On This Day, September 4: Peter Lorre and Rudy Vallee
Also featured: Perry Mason.
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 Peter Lorre's chilling portrayal of an obsessed mad sculptor in The Mask of Medusa on Mystery in the Air for Camel Cigarettes, Edna May Oliver and John Barrymore joining Rudy Vallee on The Rudy Vallee Show for Sealtest, John Larkin defending an embattled heir on Perry Mason for Tide Detergent, Vincent Price on The Saint, Dan Seymour on Sing It Again, and Curt Massey on Just for You, Peter Lorre (1947), Edna May Oliver & Rudy Vallee (1941), John Larkin (1951), and Vincent Price (1941–1951):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Mask of Medusa with Peter Lorre" | NBC (WEAF) 1947-09-04 10:00 PM EDT |
R.J. Reynolds Camel Cigarettes |
Peter Lorre (Star) | Peggy Webber & MacGregor | ["Horror", "Thriller", "Mystery in the Air", "Peter Lorre", "Camel"] |
An obsessed sculptor driven by jealous madness schemes to murder his unfaithful lover and preserve her likeness forever in solid plaster. |
| "Guest Edna May Oliver with Rudy Vallee and John Barrymore" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1941-09-04 10:00 PM EDST |
Sealtest, Inc. Sealtest Ice Cream |
Rudy Vallee & Barrymore | Edna May Oliver & Cugat | ["Variety", "Comedy", "Rudy Vallee", "Edna May Oliver", "Sealtest"] |
Character actress Edna May Oliver joins Rudy Vallee and John Barrymore for comedic theatrical banter, parodies, and Latin rhumba rhythms. |
| "The Case of the Anxious Heir with John Larkin" | CBS (WCBS) 1951-09-04 2:15 PM EDT |
Procter & Gamble Tide Detergent |
John Larkin (Mason) | Joan Alexander & Gardner | ["Drama", "Legal", "Perry Mason", "John Larkin", "Erle Stanley Gardner"] |
Defense attorney Perry Mason cross-examines a suspicious estate executor trying to disinherit the rightful beneficiary of a family fortune. |
| "Death of a Fighter (AFRS Master) with Vincent Price" | Mutual / AFRS 1949-09-04 |
Ford Dealers / AFRS Troop Entertainment |
Vincent Price (The Saint) | Leslie Charteris (Creator) | ["Detective", "Mystery", "The Saint", "Vincent Price", "Leslie Charteris"] |
Simon Templar investigates the fatal poisoning of a young contender in his dressing room following a championship boxing bout. |
| "The Phantom Voice Mystery Melody with Dan Seymour" | CBS (WCBS) 1948-09-04 8:00 PM EDT |
Carter Products Arrid Deodorant |
Dan Seymour & Dale | Patti Clayton & Bloch | ["Quiz", "Music", "Sing It Again", "Dan Seymour", "Ray Bloch"] |
Contestants answer musical riddles over the telephone to identify the identity of the Phantom Voice singing cryptic lyric clues. |
| "It Had to Be You with Curt Massey" | AFRS Transcription 1944-09-04 |
Armed Forces Radio Troop Entertainment |
Curt Massey (Baritone) | AFRS Music Staff | ["Music", "Vocal", "Just For You", "Curt Massey", "AFRS"] |
Curt Massey sings lyrical baritone renditions of It Had to Be You and popular wartime sentimental love ballads. |