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RadioGram for October, 2012
00LAST CALL FOR LUNCH WITH THE STARS • SEE PAGES 3 AND 4 FOR DETAILS!00 sperdvac Volume 36 • Number 8 October 2011 graciously extends its gratitude to these individuals who have contributed $50 or more to sperdvac during the past 12 months. If you wish to be a sponsor of sperdvac and join this select group your tax-deductible donation to sperdvac can be mailed to Dan Haefele, 13720 Jefferson Avenue, Hawthorne, CA 90250. Thank you! sperdvac • ALICE AKINS in memory of Glen Akins • DAVE AMAREL in memory of Jim Harmon • ARTHUR J.M. ANDERSON in memory of Orson Welles • ERIC BAELEN • JUDIE BARTELL in memory of Harry Bartell, Ben Wright and Vic Perrin • PAUL M. BENNETT • FRED BONDY in memory of the whole Gunsmoke gang • GEORGE BRECKENRIDGE • DAVID & LINDA BRENINGER • BUD BRESNAHAN in memory of Richard Crenna • RICHARD A. BROCKELMAN • DENNIS B. BURK in memory of Phil Harper • CHRIS M. BUZZARD • GEROLD M. CLEMENSEN • WARD L. COCHRAN • BERT H. COHEN • RICHARD F. COLAVECHIO in memory of Bryna Raeburn, Craig McDonnell, Bill Zuckert and Florence Robinson • JOHN COLLINS • THOMAS W. COLLINS in memory of William Conrad • TOMMY COOK in memory of Arch Oboler • IVAN CURY in memory of Bob Novak • DIX DAVIS • LLOYD DE LLAMAS • ROSEMARY DOBBS • JUNE FORAY DONAVAN in memory of Hobart Donavan • WIL DUFOUR • BOB DUNCAN, JR. • HERB ELLIS in memory of Larry Dobkin, Harry Bartell and Parley Baer • HENRY C. ENGELHARDT III in memory of Michael Meredith • CARMEN FINESTRA • ART FORSTER in memory of Gil Stratton and William Conrad • JACK FRANCE • BARBARA FULLER in memory of John Newland, Peggy Knudsen and Laughter • JACK GAGNE • ROBERT L. GARLAND in memory of Phyllis Garland Hoffman • BARRY GERBER • STANLEY D. GINSBURG • RICHARD GLASBAND in honor of Bobb Lynes and Barbara Watkins • KATHLEEN GRAMS-GIBBS in memory of Mary Grams • JOHN F. HALLEY • HELPING HANDS FOR THE BLIND • BOB HICKS • GORDON HIGBEE • DR. MICHELE HILMES • STEPHEN E. HOLDEN • GERALD A. HOLZMAN • JAMES F. HORNER in memory of The KNX Radio Drama Hour • SEAMAN JACOBS in memory of Fred S. Fox • ROBERT JANOVICI • SALLY JANUS • DENNIS C. JOHNSON • RALPH M. JOHNSON • SAM KAMLER • CASEY KASEM • GLENDA KELLY in memory of Jim Harmon • NILAN L. KINCAID • ALBERT J. KOPEC • DENIS KRAY in memory of Glenn, Ray, Marion, Tex, and all the boys in the band • RON LANGSETH • JEFFREY J. LEBRUN in memory of all departed voice artists • ALFRED LUCAS • LON McCARTT in memory of Smilin’ Ed (Froggy the Gremlin) McConnell • ROBY & JOYCE McHONE • ESTHER GEDDES McVEY in memory of my leading man, Tyler McVey • JAN MERLIN in memory of Frankie Thomas and Mona Bruns Thomas • MILLIE MORSE in memory of Jim Harmon • BOB MOTT to all the SFX artists when radio was still radio • GEORGE (BOB) & VIRGINIA NEWHART in memory of Bill Quinn • DR. WAYNE OTT • FORREST F. OWEN • GARRY PAPERS • DAVE PARKER in memory of Fred Foy • PHIL PROCTOR • LEE SMITH • BRIAN E. RAMSEY • CHESTER RAWSKI in memory of Carolyn Rawski • MARIE RAYMOND N A K H T 2 RADIOGRAM • OCTOBER 2011 • RONALD M. REISNER, M.D. • DICK RICHARDS • D.W. RICHARDSON • STEPHEN K. SHUTTLEWORTH • STUART & JANIS SIMON • CHUCK SIVERTSEN • LOREN SLAFER • KENNETH L. SLEEPER • LEE SMITH • MICKEY SMITH • C. W. STAUFENBERG in memory of Paul Rhymer and members of the “Vic and Sade” cast • RICHARD STONE • ROBERT A. SUMMERS • RICHARD & MADELENE TEPERSON in memory of Gil Stratton • JOAN TREMAYNE in memory of Les Tremayne • EDMUND TOTMAN • EUGENE J. WARD • WASHINGTON OLD TIME RADIO CLUB in memory of Jim Harmon • EDWARD C. WEAVER • BETSY L. WEINBERG • LESLIE C. WEST • JAMES C. WORDEN U O Y sperdvac Volume 36 • Number 8 • October 2011 The Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety and Comedy BOARD OF DIRECTORS president Bob Steinmetz ••• Dan Haefele • Dave Struthers Rex Quinn • Glenda Kelly Barbara Harmon Officers Treasurer........................................................ Dan Haefele Secretary........................................................ Glenda Kelly Activities Chair.................................................Bobb Lynes Acquisitions Chair.......................................... Dan Haefele Membership Chair......................................... Barry Opliger Elections Chair............................................ Neil J. Mitchell Merchandise...................................................Michael Plett Catalogs...................................................... Bob Steinmetz New Members................................................... Rex Quinn Editor PATRICK LUCANIO RADIOGRAM is published monthly except December by sperdvac, the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety and Comedy, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation, P.O. Box 669, Manhattan Beach, California 90266-0669. Dues are $25 for first year and $15 for renewals; $30 American currency for Canadian members. Annual subscriptions to Radiogram only are $15 in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and $20 in all other countries. Editorial submissions are welcome, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited material. All editorial-related photographs and artwork received unsolicited become the property of sperdvac. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of sperdvac All rights to letters sent to Radiogram will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication unless otherwise stated. The publishers make every effort to ensure the accuracy of information published in editorial and advertising material but assume no responsibility for inconveniences or damages resulting from editorial error or omissions. Publisher is not responsible for typographical errors. All photographs and illustrations are believed authorized for reproduction as set forth within. Entire contents are copyright © 2011 by the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety and Comedy. All rights reserved. Nothing contained in this issue may be reproduced, in whole or in part, by any means, including the Internet, without prior written permission from the publisher. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS should be sent to Radiogram, Patrick Lucanio, Editor, 1097 Janus Street, Springfield, Oregon 97477; e-mail: Radiogram@comcast.net. E-mail attachments in Microsoft Word are encouraged for all articles submitted. Articles sent by U.S. Mail should be Microsoft Word formatted compact disk accompanied by hardcopy. ADVERTISING RATES. Full page $125; half-page $70; quarter page $40. Rates subject to change without notice. ADDRESS CHANGE. Send address change to Barry Opliger, 435 Garfield Avenue Apt. 306, South Pasadena, CA 91030-2241 AUDIO RADIOGRAM is available by sending a C-90 cassette in a returnable mailer to Russell S. Hudson, 3836 Harper Court, Bethlehem, PA 18020-7570. Telephone 610-866-0386. (This service is for blind members only). e-mail radiogram@comcast.net sperdvac NOVEMBER 5, 2011 BEVERLY GARLAND’S HOLIDAY INN • NORTH HOLLYWOOD This is our las t chanc our Nov e to re ember 5 mind ev t h Beverly Luncheo eryone n and P Garland of rogram Hotel i unprece at the n North dented eightee Hollywo take pa n Honor od. An rt in t a ry Memb he afte and man e r r s will noon’s y other enterta Honorar to conf inment, y Membe irm tha rs have t they’ join us written ll be a to show t t ending. your ap work an Please preciat d all t ion for he plea to brin sure th their g to ou at they r lives put tog c o . n tinue The sho ether w ws that ill be send yo a real w e ur regi ’ve treat. stratio possibl P l e n ase forms i e. n as so on as 0MEET THE STARS0 JANET WALDO • DORIS SINGLETON SHIRLEY MITCHELL • TONY DOW FRANK BANK • DICK VAN PATTEN GLORIA McMILLAN • RENI SANTONI GARY OWENS • HERB ELLIS PHIL PROCTOR • CHUCK McCANN TOMMY COOK • IVAN CURY STUFFY SINGER • JAN MERLIN MICHAEL C. GWYNNE • MELINDA PETERSON OCTOBER 2011 • RADIOGRAM 3 RECORD NUMBER OF OTR STARS SET TO PERFORM AT NOV. 5 LUNCHEON ‘I Love Lucy’ play dramatizes behind-the-scenes obstacles in moving Lucy from radio to television by Gregg Oppenheimer Luncheon Entertainment Chairman I’m excited to announce more details of the entertainment at the upcoming Honorary Members Appreciation Luncheon, noon to 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn in North Hollywood. Tickets are only $50, which includes a 3-course sit-down luncheon plus four great shows featuring performances by an unprecedented number of sperdvac honorary members. Seating is first-come, first-served so please order your tickets as soon as possible. A mail-in order form is on page 6 and online at www.lucylibrary.com/ORDER-FORM.pdf. The shows include my