Sealed Book - Single Episodes
Old Time Radio Researchers Group
(4,407 Sterne; 70 Bewertungen)
THE SEALED BOOK
The Sealed Book was a radio series of mystery and terror tales, produced and directed by Jock MacGregor for the Mutual network. Between March 18 and September 9, 1945, the melodramatic anthology series was broadcast on Sundays from 10:30pm to 11:00pm. Each week, after "the sound of the great gong," host Philip Clarke observed that the mysteriously silent "keeper of the book has opened the ponderous door to the secret vault wherein is kept the great sealed book, in which is recorded all the secrets and mysteries of mankind through the ages, Here are tales of every kind, tales of murder, of madness, of dark deeds strange and terrible beyond all belief." After this introduction, the dramas began, occasionally interrupted by curiously extended organ solos. Although this anthology series did not have recurring characters (other than the Narrator and the Keeper of the Book), the writers often used the same names for different characters from week to week, including "Hester," "Drake," and most especially "Roger." At the end of an episode, Clarke told listeners to tune in the following week when "the sound of the great gong heralds another strange and exciting tale from... the sealed book." Scripts were by Robert Arthur, Jr. and David Kogan, who also were responsible for The Mysterious Traveler, and recycled many of the more popular stories from that parent program. "The Hands of Death" was the first of the 26 episodes which concluded with "Death Laughs Last." Information from WikiPedia
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
Chapters
29:57
29:50
29:44
29:41
29:50
29:57
29:51
29:53
29:55
29:55
29:55
29:53
29:50
29:54
29:46
29:54
29:56
29:53
30:14
29:54
29:39
30:00
29:56
29:49
Bewertungen
But for that organ
CaptnCoolTheCosmicFool
(4,5 Sterne)
Would be five stars, but this was an example of my one complaint about otr, it too often had blaring intros or overdone scores. That said, it's still the best entertainment, especially in horror and sci-fi
Terrific!
LuckyPug
(5 Sterne)
I can't believe all the tapes and CDs I have stowed away in boxes that I've paid big money for. Never did I think these shows would be here to enjoy for free. What a great gift! Thanks so much.
The Length of the Organ?
FK3
(5 Sterne)
These shows are great! They aim for a pulp-y type of horror and they really succeed. The acting is hammy and melodramatic but it all comes together - very different than SUSPENSE, but no less enjoyable. My guess for the extended organ solos is that they were meant for commercials to be played - back in the day this would have been easier to make sure everything was staying on time. I bet these were pre-recorded to disc, and copies sent out across the country, where the local stations would play their own commercials). Fun show!
Good to listen to
Duncan
(4,5 Sterne)
these are good stories and fun to listen to. but in all but one that I can think of (design for death) that creepy organ music gets annoying! I can see why it was there but it is just annoying! however in. design for death it's justified. if you, like me, like the OTR recordings you should give this a listen. and TRY to ignore the music. wouldn't be so bad but it starts about 2 minutes into every story then another lot near the end. still I DID enjoy the stories. all well acted
organ music interludes
dialturner
(5 Sterne)
The Sealed Book episodes were syndicated to fill timeslots on the Mutual Broadcasting Network. Organ music was used to fill portions of the program so that local advertising spots could be used. Since Mutual catered to independent radio stations, these programs could be sold or leased at a cheaper rate. Detective programs such as Philo Vance and Boston Blackie were sold in this manner.
The "curiously extended organ solos."
MPOEye
(3 Sterne)
. . . are for the purpose of letting the sponsors insert their messages! As for the show, typical of the overblown melodramatic shows of the same nature. Heaven only knows how many times the same sort of stories have been told over and over--like the ones about "changing the will"--however.
Wonderful quality and fun listens
mvivit
(4 Sterne)
These are the best quality recordings from the era I've ever heard. Nice stories, with very quirky organ interludes. I wonder if those were inserted because the actual scenes took less time performed than when rehearsed.
fast forward
Kittiekatsky
(5 Sterne)
the tales are amazingly acted for the era. however like most reviewers imo, the organ was overwhelming. I fast forwarded through alot of it to make the tales enjoyable