THE WEIRD CIRCLE Restless

Home , Electrical transcription, Stacy Harris

CD 8A: “The Thing in the Tunnel” - 1944 (Program # 66) This episode, adapted from Charles Dickens’ (right) THE WEIRD CIRCLE 1866 story “The Signal Man,” includes performances by James Van Dyk, Walter Vaughn and Alan Devitt. Restless Sea

Program Guide by Karl Schadow CD 8B: “The Pistol Shot” - 1944 (Program # 68) Arnold Moss, Walter Vaughn, Inge Adams, Edwin Literary works by such luminaries as Edgar Allan Poe, Wilkie Collins and Guy Jerome, Elizabeth Morgan, and Richard Morgan de Maupassant have entertained generations in their original form on the printed are heard in this Prosper Mérimée translation of Charles Dickens wrote "The Trail for page. Many of these classics of mystery, horror and fantasy have been adapted Alexander Pushkin’s 1831 work. Murder" and "The Signal Man" successfully for stage, film and television. Radio also played a major rolein (from which "The Thing in the Tunnel" was adapted). bringing these tales to life. For example, the 1938 Mercury Theatre production of the H. G. Wells novel War of The Worlds is often cited as one of the outstanding Acknowledgements: The author thanks David Grabarek and Jerry Haendiges for achievements in broadcasting. There were numerous programs dedicated to such their invaluable assistance. works, each bearing an appropriate title. Both The World’s Greatest Short Stories and The World’s Great Novels explored various genres. These live programs were also accompanied by transcribed series, such as Radio Theatre of Famous Classics (Kermit-Raymond Corp.). Another member in this latter category If you enjoyed this CD set, we recommend was The Weird Circle, packaged by the Radio-Recording Division of NBC The Weird CIrcle: Toll the Bell, (NBCRRD) at its New York available now at www.RadioSpirits.com. City studios. (The program was not, as many sources cite incorrectly, a Frederick Ziv production.)

