | ["Detective", "Mystery", "Hardboiled", "Dick Powell", "Blake Edwards"] |
Richard Diamond investigates an underworld syndicate seeking a priceless jewel collection from an eccentric recluse named Big Foot Grafton. |
| "The Big Foot Grafton Case (AFRTS Re-broadcast)" | AFRTS (Program 154) 1953-08-30 |
Armed Forces Radio U.S. Military Sustaining |
Dick Powell, Gregg, Begley | Blake Edwards (Writer) | ["Detective", "Mystery", "Hardboiled", "Dick Powell", "AFRTS"] |
Private investigator Richard Diamond uses witty repartee and deductive traps to catch the killers hunting a wealthy gem collector. |