own radio play, I Love Lucy: The Untold Story, which had its successful premiere on August 6th (Lucille Ball’s 100th birthday) at a beautiful 1,400-seat theatre in Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, NY (broadcast nationwide that same evening on SiriusXM Radio). It’s a humorous look behind the scenes at the obstacles that had to be overcome to move Lucille Ball’s radio sitcom My Favorite Husband to television as I Love Lucy, which was based on my dad’s memoir, Laughs, Luck...and Lucy. My cast on November 5 will include: • I Love Lucy and My Favorite Husband veteran Janet Waldo (Peggy, the bobby-soxer with the crush on Ricky Ricardo; also radio’s Corliss Archer and the voice of Judy Jetson); • I Love Lucy and My Favorite Husband veteran Doris Singleton (Lucy Ricardo’s girlfriend Carolyn Appleby; Suspense, The Lucy Show, My Three Sons, Here’s Lucy); • I Love Lucy and My Favorite Husband veteran Shirley Mitchell (Lucy Ricardo’s girlfriend Marion Strong; The Great Gildersleeve, Batchelor Father, Please Don’t Eat the Daisies); • Leave It to Beaver star Tony Dow (Wally Cleaver); • Leave It to Beaver star Frank Bank Wally’s friend Lumpy; The Jack Benny Program); • Dick Van Patten (Eight Is Enough, I Remember Mama); • Gloria McMillan (Principal Conklin’s [Gale Gordon’s] daughter Harriet on Our Miss Brooks); • Reni Santoni (Suspense; Poppy on Seinfeld; co-star (as Clint Eastwood’s partner) of 4 RADIOGRAM • OCTOBER 2011 Dirty Harry); • Gary Owens (Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-in, Roger Ramjet); • Herb Ellis (Dragnet, Gunsmoke, Get Smart, Bewitched); • Phil Proctor (The Firesign Theatre, Rugrats, Finding Nemo, Toy Story 2); • Chuck McCann (Boston Legal, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, The Projectionist); • Tommy Cook (Blondie, The Lux Radio Theatre; star of Adventures of Red Ryder); • Ivan Cury (star of Bobby Benson and the B-Bar-B Riders); • Stuffy Singer (The Jack Benny Program, The Great Gildersleeve, The Patty Duke Show) • Jan Merlin (star of Tom Corbett, Space Cadet); • Michael C. Gwynne (Kojak, Dallas, Howard Stern’s Private Parts); and • Melinda Peterson (MacGyver, Twilight Zone). I’ll also be directing Janet Waldo in the classic Suspense thriller “Sorry, Wrong Number,” in which Doris Singleton will recreate her role in the original 1943 broadcast, plus Gladys Holland (The Lux Radio Theatre, To Catch a Thief, The Man Who Knew Too Much) and special guest star Terry Moore (Academy Award nominee for Come Back Little Sheba and star of such films as Daddy Long Legs and Mighty Joe Young). Rounding out the cast will be Gloria McMillan, Phil Proctor, Reni Santoni, Herb Ellis, Tommy Cook, Michael C. Gwynne, and Melinda Peterson. You won’t want to miss it. Also on the program is an entertaining episode of Jimmy Stewart’s radio western The Six Shooter starring actor-comedian Chuck McCann doing an awesome Jimmy Stewart impression plus Shirley Mitchell and Herb Ellis, who were on the original Six Shooter series. Chuck’s such a Jimmy Stewart expert that if you ask him to do an impression of Jimmy Stewart, Chuck’s response is, “At what age do you want him?” Guest-starring in The Six Shooter will be an actor who’s no sperdvac stranger to Westerns—Ben Cooper (Gunsmoke, The Virginian, Bonanza, Support Your Local Gunfighter). One of the things I enjoy most about these re-creations is something the audience never gets to see—all the kidding around between actors that happens during rehearsals. When one makes a mistake another usually ad-libs something in an attempt to crack them up, and before you know it you’ve got a whole improvised shtick going. Well, this year director Tim Knofler is going to let the audience in on the fun: The Six Shooter will be done without any rehearsal, and we’re encouraging the cast to go ahead have fun with it. With a cast that includes Chuck McCann, Shirley Mitchell, Herb Ellis, Ben Cooper and Gary Owens things might get a little wild. The final production of the afternoon will be My Client Curley, a short satirical play by radio’s greatest playwright, Norman Corwin, directed by Michael Kacey. Corwin, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Lust for Life and author of such radio masterpieces as On a Note of Triumph and The Plot to Overthrow Christmas, will be one of the many celebrities attending the