radio drama
Radio drama (or audio drama, audio play, radio play, radio theatre, or audio theatre) is a dramatized, purely acoustic performance. With no visual component, radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine ...
series produced and aired by
CBC Radio
CBC Radio is the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which (regardless of language) are outlined below ...
from July 1980 to June 1983. While primarily a
supernatural
Supernatural refers to phenomena or entities that are beyond the laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin (above, beyond, or outside of) + (nature) Though the corollary term "nature", has had multiple meanings si ...
/ horror series, ''Nightfall'' featured some episodes in other genres, such as science fiction, mystery, fantasy, and human drama. Some of ''Nightfalls episodes were so terrifying that the CBC registered numerous complaints and some affiliate stations dropped it. Despite this, the series went on to become one of the most popular shows in CBC Radio history,Digital Del Brief History of Nightfall /ref> running 100 episodes that featured a mix of original tales and adaptations of both classic and obscure
short stories
A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the oldest t ...
.
''Nightfall'' was created by producerBill Howell, who was known at the time for his work on ''CBC Playhouse'' and the cult adventure series, '' Johnny Chase: Secret Agent of Space''. When CBC Radio was revamped and given an expanded
budget
A budget is a calculation play, usually but not always financial, for a defined period, often one year or a month. A budget may include anticipated sales volumes and revenues, resource quantities including time, costs and expenses, environmenta ...
in 1980, Howell approached the newly appointed head of radio drama, Susan Rubeš, about his idea for a
supernatural
Supernatural refers to phenomena or entities that are beyond the laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin (above, beyond, or outside of) + (nature) Though the corollary term "nature", has had multiple meanings si ...
/ horror anthology series. Though not a fan of the horror genre, Rubeš greenlit the production.
Bill Howell served as executive producer of ''Nightfall'' at CBC Toronto for the first two seasons. The third season was produced by Don Kowalchuk at CBC Vancouver.
''Nightfall'' featured two hosts during its run. The Toronto years (1980–1982) were hosted by "the mysterious Luther Kranst", a character created by Bill Howell and played by character actor Henry Ramer. For its Vancouver run (1982–1983), Don Kowalchuk worked with voice actor Bill Reiter to develop the character of Frederick Hende.
Production locations and people
Though series production was controlled from a central location, the anthology nature of ''Nightfall'' made it possible for episodes to be produced at
CBC Radio
CBC Radio is the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which (regardless of language) are outlined below ...
facilities all over Canada:
CBC Toronto
No. of Episodes: 74
Frequent Actors:
Elva Mai Hoover
Elva Mai Hoover is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her performance as Betty Fox in ''The Terry Fox Story'', for which she garnered a Genie Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 5th Genie Awards, in 1984, and her televisio ...
Ruth Springford
Margaret Ruth Springford (September 1921 November 20, 2010) was a Canadian radio, stage, television and film actress.Hugh Webster,
Chris Wiggins
Christopher John Wiggins (January 13, 1931 – February 19, 2017) was an English-born Canadian actor.
Career
He started out as a banker in his home country before he began his acting career in Canada, where he moved in 1952.
Wiggins is probably ...
, Budd Knapp,
Michael Wincott
Michael Anthony Claudio Wincott (born January 21, 1958) is a Canadian actor. His deep, raspy voice has often led to his being cast in villainous roles.
Some of his best-known roles include Guy of Gisborne in '' Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'' ( ...
,
Graham Haley
Graham Haley is a best New York Times best-selling author and TV show host known for his series '' Haley’s Hints''. Since its launch, the show has expanded from Canada to the United States to South America to Europe to Asia, and to Africa.
...
,
David Calderisi
David Calderisi (born 21 June 1940) is a Canadian actor with a career in both Canada and the United Kingdom.
Early life and education
Calderisi was born in Montreal and attended McGill University.
Career
After training as an actor in Lo ...
Nicky Guadagni
Nicky Guadagni (born August 1, 1952) is a Canadian actress who has worked on stage, radio, film and television.
Life and career
Originally from Montreal, Nicky Guadagni majored in drama at Dawson College and went on to train at the Royal Academy ...
Linda Sorenson
Linda Sorenson (born January 19, 1940) is a Canadian film, television and voice actress, best known for playing Mrs. Stegman in ''Class of 1984'', Warden Howe in '' Murphy Brown'', Virginia Reeves in '' Material World'' and Isabelle Carrington in ...
