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Gothic Horror Old Time Radio Collection

Creepy shows contrasting the innocent victims with the super evil villains find their home in the theater of the mind.

Gothic Horror

52 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 24 hours, 14 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
26 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from November 24, 1942:

"Suspense: The Body Snatchers"



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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

ScreamGothic Horror is a form of fiction that successfully combines the elements of Romance and Horror. Combining these elements heightens the terror of the stories, allowing us to sympathize the plight of the desperate, virginal lovers as they move inexorably closer to their dark and horrible fates.

Gothic Horror has its roots with the Romantic Poets during the Enlightenment period at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Enlightenment philosophies influenced, among other things, the Founding Fathers of the United States, the beginnings of Feminism, and a decline of the influence of Religion. Curious and even fun from a modern perspective, the Enlightened Romantics would have been recognized as a threat to the old guard.

The terror that the monsters inspire works best in contrast to the innocence of the lovers, and Gothic Horror needs both to be successful. It is a formula that truly found a home in Radio's Theater of the Mind.

Peter LorreOur collection begins with Orson Welles' Mercury Theater. The program and its young creator would be catapulted to national prominence with the 1938 "Halloween Prank" broadcast of War of the Worlds, a terrific example of Gothic Horror in its own right. The program actually began in July of that year with one of the definitive Gothic Horror tales, Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Successful Gothic Horror is usually driven by the imagination of a talented writer. Such is the case with Dark Fantasy. Oklahoma City writer Scott Bishop originally developed the series for WKY in 1941, and the series soon found a national audience over NBC. The stories may have seemed far-fetched, like the airplane flying, opera singing gorilla in "Spawn of Sub Human", but in actuality they were very well performed and produced. So well done that the radio network felt obligated only air the show well after bedtime for 1940s kids.

John Dickson CarrThe long running Suspense, "radio's outstanding theater of thrills", featured many scripts that fit the definition of Gothic Horror. Many of the early scripts were written or adapted by noted mystery author John Dickson Carr. Primarily known for his mysteries, especially Closed Door Mysteries, Carr was also a genius of Gothic Horror.

The villains of Gothic Horror are usually a personification on Evil. This means that everything is secondary to their nefarious and selfish schemes. In Carr's "Will you Make a Bet With Death" the tyrannical stepfather stumbles on to a plot to drive a young man insane and frame him for murder, all for the stepfather's own amusement.

Boris Karloff at the microphoneAfter the Blue Network became the American Broadcasting Company, there came a call to capitalize on the formula created by Suspense. Specifically, a supernatural thriller program featuring the voices of celebrities. ABC's answer was Creeps By Night, initially hosted by Boris Karloff, which attracted a number of the screen's "scream stars" along with Karloff, including Peter Lorre, Bela Legosi, Raymond Massey, and Basil Rathbone. Mostly drawn from the Dashiel Hammett edited World's Finest Mystery Stories, Creeps By Night, managed to find stories that were even scarier than Suspense, although the network show could not equal other's success.

The Strange Doctor Weird was an even creepier follow-up to Mutual's Mysterious Traveler.The Strange Doctor Weird had the same narrator, Maurice Tarplin, and sponsor, Adam Hats, and writer, Robert Arthur, as Traveler. Doctor Weird's villains were not always supernatural, like the desperate robbers in "The House Were Death Lives". There is plenty for them to fear, when they are locked up with their dead accomplices.

This creepy collection will send shivers up your spine and make you scream in terror as you root for the innocent victims and hide in terror from the scary villains.

See also: Darkness and Nighttime

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

  • Show Rating

    9
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    COMMENTS

    Another great collection for Halloween time. Featuring shows from different series usually a few episodes from each. Best with the lights off on a dark windy fall night under a blanket with a special someone.

    Eric Verified Purchase

    Today, I listened to disc #7. The first was an episode of Dark Fantasy titled " Pennsylvania Turnpike". This one was well told and acted in a place where time ceases to exist. The second was an early Suspense episode from 1942 called "Burning Court". This is an episode where you and the characters start wondering what is fiction and what is real.

