On This Day, September 2: Burns and Allen
Also featured: Fred Allen, FBI in Peace and War.
September 2 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 2 across classic American radio comedy banter, Shakespearean alley satire, South African theatrical sitcoms, and authentic Federal Bureau of Investigation crime procedurals, George Burns and Gracie Allen for Campbell's Soup and Hinds Honey & Almond Cream (1936, 1940), Fred Allen hosting classical actor Maurice Evans (1945), Martin Blaine in The FBI in Peace and War for Lava Soap (1948), and Jim the Great on Springbok Radio (1936–1979):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Gracie's Fall Wardrobe with Campbell's Tomato Soup" | CBS (WABC) 1936-09-02 8:30 PM EDST |
Campbell Soup Co. Campbell's Tomato Soup |
George Burns, Gracie | Henry King & His Orch. | ["Comedy", "Sitcom", "Burns and Allen", "Gracie Allen", "Campbells"] |
Gracie attempts to economize on autumn fashion by enlisting George to model oversized fur coats and ladies' millinery. |
| "George Is on Trial for Speeding with Hinds Honey & Almond Cream" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1940-09-02 7:30 PM EDST |
Lehn & Fink Hinds Honey & Almond |
George Burns, Gracie | Artie Shaw & Senor Lee | ["Comedy", "Sitcom", "Burns and Allen", "Gracie Allen", "Hinds"] |
Gracie takes the witness stand as defense counsel when George is hauled into municipal traffic court for exceeding the town speed limit. |
| "Turn of the Tide with Dramatic Comedy Cast" | Springbok Radio (SABC) 1970-09-02 |
Commercial Sponsors Theatrical Sitcom |
Dramatic Voice Cast | Brian O'Shaughnessy (Writer) | ["Comedy", "British", "Jim The Great", "Springbok Radio", "South Africa"] |
A bumbling theatrical promoter attempts to stage an outdoor nautical pageant only for high tide to flood the stage equipment. |
| "Oh Claudius with Dramatic Comedy Cast" | Springbok Radio (SABC) 1979-09-02 |
Commercial Sponsors Theatrical Sitcom |
Dramatic Voice Cast | Brian O'Shaughnessy (Writer) | ["Comedy", "British", "Jim The Great", "Springbok Radio", "South Africa"] |
The theater troupe creates backstage pandemonium while rehearsing an amateur classical Roman tragedy riddled with forgotten lines. |
| "Guest Shakespearean Actor Maurice Evans with Fred Allen" | AFRS Globe Theater 1945-09-02 |
Armed Forces Radio Service to Troops |
Fred Allen, Evans | Portland Hoffa & Goodman | ["Comedy", "Variety", "Fred Allen", "Maurice Evans", "AFRS"] |
Fred Allen welcomes distinguished classical actor Maurice Evans for comedic interpretations of Shakespearean monologues in Allen's Alley. |
| "Cell Block No. 7 with Martin Blaine and Lava Soap" | CBS (WCBS) 1948-09-02 8:00 PM EDT |
Procter & Gamble Lava Soap |
Martin Blaine (Narrator) | Max Marcin (Director) | ["Police", "Crime", "FBI", "FBI In Peace And War", "Lava Soap"] |
Federal agents plant an undercover operative inside a federal penitentiary cell block to intercept blueprints for a planned prison breakout. |