On This Day, October 11: 8 Postseason Baseball Classics and Suspense with Vincent Price
Also featured: The Lineup, Screen Guild Theater, Richard Diamond, Superman, Lone Ranger Disc Forensics.
October 11 Update & Historical Discoveries
This report records the historical discoveries, verified cast roles, sanitized titles, contemporary radio logs, and serial story arcs across all 204 old-time radio broadcasts transmitted on October 11.
1. Archival Forensics & Crucial Historical Resolutions
A. All-Star Western Theater Date Correction
A longstanding tape circulating as the October 11, 1947 broadcast of All-Star Western Theater ("Golden Trail") was subjected to forensic cross-examination against the network logs of KNX and the CBS Pacific Network. The recording carries contemporary commercials for Weber's Bread and features Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage. Historical broadcast logs confirm that the October 11, 1947 timeslot was preempted by CBS special events coverage; the circulating performance corresponds precisely to the September 6, 1947 transcription, correctly realigned in the archival timeline.
B. The Lone Ranger 15-Minute Transcription Disc Restoration
Archival audit uncovered a circulating fragment titled "Part 1" labeled October 11, 1938. Audio waveform analysis and dialogue matching established that this recording was an excerpted 15-minute electrical transcription disc cut for localized syndicate distribution of the landmark episode "A Brother's Jealousy" (originally aired April 18, 1938). The duplicate fragment was systematically deduplicated in favor of the standard full half-hour WXYZ master.
C. Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy Download Deduplication
Download duplicate 30dac362 was identified and retired in favor of standard master f834efc1. The surviving master preserves the full NBC Chase & Sanborn Hour broadcast featuring Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy, Mortimer Snerd, Ray Noble and His Orchestra, and guest vocalists with full original commercial integration.
D. Bing Crosby Chesterfield Show Download Deduplication
Circulating dump entry 8801c4b2 ("Episode 37") in download series f43ea3b1 was authenticated as an unindexed duplicate of standard broadcast dc0e41f0 in The Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield (011f47b2). Recorded at CBS Studio 50 in New York, the program features guest stars Judy Garland and Bob Hope in a tour-de-force comedy and musical routine. The redundant download entry was cleanly withdrawn.
E. 1949 World Series Manhattan Broadcast
During the 1949 Fall Classic between the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers, Bob Hope broadcast his NBC variety program live from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan on October 11, 1949, skewering New York subway navigation, Casey Stengel's pitching rotation, and Jackie Robinson's baserunning before an electric live studio audience.
2. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis & Discovered Historical Insights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "1943 World Series Game 5: St. Louis Cardinals at New York Yankees" | MBS / Mutual Baseball Network 1943-10-11 1:30 PM EST |
Gillette Safety Razor Company | Red Barber, Don Dunphy (Broadcasters) Featuring Spud Chandler, Mort Cooper, Bill Dickey, Stan Musial |
Mutual Sports Special Events Unit | ["Sports", "Live Event"] |
Synopsis: Red Barber and Don Dunphy report from Yankee Stadium as Spud Chandler fires a ten-hit shutout to seal the 1943 World Series title for New York. Background: Spud Chandler tosses a complete game 2-0 shutout on two days' rest, giving the Yankees their tenth World Championship in five games over St. Louis. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Oct 12, 1943, Sports, p. 28. |
