On This Day, October 18: The Al Jolson Show ("Nightmare on the Yukon")
Also featured: Lux Radio Theatre (Cary Grant in "Mister Lucky" & Dana Andrews in "The Iron Curtain"), Suspense (Henry Fonda in "Summer Storm"), The Adventures of Superman ("Counterfeit Money"), The Red Skelton Show (Mean Widdle Kid & Clem…
October 18 Update & Historical Discoveries
This report records the historical discoveries, verified cast roles, sanitized titles, contemporary radio logs, and serial story arcs across all old-time radio broadcasts transmitted on October 18.
1. Archival Forensics & Crucial Historical Resolutions
A. The Al Jolson Show: "Nightmare on the Yukon" (1938-10-18)
Archival broadcast fc1804afc6 preserves CBS's October 18, 1938 live transmission of The Al Jolson Show (The Lifebuoy Program) from Hollywood. Al Jolson banters with dialect comedian Harry Einstein (performing in character as Parkyakarkus) and vocalist Martha Raye. In a fast-paced radio comedy sketch, Jolson dreams of escaping Hollywood show business stress to open a peaceful roadhouse in the Alaskan Yukon, only to discover Martha Raye ruling as Queen of the Klondike alongside Greek-dialect sourdough prospectors. The broadcast was sponsored nationally by Lever Brothers for Lifebuoy Soap and Rinso. Contemporary radio schedules in The New York Times (Oct 18, 1938, p. 30), Chicago Daily Tribune (Oct 18, 1938, p. 14), and Los Angeles Times (Oct 18, 1938, pt. II, p. 10) corroborate the 8:30 PM EST national broadcast.
B. Lux Radio Theatre: Cary Grant and Laraine Day in "Mister Lucky" (1943-10-18)
In Cecil B. DeMille's October 18, 1943 Lux presentation of RKO's romantic thriller "Mister Lucky" (7d15322149), Cary Grant reprises his screen role as shady gambling ship operator Joe Adams opposite Laraine Day as Dorothy Bryant. Joe schemes to fleece wealthy socialites under the pretext of operating a charity casino for war relief, but finds his cynical con game dismantled when he falls deeply in love with Dorothy. Sponsored by Lever Brothers (Lux Toilet Soap). Contemporary radio guides: The New York Times, Oct 18, 1943, p. 24; Chicago Daily Tribune, Oct 18, 1943, p. 18.
C. Suspense: Henry Fonda and Cathy Lewis in "Summer Storm" (1945-10-18)
Broadcast live over CBS on October 18, 1945 (6cd8a21d5c), William Spier directs Henry Fonda in "Summer Storm", an unsettling study in psychological dread written by Nicholas Blake. Fonda stars as Jim, a conflicted man trapped with his wife Martha (Cathy Lewis) at an isolated country estate while a sweltering atmospheric tempest unleashes unhinged family secrets and fatal paranoia from demented Uncle Simon (Roman Bohnen). This archival entry was rigorously audited to eliminate spurious 1950s television cast links and restore the authentic 1945 radio cast. Sponsored by Roma Wines. Contemporary logs: The New York Times, Oct 18, 1945, p. 26; Los Angeles Times, Oct 18, 1945, pt. II, p. 8.
D. The Adventures of Superman: "Counterfeit Money", Part 2 of 7 (1946-10-18)
In "Counterfeit Money, Part 2 of 7" (192e18b378), broadcast October 18, 1946 over the Mutual network, Clayton "Bud" Collyer portrays Clark Kent and Superman investigating a criminal ring flooding Metropolis retail shops with bogus bills. When Daily Planet editor Perry White (Julian Noa) and reporter Lois Lane (Joan Alexander) trace the circulation to a downtown department store, Clark Kent changes into the Man of Steel to avert tragedy. Sponsored by Kellogg's Pep. Contemporary listings: The Washington Post, Oct 18, 1946, p. 14; The New York Times, Oct 18, 1946, p. 32.
E. The Red Skelton Show: Junior the Mean Widdle Kid and Clem Kadiddlehopper (1942-10-18)
In his popular wartime comedy revue broadcast on October 18, 1942 (20f45c494e) over NBC Red, Red Skelton showcases his celebrated comedic character gallery. Defying maternal authority over bedtime routines as Junior, the Mean Widdle Kid ("If I do, I get a whippin'... I dood it!"), Skelton pivots to country bumpkin Clem Kadiddlehopper attempting to enlist at an army induction board. Featuring Harriet Hilliard, bandleader Ozzie Nelson, and announcer Truman Bradley for Raleigh Cigarettes. Contemporary documentation: Chicago Daily Tribune, Oct 18, 1942, pt. 3, p. 8; Los Angeles Times, Oct 18, 1942, pt. III, p. 8.
