On This Day, September 3: Edward R. Murrow and Vincent Price
Also featured: Arthur Godfrey.
September 3 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 3 across legendary European wartime news reporting (Edward R. Murrow broadcasting live from London on the 1939 outbreak of war and the 1940 Battle of Britain daylight Blitz), debonair private investigator mysteries, national talent competitions, classic Dickens literary dramatizations, and 1960s sci-fi radio theatre, Edward R. Murrow (1939, 1940), Vincent Price as The Saint (1947), Arthur Godfrey for Lipton (1946), Charles Boyer in Hollywood Players (1946), and Fred Foy on Theater Five (1939–1964):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Britain at War with Germany with Edward R. Murrow from London" | CBS (WABC) 1939-09-03 6:45 PM EDST |
Sustaining CBS News Roundup |
Edward R. Murrow (London) | Bob Trout (New York) | ["News", "WWII", "CBS News", "Edward R Murrow", "London"] |
Edward R. Murrow describes the somber mood on the streets of London following the morning declaration of war and subsequent false air raid alarm. |
| "Two Air Raids on London with Edward R. Murrow" | CBS (WABC) 1940-09-03 6:45 PM EDST |
Sustaining Battle of Britain Report |
Edward R. Murrow (London) | Eric Sevareid & News Desk | ["News", "WWII", "CBS News", "Edward R Murrow", "Battle of Britain"] |
Edward R. Murrow broadcasts eyewitness accounts of daylight German Luftwaffe bombing raids over London docks and RAF fighter interceptions. |
| "The Baseball Team Shooting with Vincent Price as The Saint" | CBS (KNX) 1947-09-03 8:30 PM EDT |
Campbell Soup Co. Campbell's Soups |
Vincent Price (Templar) | Barry Sullivan & Charteris | ["Detective", "Mystery", "The Saint", "Vincent Price", "Leslie Charteris"] |
Simon Templar investigates the locker room shooting of a star pennant-race baseball pitcher targeted by illegal gambling racketeers. |
| "Talent Winners Florita Rizzo and Lee Rogers with Arthur Godfrey" | CBS (WCBS) 1946-09-03 8:00 PM EDT |
Thomas J. Lipton Lipton Tea & Noodle Soup |
Arthur Godfrey (Host) | Rizzo, Rogers & Bleyer | ["Variety", "Music", "Arthur Godfrey", "Talent Scouts", "Lipton"] |
Arthur Godfrey introduces aspiring talent scout discoveries with voting applause crowning singer Lee Rogers and operatic soprano Florita Rizzo. |
| "The Small Servant with Charles Boyer and Cresta Blanca" | CBS (KNX) 1946-09-03 9:30 PM EDT |
Schenley Distillers Cresta Blanca Wine |
Charles Boyer (Dick) | Dickens, Lawrence & Lee | ["Drama", "Anthology", "Hollywood Players", "Charles Boyer", "Charles Dickens"] |
A carefree London clerk befriends a mistreated young maidservant and rescues her from oppressive employment. |
| "The Trouble with Alphie with Fred Foy" | ABC (WABC) 1964-09-03 10:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Modern Radio Drama |
Fred Foy (Announcer) | Jack Johnstone (Writer) | ["Sci-Fi", "Drama", "Theater Five", "Fred Foy", "ABC"] |
A meek suburban accountant buys an experimental robotic domestic helper that develops obsessive control over his household. |