luncheon. My Client Curley, which was made into a motion picture, Once Upon a Time, starring Cary Grant, will star Continued Page 14 sperdvac Readers Agree: It’s Don Wilson In last month’s issue reader Warren L. Worthington sought the identity of a KFI announcer in two photographs he had purchased from the estate of one of Earl C. Anthony’s personal photographers. Pat Moran, of Huntington Beach, CA, wrote: “I agree that this is a young Don Wilson. My mother (originally from NYC) was playing in an orchestra in Denver, and Don Wilson was singing in a quartet as part of the nightly entertainment. “One night there was a young lady who sang ‘Love Here Is My Heart’ and she sang every chorus. The quartet was waiting patiently as they were due to perform next. Don Wilson leaned over into the orchestra pit and whispered: ‘Love Here Is My Liver and Bacon.’ Don and my mother continued working there but I don’t think the young lady was around much longer. “Anyway, I thought you might be interested in knowing Don Wilson’s first profession, before he found fame in Hollywood.” Also, Jack French noted that, “the 2012 calendar of Radio Spirits has just been released and Don Wilson appears on their September page. His photo is a dead-ringer for the pix you published.” sperdvac Have your sound recordings, cassettes, reel-to-reel tapes transcriptions, LPS, 78s and wire recordings digitized, de-noised and sweetened professionally with the complete Cedar System. Oh, yes, it’s also affordable. Far, far less than any government programs. Contact Audiophonic Corporation, Cook Recording Laboratory, for details at (719) 687-6357 audiophonic corporation cook recording laboratory william s. cook president OCTOBER 2011 • RADIOGRAM 5 2nd ANNUAL HONORARY MEMBER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON November 5, 2011 12:00PM TO 4:00PM Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn 4222 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood, CA BEVERLY GARLAND’S HOLIDAY INN PARKING IS $5.00 SPERDVAC RESERVATION FORM Name_______________________________________________ Meal_______________________________ Address___________________________________________ Email _________________________________ Day Phone______________________________ Evening Phone____________________________________ Guest ______________________ Meal ___________ Guest _____________________ Meal_____________ Luncheon tickets will be held at the Registration Table starting at 11:00am. This is not a fundraiser and the full cost of tickets goes to cover costs. Therefore no part of the ticket price is considered a tax deductible contribution. Luncheon Event is $50 Per Person Number Attending = _______ Total Cost = _________ (Optional) Tax-Deductible Donation to Help Defray Luncheon Costs = ___________ TOTAL $ ____________ MEAL CHOICES House Specialty Sherry Wine Pot Roast (Beef) Chicken Breast Jerusalem (Chicken) Vegetable Plate (Veggie) Special Needs: ___________________________________________________________________________ (Vision, Hearing or Walking) Make Checks payable to SPERDVAC Mail to Barbara Williams, 381 Table Mountain Bl. Oroville, CA 95965 Phone: 530-990-4214 Email: mrj1313@sbcglobal.net REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 24, 2011 CHECKS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THIS DATE 6 RADIOGRAM • OCTOBER 2011 sperdvac sperdvac OCTOBER 2011 • RADIOGRAM 7 by Ed Dead 8 RADIOGRAM • OCTOBER 2011 sperdvac That motley drama!—oh, be sure It shall not be forgot! With its Phantom chased for evermore, By a crowd that seize it not, Through a circle that ever returneth in To the self-same spot, And much of Madness and more of Sin And Horror the Soul of the Plot. — Edgar Allan Poe “Ligeia” hile discussing with a colleague the works of Edgar Allan Poe I mentioned that my first exposure to America’s foremost short-story writer was actually heard and not read. My seventh grade teacher had played an LP recording of Basil Rathbone reading “The TellTale Heart.” Although the LP had little to do with old-time radio my friend jumped to that conclusion and said something very interesting: he likened listening to a radio program to watching a movie with the projector lamp Bela Lugosi, unlike fellow horror stars Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney, was conspicuously absent from radio