Old Time Radio Downloads > Mystery > Hall Of Fantasy

During the golden age of radio, Robert Olson wrote Hall of Fantasy and adapted several suspense thrillers as well as a popular crime and punishment series in the late 1940’s. The stories became part of the Hall of Fantasy radio anthology that ultimately enjoyed local airtime at Kall studios in Salt Lake City, Utah. These old radio shows were brought to life by skilled announcers Richard Thorne and Carl Greyson. The initial program focused mainly on murder mysteries and the inherent struggle between good vs. evil. However, the series came to an abrupt end when Thorne and Greyson went their separate ways in 1947, a year after its inception. A stroke of luck reunited the former partners at studio WGN in Chicago where they both happened to be working at in 1949. This immediately resulted in the revival of the Hall of Fantasy anthology. This time, they veered away from the original shows’ program thrust and instead concentrated on man’s unfortunate encounters with the supernatural. 112 episodes later and despite severe budget constraints, Hall of Fantasy went nationwide on August 22, 1952 over Mutual stations. The original work and adaptations of Robert Thorne were fleshed out and continued to entertain the listening public with chilling and monstrous tales of terror. Enjoy Hall of Fantasy and experience this epic old time radio show today!

Hall-of-Fantasy

Please enjoy these old time radio shows:

Air Date Title Synopsis
 1947-03-07  Death In Bayous
A new married couple decides to spend their honeymoon on the estate of the woman's former suitor. The suitor was a Southern gentleman who seemed nice enough - but he actually has a terrifying scheme that would make the couple regret everything. How far would a jealous man go to avenge his rejected heart? Find out in this episode of a romance gone sour.
 1947-04-03  Judge's House
 1947-04-10  Man Size In Marble
A couple relocates to the Scottish Highlands, seeking tranquility and a simpler life. Or so they thought. In what they mistakenly expect to be a peaceful hiatus away from the rest of the world, they are suddenly thrust into the middle of an old war stretched into centuries. Two medieval statues, both of them knights, have purposely exacted an altogether darker fate that will catch this couple in the middle. Will they be able to escape this trouble? Or would the peace they are looking for be immediately attained in the after life?
 1947-04-24  Markheim
 1947-05-01  Mark Of Shame
Two cousins are torn apart by their pursuit of the same woman. This comes to a head as they duel to the death over her. However, for the loser, death is not enough to stop him wreaking his terrible revenge. How far would one fight for love? How far would one go for revenge? Find out in this tale of passion and vengeance, where one man fights to keep his love alive, and the other vows his vengeance from beyond the grave.
 1950-03-11  He Who Follows Me
A couple accidentally blunders into an open mausoleum, completely unaware of the terrifying consequences of disturbing the corpse in there. The longer they stay there, the more dangerous it becomes for these two innocent people. Will they realize their mistake in time, or would it be too late? What evil lies before them?
 1952-08-22  Castle Of Lavoca
The home of Vlad the Impaler and fictional birthplace of Dracula, has Romania spawned even more evil to unleash on the world? From out of a dark history, a Romanian castle is home to a deadly secret: ghosts of the past and a dark future looming ahead combine forces to make up this chilling tale.
 1952-09-05  Shadow People
Distraught at the death of her beloved father, a young woman turns to a self avowed authority on the unknown and paranormal to protect her from the dark forces she believes murdered him. But if death really does lurk in every shadow, how can she defeat it and defend herself? Leave the lights on as you listen to this dark and frightening tale of a daughter's love and the eternal fight of good versus evil.
 1953-01-05  Hangman's Rope
In the 1700s Jack Ketch was the faithful servant of the English Monarchy, acting as their executioner. Two brothers, unknown to him, are suddenly plague with visions of Jack and a horrible fate. What terrible message was Jack trying to relay to two brothers, and whose life was involved in the visions? And will the warning come in time or will fate intervene and deal its merciless hand?
 1953-01-26  Black Figurine Of Death

Mutual net, WGN, Chicago origination. "The Black Figurine Of Death". Sustaining. Uncle Amos and his little statuette have fun from beyond the grave. One of the announcements has possibly been deleted. .
 1953-03-09  Masks Of Ashor
Two golden masks, carrying a dreadful curse, are given by a well-meaning relative to a young couple. Unfortunately the rightful owner, Ashor, unleashes his fearsome servants to get them back. Will this innocent couple meet with their terrifying fate against the Spirit of Death? How far will Ashor go to get back what belongs to him?
 1953-03-23  Night Fog Came
An aquatic, microscopic organism that causes certain death to all who touch it is discovered by two scientists growing in marshland around Lake Superior. Unfortunately it can be carried by fog, and the weather forecast isn't good. Unless they can find a way to neutralize it, the surrounding area is doomed. Fasten your seatbelts as this thriller takes you to deeper perils.
 1953-03-30  Beast With Red Eyes
Robert Jennings is a very curious man. He likes to read ancient mystic books, until he came upon this certain work that changed his personality overnight. Frantic and confused over the eerie transformation of himself, he tries to go back to what he's read to find out a possible solution - only to find the book missing. He tries to ask for the help of a doctor, who witnesses firsthand what he could only explain as a supernatural phenomenon: Robert Jennings seems to be battling with a beast - but could this be just fragments of their imagination?
 1953-04-06  Return From Death