    Dan Verified Purchase

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    52 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 24 hours, 14 min
    52 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 24 hours, 14 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 52 shows - total playtime 24 hours 14 minutes
    2. Creeps By Night 440502 011 Final Reckoning.mp3
    3. Creeps By Night 440516 013 Walking Dead.mp3
    4. Creeps By Night 440606 016 Three Sisters.mp3
    5. Creeps By Night 440711 21 Six Who Did Not Die.mp3
    6. Dark Fantasy 420102 Resolution 1841.mp3
    7. Dark Fantasy 420123 Headless Dead.mp3
    8. Dark Fantasy 420227 Spawn Of Sub Human.mp3
    9. Dark Fantasy 420313 Superstition Be Hanged.mp3
    10. Dark Fantasy 420320 Pennsylvania Turnpike.mp3
    11. Escape 501119 133 Journey Into Fear.mp3
    12. Haunting Hour 450519 09 Hands Of Mr Smith.mp3
    13. Haunting Hour 450527 10 Homicide House.mp3
    14. Haunting Hour 450728 14 Unidentified Body.mp3
    15. Haunting Hour 450810 16 Revenge.mp3
    16. Haunting Hour 450817 17 People In House.mp3
    17. Hoax -AFRS Frankenstein Castle Hoax 1952.mp3
    18. Macabre 611113 01 Final Resting Place.mp3
    19. Macabre 611127 03 Man In Mirror.mp3
    20. Macabre 620108 08 Edge Of Evil.mp3
    21. Mercury Theater 380711 Dracula.mp3
    22. Mercury Theater 380925 Immortal Sherlock Holmes.mp3
    23. Mercury Theater 381009 14 Hell On Ice.mp3
    24. Strange Dr Weird 441107 01 House Where Death Lives.mp3
    25. Strange Dr Weird 441128 04 Murder Comes Home.mp3
    26. Strange Dr Weird 441212 06 Man Who Talked With Death.mp3
    27. Strange Dr Weird 450227 17 Murder Will Out.mp3
    28. Strange Dr Weird 450327 21 He Woke Up Dead.mp3
    29. Strange Dr Weird 450515 28 Last Show Revenge From Grave.mp3
    30. Suspense 420617 001 Burning Court.mp3
    31. Suspense 420902 011 Hitchhiker.mp3
    32. Suspense 420916 012 Kettler Method.mp3
    33. Suspense 421110 017 Will You Make A Bet With Death.mp3
    34. Suspense 421124 019 Body Snatchers.mp3
    35. Suspense 421215 021 Till Death Do Us Part.mp3
    36. Suspense 421222 022 Two Sharp Knives.mp3
    37. Suspense 430112 024 Pit And Pendulum.mp3
    38. Suspense 430119 025 Devils Saint.mp3
    39. Suspense 430316 033 Cabin B 13.mp3
    40. Suspense 430406 036 Fire Burn And Cauldron Bubble.mp3
    41. Suspense 430420 038 Moment Of Darkness.mp3
    42. Suspense 430427 039 Diary Of Sophronia Winters.mp3
    43. Suspense 430511 041 Mr Markham Antique Dealer.mp3
    44. Suspense 430518 042 Abc Murders.mp3
    45. Suspense 430525 043 Sorry Wrong Number.mp3
    46. Suspense 430601 044 Banquos Chair.mp3
    47. Suspense 430622 047 Man Without A Body.mp3
    48. Suspense 430629 048 Uncle Henrys Rosebush.mp3
    49. Suspense 430727 051 Last Letter Of Dr Bronson.mp3
    50. Suspense 430803 052 A Friend To Alexander.mp3
    51. Suspense 430810 053 Fountain Plays.mp3
    52. Suspense 431230 072 Finishing School.mp3
    53. Us Steel Hour Of Mystery Journey Into Fear 1946.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    52 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 24 hours, 14 min