This program’s initial announce- ment, in May of 1943, stated the availability of twenty-six episodes to accommodate half- hour slots. It joined several other www.RadioSpirits.com transcribed, syndicated series in PO Box 1315, Little Falls, NJ 07424 NBC’s “network within a network,” including both dramatic © 2017 RSPT LLC. All rights reserved. For home use only. and musical endeavors. Poli- Unauthorized distribution is prohibited. cies were still in place at both NBC and CBS mandating that Program guide © 2017 Karl Schadow and RSPT LLC. All rights reserved. network programs were to be broadcast as live productions. 47652 This was to alleviate the per- ceived inferior quality, and general stigma, often associated with pre-recorded CD 3B: “Frankenstein” - 1943 (Program # 26) shows. Alex Russo documents the early days of the NBCRRD in his book Points This 1818 classic by Mary Shelley features Chester Stratton, James Van Dyk and on the Dial: Golden Age Radio Beyond the Networks. When it was first orga- Richard Saunders. nized as the Electrical Transcription Service in 1934, there existed a great debate among NBC executives as to the proposed venture’s worth. However, it soon be- CD 4A: “The Spectre of Tappington” - 1944 (Program # 29) came apparent that it was fulfilling a need for many local stations, providing pro- Richard Harris Barham’s 1840 ghost story is performed by John Moore, Michael gramming which could also be most profitable for the network. The Division was Fitzmaurice, Elizabeth Morgan, and Alfred Shirley. administered by Vice-President C. Lloyd Egner, who oversaw a staff of some 200 employees functioning in similar jobs to their ‘live’ network counterparts. CD 4B: “The Cask of Amontillado” - 1944 (Program # 33) The thespians in Poe’s 1846 tale of revenge include Norman Lloyd and Bernard Production of The Weird Circle was originally supervised by Oscar Turner, with Lenrow. scripts adapted by Peggy Mayer. She stated in a 1943 press release that the series enabled her to achieve a lifelong goal: “to bring enduring works by masters CD 5A: “Falkland” - 1944 (Program # 35) of literature to radio.” She also co-directed this initial block of episodes with Arnold Moss and Edwin Jerome head the cast in this 1827 story by Edward Morris Hamilton. Her radio career commenced as an actress in Chicago. She Bulwer-Lytton (below). then moved to New York and acquired a job as a radio director’s secretary. Mayer turned script writer at age 24, becoming the youngest authoress of a network CD 5B: “The Trail for Murder” - 1944 (Program # 36) daytime serial (The Story of Bess Johnson). The Weird Circle was auditioned for This 1865 tale of the supernatural crafted by Charles Dickens features James Van the press, as well as the radio and advertising industry, on June 10, 1943 with Dyk, Kay Loring and Humphrey Davis. Poe's "The Fall of The House of Usher." CD 6A: “The Phantom Picture” - 1944 (Program # 41) Although Variety (June 23, 1943) reported that the Longines-Wittnauer Watch Carl Frank, Alan Devitt, Carl Eastman, and Inge Adams are heard in this spine- Co. was the first advertiser to pick up the series for distribution in theU.S., chiller, which was adapted from an early nineteenth century story by Washington no further information has been discovered regarding this particular endeavor. Irving. The series was, however, contracted by many local sponsors. The first was Peter Hand Brewery Co. of Chicago, whose product endorsements were heard each CD 6B: “The Burial of Roger Malvin” - 1944 (Program # 47) Thursday night at 9:30 pm via WGN, starting on July 8th. (Though WGN was a This Nathaniel Hawthorne yarn, penned in 1832, features Stacy Harris and Inge key station of the Mutual network, The Weird Circle Adams. was not aired as a program of that network). In New York, The Weird Circle was bankrolled by Howard CD 7A: “The Fatal Love Potion” - 1944 Clothes, Inc., airing at 6:00 pm Sunday nights on (Program # 48) the independent WNEW. In Los Angeles, listeners Michael Fitzmaurice and Ted de Corsia star in this tuned in to KECA (the Blue Network affiliate) on Edward Bulwer-Lytton tale from 1834, transformed Thursdays at 7:30 pm for episodes sponsored by from “The Last Days of Pompei.” Sanford Laboratories. CD 7B: “The Spectre Bride” - 1944 In addition to the trio of authors cited in the opening (Program # 60) paragraph, the first twenty-six episodes included the Elizabeth Eustis, Lesley Woods, Michael Fitzmaurice, works of Fitz-James O’Brien, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edwin Jerome are heard in William Harrison Nathaniel Hawthorne (Portrait by Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote "Falkland" Charles Osgood) (left) and Marian Evans (using the pen name George Ainsworth’s unearthly narrative from 1822. and "The Fatal Love Potion" 2 7 was the immediate successor to the former series), he created patterns for Eliot). (These are all featured in this collection). The initial set of 26 episodes daytime serials (Stella Dallas) and juvenile adventures (Terry & The Pirates). was so highly lauded that another cycle of thirteen was produced. The creation Formulating sounds of a different nature was Donald Bain, who garnered a of additional blocks continued during 1944 and, by the start of 1945, there were reputation for being able to "imitate everything from a mosquito to an elephant." a total 78 episodes. Stations and sponsors continued to purchase the program. In Bain’s avocation initially blossomed during World War I, becoming a morale 1945, station KWK in St. Louis inaugurated a ‘Mystery of the Month’ slot, in booster for fellow troops. He enjoyed an extensive career in vaudeville and radio, which listeners were presented with episodes of the same series each weekday on Broadway, in Hollywood, and later on television. In this collection, listen for night (at the same time) over a four week period. The station scheduled The his renditions of a wide array of beasts. The Weird Circle continued to be offered Weird Circle for September at 10 pm. NBCRRD continued to offer The Weird throughout the 1950s and into the 1960s by NBC’s parent company RCA. Circle throughout the 1940s.

