Product ID: TBMTH
Control Number: 7498088
The Black Mass 32 Episodes
The Black Mass was one of the most haunting and artistically ambitious old-time radio horror series, known for its literary adaptations, avant-garde sound design, and deeply atmospheric presentation. Produced and directed by Erik Bauersfeld at KPFA-FM in Berkeley, California, the series adapted classic dark fiction and macabre tales from writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Franz Kafka, Lord Dunsany, and Ambrose Bierce. With its eerie tone and experimental production, The Black Mass stood apart as a uniquely sophisticated and chilling experience in the world of radio drama.
The series was less about jump scares and more about mood, madness, and the subtle horrors that linger in the mind long after the broadcast ends.
The Stars
The program featured a rotating ensemble of voice actors from the Bay Area, many drawn from local theater and radio talent. Central to the series was Erik Bauersfeld himself, whose distinctive narration and chilling vocal performances became synonymous with the show’s unsettling tone. Other contributors included actors from KPFA’s radio repertory company and student performers from nearby universities.
Sound design, often surreal and dissonant, was provided by Charles Shere and others, utilizing experimental music techniques, analog manipulation, and atmospheric effects to create a dreamlike — or nightmarish — audio landscape.
Key Dates
• The Black Mass premiered in 1963 and continued intermittently through 1970, airing on KPFA and other Pacifica Network stations.
• Over 30 episodes were produced, most of which survive today and are treasured by collectors and fans of literary horror radio.
• Some episodes were later re-broadcast or restored by other public radio stations due to growing interest in Bauersfeld’s work.
Other Information
Each episode of The Black Mass focused on a single short story, brought to life with literary respect and immersive sound. The adaptations often remained faithful to the original text, relying heavily on narration and internal monologue, making them feel intimate, poetic, and psychologically intense.
Unlike commercial radio horror shows of the 1940s and 1950s, The Black Mass was a product of the public radio ethos: experimental, non-commercial, and aimed at a discerning audience. It rejected formulaic plotting in favor of exploring the internal fears, existential dread, and surreal beauty of classic horror literature.
The show’s unique sound design, combined with the lyrical delivery of its scripts, created an experience more akin to audio art than traditional storytelling. It influenced later experimental radio theater and helped preserve the tradition of literary horror in an era when most OTR programming had faded.
Today, The Black Mass is remembered as one of the most intelligent, haunting, and artistically daring horror series in radio history — a cult favorite among fans of audio drama, gothic fiction, and psychological horror.
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: $14.99
Mice Price: $11.59
Length: 15
Width: 32
Weight: 0.0500 pounds
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