The 15 Spookiest Episodes of Old Time Horror Radio

Art of Manliness ^ | 10-28-14 | Jeremy Anderberg

[dynachrome]

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. 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.

[dynachrome]

Links to audio at the site.

"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. 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."

[TigerClaws]

Thanks for posting!

Like that rats at a lighthouse one. Heard it a few years back.

[Dr. Sivana]

While I don’t recall exact episodes (I listened to them 40+ years ago, and even then on tapes from the library, and on weekend re-airings on WELI New Haven, CT), I don’t know how you could omit “The Shadow” (generally crime drama, but sometimes QUITE creepy, and a great superhero from before there were superheroes, I Love a Mystery, and of course “Inner Sanctum”, whose creaky door became a meme and THE symbol of scary places signified by sound only. Listen to them in the dark.

[SomeCallMeTim]

Thanks for posting...

When I was in High School, CBS Radio Mystery theater used to come on 740 KTRH Houston every night at 10. I made it a point, every night, to be in bed so I could listen.

Nothing, ever... has duplicated that experience.

[FBRhawk]

Thanks for the post. These will be fun to listen to while I am painting the house next week.

[Huskrrrr]

https://archive.org/index.php

A good site for free downloading of old time radio shows.

My personal favorites

1) Lights Out

2) Inner Sanctum

3) Suspense

[bigbob]

Can’t believe they left out “Leinengen vs. the Ants”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KPIw_4wE8c

SiriusXM Radio Classics, channel 148.

[Dr.Deth]

Anyone remember CBS Radio Mystery Theater hosted by E. G. Marshall?

[Dr.Deth]

Ah, yes you do remember! There’s a bunch of them available on YouTube (see link above)

[SkyDancer]

My grandad and I sit around in the dark listening to Old Time Radio on the computer and he brings up some pretty scary stuff - imagine letting your imagination run wild with that rather than being visually censored: http://www.otr.net/

[ctdonath2]

Likewise. My parents bought me a click radio, and were quite annoyed to discover I’d hide under the covers listening to old time radio.

[TomServo]

Yes - and great stuff!!!

[DevNulled]

I was in grade school in Boston and caught CBS Radio Mystery Theater on WEEI. It came on every night at exactly 10:07. Apparently there were 1400 episodes made. I see John Lithgow, Sarah Jessica Parker and Fred Gwynne among other famous voices on the Wiki page. It’s funny that I can’t really remember any plots but I do remember a lot of coffee and pain medication commercials.

[dynachrome]

Thanks for the link!

[Kharis13]

Thank you so much for posting! Believe it or not, I’m headed to Kentucky this weekend to spend four days with a buddy of mine, and we’re both crazy about classic horror movies. Anything from the 1930s-1960s is what we love most. Saturday night we’re going to see THE GHOST AND MR. CHICKEN at a theater in his town, then it’ll be four days of non-stop classic monster movies. I had been compiling some spooky old-time radio programs for my long road trip and these will add nicely to my list!

Thanks again!

[TalBlack]

Hold.

[SkyDancer]

Lots of fun stuff on it. You’re welcome.

[dynachrome]

Just watched “Horror of Dracula” and “Rasputin, the Mad Monk” on TCM last nite. Hammer films rules!

[dynachrome]

Check out the link in #10

[SkyDancer]

Hai, questions don’t reflect my real choices but: Hai LUV - once again can’t really answer since the questions don’t reflect me but “I Hate Raisins” came up. Actually I do like raisins in my chocolate ...