On This Day, September 4: Jean Shepherd and Blair of the Mounties
This report documents the historical provenance, broadcast scheduling, commercial sponsorship, credited cast, production personnel, alternate circulating titles, serial story arcs, and pure narrative synopses for broadcasts…
September 4 Update
This report documents the historical provenance, broadcast scheduling, commercial sponsorship, credited cast, production personnel, alternate circulating titles, serial story arcs, and pure narrative synopses for broadcasts transmitting on September 4 across five decades of late-night freeform monologues from humorist Jean Shepherd broadcasting over WOR New York (A Ride on the Caterpillar [1960], A Clarion Call [1961], Tips and Tolls [1965], Snakes [1970], and Family Disasters [1973]), alongside Colonel Spencer as RCMP Inspector Blair pursuing fur smugglers in Blair of the Mounties, Jean Shepherd (1960–1973), and Colonel Spencer (1935):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "A Ride on the Caterpillar on WOR New York" | WOR New York 1960-09-04 11:15 PM EDT |
Sustaining Late-Night Monologue |
Jean Shepherd (Narrator) | WOR Studio Engineers | ["Humor", "Storytelling", "Jean Shepherd", "WOR New York", "Carnival"] |
Jean Shepherd reflects on the dizzying terror and mechanical eccentricities of the vintage Caterpillar amusement park ride in Midwestern carnivals. |
| "A Clarion Call on WOR New York" | WOR New York 1961-09-04 11:15 PM EDT |
Sustaining Late-Night Monologue |
Jean Shepherd (Narrator) | WOR Studio Engineers | ["Humor", "Storytelling", "Jean Shepherd", "WOR New York", "School Band"] |
Jean Shepherd satirizes grand heroic proclamations and the absurd realities of school band brass trumpet rehearsals in Hammond Indiana. |
| "Tips and Tolls on WOR New York" | WOR New York 1965-09-04 11:15 PM EDT |
Sustaining Late-Night Monologue |
Jean Shepherd (Narrator) | WOR Studio Engineers | ["Humor", "Storytelling", "Jean Shepherd", "WOR New York", "Turnpike"] |
Jean Shepherd dissects the etiquette of tipping, highway tollbooth anxiety, and odd encounters with Turnpike attendants. |
| "Snakes and Childhood Terrors on WOR New York" | WOR New York 1970-09-04 11:15 PM EDT |
Sustaining Late-Night Monologue |
Jean Shepherd (Narrator) | WOR Studio Engineers | ["Humor", "Storytelling", "Jean Shepherd", "WOR New York", "Childhood"] |
Jean Shepherd reminisces about childhood suburban reptile hunting, capturing garter snakes in glass jars, and neighborhood panics. |
| "Family Disasters and Holiday Picnics on WOR New York" | WOR New York 1973-09-04 11:15 PM EDT |
Sustaining Late-Night Monologue |
Jean Shepherd (Narrator) | WOR Studio Engineers | ["Humor", "Storytelling", "Jean Shepherd", "WOR New York", "Labor Day"] |
Jean Shepherd recounts hilarious misadventures during extended family Labor Day barbecues plagued by sunburn, wasps, and melting gelatin salads. |
| "Trailing the Fur Smugglers (Ep. 14) with Colonel Spencer" | Syndication / NW 1935-09-04 |
Sustaining Canadian Adventure |
Col. Spencer & Troupe | Northwest Radio Staff | ["Adventure", "Serial", "Blair of the Mounties", "RCMP", "Syndication"] |
Inspector Blair of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police tracks an elusive band of illicit fur smugglers through treacherous Yukon whitewater rapids. |