Product ID: MPHMY
Control Number: 7497926
Mystery Playhouse 100 Episodes
Mystery Playhouse was a wartime radio anthology series that brought thrilling tales of suspense, intrigue, and espionage to American service members overseas. Produced by the U.S. Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) during World War II, the show curated and rebroadcast mystery and detective episodes from some of the most popular commercial radio programs of the era. With its chilling stories and atmospheric tone, Mystery Playhouse offered troops stationed abroad a taste of home — and a welcome escape into the shadowy world of crime and suspense.
Each episode was introduced with flair and dramatic style, often offering a condensed version of a longer broadcast, modified slightly for the military audience.
The Stars
The series was famously hosted by Peter Lorre, whose eerie voice, sardonic tone, and distinctive accent gave the show a chilling and unforgettable flavor. As the master of ceremonies, Lorre delivered macabre introductions and darkly witty commentary that heightened the show's mysterious atmosphere.
Because Mystery Playhouse was a repackaged series, the featured actors varied widely depending on the source material. Episodes included performances by well-known stars such as Orson Welles, Basil Rathbone, Agnes Moorehead, and others — drawn from original broadcasts of shows like Inner Sanctum Mysteries, The Whistler, Suspense, Mr. and Mrs. North, and The Adventures of Nero Wolfe.
Key Dates
• Mystery Playhouse aired from 1944 to 1946, produced specifically for the Armed Forces Radio Service.
• It was not broadcast on commercial U.S. radio, but distributed to American military bases around the world.
• Hundreds of episodes were produced, many of which survive today in OTR collections.
Other Information
Each episode of Mystery Playhouse typically ran about 30 minutes and opened with Peter Lorre’s haunting voice, setting the tone for the suspenseful tale that followed. While the core stories came from existing commercial programs, the AFRS stripped out original sponsorships and edited the content slightly for brevity and clarity. Lorre's unique interludes were exclusive to this series and became one of its defining features.
The subject matter ranged from psychological thrillers and detective stories to ghost tales and noir mysteries. While the original broadcasts often had rotating narrators or anonymous hosts, Lorre’s presence gave Mystery Playhouse a cohesive identity and theatrical flair that elevated its appeal.
The show was part of a broader effort by the AFRS to maintain troop morale during WWII by bringing familiar entertainment to soldiers overseas. It remains one of the most memorable examples of wartime radio tailored for military audiences.
Today, Mystery Playhouse is treasured by old-time radio fans for its unique presentation, rare crossovers of popular mystery series, and especially for Peter Lorre’s delightfully sinister hosting — which added a touch of the theatrical and surreal to every broadcast.
This collection comes preloaded on a USB stick, allowing you to easily transfer all episodes to the device of your choice. Enjoy seamless playback a perfect blend of vintage charm and modern convenience.
Suggested Retail Price: $19.99
Mice Price: $15.39
Length: 20
Width: 100
Weight: 0.0500 pounds
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