On This Day, September 4: Inner Sanctum and Dr. Christian
Also featured: Green Hornet.
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 two macabre squeaking-door horrors on Inner Sanctum Mystery (Raymond Edward Johnson in 1943 for Colgate and Paul McGrath in 1950 for Bromo-Seltzer), River's End medical domestic dramas starring Jean Hersholt on Dr. Christian for Vaseline, Fran Striker's vigilante crime crusades on The Green Hornet, and Alan Freeman counting down Britain's top chart singles on BBC Radio 1, Raymond Edward Johnson (1943), Paul McGrath (1950), Jean Hersholt (1940, 1946), Al Hodge (1940), and Alan Freeman (1940–1972):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Death and the Detective with Raymond Edward Johnson" | CBS (WABC) 1943-09-04 8:30 PM EWT |
Colgate-Palmolive Colgate Shave Cream |
Raymond Edward Johnson | Himan Brown (Dir.) | ["Horror", "Mystery", "Inner Sanctum", "Raymond Edward Johnson", "Colgate"] |
A veteran homicide detective receives chilling anonymous phonograph recordings correctly predicting the exact times and victims of upcoming murders. |
| "The Corpse Said No with Paul McGrath" | CBS (WABC) 1950-09-04 8:00 PM EDT |
Emerson Drug Co. Bromo-Seltzer |
Paul McGrath (Host) | Mercedes McCambridge | ["Horror", "Mystery", "Inner Sanctum", "Paul McGrath", "Bromo-Seltzer"] |
A desperate embezzler murders his business partner and buries the body under a cellar floor, only to hear the victim's voice whispering from the grave. |
| "This Bud of Love with Jean Hersholt as Dr. Christian" | CBS (WABC) 1940-09-04 8:30 PM EDST |
Chesebrough Mfg. Vaseline Hair Tonic |
Jean Hersholt (Dr. Christian) | Rosemary DeCamp (Judy) | ["Drama", "Medical", "Dr Christian", "Jean Hersholt", "Vaseline"] |
Dr. Christian intervenes to resolve a bitter family dispute preventing two young River's End high school sweethearts from marrying. |
| "By Death Deferred with Jean Hersholt as Dr. Christian" | CBS (WABC) 1946-09-04 8:30 PM EDT |
Chesebrough Mfg. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly |
Jean Hersholt (Dr. Christian) | Rosemary DeCamp (Judy) | ["Drama", "Medical", "Dr Christian", "Jean Hersholt", "Vaseline"] |
Dr. Christian diagnoses an ailing recluse and uncovers an unscrupulous relative attempting to hasten the patient's demise for an estate inheritance. |
| "Playground for Politics with Al Hodge as The Green Hornet" | Mutual (WXYZ) 1940-09-04 8:00 PM EDST |
Sustaining Vigilante Crime Drama |
Al Hodge (Green Hornet) | Raymond Hayashi & Striker | ["Crime", "Vigilante", "The Green Hornet", "Al Hodge", "Fran Striker"] |
Britt Reid and Kato investigate a corrupt municipal city councilman using substandard construction materials to build a public children's park. |
| "Top UK Chart Hits with Alan Freeman" | BBC Radio 1 1972-09-04 |
Sustaining British Pop Countdown |
Alan "Fluff" Freeman | BBC Radio 1 Staff | ["Music", "Countdown", "Pick Of The Pops", "Alan Freeman", "BBC Radio 1"] |
Alan Freeman counts down the official top 20 British pop and rock singles, featuring commentary and new chart entries. |