On This Day, August 31: Rudy Vallee and Ma Perkins
Also featured: A Man Named Jordan.
August 31 Update
This report documents the historical provenance, broadcast scheduling, commercial sponsorship, credited cast, production personnel, alternate circulating titles, serial story metadata, and pure narrative synopses for broadcasts transmitting on August 31 across American network exotic noir serials, celebrity variety hours, daytime radio institutions, and science docudramas, Jack Moyles in A Man Named Jordan on CBS (1952), Rudy Vallee presenting dramatic one-acts and Olsen & Johnson vaudeville slapstick (1933, 1939), Virginia Payne and Charles Egelston in Ma Perkins (1949, 1950), and Sherman H. Dryer's Exploring the Unknown covering SOFAR naval acoustics (1933–1952):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres & Serial Arc | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Smuggler's Warehouse with Jack Moyles (Episode 9)" | CBS (WCBS) 1952-08-31 7:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Exotic Detective Serial |
Jack Moyles, Novello | Larry Roman (Writer) | ["Detective", "Mystery", "Exotic", "Rocky Jordan", "CBS"]Arc: The Istanbul Affair (Part 9) |
Rocky Jordan breaks into a waterfront warehouse in Istanbul to retrieve stolen passports before secret police raid the harbor. |
| "Lewis Beach's The Clod with Mary Morris and Lew Cody" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1933-08-31 8:00 PM EDST |
Standard Brands Fleischmann's Yeast |
Rudy Vallee, Mary Morris | Connecticut Yankees | ["Variety", "Music", "Drama", "Rudy Vallee", "Fleischmanns"] |
During the American Civil War, an illiterate farm woman snaps and shoots Confederate soldiers who destroyed her prized drinking cup. |
| "Guests Olsen & Johnson with Rudy Vallee" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1939-08-31 8:00 PM EDST |
Standard Brands Royal Gelatin Desserts |
Rudy Vallee, Olsen & Johnson | Connecticut Yankees | ["Variety", "Music", "Comedy", "Rudy Vallee", "Royal Gelatin"] |
Vaudeville comedians Olsen and Johnson unleash slapstick mayhem and zany gags on Rudy Vallee to promote Hellzapoppin. |
| "Ma Advises Fay on Rush's New Business Venture" | CBS (WCBS) 1949-08-31 1:15 PM EDT |
Procter & Gamble Oxydol / Spic & Span |
Virginia Payne, Ascot | Frank & Anne Hummert | ["Soap Opera", "Drama", "Frank Hummert", "Ma Perkins", "CBS"] |
Ma Perkins counsels her daughter Fay on the financial risks of Rush's ambitious new commercial lumber partnership. |
| "Shuffle Tricks Willie into Telling of Investment" | CBS (WCBS) 1950-08-31 1:15 PM EDT |
Procter & Gamble Oxydol Soap |
Virginia Payne, Egelston | Frank & Anne Hummert | ["Soap Opera", "Drama", "Frank Hummert", "Ma Perkins", "CBS"] |
Shuffle Shober uses homespun psychology at the Rushville Center lumber yard to get Willie to reveal details of a dubious investment. |
| "SOFAR Naval Sound Ranging with Sherman Dryer" | Mutual (WOR) 1947-08-31 9:00 PM EDT |
Revere Copper & Brass Revere Kitchenware |
Sherman H. Dryer, Cast | Sherman H. Dryer (Prod.) | ["Science", "Documentary", "Educational", "Exploring the Unknown", "Revere"] |
Naval oceanographers demonstrate deep-sea sound fixing and ranging acoustic channels that allow downed pilots to be rescued across thousands of miles. |