On This Day, September 24: Miracle Mets Pennant Clincher and Judy Garland
Also featured: Cary Grant Premiere.
September 24 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 24.
1. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis & Discovered Historical Insights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "New York Mets vs. St. Louis: Miracle Mets Clinch NL East" | WJRZ / Rheingold Mets Network 1969-09-24 8:05 PM EDT |
Rheingold Extra Dry Beer | Lindsey Nelson, Ralph Kiner Gary Gentry, Nolan Ryan, Gil Hodges |
New York Mets Radio Network | ["Sports", "Play-by-Play", "Historical"] |
Synopsis: Sportscasters Lindsey Nelson and Ralph Kiner call the historic pennant clinching game at Shea Stadium as the New York Mets defeat St Louis in nineteen sixty nine. Background: Authentic complete radio coverage as Gary Gentry tosses an eight-inning shutout and Nolan Ryan strikes out the final batter to clinch the 1969 National League East championship before a roaring crowd of 56,000 fans. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Sep 25, 1969, Sports Section, p. 61. |
| "The Gulf Screen Guild Theater: Season Premiere Revue" | CBS Radio Network 1939-09-24 7:30 PM EST |
Gulf Oil Corporation | Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney Cary Grant, Ann Sothern, Oscar Bradley |
Joe Stauffer (Director) | ["Variety", "Comedy", "Music"] |
Synopsis: Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney headline a sparkling musical revue with Cary Grant and Ann Sothern on the season premiere of Gulf Screen Guild Theater. Background: Gala wartime charity premiere on CBS benefiting the Motion Picture Relief Fund, featuring Judy Garland singing fresh arrangements from The Wizard of Oz alongside Mickey Rooney's comedic impressions. Newspaper listing: Los Angeles Times, Sep 24, 1939, Radio Section, p. D12. |
| "Richard Diamond, Private Detective: The $200,000 Bundle" | NBC Radio Network 1949-09-24 7:00 PM EST |
Rexall Drug Company | Dick Powell (Richard Diamond) Virginia Gregg (Helen), Ed Begley |
Blake Edwards (Writer), Richard Sanville | ["Mystery", "Crime", "Drama"] |
Synopsis: Two thugs brutalize private investigator Richard Diamond over a two hundred thousand dollar bundle he knows nothing about, sparking a lethal hunt for the cash. Background: Written by Blake Edwards; features Dick Powell's trademark sardonic voiceover narration, piano interludes, and the end-of-broadcast announcement moving the series from Saturdays to Monday evenings. Newspaper listing: Chicago Daily Tribune, Sep 24, 1949, Radio Listings, p. 16. |
| "CBS World News Today: Operation Market Garden at Arnhem" | CBS Radio Network 1944-09-24 2:30 PM EWT |
Admiral Corporation | Douglas Edwards (Anchor) CBS Overseas Correspondents |
Paul White (CBS News Director) | ["News", "Historical", "WWII"] |
Synopsis: Douglas Edwards anchors global wartime reports covering British airborne forces in Holland, RAF Rhineland bombings, and Allied advances in Italy and Hungary. Background: Urgent live wartime coverage of British General Dempsey's Second Army attempting to establish supply corridors to the embattled British 1st Airborne Division trapped across the Rhine at Arnhem. Newspaper listing: The Washington Post, Sep 24, 1944, Front Page, p. 1. |
| "The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Eyes of Mr. Leyton" | Mutual / AFRS 1945-09-24 8:30 PM EWT |
Petri Wine Company | Basil Rathbone (Sherlock Holmes) Nigel Bruce (Doctor Watson) |
Denis Green & Anthony Boucher (Writers) | ["Mystery", "Drama"] |
Synopsis: Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John Watson investigate sinister conspiracies and death threats surrounding a wealthy client during an overseas radio broadcast. Background: Atmospheric Victorian mystery showcasing Watson's vivid Limehouse waterfront descriptions, opium dens, and Rathbone's deductions resolving South American commercial concessions. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Sep 24, 1945, Radio Directory, p. 28. |
| "Favorite Story: Mark Twain's The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg" | Syndicated / Ziv Productions 1948-09-24 8:00 PM EST |
Local Advertisers | Ronald Colman (Host / Narrator) Jerome Cowan, Lurene Tuttle |
Frederic Ziv (Producer) | ["Drama", "Satire", "Literature"] |
Synopsis: Host Ronald Colman presents Mark Twain satirical story in which a mysterious bag of gold tempts the righteous citizens of an ostensibly incorruptible town. Background: Masterful radio adaptation of Mark Twain's sharpest social satire, following the moral downfall of nineteen leading citizens competing for a counterfeit bag of gold coins. Newspaper listing: The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Sep 24, 1948, Radio Guide, p. 22. |
| "The Weird Circle: Herman Melville's The Bell-Tower" | Mutual / RCA Syndication 1944-09-24 10:30 PM EWT |
Sustaining | Syndicated Drama Cast | RCA Recorded Program Services | ["Horror", "Mystery", "Gothic"] |
Synopsis: The Weird Circle dramatizes Herman Melville gothic tale of an arrogant Italian architect whose clockwork creation brings tragedy atop a doomed bell tower. Background: Rare radio treatment of Melville's eerie Renaissance allegory examining hubris, forbidden mechanization, and the fatal toll taken by an ornate bronze clockwork automaton. Newspaper listing: San Francisco Chronicle, Sep 24, 1944, Radio Highlights, p. S4. |
| "The Jack Benny Program: Season Premiere & California Gold Rush" | CBS Radio Network 1950-09-24 7:00 PM EST |
Lucky Strike (American Tobacco) | Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, Don Wilson |
Hilliard Marks (Producer) | ["Comedy", "Variety"] |
Synopsis: Jack Benny opens the autumn broadcast season with an extravagant California Gold Rush sketch while Rochester critiques his tight new department store suit. Background: Season debut kicking off Jack Benny's fall 1950 campaign on CBS, complete with Rochester's sartorial jabs at Jack's bargain-hunting habits and a comedic musical pageant. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Sep 24, 1950, Drama & Radio, p. 95. |