On This Day, September 1: Blondie and Dagwood
Also featured: Elmer Blurt, Sweeney, March.
September 1 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 September 1 across iconic comic strip radio adaptations, classic Thirties low-pressure door-to-door sales comedy, postwar satire rehearsals, inspirational anthologies, and suburban domestic situations, Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake in Blondie for Camel and Super Suds (1941, 1944), Al Pearce as Elmer Blurt for Pepsodent (1934), Peg Lynch and Alan Bunce in The Couple Next Door (1960), The Bob Sweeney and Hal March Show (1948), and Heartbeat Theatre (1934–1963):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Betsy and Her Club Members with Peg Lynch and Alan Bunce" | CBS (WCBS) 1960-09-01 10:05 AM EDT |
Sustaining Daytime Comedy |
Peg Lynch, Bunce | Peg Lynch (Writer) | ["Comedy", "Sitcom", "Couple Next Door", "Peg Lynch", "Alan Bunce"] |
Betsy organizes a neighborhood girls club in the living room and imposes strict dues that baffle her parents. |
| "Blondie Goes to the Beach with Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake (Camel)" | CBS (WABC) 1941-09-01 7:30 PM EDST |
R.J. Reynolds Camel Cigarettes |
Singleton, Lake | Chic Young (Creator) | ["Comedy", "Sitcom", "Blondie", "Penny Singleton", "Arthur Lake", "Camel"] |
Dagwood causes widespread seaside havoc when he loses Mr. Dithers's confidential building blueprints at the beach. |
| "Blondie Tries Black Magic with Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake (Super Suds)" | CBS (WABC) 1944-09-01 8:00 PM EWT |
Colgate-Palmolive Super Suds Soap |
Singleton, Lake | Stafford (Mr. Dithers) | ["Comedy", "Sitcom", "Blondie", "Penny Singleton", "Super Suds"] |
Blondie consults an eccentric occult handbook to cast good-luck spells on Dagwood's pending office promotion. |
| "Elmer Blurt Low-Pressure Sales with Al Pearce and Pepsodent" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1934-09-01 8:00 PM EDST |
Pepsodent Company Pepsodent Toothpaste |
Al Pearce (Blurt), Harris | Al Pearce (Director) | ["Comedy", "Variety", "Al Pearce", "Elmer Blurt", "Pepsodent"] |
Timid salesman Elmer Blurt attempts to sell door-to-door kitchen gadgets while terrified anyone will answer the doorbell. |
| "The Sky Is Full of Stars with The Salvation Army" | Syndication 1963-09-01 |
The Salvation Army Inspirational Drama |
Dramatic Voice Cast | Syndicated Drama Staff | ["Drama", "Inspirational", "Heartbeat Theatre", "Salvation Army", "Syndicated"] |
An introspective youth in an urban boarding house regains hope and purpose after meeting an understanding social worker. |
| "Bob Plans to Join the Army (Rehearsal Part 1)" | CBS (KNX) 1948-09-01 |
Sustaining Studio Rehearsal |
Bob Sweeney, March | Wilbur Hatch Orchestra | ["Comedy", "Satire", "Sweeney And March", "Bob Sweeney", "Hal March"] |
Bob Sweeney convinces himself military recruitment is his patriotic destiny while Hal March pokes holes in his romantic soldier illusions. |