''Arch Oboler's Plays'' is a radio anthology series written, produced and directed by

Arch Oboler Arch Oboler (December 7, 1909 – March 19, 1987) was an American playwright, screenwriter, novelist, producer, and director who was active in radio, films, theater, and television. He generated much attention with his radio scripts, particular ...

. Minus a sponsor, it ran for one year, airing Saturday evenings on NBC from March 25, 1939, to March 23, 1940, and revived five years later on Mutual for a sustaining summer run from April 5, 1945, to October 11, 1945. Lewis Titterton, an executive at NBC, originated the program's title. Titterton was described as a man who "thought the future of radio depended on the vision of the writer." With the launching of ''Arch Oboler's Plays'', Oboler became "the first writer accorded name-in-the-title status." Christopher H. Sterling, in his book ''Biographical Dictionary of Radio'', wrote, "Oboler, writing about 'the terrors and monsters within each of us,' used his stream-of-consciousness technique to shattering effect and made radio a viable new art form." Oboler used some of the scripts from ''Arch Oboler's Plays'' on his later series, ''

Everyman's Theater ''Everyman's Theater'' was a 30-minute old-time radio dramatic series. Its 26 episodes were broadcast on NBC from October 4, 1940, through March 28, 1941. Created by Arch Oboler, ''Everyman's Theater'' succeeded ''Arch Oboler's Plays'' after t ...

''. Leading film actors were heard on this series, including

Ingrid Bergman Ingrid Bergman (29 August 191529 August 1982) was a Swedish actress who starred in a variety of European and American films, television movies, and plays.Obituary ''Variety'', 1 September 1982. With a career spanning five decades, she is often ...

, Gloria Blondell,

Eddie Cantor Eddie Cantor (born Isidore Itzkowitz; January 31, 1892 – October 10, 1964) was an American comedian, actor, dancer, singer, songwriter, film producer, screenwriter and author. Familiar to Broadway, radio, movie, and early television audiences, ...

James Cagney James Francis Cagney Jr. (; July 17, 1899March 30, 1986) was an American actor, dancer and film director. On stage and in film, Cagney was known for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. He ...

Ronald Colman Ronald Charles Colman (9 February 1891 – 19 May 1958) was an English-born actor, starting his career in theatre and silent film in his native country, then immigrating to the United States and having a successful Hollywood film career. He wa ...

, Joan Crawford, Greer Garson, Edmund Gwenn, Van Heflin,

Katharine Hepburn Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003) was an American actress in film, stage, and television. Her career as a Hollywood leading lady spanned over 60 years. She was known for her headstrong independence, spirited perso ...

, Elsa Lanchester, Peter Lorre,

Frank Lovejoy Frank Andrew Lovejoy Jr. (March 28, 1912 – October 2, 1962) was an American actor in radio, film, and television. He is perhaps best remembered for appearing in the film noir ''The Hitch-Hiker'' and for starring in the radio drama '' Night Beat' ...

Raymond Massey Raymond Hart Massey (August 30, 1896 – July 29, 1983) was a Canadian actor, known for his commanding, stage-trained voice. For his lead role in '' Abe Lincoln in Illinois'' (1940), Massey was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. Amo ...

, Burgess Meredith,

Paul Muni Paul Muni (born Frederich Meshilem Meier Weisenfreund; September 22, 1895– August 25, 1967) was an American stage and film actor who grew up in Chicago. Muni was a five-time Academy Award nominee, with one win. He started his acting career in ...

, Alla Nazimova, Edmond O'Brien,

Geraldine Page Geraldine Sue Page (November 22, 1924June 13, 1987) was an American actress. With a career which spanned four decades across film, stage, and television, Page was the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Acade ...

Hester Sondergaard Hester Sondergaard (July 5, 1903 – February 26, 1994) was an American actress. Early years Born in Litchfield, Minnesota, Sondergaard was the daughter of Hans T. Søndergaard, a dairy instructor at a university, and the sister of actress Ga ...

, Franchot Tone and

George Zucco George Zucco (11 January 1886 – 27 May 1960) was a British character actor who appeared in plays and 96 films, mostly American-made, during a career spanning over two decades, from the 1920s to 1951. In his films, he often played a suave ...

. In 2020, the Library of Congress included the November 18, 1939 episode, "The Bathysphere", among its inductees to the National Recording Registry for "cultural, historical and aesthetic importance to the nation’s recorded sound heritage."

References

External links

Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio Logs: ''Arch Oboler's Plays''Vintage Radio Script Library: Six ''Arch Oboler's Plays''
- plot summaries and reviews. American radio dramas 1930s American radio programs 1940s American radio programs Mutual Broadcasting System programs NBC radio programs Anthology radio series 1939 radio programme debuts 1945 radio programme endings United States National Recording Registry recordings {{US-radio-show-stub

See also

References

External links