Mutual net, WGN, Chicago origination. "The Return From Death". Commercials deleted. A scientist solves the old problem of bringing the dead back to life...but uses an executed murderer as his first subject. Richard Thorne (author), Jim Ameche. 
 1953-04-13  Demon Of Night
 1953-04-20  Out Of Sky
The defenses of Earth are sorely tested when an alien scout lands on a reconnaissance mission. Can the Earth's defenders convince his race not to attack or invade?
 1953-04-27  Wild Huntsman
The Huntsman, a spectral figure who is reputed to protect his woods, comes into conflict with a hunting party who has hired a local guide for a hunting expedition. Will he let them leave unscathed or will there be a terrible price to pay for their trespass?
 1953-05-04  Idol Of Cromm Cruac

Mutual net, WGN, Chicago origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Idol Of Cromm Cruac". A hidden valley has been discovered, still inhabited by Druids who still appreciate a good human sacrifice!
 1953-05-11  Specter Of Denston Castle
 1953-05-18  Crawling Thing
Emery Bolton is an ambitious scientist tasked to inject a serum into a tarantula that makes it increase alarmingly in size. At first it seemed an interesting project enough, until the tarantula gets too large for comfort. Will Emery be able to undo his actions on time, or will he act too little, too late? Find out in this frightening story of a scientist playing God, and the repercussions of such act.
 1953-05-25  Twisting Weeds Of Death
A traumatized teenager tells his local sheriff that he has just witnessed the brutal murder of a beautiful young woman at a local seashore house. However, no such crime appears to have been committed, the sheriff says, confusing the young teen. As they puzzle about this event, it suddenly dawns on the sheriff about a similar crime two decades before. Could it be the same thing that the young adult saw? If so, why is the ghost disturbing them now?
 1953-06-08  Hand Of Botar
Simeon Botar is a very remarkable man. All of his friends are proud of him, and believe that he will come a long way to be one of the most successful people in the world. It was in his destiny to leave a mark upon the world, where people would say his name in awe. There is, however, one flaw to Simeon Botar, a flaw so macabre and strange, it adds to his reputation. Simeon Botar has an alien hand - it seems to have a life of its own, and does whatever it wants to do, and often times get Simeon into trouble. Will this hand be Simeon's downfall?
 1953-06-15  Jewels Of Kali
 1953-06-22  Marquis Of Death
 1953-07-06  Man In Black
 1953-07-20  Treasure Of Kublai Khan
 1953-07-27  Automaton

Mutual net, WGN, Chicago origination (possibly syndicated). "The Automaton". Commercials deleted. A good story of robotics. The first mechanical man has the idea that he's the master, and that mankind is meant to be killed. Note the prophetic last line of dialogue! Richard Thorne (writer). 
 1953-08-10  Man Form Second Earth
 1953-08-17  Stone's Revenge
 1953-10-05  Dance Of Devil Dolls
An underappreciated and genuinely scary radio-play, this is the terrifying tale of a fishing trip gone awry for two men who encounter a man frantically hunting for a dancing doll. Later, upon settling down for the night, they are awakened by a screeching voice who unleashes macabre evils on the man and our protagonists. What kind of horrifying fate awaits them? Find out in this story of terror and macabre, as our characters dance helplessly to the finish.
 1953-10-12  Sea Phantom
An artist and writer is on a working retreat in a small house in a particular inaccessible part of the coast. Soon, they find themselves relentlessly subjected to terrible, unearthly sounds and pleas for aid from a phantom vessel in the bay. Will they be brave enough to answer the call? And if they did, will it be something that they would regret for the rest of their lives?
 1953-11-02  Temple Of Huizilipochle
 1953-11-09  Telltale Heart
 1953-11-30  Diamonds Of Death
A group of thieves violate a sacred shrine in darkest Africa, making off with the holy diamonds it houses into the jungle. Will they learn to heed the tales of a terrible curse on the diamonds, or is it all just actions of a deadly cult?
 1954-01-04  Cask Of Amontillado
The Cask of Amontillado is a story by Edgar Allan Poe. This episode is adapted for radio by Richard Thorn. Montresor narrates of his grudge against Fortunato, whose love for wine often puts his mouth and conduct in danger. This time, Montresor couldn't contain his patience any longer, and decides to deal with Fortunato's foul offense in the most awful way possible. He entices Fortunato with a chance to taste Amontillado, a rare cask of wine, and with this, lured the drunken man through a series of chambers. As they walk on, the chambers get deeper and deeper, and a sense of foreboding hangs in the air. Will Fortunato be able to sense his fate amidst the fog of his drunkenness, or will Montresor succeed with his evil plans?

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 ABOUT OLD TIME RADIO
The buzz-term for Old Time Radio is "OTR". OTR usually means radio broadcasting from the golden age of radio, mostly before 1964.These shows from the pre-television age include adventure, comedies, mystery shows, western dramas and shows from World War II. These programs feature the best talent of the day and were broadcast nearly as widely as cable programs today. And just like TV today, families would gather around their crystal radio sets to enjoy the entertainment together.