horror. His only credit seems to be an epsiode of Suspense. sperdvac off. I wasn’t sure if he were being sarcastic but the more I thought about his description the more I liked it. Indeed, when one considers that the best of radio drama incorporated dialogue, sound effects and music to achieve, in the words of Poe, a singleness of effect the more apt my friend’s description; moreover, when one considers that such aural stimuli is effected itself in the dark then all the better. How often have we described our otr experience by citing the “glow of the kilocycle dial” as the sole illumination of our surroundings? Poe’s notion of singleness of effect was not limited to his favorite subject, fear. As noted in “The Philosophy of Composition,” Poe asserted that a work of art should elicit an emotional response in the reader—listener—and that the writer should rally everything at his or her disposal to reach that end. Poe wrote that, “In the whole composition there should be no word written, of which the tendency, direct or indirect, is not to the one pre-established design.” He then asks the writer to consider that, “Of the innumerable effects, or impressions, of which the heart or soul is perceptible, what one shall I, on the present occasion, select?” As we all know Poe selected, for the most part, fear, and to that end he assembled every word and image he could to create a singleness of effect—fear—in the reader. So, too, did the many creative talents associated with old-time radio; they assembled word and image as well as radio’s aural complements—sound effects and music—to achieve that special “fear in the dark” that appeals to us. With that dial glowing in the dark and the assembled components stimulating the mind’s eye radio was able to chill us by using our own fears in a more exciting manner than anything movies or television could evoke. Movies and TV may have the ability to shock us— to jump out of the closet and scream boo—but radio had the ability to suggest a milieu of unsettling fear. We were surrounded by unknown terror and the more we contemplated our fears the more our spines tingled and the more we thought it prudent to turn up the lights—well, just a little. Radio horror was nothing but good oldfashioned storytelling; as mentioned countless times radio was the electronic equivalent of gathering around the campfire and listening to a storyteller, but here our storyteller’s sole purpose was to give us the creeps. Radio succeeded so well, too; in the middle of a “witch’s tale” heard in the half-darkness of a “hermit’s cave” we just knew that there was something creeping in the night—something that was about to get us even though we kept believing that we’re hearing just a story, that’s all, just a story. For Halloween, then, we offer a select listing of radio’s great horror anthology shows. We have listed them in no particular order, and we have used the present tense to describe their special appeals to suggest that they are, like ghosts, still with us. Treat yourself this trick-or-treat season and select one or two or three and let the glow of the CD player, the monitor or the iPod illuminate the room. Let Nancy or the Hermit or Doctor X or Raymond tap into your fears and guide you through the darkness. It’ll be good for you; it’ll be good therapy. Who knows? You might see something in the dark that will OCTOBER 2011 • RADIOGRAM 9 surprise you; it might be yourself. ••• CCreeps By Night Prepare yourself for horror as this 1944 Blue Network series delves into the “unknown darkness of the human mind.” Hosted first by Hollywood’s premiere bogey man Boris Karloff and later by the mysterious Dr. X, Creeps By Night explores themes of revenge, hatred and fear. Here tormented souls constantly look over their shoulders and attempt to outrun their pursuers. A funereal world of darkness and terror awaits the unwary! CLights Out This perennial radio favorite defines the meaning of “Lights Out” when it comes to radio horror, and remains exemplary of Poe’s notions. Whether it is the unwelcome visit of a demon from Hades, a creature emerging from the depths of a meteor, ghosts, or prehistoric monsters roaming a department store basement, the superb nightmarish visions of Arch Oboler still function as intended. So turn out your lights, everybody—if you dare. CMurder at Midnight “Midnight, the witching hour, when the night is darkest, our fears the strongest, and our strength at its lowest ebb. Midnight, when the graves gape open and death strikes!” This is our invitation to partake of the delicacy of death dished up each week by this syndicated series. Nothing subtle here; the faint of heart should keep their Digitalis close at hand. CMystery in the Air Summer 1947 ushered in the distinct scent of Mystery in the Air. Hosted by the ever sinister Peter Lorre, who frequently appears in this Bakers Dozen of menace and fear, the series Hollywood’s master of menace Boris Karloff hosted Creeps by Night before being replaced by the dreaded Dr. X. 10 RADIOGRAM • OCTOBER 2011 adapted classic tales of dread and despair for listeners with a discerning ear. Such works as “The Marvelous Barastro,” “The Horla,” “The Mask of Medusa,” “The Black Cat” and The Lodger unfold on the program and you have a personal invitation from Peter Lorre to join in the bloodshed. CNightmare “From the dark of night, from the shadows of the senses comes this the fantasy of fear . . . Nightmare! . . . starring as your exciting guide to terror, Peter Lorre.” And once again Peter Lorre’s distinctive deliver appears out of the darkness to lead listeners through a series of tales woven around themes drawn from the archives of fear and dread. This 1953-54 Mutual series, despite its obscurity, retains the power to provoke and terrorize under the watchful eye of its iconic host. CQuiet, Please In its way, Quiet, Please is a deceptive series. Written, created and directed by Wyllis Cooper, who created Lights Out, the series begins without the usual terror inducing devices of sinister voices, screams, thunder and lightning, howling dogs and creaking doors. No, just a rather softly spoken voice asking for “Quiet, please.” Listeners should know better. The most intense horror, the most perfect examples of fear build softly, inevitably and without advance fanfare. And suddenly the listener arrives at the moment of revelation and is left wondering how it all came about. CThe Black Castle Tales of the macabre are the norm for the old wizard who lives within the walls of the Black Castle. The mournful tolling of a single church bell precedes each tale. Then we are summoned by our announcer to follow him to meet the old wizard who will then tell us another of his frightening stories. Interestingly, all parts in each story are played by one person, the very talented Don Douglas. CThe Hall of Fantasy Footsteps approach, echoing along a narrow stone hallway . . . “And now, The Hall of Fantasy. Welcome to the Hall of Fantasy, welcome to the series of radio dramas dedicated to the supernatural, the unusual and the unknown. Come with me, my friends. We shall descend to the world of the unknown and forbidden, down to the depths where the veil of time is lifted and the supernatural reigns as king. Come with me and listen to the tale of . . . .” Indeed, the supernatural does reign supreme in this series. Routinely the dark forces prevail devouring any poor soul unwary enough to become entangled in a confrontation with evil. CThe Haunting Hour Ghostly music accompanied by slow, heavy footsteps coming our direction and then the admonition “No . . . no . . . stay where you are. Do not break the stillness of this moment. The distinct voice of Peter Lorre introduced two series, Mystery in the Air and Nightmare, and was heard in guest starring roles on several other sinister series. For this is a time of mystery, a time when imagination is free and moves forward swiftly, silently. This is The Haunting Hour.” Edwin Wolfe directs this syndicated series dedicated to murder and mayhem, complete with all the haunting sound effects so inimitable to old-time radio. CThe Hermit’s Cave Old hermits make for great storytellers. “Ghost stories. Weird Stories. And murders, too! The Hermit knows them all! Turn out your lights! Turn them out!” And once again listeners are transported via bone-chilling sound effects and morbid accounts of madness and murder to the edge of their chairs. With just the glow from a kilocycle dial to illuminate the room we sit spellbound as the Hermit weaves his sorcerer’s magic. “Hee, hee, hee, hee.” CThe House of Mystery “This is Roger Elliott, otherwise known as ‘The Mystery Man’ welcoming you to another