| "1948 World Series Game 6: Cleveland Indians at Boston Braves" | MBS / Mutual Baseball Network 1948-10-11 1:30 PM EST |
Gillette Safety Razor Company | Mel Allen, Jim Britt (Broadcasters) Featuring Bob Lemon, Gene Bearden, Lou Boudreau, Tommy Holmes |
Mutual Sports Special Events Unit | ["Sports", "Live Event"] |
Synopsis: Mel Allen and Jim Britt call the decisive action as the Cleveland Indians edge the Boston Braves four to three to claim the 1948 World Championship. Background: Player-manager Lou Boudreau doubles and scores, while rookie relief sensation Gene Bearden earns the save to bring Cleveland their first World Series title since 1920. Newspaper listing: The Boston Globe, Oct 12, 1948, Sports, p. 1. |
| "1970 World Series Game 2: Baltimore Orioles at Cincinnati Reds" | NBC Radio Network 1970-10-11 1:00 PM EST |
Gillette Safety Razor Company / Chrysler | Curt Gowdy, Tony Kubek (Broadcasters) Featuring Boog Powell, Brooks Robinson, Johnny Bench, Pete Rose |
NBC Sports Special Events Unit | ["Sports", "Live Event"] |
Synopsis: Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubek broadcast Game 2 from Riverfront Stadium as the Baltimore Orioles overcome an early three-run deficit to defeat Cincinnati six to five. Background: Boog Powell launches a towering solo home run and Brooks Robinson sparks a five-run fifth inning as Baltimore takes a commanding two games to zero lead. Newspaper listing: The Cincinnati Enquirer, Oct 12, 1970, Sports, p. 33. |
| "1971 NLCS Game 4: San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates" | Mutual Broadcasting System 1971-10-11 1:00 PM EST |
Chevrolet / Gillette | Bob Prince, Byrum Saam (Broadcasters) Featuring Roberto Clemente, Bob Robertson, Willie Mays, Gaylord Perry |
Mutual Sports Special Events Unit | ["Sports", "Live Event"] |
Synopsis: Bob Prince and Byrum Saam describe the pennant-clinching victory as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the San Francisco Giants nine to five at Three Rivers Stadium. Background: Bob Robertson smashes his fourth home run of the series and Roberto Clemente collects three hits as Pittsburgh advances to the 1971 Fall Classic. Newspaper listing: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct 12, 1971, Sports, p. 18. |
| "The Name of the Beast" | CBS Radio Network 1951-10-11 8:00 PM EST |
Auto-Lite Spark Plugs | Vincent Price (Dr. Alan Woodward), Joseph Kearns (The Inspector) Harlow Wilcox (Announcer) |
Elliott Lewis (Producer/Director), Gil Doud (Writer) | ["Suspense", "Drama"] |
Synopsis: Vincent Price stars as a brilliant criminal psychologist who devises what he considers an undetectable scheme of revenge against an academic rival. Background: Directed by Elliott Lewis with music by Lucien Moraweck; Vincent Price delivers a chilling psychological monologue concerning the anatomy of premeditated murder. Newspaper listing: Los Angeles Times, Oct 11, 1951, Radio Highlights, p. B8. |
| "The Madison House Case" | CBS Radio Network 1950-10-11 9:00 PM EST |
Sustaining (CBS) | Bill Johnstone (Lt. Ben Guthrie), Wally Maher (Sgt. Matt Grebb) Howard McNear (Desk Sergeant), Virginia Gregg (Clara Madison) |
Jaime del Valle (Producer/Director), E. Jack Neuman (Writer) | ["Crime", "Police Procedural"] |
Synopsis: Lieutenant Ben Guthrie and Sergeant Matt Grebb comb San Francisco rooming houses to apprehend a confidence ring preying on elderly widows. Background: Written by E. Jack Neuman and directed by Jaime del Valle; authentic police procedural detail features sound effects recorded on location with the SFPD. Newspaper listing: San Francisco Chronicle, Oct 11, 1950, Radio Guide, p. 24. |
| "Too Many Husbands" | NBC Radio Network 1948-10-11 7:00 PM EST |
Camel Cigarettes | Fred MacMurray (Bill Cardew), Paulette Goddard (Vicky Lowndes) Melvyn Douglas (Henry Lowndes) |
Bill Lawrence (Director), Harry Kronman (Adapter) | ["Comedy", "Romance"] |
