On This Day, September 1: The Big Story and Fritz Leiber Sci-Fi
Also featured: Mischa Elman.
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 Pulitzer-worthy investigative newspaper reporting, apocalyptic science fiction, violin concert masters, overseas troop variety, symphonic folk revues, and daytime soap opera, Dan Parker on The Big Story for Pall Mall (1948), Fritz Leiber's A Pail of Air on Audition Theatre (1990), Mischa Elman in Concert in Miniature (1953), Harry James on Mail Call (1943), Meredith Willson's Musical Revue (1942), and Irna Phillips' The Road of Life (1942–1990):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Behind the Scenes with Mischa Elman (Episode 60)" | Syndication 1953-09-01 |
Sustaining Classical Recital |
Mischa Elman (Violin) | Concert Orchestra | ["Music", "Classical", "Violin", "Concert In Miniature", "Mischa Elman"] |
Violinist Mischa Elman performs romantic classical selections and explains backstage concert preparations and bowing techniques. |
| "Fritz Leiber's A Pail of Air with Audio Theatre Ensemble" | Syndication 1990-09-01 |
Sustaining Sci-Fi Audio Drama |
Audio Theatre Ensemble | Fritz Leiber (Author) | ["Sci-Fi", "Drama", "Audition Theatre", "Fritz Leiber", "Post-Apocalyptic"] |
A resilient family survives in a frozen post-apocalyptic shelter on Earth after a rogue dark star tears the planet away from the Sun. |
| "Guest Ben Lyon with Harry James and His Music Makers (AFRS)" | AFRS / War Dept. 1943-09-01 |
AFRS Armed Forces Morale |
Ben Lyon, Harry James | Helen Forrest (Vocal) | ["Music", "Variety", "Big Band", "Mail Call", "AFRS", "Harry James"] |
Ben Lyon emcees a morale-boosting broadcast for overseas Allied troops featuring trumpet solos and swing hits by Harry James. |
| "End-of-Summer Concert with Meredith Willson" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1942-09-01 9:30 PM EWT |
General Foods Post Toasties |
Meredith Willson Orch. | Meredith Willson | ["Music", "Concert", "Meredith Willson", "Post Toasties", "NBC Red"] |
Meredith Willson leads symphonic suite adaptations of American folk tunes and light orchestral classics. |
| "Dan Parker and The Big Guy and the Little Guy (New York Daily Mirror)" | NBC (WEAF) 1948-09-01 10:00 PM EDT |
American Cigarette Co. Pall Mall Cigarettes |
Robert Sloane, Parker | Harry Ingram (Director) | ["Drama", "Journalism", "Docudrama", "The Big Story", "Pall Mall"] |
New York sports columnist Dan Parker exposes an organized underworld syndicate fixing prizefights and exploiting young boxers. |
| "Carol Is Tricked with Howard Phillips and Matt Crowley" | NBC (WEAF) 1947-09-01 10:30 AM EDT |
Procter & Gamble Crisco / Ivory Snow |
Howard Phillips, Winkler | Irna Phillips (Creator) | ["Drama", "Soap Opera", "The Road of Life", "Irna Phillips", "Crisco"] |
Carol Evans discovers she has been manipulated into signing away hospital legal rights by an unscrupulous business rival. |