On This Day, August 31: Greatest Story and Henry Morgan
Also featured: Mystery Theater.
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 American biblical drama, comedy satire, U.S. Treasury music showcases, British radio plays, and network mystery theater, Goodyear's Peabody-winning The Greatest Story Ever Told (1947), Henry Morgan's sardonic satire on NBC (1949), The Crew Cuts (1952) and Gisele MacKenzie (1958) performing for Guest Star, John Kirkmorris's The Body in Bixby Slough on BBC Radio 4 (1983), and Alfred Shirley in Murder in the Family on CBS Mystery Theater (1947–1983):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Body in Bixby Slough by John Kirkmorris" | BBC Radio 4 1983-08-31 11:30 AM BST |
Sustaining BBC Radio Drama |
BBC Repertory Co. | John Kirkmorris (Writer) | ["Drama", "Mystery", "British", "BBC Radio 4", "Play"] |
Local detectives investigate the suspicious discovery of an unidentified body submerged in the marshy waters of Bixby Slough. |
| "The Calling of Matthew" | ABC (WJZ) 1947-08-31 6:30 PM EDT |
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Commercial-free format |
Warren Parker, Swenson | Marx Loeb (Director) | ["Religious", "Drama", "Biblical", "Goodyear", "Classics"] |
The dramatic biblical retelling of Jesus calling Matthew the tax collector to abandon worldly wealth and become an apostle. |
| "Satire on Modern Gadgets and Summertime Vacations" | NBC (WEAF) 1949-08-31 9:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Comedy Satire |
Henry Morgan, Stang | Milton Katims Orchestra | ["Comedy", "Satire", "Henry Morgan", "Arnold Stang", "NBC"] |
Henry Morgan delivers sharp satirical monologues and comedy sketches mocking absurd kitchen gadgets and agonizing summer vacations. |
| "Guest The Crew Cuts (Treasury Department)" | Syndicated Treasury 1952-08-31 |
U.S. Treasury Dept. U.S. Savings Bonds |
The Crew Cuts, Sosnik | Harry Sosnik Orchestra | ["Music", "Vocal", "Variety", "Public Service", "US Treasury"] |
Vocal quartet The Crew Cuts perform upbeat pop harmonies and encourage listeners to invest in U.S. Savings Bonds. |
| "Guest Gisele MacKenzie - Portrait of a Flirt" | Syndicated Treasury 1958-08-31 |
U.S. Treasury Dept. U.S. Savings Bonds |
Gisele MacKenzie, Sosnik | Harry Sosnik Orchestra | ["Music", "Vocal", "Variety", "Gisele MacKenzie", "US Treasury"] |
Singer and violinist Gisele MacKenzie performs light classical and pop ballads including Portrait of a Flirt for the U.S. Treasury. |
| "Murder in the Family with Alfred Shirley (CBS)" | CBS (WCBS) 1948-08-31 8:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Mystery Drama |
Alfred Shirley, Voice Cast | Frank Telford (Director) | ["Mystery", "Detective", "Drama", "Alfred Shirley", "CBS"] |
Inspector Thorne investigates the suspicious poisoning of a wealthy patriarch during a contentious family dinner. |