Recording Engineers: John Jessop, Ray Folcik, John Hollinger, Jan Wright, David Hoyle, Tom Shipton, Brian Wood, Keith van der Clay, Brian Pape, Derek Stubbs, John McCarthy, Greg Fleet
Sound Effects: Bill Robinson, Matt Wilcott, Kathy Perry, Stephanie McKenna, Jerry Fielding
Production Assistants: Nina Callaghan, Doris Buchanan, Nancy McIlveen, Peggy Este
Producers: Bill Howell, Paul Mills, John Douglas, Stephen Katz,
Fred Diehl
Fred Diehl (1921 - November 15, 2008) was a Canadian radio and television actor and writer,
, Peter Boretski, William Lane, Scott Swan
CBC Vancouver
No. of Episodes: 9
Frequent Actors: William Samples,
Otto Lowy
Otto Lowy (1921 – May 29, 2002) was the host of CBC Radio 2's ''The Transcontinental'' for 22 years until his death. The program was introduced each week as a "musical train ride through Europe".
Lowy was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to an ...
, Norman Browning, Anna Hagan
Recording Engineers: Gerry Stanley, Chris Cutress, Gene Loverock, Bill Seebach
Sound Effects: Joe Silva, Jay Hireen, Chris Cutress
Production Assistants: Ann Elvidge, Dagmar Kaffanke, Loretta Joyce, Joyce Tinnion
Producers: Don Kowalchuk,
John Juliani
John Juliani (March 24, 1940, Montreal – August 21, 2003, Vancouver) was a Canadian actor, writer, producer, director and educator. His career spanned four decades in a number of different media, including radio and film. In addition to his ar ...
, Robert Chesterman
CBC Edmonton
No. of Episodes: 7
Frequent Actors: Brian Taylor, Graham McPherson, Nicole Evans, Gordon Mariott,
Bill Meilen
Bill(s) may refer to:
Common meanings
* Banknote, paper cash (especially in the United States)
* Bill (law), a proposed law put before a legislature
* Invoice, commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer
* Bill, a bird or animal's beak
Plac ...
, Stephen Walsh, Blair Haynes
Recording Engineers: Al Lamden
Sound Effects: Eric Wagers, Deane Purves
Production Assistants: Barbara Gault
Producers: Lawrie Seligman
CBC Montréal
No. of Episodes: 4
Frequent Actors:
Vlasta Vrána
Vlasta Vrána (born 1950), is a Canadian actor of Czech descent.
Life and career
Vrána, born to Czech parents in Norway, moved to Canada at age four. He made his feature-film debut in Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg's '' Shivers''. Vrána ...
,
Philip Akin
Philip Akin (born April 18, 1950) is a Canadian actor.
Akin has had roles in major American films such as '' The Sum of All Fears'', ''S.W.A.T.'', and '' Get Rich or Die Tryin. He has also done much voice work, including voicing the character ...
,
Timothy Webber
Timothy Webber is a Canadians, Canadian television, film, and stage actor best known for his performance as Djordje in the film ''My Father's Angel'', for which he was a Canadian Screen Award for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor nominee at the 21s ...
, Earl Pennington
Recording Engineers: André Fleury, Giles LaRoche
Sound Effects: Pierre Lucie, Rene LeVois
Production Assistants: Jane Lewis, Nancy Carter
Producers:
John Juliani
John Juliani (March 24, 1940, Montreal – August 21, 2003, Vancouver) was a Canadian actor, writer, producer, director and educator. His career spanned four decades in a number of different media, including radio and film. In addition to his ar ...
, John Jessop
CBC Halifax
No. of Episodes: 3
Frequent Actors: Joseph Rutten, John Fulton
Recording Engineers: Rod Sneddon, Keith DeLong
Sound Effects: Dermot Kenny, Harold Porter
Production Assistants: Claire McIlveen
Producers: Elizabeth Fox, Ewan "Sudsy" Clark
CBC Calgary
No. of Episodes: 1
Frequent Actors: David Ferry, Heather Lea McCallum
Recording Engineers: Rick Fenton
Sound Effects: Norm Hurley
Production Assistants: Elaine Farner
Producers: Bill Gray
CBC St. Johns
No. of Episodes: 1
Frequent Actors: Frank Holden, Pat Vern
Recording Engineers: John Foster
Sound Effects: Wayne Hayes
Production Assistants: Noreen George
Producers: Glen Tilley
Clack Sound Studios, NYC
No. of Episodes: 1
Frequent Actors: F. Peter Lee
Recording Engineers: Tom Courtenay-Clack
Sound Effects: Tom Courtenay-Clack
Production Assistants: n/a
Producers: Tom Courtenay-Clack