Before folks sat around the TV watching American Horror Story or classic movies like The Shining and Friday the 13th, they gathered around the radio to listen to their favorite weekly programs. Many of them were comedies or dramas, just like today’s television programs, but there were also shows dedicated to the creepy crawly — that made goosebumps rise and sent shivers down the spine. It’s often said that what you can’t see is scarier than what you can, and radio programs can sweep you up and create a whole spooky world in your imagination.
With Halloween coming this weekend, there’s no better time to visit some of the scariest shows and episodes that old time radio has to offer. They’re all available for free online, making for quality, affordable entertainment. If you’re interested in more, I strongly suggest checking out both RadioHorrorHosts.com and www.escape-suspense.com; both were immensely helpful in my research for this piece. [amazon asin=B00OGF8AGG&template=*lrc ad (right)]I’ve broken it down by radio show, then given a few suggestions of episodes to listen to from each show. To up your experience, convert an old-time radio into a mp3 speaker and huddle around it with your family or friends with the lights dimmed.
The Mercury Theater on the Air
This series was started by Orson Welles in 1938. The show presented literary works that were performed by Welles’ Mercury Theater company. The program was elected into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1988. While not focusing on fear, two episodes in particular stand out as scare-worthy:
“War of the Worlds” — This originated as a 60-minute Halloween episode. This show gained fame for scaring many listeners into believing it was real. It starts with some nice music, but then, like a real breaking news bulletin, is interrupted with a frantic reporter. He states that scientists have witnessed explosions on Mars, in the direction of Earth. The scientists believe it’s simply volcanic activity, but reality proves much more frightening. Set just like a breaking news program, the brilliance of this episode of radio cannot be understated. You’ll thank yourself for listening, preferably in the dark on Halloween night. After you’ve done that, read the 1898 book by H. G. Wells.
“Dracula” — This was the very first episode of The Mercury Theater on the Air. Although it aired in July, it’s horror is fit for Halloween. Orson Welles plays the roles of both Dr. Seward and Count Dracula. Hear the tale of Jonathan Harker being imprisoned in the Dracula’s decrepit castle. Then follow the cast as they travel to England and try to solve the mystery of this unusual count from Transylvania.
Quiet, Please
With a haunting introduction, this show is known as one of the scariest/weirdest, but also most inventive, of old time radio. While it didn’t get much notice when it originally aired, it’s become known as one of the finest radio dramas to ever have been produced. It only ran from 1947 to 1949, with around 100 episodes broadcast. For a long time only 12 episodes were available for listening, but then in the 80s, the majority of the rest of them were found and made available to the public. You can listen to all the episodes at the Quiet, Please website.
“The Thing On the Fourble Board” — This episode that aired in August of 1948 is widely regarded as the finest piece of radio horror to ever hit the airwaves. It starts fairly slowly, with a man, Porky, describing working on an oil derrick. His friend comes to join him for some pork chops, and they discover … something … that’s come up from a mile below the earth. I listened to this during the very middle of the day, and I still got goosebumps. It features perhaps the most chilling “voice” you’ll ever hear.
“Tanglefoot” — A tale that deals with the classic horror niche of giant insects. A plumber finds a way of growing a common fly to giant proportions. It’s cute at first, as a pet, but as you can imagine, things get out of hand quickly. Some of the sound effects are so realistic, I had to actually do a double take that they weren’t coming from my house. The eerie music also provides some extra goosebumps and shivers. Don’t worry though, you can blame it on the cool night air.
Suspense
Suspense was one of the most successful radio dramas to ever hit the airwaves, running for 20 years (1942-1962) and over 900 episodes. With so many episodes in the thriller category, it was hard to choose a couple highlights. With Suspense, at least in my opinion, most of the shows make it or break it in the final minute or so. The stories highlighted below made it more than any of the others.
“Ghost Hunt” — This particular broadcast set the stage for the genre of “found footage” horror that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Airing in 1949, “Ghost Hunt” features the “found” recording of radio personality Smiley Smith’s night in a haunted house. Mr. Smith is recording the audio of his evening spent in the home with a paranormal investigator, and at one point even tells his audience to listen with the lights off. (I did no such thing.) You can guess what Mr. Smith encounters based on the title, but it has a twist ending that I guarantee you won’t see coming.
“Sorry, Wrong Number” — This episode of Suspense was its most popular and successful, eventually being not just re-aired, but re-performed seven times after its original premiere in 1943. It’s a fairly simple tale of a woman trying to call her husband’s office at night to check in and find out when he’s coming home. The telephone switchboard wires get crossed somehow and she ends up listening in on a conversation she definitely should not be hearing. There are some unintended consequences, and this story has another ending that will leave you a little bit shocked.
“House in Cypress Canyon” — A young couple is new to the LA area, and needs a house to rent. They stop by a realtor’s office, find a place they like, and move in. All seems well, until they find a locked closet that has no key. They write it off, but in the middle of the night they hear noises, seemingly emanating from this closet. After closer inspection… and that’s where I’ll stop and let you listen to this episode.
