On This Day, September 3: The Thin Man and Edward R. Murrow
Also featured: Clyde Beatty.
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 witty high-society husband-and-wife mystery banter penned by Dashiell Hammett for Post Toasties, momentous CBS London news relays capturing the exact moment Britain declared war on Nazi Germany, thrilling big-top animal trainer adventures in Bengal, interactive detective puzzles, and wartime Merchant Marine musical showcases, Les Damon and Claudia Morgan in The Adventures of the Thin Man (1941, 1943), Edward R. Murrow (1939), Clyde Beatty (1951), Frank Lovejoy (1948), and We Deliver the Goods (1939–1951):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Ham, with Russian Dressing with Les Damon as Nick Charles" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1941-09-03 8:00 PM EDST |
Sustaining Comedy Mystery |
Les Damon (Nick) | Claudia Morgan & Hammett | ["Detective", "Comedy", "The Thin Man", "Les Damon", "Claudia Morgan"] |
Nick and Nora Charles investigate the backstage poisoning of an egotistical theatrical producer found dead in his dressing room. |
| "The Unfortunate Fortune Teller with Les Damon as Nick Charles" | CBS (WABC) 1943-09-03 8:30 PM EWT |
General Foods Post Toasties Corn Flakes |
Les Damon (Nick) | Claudia Morgan & Lewis | ["Detective", "Comedy", "The Thin Man", "Les Damon", "Post Toasties"] |
Nick and Nora Charles solve the strangulation of a clairvoyant medium who predicted her own murder during a seaside séance. |
| "BBC Music Interrupted for War Declaration with Edward R. Murrow" | CBS / BBC 1939-09-03 6:15 AM EDST |
Sustaining Historic News Relay |
Edward R. Murrow | Neville Chamberlain & BBC | ["News", "WWII", "Edward R Murrow", "Declaration of War", "BBC"] |
A live BBC musical transmission is abruptly cut off for Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's announcement that Britain is at war with Germany. |
| "The Man-Eating Tiger of Bengal with Clyde Beatty" | Mutual (WOR) 1951-09-03 5:30 PM EDT |
Kellogg's Corn Flakes & Rice Krispies |
Clyde Beatty (Host) | Mutual Production Staff | ["Adventure", "Circus", "Clyde Beatty", "Kelloggs", "Mutual"] |
Clyde Beatty tracks a rogue man-eating royal Bengal tiger terrorizing an Indian plantation settlement to capture it alive for the circus. |
| "The Fox Minding the Hen House with Frank Lovejoy" | Syndication / Mutual 1948-09-03 |
Sealy Mattress Co. Sealy Posturepedic |
Frank Lovejoy | Vincent Pelletier (Ann.) | ["Detective", "Interactive", "Calling All Detectives", "Frank Lovejoy", "Sealy"] |
Listeners solve an interactive micro-mystery involving an untrustworthy security night watchman who orchestrated a warehouse robbery. |
| "US Maritime Service Band from Catalina Island" | Mutual (KHJ) 1944-09-03 12:00 PM EWT |
U.S. Maritime Service Merchant Marine Recruiting |
USMS Cadet Band | Lt. Curt Roberts | ["Music", "Military", "We Deliver The Goods", "USMS", "Mutual"] |
Merchant Marine cadet musicians perform patriotic marches and swing standards broadcasting from the Catalina Island training station. |