On This Day, September 5: Gene Autry and Information Please
Also featured: The Quiz Kids.
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 singing cowboy adventures with Gene Autry and Pat Buttram on Melody Ranch for Wrigley's Gum (1948, 1954), highbrow panelist wit on Information Please with Clifton Fadiman and guest Deems Taylor for Lucky Strike, child prodigy brainteasers on The Quiz Kids for Alka-Seltzer, military drama on Voice of the Army, and FBI armored car investigations on The FBI in Peace and War, Clifton Fadiman (1941), Joe Kelly (1943), and Gene Autry (1948, 1954):
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Inside Job with Martin Blaine" | CBS (WABC) 1947-09-05 9:30 PM EDT |
Procter & Gamble Lava Soap |
Martin Blaine & Cast | Max Marcin (Director) | ["Police Procedural", "Crime", "The FBI In Peace And War", "Martin Blaine", "Lava Soap"] |
Federal agents investigate a series of armored car robberies and uncover a compromised security dispatcher tipping off armed hijackers. |
| "The Vindicator with US Army Recruiting" | Syndicated Radio 1948-09-05 |
US Army & Air Force Recruiting Service |
Military Cast & Ensemble | US Army Radio Section | ["Docudrama", "Military", "Voice of the Army", "US Army", "Recruiting"] |
A veteran artillery commander mentors young recruits during rigorous field tactical exercises testing newly developed radar systems. |
| "Guest Deems Taylor with Clifton Fadiman" | NBC Red (WEAF) 1941-09-05 8:30 PM EDST |
American Tobacco Co. Lucky Strike Cigarettes |
Fadiman, Levant & Taylor | Dan Golenpaul (Producer) | ["Quiz", "Comedy", "Information Please", "Deems Taylor", "Lucky Strike"] |
Guest musicologist Deems Taylor joins panelists Oscar Levant and John Kieran in fielding challenging literary and classical symphony trivia submitted by listeners. |
| "Roundup Time with Gene Autry and Pat Buttram" | CBS (KNX) 1948-09-05 8:00 PM EDT |
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. Wrigley's Spearmint |
Gene Autry & Buttram | Carl Cotner Orchestra | ["Western", "Music", "Melody Ranch", "Gene Autry", "Wrigleys"] |
Gene Autry performs western cowboy songs, trades folksy comedy with Pat Buttram, and helps a ranch neighbor track stray cattle. |
| "The Gold Strike with Gene Autry and The Cass County Boys" | CBS (KNX) 1954-09-05 7:00 PM EDT |
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. Doublemint Chewing Gum |
Autry & Cass County Boys | Carl Cotner Orchestra | ["Western", "Music", "Melody Ranch", "Gene Autry", "Wrigleys"] |
Gene Autry investigates fraudulent mining claims in desert foothills and performs harmony ballads with The Cass County Boys. |
| "Back to School Special with Joe Kelly" | Blue Network (WJZ) 1943-09-05 7:30 PM EWT |
Miles Laboratories Alka-Seltzer & One-A-Day |
Joe Kelly & Quiz Kids | Louis G. Cowan (Creator) | ["Quiz", "Kids", "The Quiz Kids", "Joe Kelly", "Alka Seltzer"] |
Quizmaster Joe Kelly tests child prodigies on advanced mathematical puzzles, geography capitals, and classical literature before a live studio audience. |