On This Day, September 1: The Whistler and Dick Tracy
Also featured: Manhattan Merry-Go-Round.
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 West Coast noir thrillers, daily youth comic-strip adventures, Broadway musical showcases, mystery storytelling, and Pacific Northwest modern jazz, Bill Forman in The Whistler for Signal Oil (1946), Howard Culver in Dick Tracy (1947), Johnny Thomas in Tennessee Jed (1947), Evelyn MacGregor on Manhattan Merry-Go-Round for Dr. Lyon's (1946), Marvin Miller in Armchair Adventures (1952), and KOMO Seattle Jazz Today (1946–1959):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Final Returns with Bill Forman and Signal Oil" | CBS Pacific (KNX) 1946-09-01 8:00 PM PST |
Signal Oil Company Signal Gasoline & Oil |
Bill Forman (Whistler) | George Allen (Director) | ["Mystery", "Thriller", "Psychological", "The Whistler", "Signal Oil"] |
A crooked mayoral candidate murders his campaign manager to hide kickback ledgers, unaware an election-night broadcast records his betrayal. |
| "The Flattop Junior Counterfeit Ring with Howard Culver and Swift's Frankfurters" | ABC (WJZ) 1947-09-01 5:00 PM EDT |
Swift & Company Swift's Frankfurters |
Howard Culver (Tracy) | Chester Gould (Creator) | ["Detective", "Juvenile", "Dick Tracy", "Howard Culver", "Swifts"] |
Detective Dick Tracy uncovers an underground engraving press printing fake currency notes in an abandoned waterfront warehouse. |
| "The Silver River Ambush (Episode 412) with Johnny Thomas and Ward's Tip-Top Bread" | ABC (WJZ) 1947-09-01 5:15 PM EDT |
Ward Baking Company Tip-Top Bread |
Johnny Thomas (Jed) | Humphrey Davis | ["Western", "Adventure", "Juvenile", "Tennessee Jed", "Tip-Top Bread"] |
Frontier scout Tennessee Jed investigates horse rustlers staging ambushes along the shallow rapids of the Silver River. |
| "With Evelyn MacGregor, Bob Hannon, and Dr. Lyon's Tooth Powder" | NBC (WEAF) 1946-09-01 9:00 PM EDT |
R.L. Watkins Co. Dr. Lyon's Tooth Powder |
Evelyn MacGregor, Hannon | Victor Arden Orchestra | ["Music", "Variety", "Broadway", "Manhattan Merry-Go-Round", "Dr Lyons"] |
Victor Arden and his orchestra headline a Broadway musical revue featuring romantic ballads, tango melodies, and popular stage tunes. |
| "The Real Crime with Marvin Miller" | Syndication 1952-09-01 |
Sustaining Mystery Narrative |
Marvin Miller (Narrator) | Syndicated Drama Staff | ["Mystery", "Drama", "Armchair Adventures", "Marvin Miller", "Syndicated"] |
A wealthy collector hires an expert to appraise a rare stolen canvas only to realize the appraiser orchestrated the theft. |
| "Modern West Coast Jazz and Cool School Showcase with KOMO Seattle" | KOMO Seattle 1959-09-01 |
Sustaining Jazz Radio Session |
KOMO Disc Jockey | KOMO Seattle Staff | ["Music", "Jazz", "West Coast Jazz", "KOMO", "Seattle"] |
An evening jazz broadcast presents West Coast cool jazz recordings alongside historical context on modern Pacific Northwest jazz clubs. |