Product ID: AOPDR
Control Number: 7873786
Arch Obolers Plays 61 Episodes
Arch Oboler's Plays was a critically acclaimed, avantgarde psychological horror and dramatic anthology series that pushed the creative and technical boundaries of the radio medium. Created entirely by its visionary namesake, Arch Oboler famed pioneer of the legendary horror series Lights Out this program departed from standard, formulaic radio melodramas to deliver highly intellectual, stream of consciousness thrillers. The series specialized in stripping away external distractions to dive deep into the twisted psyches of its characters, exploring terrifying moral dilemmas, existential dread, the horrors of war, and bizarre, surreal realities.
Intellectual, deeply atmospheric, and uncompromisingly intense, Arch Oboler's Plays was celebrated as a masterclass in psychological storytelling, serving as a landmark achievement in the history of radio as a serious art form.
The Stars
Because the program operated as a premium dramatic anthology, it attracted a glittering array of Hollywood stars and Broadway legends who were eager to perform Oboler's challenging, complex scripts. Icons such as Bette Davis, Ingrid Bergman, James Stewart, Joan Crawford, Olivia de Havilland, and Boris Karloff frequently took to the microphone, delivering raw, emotionally exhausting performances that pushed their acting ranges to the absolute limit.
The true star and auteur of the series, however, was Arch Oboler himself. Writing, directing, and producing every single episode, Oboler used his distinctive voice to personally introduce and close each broadcast. His absolute creative control ensured that every story carried his signature cinematic pacing and sharp, biting social commentary.
Key Dates
The series made its historic network debut on March 25, 1939, on the NBC Red Network, broadcasting live to a captivated wartime audience.
The show ran through multiple acclaimed iterations across networks, enjoying its definitive primary runs through 1940, with legendary revivals extending the banner into 1945.
Episodes were primarily produced in a premium 30minute format, giving Oboler the perfect canvas to build creeping tension, establish surreal dreamscapes, and execute his famous, mind-bending twist endings.
Other Information
A hallmark of the show was its revolutionary production and microphone techniques. Oboler was a pioneer of the "internal monologue," utilizing specialized, ultrasensitive microphone setups that allowed actors to whisper directly into the mic, making listeners feel as though they were trapped inside the character's subconscious mind.
The production was highly regarded for its stark, terrifying realism and sound design. Oboler rejected stock sound effects, often forcing his audio engineers to invent entirely new methods to simulate surreal horrors such as a giant, beating heart or a person being turned inside out. During the World War II era, the show became an incredibly potent weapon for antifascist commentary, with Oboler penning blisteringly powerful, dramatic warnings about the true cost of global tyranny.
Today, Arch Oboler's Plays is universally revered by radio historians and pop culture scholars as the gold standard of auteur driven audio theater. For old time radio collectors, it remains a dark, mesmerizing time capsule that proved the "theater of the mind" could scare, challenge, and deeply move an audience all at the exact same time.
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
Weight: 0.0500 pounds
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