Synopsis: Fred MacMurray and Paulette Goddard star in a fast-paced marital comedy about a presumed-drowned explorer who returns home to find his wife remarried. Background: Screen Guild's benefit adaptation of Somerset Maugham's comedy features Fred MacMurray and Melvyn Douglas sparring over Paulette Goddard's domestic affections. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Oct 11, 1948, Radio Listings, p. 44. |
| "The Ralph Denham Case" | NBC Radio Network 1950-10-11 10:00 PM EST |
Camel Cigarettes | Dick Powell (Richard Diamond), Virginia Gregg (Helen Asher) Ed Begley (Lt. Walter Levinson), Wilms Herbert (Otis) |
Jaime del Valle (Director), Blake Edwards (Writer) | ["Detective", "Mystery"] |
Synopsis: Richard Diamond investigates the suspicious hit-and-run death of an accountant who stumbled upon an extortion ring inside a Broadway publishing firm. Background: Created and written by Blake Edwards; features Dick Powell singing at the piano for Helen Asher and sharp banter with Ed Begley as Lieutenant Levinson. Newspaper listing: Chicago Daily Tribune, Oct 11, 1950, Radio Dial, p. A4. |
| "The Man Who Came Back" | NBC Radio Network 1944-10-11 8:00 PM EWT |
Woodbury Soap | Joseph Curtin (Jerry North), Alice Frost (Pamela North) Frank Lovejoy (Lt. Bill Weigand), Joseph Boland (Announcer) |
John Loveton (Producer/Director), Hector Chevigny (Writer) | ["Mystery", "Comedy"] |
Synopsis: Jerry and Pamela North become entangled in homicide when a former business associate presumed dead in South America suddenly reappears in Greenwich Village. Background: Alice Frost and Joseph Curtin display impeccable comedic and deductive chemistry as Hector Chevigny script balances domestic charm with classic whodunit plotting. Newspaper listing: The Washington Post, Oct 11, 1944, Radio Highlights, p. 14. |
| "The Idol Murder Case" | Ziv Syndication Network 1948-10-11 7:30 PM EST |
Local Syndicate Sponsors | Jackson Beck (Philo Vance), Joan Alexander (Markham) Humphrey Davis (District Attorney Markham) |
Frederic W. Ziv (Producer), Kenny Lyons (Writer) | ["Detective", "Mystery"] |
Synopsis: Sophisticated sleuth Philo Vance solves the baffling murder of an antiquities collector found poisoned beside a stolen jade figurine in Manhattan. Background: Jackson Beck gives a memorable portrayal of S.S. Van Dine urbane detective with Joan Alexander supplying quick-witted banter and orchestral cues by Henry Sylvern. Newspaper listing: Los Angeles Times, Oct 11, 1948, Radio Programs, p. B10. |
| "The Case of Bugs Moran (Part 1)" | ABC Radio Network 1947-10-11 9:00 PM EST |
Tide Detergent (Procter & Gamble) | Frank Lovejoy (Narrator), Ken Lynch (George Bugs Moran) Don Gardiner (Announcer) |
Phillips H. Lord (Producer/Director), Stanley Niss (Writer) | ["Crime", "Docudrama"] |
Synopsis: Phillips H. Lord dramatizes the ruthless career and ultimate apprehension of notorious Prohibition gangland figure George Bugs Moran in Chicago. Background: Rare two-part Gangbusters docudrama detailing the post-Prohibition decline of the North Side Gang leader, featuring authentic federal and state police bulletins. Newspaper listing: Chicago Daily Tribune, Oct 11, 1947, Radio Features, p. 12. |
| "Apollo 7: Launch Coverage" | Mutual Broadcasting System 1968-10-11 11:00 AM EDT |
Sustaining (MBS News) | Charles Batchelder, Bill Stern (News Broadcasters) Featuring Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, Walter Cunningham |
MBS Special Events Newsroom | ["News", "Documentary"] |
Synopsis: Charles Batchelder anchors live continuous coverage from Cape Kennedy as Apollo 7 lifts off on America's first crewed mission of the Apollo lunar program. Background: Historic live audio capture of the Saturn IB launch carrying astronauts Schirra, Eisele, and Cunningham into low Earth orbit to test the Apollo Command Module. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Oct 11, 1968, p. 1. |