On This Day, September 5: Dr. Christian and Green Hornet
Also featured: Xavier Cugat.
September 5 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 5 across Jean Hersholt on Dr. Christian for Vaseline, three masked vigilante investigations on George W. Trendle's The Green Hornet (Ripe for the Taking [1939], Gum Makes It Stick [1942], and The Buck Passers [1949]) written by Fran Striker, wartime big band rhythms on One Night Stand featuring Frankie Carle, and Latin dance music with Xavier Cugat & Abbe Lane on All Star Parade of Bands, Jean Hersholt (1951), Al Hodge (1939–1942), and Xavier Cugat (1944–1953):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Flash Action with Jean Hersholt" | CBS (WCBS) 1951-09-05 8:30 PM EDT |
Chesebrough Mfg. Vaseline Petroleum |
Jean Hersholt & DeCamp | Neil Reagan (Director) | ["Drama", "Medical", "Dr Christian", "Jean Hersholt", "Vaseline"] |
Dr. Christian uses quick medical diagnostics and forensic photography to prove an industrial explosion was caused by sabotage rather than worker negligence. |
| "Ripe for the Taking with Al Hodge" | Mutual (WXYZ) 1939-09-05 8:00 PM EDST |
Sustaining Trendle Production |
Al Hodge & Hayashi | Fran Striker (Writer) | ["Superhero", "Action", "The Green Hornet", "Al Hodge", "Fran Striker"] |
Publisher Britt Reid and his valet Kato smash a corrupt produce protection racket shaking down city wholesale fruit merchants. |
| "Gum Makes It Stick with Al Hodge" | NBC Blue (WJZ) 1942-09-05 8:00 PM EWT |
Sustaining Trendle Production |
Al Hodge & Hayashi | Fran Striker (Writer) | ["Superhero", "Action", "The Green Hornet", "Al Hodge", "Fran Striker"] |
The Green Hornet leaves sticky chewing gum evidence at a warehouse crime scene to expose a counterfeit wartime ration stamp ring. |
| "The Buck Passers with Jack McCarthy" | ABC Network 1949-09-05 8:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Crime Drama |
McCarthy & Parker | Fran Striker (Writer) | ["Superhero", "Action", "The Green Hornet", "Jack McCarthy", "Fran Striker"] |
Britt Reid exposes municipal building inspectors who shift blame among departments while taking bribes from shady real estate developers. |
| "First Song Amore with Frankie Carle" | AFRS Network 1944-09-05 |
War Department Armed Forces Radio |
Carle & Lynne | AFRS Music Staff | ["Music", "Big Band", "One Night Stand", "Frankie Carle", "AFRS"] |
Frankie Carle and his orchestra broadcast a live hotel ballroom performance featuring sparkling piano stylings, Amore, and popular wartime swing tunes. |
| "Xavier Cugat and His Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra" | U.S. Military Synd. 1953-09-05 |
U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Service |
Cugat & Abbe Lane | Military Radio Unit | ["Music", "Latin", "All Star Parade of Bands", "Xavier Cugat", "US Military"] |
Xavier Cugat and his Latin orchestra deliver a vibrant set of rhumbas, mambos, and vocal performances by Abbe Lane to support military enlistment. |