On This Day, September 4: Frank Sinatra and Lena Horne
Also featured: The Aldrich Family.
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 America's definitive pop music survey on Your Hit Parade featuring Frank Sinatra singing You'll Never Know (1943) and Leo Reisman (1937) for Lucky Strike Cigarettes, jazz icon Lena Horne backed by Count Basie's big band on Jubilee for AFRS, Ezra Stone's teenage panic on The Aldrich Family for Jell-O, William Gargan in I Deal in Crime, and Bob & Ray's satirical Arthur Godfrey parody, Frank Sinatra & Joan Edwards (1943), Lena Horne & Count Basie (1944), Ezra Stone (1941), and Bob and Ray (1937–1948):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Have You Got Any Castles, Baby? (#9) with Leo Reisman" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1937-09-04 10:00 PM EDST |
American Tobacco Co. Lucky Strike Cigarettes |
Leo Reisman and Orch. | Buddy Clark & Gibson | ["Music", "Countdown", "Your Hit Parade", "Leo Reisman", "Lucky Strike"] |
The nationwide countdown of America's top popular songs featuring Leo Reisman's orchestra performing Have You Got Any Castles, Baby?, Whispers in the Dark, and That Old Feeling. |
| "You'll Never Know (#1) with Frank Sinatra and Joan Edwards" | CBS (WABC) 1943-09-04 9:00 PM EWT |
American Tobacco Co. Lucky Strike — L.S./M.F.T. |
Frank Sinatra & Edwards | Mark Warnow and Orch. | ["Music", "Countdown", "Your Hit Parade", "Frank Sinatra", "Joan Edwards"] |
Frank Sinatra and Joan Edwards lead the top ten songs in America, culminating in the number one wartime ballad You'll Never Know and In the Blue of Evening. |
| "The Case of the Fatal Inheritance with William Gargan" | Mutual (WOR) 1948-09-04 8:30 PM EDT |
Sustaining Detective Drama |
William Gargan (Dolan) | Ted Hediger (Writer) | ["Detective", "Mystery", "I Deal In Crime", "William Gargan", "Mutual"] |
Private investigator Ross Dolan probes the suspicious drowning death of an eccentric millionaire whose sole beneficiary is an estranged stepsister. |
| "Arthur Sturdley Talent Scouts Parody with Bob and Ray" | WHDH / Mutual 1948-09-04 |
Sustaining Radio Satire |
Bob Elliott & Ray Goulding | Bob and Ray Writing Staff | ["Comedy", "Satire", "Bob and Ray", "Arthur Godfrey", "WHDH"] |
A deadpan satire parodying Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts featuring absurd amateur acts, awkward audience applause meters, and surreal live commercials. |
| "Guest Lena Horne and Count Basie Orchestra on AFRS" | AFRS Transcription 1944-09-04 |
Armed Forces Radio War Department |
Lena Horne & Count Basie | Ernie Whitman (Host) | ["Music", "Jazz", "Jubilee", "Lena Horne", "Count Basie"] |
Lena Horne sings velvety jazz standards accompanied by Count Basie's rhythm powerhouse orchestra in a special performance for overseas troops. |
| "Henry's Formal Tuxedo Dilemma with Ezra Stone" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1941-09-04 8:30 PM EDST |
General Foods Corp. Jell-O & Jell-O Puddings |
Ezra Stone & Jackie Kelk | Clifford Goldsmith (Creator) | ["Comedy", "Sitcom", "Aldrich Family", "Ezra Stone", "Jell-O"] |
Henry Aldrich frantically attempts to alter his father's oversized formal dinner tuxedo in time for the Centerville High School autumn welcome dance. |