On This Day, August 31: Sherlock Holmes and Kay Kyser
Also featured: Curtain Time.
August 31 Update
This report kicks off the comprehensive multi-day archival day-by-day review for August 31, documenting historical provenance, broadcast scheduling, commercial sponsorship, credited cast, production personnel, alternate circulating titles, serial story metadata, and pure narrative synopses for broadcasts transmitting across British BBC radio drama and American network radio, Robert Gould and Ray Dunbobbin in The Musgrave Ritual on BBC Radio 4 (1981), Fran Striker's maritime adventure The Sea Hound (Episode 61, 1942), Kay Kyser and Ish Kabibble on Kollege of Musical Knowledge for Lucky Strike (1939), Harry Elders in two romantic radio plays on Curtain Time for Mars Candy (1946, 1949), and a wartime Salute to America pre-emption (1939–1981):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres & Serial Arc | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Musgrave Ritual with Robert Gould and Ray Dunbobbin" | BBC Radio 4 1981-08-31 3:02 PM BST |
Sustaining BBC Radio Drama |
Robert Gould, Dunbobbin | Bill Morrison & Conan Doyle | ["Detective", "Mystery", "Sherlock Holmes", "Conan Doyle", "BBC Radio 4"] |
Holmes deciphers a centuries-old family riddle to locate a hidden cellar treasure and explain the disappearance of two estate servants. |
| "In Search of the Lost Galleon (Episode 61)" | NBC Blue (WJZ) 1942-08-31 5:00 PM EWT |
Sustaining Maritime Juvenile Serial |
Bobby Hastings, Daigneau | Fran Striker (Writer) | ["Adventure", "Maritime", "Juvenile", "Serial", "Fran Striker"]Arc: In Search of the Lost Galleon (Part 61) |
Captain Silver and Jerry navigate dangerous coral shoals to outmaneuver an armed U-boat lurking near a Caribbean reef. |
| "Pre-empted for Salute to America" | Mutual (WOR) 1948-08-31 9:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Special Network Program |
Mutual Announcers | Mutual Special Events Staff | ["Special Event", "Pre-emption", "Network", "Patriotic", "Mutual"] |
The regular dramatic broadcast is pre-empted for the nationwide patriotic musical and public service special Salute to America. |
| "Hallelujah with Ish Kabibble" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1939-08-31 8:00 PM EDST |
American Tobacco Co. Lucky Strike Cigarettes |
Kay Kyser, Ish Kabibble | Kay Kyser Orchestra | ["Musical Comedy", "Quiz", "Big Band", "Kay Kyser", "Lucky Strike"] |
The Ol' Professor tests contestants on musical trivia questions while Ish Kabibble and the band perform an upbeat rendition of Hallelujah. |
| "The Girl from Greenbush with Harry Elders and Nanette Sargent" | ABC (WJZ) 1946-08-31 7:30 PM EDT |
Mars, Inc. Milky Way / Snickers |
Harry Elders, Sargent | Myron Wallace (Writer) | ["Drama", "Romance", "Comedy", "Curtain Time", "Mars Candy"] |
A small-town girl travels to the big city to pursue an advertising career and ends up solving an office romance dilemma. |
| "Accent on Youth with Harry Elders and Betty Arnold" | NBC (WEAF) 1949-08-31 10:30 PM EDT |
Mars, Inc. Milky Way / Forever Yours |
Harry Elders, Arnold | Curtain Time Production Staff | ["Drama", "Romance", "Theater", "Curtain Time", "Mars Candy"] |
A mature Broadway playwright finds fresh theatrical inspiration and unexpected romance when collaborating with a spirited young actress. |