    52 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    total playtime 24 hours, 14 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 52 shows - total playtime 24 hours 14 minutes
    2. Creeps By Night 440502 011 Final Reckoning.mp3
    3. Creeps By Night 440516 013 Walking Dead.mp3
    4. Creeps By Night 440606 016 Three Sisters.mp3
    5. Creeps By Night 440711 21 Six Who Did Not Die.mp3
    6. Dark Fantasy 420102 Resolution 1841.mp3
    7. Dark Fantasy 420123 Headless Dead.mp3
    8. Dark Fantasy 420227 Spawn Of Sub Human.mp3
    9. Dark Fantasy 420313 Superstition Be Hanged.mp3
    10. Dark Fantasy 420320 Pennsylvania Turnpike.mp3
    11. Escape 501119 133 Journey Into Fear.mp3
    12. Haunting Hour 450519 09 Hands Of Mr Smith.mp3
    13. Haunting Hour 450527 10 Homicide House.mp3
    14. Haunting Hour 450728 14 Unidentified Body.mp3
    15. Haunting Hour 450810 16 Revenge.mp3
    16. Haunting Hour 450817 17 People In House.mp3
    17. Hoax -AFRS Frankenstein Castle Hoax 1952.mp3
    18. Macabre 611113 01 Final Resting Place.mp3
    19. Macabre 611127 03 Man In Mirror.mp3
    20. Macabre 620108 08 Edge Of Evil.mp3
    21. Mercury Theater 380711 Dracula.mp3
    22. Mercury Theater 380925 Immortal Sherlock Holmes.mp3
    23. Mercury Theater 381009 14 Hell On Ice.mp3
    24. Strange Dr Weird 441107 01 House Where Death Lives.mp3
    25. Strange Dr Weird 441128 04 Murder Comes Home.mp3
    26. Strange Dr Weird 441212 06 Man Who Talked With Death.mp3
    27. Strange Dr Weird 450227 17 Murder Will Out.mp3
    28. Strange Dr Weird 450327 21 He Woke Up Dead.mp3
    29. Strange Dr Weird 450515 28 Last Show Revenge From Grave.mp3
    30. Suspense 420617 001 Burning Court.mp3
    31. Suspense 420902 011 Hitchhiker.mp3
    32. Suspense 420916 012 Kettler Method.mp3
    33. Suspense 421110 017 Will You Make A Bet With Death.mp3
    34. Suspense 421124 019 Body Snatchers.mp3
    35. Suspense 421215 021 Till Death Do Us Part.mp3
    36. Suspense 421222 022 Two Sharp Knives.mp3
    37. Suspense 430112 024 Pit And Pendulum.mp3
    38. Suspense 430119 025 Devils Saint.mp3
    39. Suspense 430316 033 Cabin B 13.mp3
    40. Suspense 430406 036 Fire Burn And Cauldron Bubble.mp3
    41. Suspense 430420 038 Moment Of Darkness.mp3
    42. Suspense 430427 039 Diary Of Sophronia Winters.mp3
    43. Suspense 430511 041 Mr Markham Antique Dealer.mp3
    44. Suspense 430518 042 Abc Murders.mp3
    45. Suspense 430525 043 Sorry Wrong Number.mp3
    46. Suspense 430601 044 Banquos Chair.mp3
    47. Suspense 430622 047 Man Without A Body.mp3
    48. Suspense 430629 048 Uncle Henrys Rosebush.mp3
    49. Suspense 430727 051 Last Letter Of Dr Bronson.mp3
    50. Suspense 430803 052 A Friend To Alexander.mp3
    51. Suspense 430810 053 Fountain Plays.mp3
    52. Suspense 431230 072 Finishing School.mp3
    53. Us Steel Hour Of Mystery Journey Into Fear 1946.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    52 recordings on 26 Audio CDs. Total playtime 24 hours, 14 min
    52 recordings on 26 Audio CDs
    total playtime 24 hours, 14 min

