The Sealed Book

The Sealed Book

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FORMAT: (1) MP3 CD

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. These were probably included in the recorded transcription so that local stations could insert their own commercial spots. 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."

 

Episode List

Beware of Tomorrow
Broadway Here I Come
Death at Storm House
Death Laughs Last
Death Rings Down the Curtain
Death Spins a Web
Design for Death
Devil Island
Escape by Death
I'll Die Laughing
King of the World
Murder Must Be Paid For
Murderer Unknown
My Beloved Must Die
Out of the Past
Queen of the Cats
Stranger in the House
The Accusing Corpse
The Ghost Maker
The Hands of Death
The Man with the Stolen Face
Till Death Do Us Part
Time on My Hands
To Have and to Hold
Welcome Home
You Only Die Once