storytelling session here at the House of Mystery.” And, thus, we are cordially welcomed each time to listen to another tale from The Mystery Man’s files. Unlike other hosts, Elliott avoids a ghoulish persona. Stories of ghosts and apparitions can all be logically explained away, according to Elliott. Come listen as The Mystery Man explains away the seemingly inexplicable. CThe Inner Sanctum If there is royalty among radio’s hosts of horror it has to be Raymond, the ghoulish sperdvac When The Mysterious Traveler became a comic book “Tales of” was added to the title as well as a face. pun-loving host who ushers us through the creaking door of The Inner Sanctum week after week. O’Henry endings with a macabre twist will frequently define The Inner Sanctum experience. But the more bizarre the tale the better from Raymond’s point of view. Who else but Raymond could hold his own against such luminaries as Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Vincent Price and Claude Rains? Lon Chaney appeared in a series of Universal films tagged “Inner Sanctum Mysteries” with all but one beginning in a library setting with a disembodied head floating inside a crystal ball upon a conference table. It was a bizarre image but it paled to the bizarre wordplay of Raymond. CThe Mysterious Traveler The Mysterious Traveler rode the rails, so to speak, each week arriving as the only passenger onboard a ghost train with another of his riveting tales of the weird and the supernatural. His greeting upon arrival each week defined his mission succinctly: “This is the Mysterious Traveler, inviting you to join me on another journey into the strange and terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will thrill you a little and chill you a little. So settle back, get a good grip on your nerves, and be comfortable—if you can.” The series was so successful that a comic book was produced that depicted the Mysterious Traveler in slouch hat and heavy overcoat. All things sperdvac considered he was rather nondescript for such an eerie voice. CThe Strange Dr. Weird “Good evening. Come in, won’t you? Why what’s the matter? You seem a bit nervous. Perhaps the cemetery outside this house has upset you?” The sinister Dr. Weird is played by Maurice Tarplin, who also performs double duty as “The Mysterious Traveler.” The stories are similar but shorter in format. But one thing listeners can count on: the scripts from the typewriter of Robert A. Arthur will be the stuff of nightmares. Incidentally, what a great title! CSuspense Radio’s masterpiece and although a delightful crime drama anthology there are moments are horrific suspense in much of the program’s fare. Moreover, it seems to be the sole appearance of Bela Lugosi in a radio horror anthology. He portrayed a mad doctor in “The Doctor Prescribed Death” opposite Geraldine Fitzgerald. But more important, few programs exemplify Poe’s notions of effect better than Suspense. The stories were, after all, “well-calculated to keep you in—Suspense.” CThe Weird Circle Waves lashing against the rocks . . . an ancient voice intones: “The Weird Circle! In this cave by the restless sea we are met to call from out of the past stories strange and weird. Bell Keeper, toll the bell so that all may know we are gathered again in The Weird Circle.” With that introduction those who have assembled are privileged to hear both classic and original stories of the haunted and the horrifying. Sit down, cross your legs and join “the Weird Circle.” CThe Witch’s Tale What is a radio horror show without a witch? Old Nancy, the witch of Salem, is the perfect hostess. Accompanied by her black cat, Satan, Nancy can rival any of radio’s hosts of horror for sinister intent and malevolence of spirit. Nancy’s stories may all be true, certainly grisly, but beware! The old witch does prevaricate when it comes to her age, which varies with each broadcast, sometimes within each broadcast. One moment she is celebrating her 110th birthday, another her 122nd and so it goes. But dispute her stories of the supernatural at your own risk. Reportedly, the series was the inspiration for the notorious E.C. comics of the 1950s (Tales from the Crypt, The Vault of Horror, The Haunt of Fear, et.al.). ••• Well, that’s the list for this Halloween. Turn out the lights and . . . remember, it’s later than you think
