On This Day, August 31: Bulldog Drummond and Father Brown
Also featured: Backstage Wife.
August 31 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 31 across wartime detective adventures, classical theological mystery fiction, daytime soap operas, and musical variety, Ned Wever as Captain Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond on Mutual (1942), Karl Swenson as G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown (1945), Claire Niesen in Frank and Anne Hummert's Backstage Wife (1950), Arnold Grimm's Daughter (1939), Joyce Jordan (1951), and swing instrumentalists The Smart Six (1939–1951):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Molotov Cocktail and the Stolen Fuel Oil with Ned Wever" | Mutual (WOR) 1942-08-31 8:00 PM EWT |
Sustaining Wartime Detective |
Ned Wever, van Rooten | H.C. McNeile (Creator) | ["Detective", "Mystery", "Bulldog Drummond", "Ned Wever", "Mutual"] |
Bulldog Drummond uncovers an axis sabotage cell manufacturing petrol bombs in a clandestine waterfront refinery. |
| "Mary Continues Preparations for the Theatre Party" | NBC (WEAF) 1950-08-31 4:00 PM EDT |
Procter & Gamble White Naptha Soap |
Claire Niesen, Meighan | Frank & Anne Hummert | ["Soap Opera", "Drama", "Frank Hummert", "Mary Noble", "NBC"] |
Mary Noble juggles backstage domestic demands and theatrical social invitations while Larry prepares for opening night. |
| "Stan Has a Surprise for Connie with Luise Barclay" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1939-08-31 2:15 PM EDST |
General Mills Gold Medal Flour |
Luise Barclay, Prentiss | Margaret Sangster (Writer) | ["Soap Opera", "Drama", "Arnold Grimm", "General Mills", "NBC Red"] |
Stan returns home unexpectedly with surprise financial news that challenges Connie's plans for their family estate. |
| "The Mystifying Case of the Blue Cross with Karl Swenson" | Mutual (WOR) 1945-08-31 8:30 PM EWT |
Sustaining Classic Detective |
Karl Swenson, Adams | G.K. Chesterton (Author) | ["Detective", "Mystery", "Father Brown", "Chesterton", "Mutual"] |
Father Brown outwits a master jewel thief attempting to steal a sapphire-encrusted silver crucifix across London. |
| "Live Musical Showcase with the Smart Six" | AFRS / Syndication 1948-08-31 |
Sustaining Swing Instrumental |
The Smart Six, Soloists | AFRS Music Staff | ["Music", "Jazz", "Swing", "Variety", "AFRS"] |
The Smart Six ensemble performs lively swing arrangements, popular jazz standards, and upbeat instrumental medleys. |
| "Joyce Jordan's Medical Dilemma with Ann Shepherd" | ABC (WJZ) 1951-08-31 3:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Medical Radio Drama |
Ann Shepherd, Voice Cast | Himan Brown (Producer) | ["Soap Opera", "Medical Drama", "Joyce Jordan", "ABC", "Himan Brown"] |
Dr. Joyce Jordan faces an ethical dilemma when a prominent hospital benefactor demands preferential treatment for a relative. |