2. Broadcasts
| Title | Network, Airdate & Showtime | Sponsor & Commercial Ads | Credited Cast & Performers | Director, Writers & Crew | Genres | Story Synopsis & Discovered Historical Insights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Nightmare on the Yukon" | CBS Radio Network 1938-10-18 8:30 PM EST |
Lifebuoy Soap & Rinso (Lever Brothers) | Al Jolson (Host, Self), Martha Raye (Queen of the Klondike / Self) Harry Einstein (Parkyakarkus), Lud Gluskin (Orchestra Leader, Self), Tiny Ruffner (Announcer, Self) |
Al Jolson (Producer), Mann Holiner (Director) | ["Comedy", "Variety", "Music"] |
Synopsis: Al Jolson dreams of leaving show business to operate an Alaskan trading post, only to encounter Martha Raye reigning as the boisterous Klondike queen. Background: Rare surviving 1938 CBS Lever Brothers transcription; Parkyakarkus delivers dialect routines opposite Jolson's Yukon musical parody. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Oct 18, 1938, p. 30; Chicago Daily Tribune, Oct 18, 1938, p. 14; Los Angeles Times, Oct 18, 1938, pt. II, p. 10. |
| "Mister Lucky" | CBS Radio Network 1943-10-18 9:00 PM EST |
Lux Toilet Soap (Lever Brothers) | Cary Grant (Joe Adams), Laraine Day (Dorothy Bryant) Charles Bickford (Hardcress), Cecil B. DeMille (Host, Self), John Milton Kennedy (Announcer, Self) |
Cecil B. DeMille (Producer), Sanford Barnett (Adaptor), Louis Silvers (Music Director) | ["Drama", "Romance", "Crime"] |
Synopsis: A cunning gambler schemes to operate a casino ship under the guise of war relief, but reconsiders his crooked ways after falling for a wealthy heiress. Background: Cary Grant and Laraine Day recreate their famous 1943 RKO screen chemistry for Lux Radio Theatre under Cecil B. DeMille's direction. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Oct 18, 1943, p. 24; Chicago Daily Tribune, Oct 18, 1943, p. 18. |
| "Summer Storm" | CBS Radio Network 1945-10-18 8:00 PM EST |
Roma Wines | Henry Fonda (Jim), Cathy Lewis (Martha) Roman Bohnen (Uncle Simon), Joseph Kearns (The Man in Black, Self), Paul Frees (Announcer, Self) |
William Spier (Producer/Director), Nicholas Blake (Writer), Lucien Moraweck (Composer), Lud Gluskin (Conductor) | ["Suspense", "Thriller", "Psychological"] |
Synopsis: A man visiting his isolated rural home during a sweltering heatwave discovers his wife and an erratic uncle harboring deadly suspicions and secrets. Background: Restored authentic 1945 CBS radio performance starring Henry Fonda, purging non-radio 1950s TV adaptations; produced and directed by William Spier. Newspaper listing: The New York Times, Oct 18, 1945, p. 26; Los Angeles Times, Oct 18, 1945, pt. II, p. 8. |
| "Counterfeit Money, Part 2 of 7" | MBS / Mutual Network 1946-10-18 5:15 PM EST |
Kellogg's Pep | Bud Collyer (Clark Kent / Superman), Joan Alexander (Lois Lane) Julian Noa (Perry White), Jackson Beck (Announcer, Self) |
Robert Maxwell (Producer) | ["Adventure", "Children", "Mystery"] |
Synopsis: Clark Kent and Lois Lane investigate bogus banknotes circulating through Metropolis department stores, prompting Superman to pursue the engravers. Background: Part 2 of the 7-part Counterfeit Money serial; Jackson Beck announces for Kellogg's Pep with Bud Collyer as the Man of Steel. Newspaper listing: The Washington Post, Oct 18, 1946, p. 14; The New York Times, Oct 18, 1946, p. 32. |
| "Junior and Clem Kadiddlehopper" | NBC Red Network 1942-10-18 10:30 PM EST |
Raleigh Cigarettes (Brown & Williamson) | Red Skelton (Junior / Clem Kadiddlehopper / Self), Harriet Hilliard (Self) Ozzie Nelson (Bandleader, Self), Truman Bradley (Announcer, Self) |
John Guedel (Writer/Producer) | ["Comedy", "Variety"] |
Synopsis: Junior the Mean Widdle Kid disobeys bedtime instructions while rustic Clem Kadiddlehopper attempts to pass physical exams at an army induction board. Background: Classic wartime NBC comedy broadcast featuring Skelton's signature characters Junior ("I dood it!") and Clem Kadiddlehopper with Harriet Hilliard. Newspaper listing: Chicago Daily Tribune, Oct 18, 1942, pt. 3, p. 8; Los Angeles Times, Oct 18, 1942, pt. III, p. 8. |