    Gothic Horror Disc A001

    1. Hoax -AFRS Frankenstein Castle Hoax 1952
    2. Us Steel Hour Of Mystery Journey Into Fear 1946

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Gothic Horror Disc A002

    1. Mercury Theater 380711 Dracula

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    Gothic Horror Disc A003

    1. Mercury Theater 380925 Immortal Sherlock Holmes

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    Gothic Horror Disc A004

    1. Mercury Theater 381009 14 Hell On Ice

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    Gothic Horror Disc A005

    1. Dark Fantasy 420102 Resolution 1841
    2. Dark Fantasy 420123 Headless Dead

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    Gothic Horror Disc A006

    1. Dark Fantasy 420227 Spawn Of Sub Human
    2. Dark Fantasy 420313 Superstition Be Hanged

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    Gothic Horror Disc A007

    1. Dark Fantasy 420320 Pennsylvania Turnpike
    2. Suspense 420617 001 Burning Court

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    Gothic Horror Disc A008

    1. Suspense 420902 011 Hitchhiker
    2. Suspense 420916 012 Kettler Method

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    Gothic Horror Disc A009

    1. Suspense 421110 017 Will You Make A Bet With Death
    2. Suspense 421124 019 Body Snatchers

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    Gothic Horror Disc A010

    1. Suspense 421215 021 Till Death Do Us Part
    2. Suspense 421222 022 Two Sharp Knives

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    Gothic Horror Disc A011

    1. Suspense 430112 024 Pit And Pendulum
    2. Suspense 430119 025 Devils Saint

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    Gothic Horror Disc A012

    1. Suspense 430316 033 Cabin B 13
    2. Suspense 430406 036 Fire Burn And Cauldron Bubble

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    Gothic Horror Disc A013

    1. Suspense 430420 038 Moment Of Darkness
    2. Suspense 430427 039 Diary Of Sophronia Winters

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    Gothic Horror Disc A014

    1. Suspense 430511 041 Mr Markham Antique Dealer
    2. Suspense 430518 042 Abc Murders

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    Gothic Horror Disc A015

    1. Suspense 430525 043 Sorry Wrong Number
    2. Suspense 430601 044 Banquos Chair

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    Gothic Horror Disc A016

    1. Suspense 430622 047 Man Without A Body
    2. Suspense 430629 048 Uncle Henrys Rosebush

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    Gothic Horror Disc A017

    1. Suspense 430727 051 Last Letter Of Dr Bronson
    2. Suspense 430803 052 A Friend To Alexander

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    Gothic Horror Disc A018

    1. Suspense 430810 053 Fountain Plays
    2. Suspense 431230 072 Finishing School

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    Gothic Horror Disc A019

    1. Creeps By Night 440502 011 Final Reckoning
    2. Creeps By Night 440516 013 Walking Dead

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    Gothic Horror Disc A020

    1. Creeps By Night 440606 016 Three Sisters
    2. Creeps By Night 440711 21 Six Who Did Not Die
    3. Strange Dr Weird 441107 01 House Where Death Lives

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    Gothic Horror Disc A021

    1. Strange Dr Weird 441128 04 Murder Comes Home
    2. Strange Dr Weird 441212 06 Man Who Talked With Death
    3. Strange Dr Weird 450227 17 Murder Will Out
    4. Strange Dr Weird 450327 21 He Woke Up Dead
    5. Strange Dr Weird 450515 28 Last Show Revenge From Grave

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Gothic Horror Disc A022

    1. Haunting Hour 450519 09 Hands Of Mr Smith
    2. Haunting Hour 450527 10 Homicide House

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Gothic Horror Disc A023

    1. Haunting Hour 450728 14 Unidentified Body
    2. Haunting Hour 450810 16 Revenge

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Gothic Horror Disc A024

    1. Haunting Hour 450817 17 People In House
    2. Escape 501119 133 Journey Into Fear

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Gothic Horror Disc A025

    1. Macabre 611113 01 Final Resting Place
    2. Macabre 611127 03 Man In Mirror

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    Gothic Horror Disc A026

    1. Macabre 620108 08 Edge Of Evil

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