Classic Radio Special - August 10, 1945 - Japanese Surrender is in sight - Part 4

Classic Radio Special - August 10, 1945 - Japanese Surrender is in sight-Part 4

We conclude our look at the day before VJ Day, August 10, 1945, 80 years ago as broadcast on WEAF in New York, NBC’s New York City station. Our final block is Soap Operas with news bulletins along with news and commentary. 

We start at 5pm Eastern War Time with When a Girl Marries.  Steve and Irma discuss the bucket of water dumped on the floor by Cathy. Steve swears to get even with Harry for what he did to Betty. 

At 5:15 EWT Portia Faces Life starring Lucille Wall (Far right, pictured).  Cathy confronts Walter face-to-face. He plans to return to Parkerstown...and Portia! Portia however, plans to marry Dr. Byron. 

At 5:30pm EWT Just Plain Bill.   Nancy and Kerry are chatting on the porch, worrying how Gwen Arthur is taking the death of her mother. Bill tries to help Craig, he urges Craig to forget the past. Gwen refuses to speak to Jeff. Has Sybil at last been successful?

At 5:45pm EWT Front Page Farrell.  David Farrell banters with Kate in the newsroom. Alice and Lucy hear a man groaning. Veronica Redfield announces that she's reached a decision!

At 6pm EWT The Six O’Clock Report with Lyle Van.  The program starts with late developments on the possibilities of a Japanese surrender. There has been no word as to the Allied reaction to the Japanese condition of the continuance of the Emperor on the throne. The Russians are advancing in Manchuria. Nagasaki is still burning, Allied attacks continue. General Sarnoff's article about atomic bombs - written in July - has appeared in the New York Times. Four hundred and thirty-one naval vessels have been lost since the start of the war. 

At 6:15pm EWT, Serenade to America.  A Japanese surrender bulletin is heard mid-program. Semi-classical and easy listening music with no internal announcements.  

At 6:40pm, EWT Bill Stern Sports.  Bill gives baseball scores, race results, what will the Japanese surrender mean to sports?

At 6:45pm EWT  Lowell Thomas and the News. An analysis of the Japanese request to allow the Emperor to remain the head of the government. Mr. Thomas relates his conversation with J.B. Powell, an expert on the Japanese monarchy, who was recently released from captivity. Mr. Thomas tells a fascinating story of how the story broke...in Morse code at only twenty-five words-per-minute. There is an interesting description of the atomic explosions and the implications of atomic bombs. "You can never tell when other nations will develop the atomic bomb on their own." Mr. Thomas gets so enthusiastic about the implication of the bomb that he's still speaking when NBC finally cuts him off the air. 
Read more about Lowell Thomas here!  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowell_Thomas
More coming up on Thursday - VJ Day.