On This Day, September 4: Blondie and Rin-Tin-Tin
Also featured: Carnation Contented Hour.
September 4 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 4 across Penny Singleton & Arthur Lake in suburban domestic mishaps on Blondie for Camel Cigarettes, young Lee Aaker at Fort Apache on The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin for Nabisco, two golden editions of The Carnation Contented Hour for Carnation Evaporated Milk (Percy Faith's anniversary overtures in 1939 and Buddy Clark singing Broadway hits in 1949), Mercedes McCambridge on Abie's Irish Rose for Drene, and Dick Powell previewing Romeo and Juliet on Hollywood Hotel for Campbell's, Penny Singleton (1939), Lee Aaker (1955), Percy Faith (1939), Buddy Clark (1949), Mercedes McCambridge (1943), and Dick Powell (1936–1955):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Dagwood Takes Up Carpentry with Penny Singleton" | CBS (WABC) 1939-09-04 7:30 PM EDST |
R.J. Reynolds Camel Cigarettes |
Penny Singleton & Arthur Lake | Hanley Stafford & Chic Young | ["Comedy", "Sitcom", "Blondie", "Penny Singleton", "Arthur Lake"] |
Dagwood attempts to build a backyard patio table with disastrous results, accidentally sawing through Mr. Dithers' prize blueprints. |
| "Rusty Resigns from the Army with Lee Aaker" | Mutual (WOR) 1955-09-04 5:00 PM EDT |
National Biscuit Co. Nabisco Shredded Wheat |
Lee Aaker (Rusty) | James Brown & Sawyer | ["Western", "Adventure", "Rin-Tin-Tin", "Lee Aaker", "Nabisco"] |
Young orphan corporal Rusty feels responsible for an accidental cavalry patrol blunder and attempts to tender his resignation from Fort Apache. |
| "Carnation Anniversary Overture with Percy Faith" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1939-09-04 10:00 PM EDST |
Carnation Milk Co. Carnation Evaporated Milk |
Percy Faith & Chorus | Lullaby Lady & Orch. | ["Music", "Concert", "Carnation Contented Hour", "Percy Faith", "Carnation"] |
Percy Faith conducts lush orchestral arrangements of classical anniversary overtures and sentimental parlor melodies for Labor Day. |
| "Guest Buddy Clark with Ted Dale and His Orchestra" | NBC (WNBC) 1949-09-04 10:00 PM EDT |
Carnation Milk Co. Carnation Evaporated Milk |
Buddy Clark (Guest) | Ted Dale and His Orch. | ["Music", "Vocal", "Carnation Contented Hour", "Buddy Clark", "Carnation"] |
Popular crooner Buddy Clark sings Broadway show tunes and romantic pop ballads accompanied by Ted Dale's symphony orchestra. |
| "The Secret Wedding Anniversary with Mercedes McCambridge" | NBC (WEAF) 1943-09-04 8:00 PM EWT |
Procter & Gamble Special Drene Shampoo |
Mercedes McCambridge | Sydney Smith & Kinsella | ["Comedy", "Domestic", "Abie's Irish Rose", "Mercedes McCambridge", "Drene"] |
Abie and Rose Mary celebrate their wedding anniversary while trying to prevent their squabbling fathers from discovering the surprise party. |
| "Romeo and Juliet with Dick Powell and Frances Langford" | CBS (WABC) 1936-09-04 9:00 PM EDST |
Campbell Soup Co. Campbell's Soups |
Dick Powell & Langford | Louella Parsons & Paige | ["Variety", "Film Preview", "Hollywood Hotel", "Dick Powell", "Campbell's"] |
Dick Powell and Frances Langford preview MGM's cinematic adaptation of Romeo and Juliet with musical comedy interludes and Hollywood gossip. |