On This Day, September 20: Lux Radio Theatre and JFK UN Address
Also featured: Maltese Falcon, 100% Day Completion.
September 20 Update & Historical Discoveries
This report durably records the historical discoveries, technical anomalies, verified cast roles, commercial integrity audits, and contemporary newspaper radio logs for old-time radio broadcasts transmitted on September 20.
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis & Discovered Historical Insights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Gentleman's Agreement" | CBS Radio Network 1948-09-20 9:00 PM EDT |
Lux Toilet Soap & Flakes Lever Brothers |
Gregory Peck (Phil Green) Anne Baxter (Kathy Lacey) William Keighley (Host) |
William Keighley (Director) Sanford Barnett (Adaptation) |
["Drama", "Social Drama"] |
Synopsis: Gregory Peck and Anne Baxter star in an emotional radio drama about an undercover journalist who poses as Jewish to expose anti-Semitism in post-war America. Background: Powerful radio adaptation of Laura Z. Hobson's novel confronting religious prejudice in post-war American society, starring original Oscar-nominated lead Gregory Peck. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Sep 20, 1948, Radio Section, p. 38. |
| "The Maltese Falcon" | CBS Radio Network 1943-09-20 10:00 PM EWT |
Lady Esther Cosmetics | Humphrey Bogart (Sam Spade) Mary Astor (Brigid O'Shaughnessy) Sydney Greenstreet (Kasper Gutman) Peter Lorre (Joel Cairo) |
Screen Guild Production Staff | ["Mystery", "Film Adaptation"] |
Synopsis: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, and Sydney Greenstreet reprise their screen roles in Dashiell Hammett's hardboiled detective masterpiece. Background: Unmatched all-star radio recreation uniting the entire principle motion picture cast in a razor-sharp adaptation to benefit the Motion Picture Relief Fund. Newspaper listing: Los Angeles Times, Sep 20, 1943, Part II, p. 8. |
| "Gentlemen's Disagreement" | CBS Radio Network 1952-09-20 8:00 PM EST |
Sustaining CBS Radio |
William Conrad (Matt Dillon) Parley Baer (Chester) Howard McNear (Doc Charles Adams) |
Norman Macdonnell (Producer / Director) John Meston (Writer) |
["Western", "Crime"] |
Synopsis: Marshal Matt Dillon investigates the suspicious bludgeoning death of an eccentric Dodge City townsman and unmasks a bitter domestic inheritance dispute. Background: Grim, atmospheric adult western drama demonstrating John Meston's signature gritty frontier realism and William Conrad's commanding vocal delivery. Newspaper listing: Los Angeles Times, Sep 20, 1952, Part II, p. 10. |
| "Address to the United Nations General Assembly" | UN Radio / All Networks 1963-09-20 10:30 AM EDT |
Public Service Broadcast | President John F. Kennedy Ambassador Adlai Stevenson Secretary-General U Thant |
UN Department of Public Information | ["Historical", "Speech"] |
Synopsis: President John F Kennedy delivers an urgent foreign policy address before the United Nations General Assembly proposing peaceful space exploration. Background: Landmark Cold War diplomatic address proposing international collaboration on lunar exploration and nuclear non-proliferation two months prior to his assassination. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Sep 21, 1963, Front Page, p. 1. |
| "Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys" | WSM / NBC Radio 1947-09-20 10:30 PM CST |
Prince Albert Smoking Tobacco R. J. Reynolds |
Roy Acuff The Smoky Mountain Boys Grant Turner (Announcer) |
Vito Pellettieri (Stage Manager) | ["Country", "Traditional"] |
Synopsis: Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys entertain country music fans with traditional fiddling and mountain ballads live from the Ryman Auditorium. Background: Historic live broadcast number 989 of the Grand Ole Opry from Nashville's Ryman Auditorium featuring Acuff's iconic vocal stylings and fiddle breakdowns. Newspaper listing: The Nashville Tennessean, Sep 20, 1947, Amusements, p. 12. |
| "V. K. Krishna Menon on UN Policy" | NBC Monitor / Radio 1959-09-20 6:00 PM EDT |
Sustaining Public Affairs | Lawrence Spivak (Producer / Panelist) V. K. Krishna Menon (Guest) Ned Brooks (Moderator) |
Lawrence E. Spivak (Producer) | ["News", "Interview"] |
Synopsis: Lawrence Spivak leads a sharp press conference with Indian diplomat V K Krishna Menon addressing United Nations policy and international neutrality. Background: Fiery diplomatic questioning regarding Chinese-Indian border incursions and non-aligned bloc neutrality during the height of the Cold War. Newspaper listing: The Washington Post, Sep 20, 1959, TV-Radio Section, p. G5. |
| "Watchbird (Robert Sheckley)" | S.F. 68 / Commercial Service 1968-09-20 9:30 PM SAST |
Biotex Pre-Wash Detergent | Michael McCabe (Producer / Narrator) Radio Drama Players |
Michael McCabe (Director / Adaptation) | ["Science Fiction", "Dystopian"] |
Synopsis: Robert Sheckley's speculative story explores autonomous robotic surveillance drones programmed to stop murder that evolve to forbid all living harm. Background: Masterful speculative fiction illustrating algorithmic over-enforcement where robotic guardians redefine killing to include surgery and slaughtering cattle. Newspaper listing: The Guardian, Sep 20, 1968, Radio Listings, p. 11. |
| "New House: Premiere for Maxwell House" | NBC Radio Network 1945-09-20 8:30 PM EWT |
Maxwell House Coffee General Foods |
George Burns Gracie Allen Bill Goodwin (Announcer) |
Al Lewis (Director / Writer) | ["Comedy", "Sitcom"] |
Synopsis: George Burns and Gracie Allen relocate into their new residence while inaugurating their long-running comedy partnership with Maxwell House Coffee. Background: Inaugural broadcast under Maxwell House sponsorship following their move from Swan Soap, featuring Gracie's hilarious domestic confusion over floorplans. Newspaper listing: Los Angeles Times, Sep 20, 1945, Part II, p. 8. |
| "Pack Train and Western Ballads" | CBS Radio Network 1953-09-20 7:00 PM CST |
Wrigley's Doublemint Chewing Gum | Gene Autry Pat Buttram The Cass County Boys Charles Lyon (Announcer) |
William Burch (Director) | ["Western", "Music"] |
Synopsis: Singing cowboy Gene Autry performs Western standards with the Cass County Boys and promotes his new feature film on his Melody Ranch program. Background: Gene Autry performs his signature theme 'Back in the Saddle Again' and promotes his new Columbia Pictures feature 'Pack Train' over national CBS airwaves. Newspaper listing: Chicago Daily Tribune, Sep 20, 1953, Radio-TV Section, p. B6. |
| "Yankees vs. Orioles: Maris Chase" | WINS / Atlantic Network 1961-09-20 8:00 PM EDT |
Atlantic Refining Company Ballantine Beer |
Mel Allen (Play-by-Play) Phil Rizzuto (Commentary) Red Barber (Play-by-Play) |
WINS Sports Broadcasting | ["Sports", "Baseball"] |
Synopsis: Mel Allen, Phil Rizzuto, and Red Barber describe play-by-play baseball action as the New York Yankees play the Baltimore Orioles at Memorial Stadium. Background: Historic play-by-play during the tense late-season games of 1961 as Roger Maris chased Babe Ruth's single-season home run record. Newspaper listing: The Baltimore Sun, Sep 20, 1961, Sports Section, p. 19. |