Episode Guide: In 1949, Frigidaire (then a General Motors subsidiary) invited its local appliance (Note: Episodes were assigned individual program numbers in a continuous dealers to engage in a joint advertising plan. They offered a 50% partnership sequence regardless of the year or block in which they were recorded.) in bankrolling one of twenty-four different radio series from four different packagers, including The Weird Circle. An interesting example of the way this CD 1A: “The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym” - 1943 (Program # 4) collaboration worked can be found in the participation of Collins & Magill of This Edgar Allan Poe tale, penned in 1838, features Carl Frank, Santos Ortega, Troy, New York. The program was broadcast at the unusual hour of 1 pm on Irving Goldwater, Earl George, Ted de Corsia, and Roc Rogers. Friday’s via station WABY. (After all, the one family member who might be listening at that time of day would also be the person who had the most interest in CD 1B: “A Terribly Strange Bed” - 1943 (Program # 6) a new refrigerator.) A similar venture was profiled in a 1945 issue ofCooperative Chester Stratton, Dwight Weist (below), Julie Stevens, Roc Rogers, and Carl Digest, in which the Harmony Valley Creamery Association of San Luis Obispo, Eastman star in this Wilkie Collins yarn from 1852. California interacted with its member dairy farmers to promote the interests of the industry and to increase enrollment. The program was broadcast via the local CD 2A: “The Horla” - 1943 (Program # 9) KVEC on a weekly basis at assorted times and on various days. Guy de Maupassant’s 1886 thriller is brought to life by Julie Stevens, James Van Dyk, Santos Ortega, Ted de Corsia, and Cameron Andrews. The local flavor of The Weird Circle invited critique of the program by the radio editors at city newspapers. In assessing the program's competition in The CD 2B: “The Lifted Veil” - 1943 Windy City, Paul K. Damai (The Times, Munster, Indiana, January 26, 1944) (Program # 20) rated the quality of the show about equal with that of two network programs: Carl Frank, Dwight Weist and Richard Nero Wolfe (Blue, WENR) and Stage Door Canteen (CBS, WBBM). In the Gordon are heard in this story, which Wednesday, August 28, 1946 edition was written by Marian Evans (better of Oregon’s Roseberg News-Review, known as George Eliot) in 1859. the columnist of the KRNR DIAL- LOG wrote: “Spotlight Bands, Cisco CD 3A: “A Terrible Night” - 1943 Kid, Main Line, [all three Mutual/Don (Program # 22) Lee Network series] and The Weird This Fitz-James O’Brien tale, penned Circle are your high spots for tonight’s in 1856, features Michael Fitzmaurice, listening. The Weird Circle draws the Lesley Woods, Arnold Moss, and Will top recommendation in spite of the Geer. comparative lateness of the hour [10:30 Dwight Weist is heard in "A Terribly Strange Bed" and "The Lifted Veil" pm]...The stories are classics and 6 3 they’re bloodcurdling enough to suit the most rabid fan.” However, Van Hemert profile in The Billboard (December 18, 1943) surveying this market indicated -- the columnist’s counterpart at the Herald & News in Klamath Falls (also in that the NBCRRD would pay between $100 - $150 per script. This was about Oregon) -- emphasized that the series was “easily as bad as Lights Out” and average for network productions. Naturally, programs that were packaged by predicted that “the Weird Circle will some day be widely known as very inferior advertising agencies would pay more (up to $250) for an original script. Among entertainment.” However, no details were offered in support of this opinion. An the series offering top dollar were Theatre of Today and Mollé Mystery Theatre. ecstatic follow-up column (August 15, 1947) reported: “It gives me very great The Billboard article stated that these prices were still reflecting the lower pre- pleasure that ‘The Weird Circle’ Thursday night KFJI thriller will give way to a war commissions. One freelance scripter who contributed to The Weird Circle new program ‘Ports of Call.’” Readers were also informed that The Weird Circle later wrote a “How To” piece in The Writer (December 1951). His first bit of had just completed a 52-episode run. This termination was probably determined advice to the novice who wished to enter radio was to reap the benefits of joining by the contract negotiated during the previous year and not the scathing review. the Radio Writers Guild (RWG). Indeed, it was a 1945 RWG Bulletin that One wonders about the nature of Van Hemert’s reaction when the series returned revealed Alfred Bester as a wordsmith of The Weird Circle, though it us unknown to KFJI for a second round in 1956? Obviously, that editor was no John Crosby, which individual stories he adapted. His radio ventures, which followed work in who praised the quality of the transcription business in his newspaper column comics, commenced with The Return of Nick Carter and Charlie Chan. He also (New York Herald Tribune, June 16, 1947). Though he did not mention The contributed to The Shadow, Harvest of Stars and many others before moving into Weird Circle by name, the medium’s most acclaimed pundit cited the various television. He later wrote some of the most hailed novels of the science fiction program types (including mystery) in which NBC was involved in its syndicated genre: The Demolished Man and The Stars My Destination. offerings. Moreover, Crosby acknowledged the critical role recorded programs played in providing avenues for local advertisers. As was the policy of many transcribed series, there were no on air credits for The Weird Circle. A promotional piece in Radio Daily (May 19, 1944), stated that Throughout radio’s Golden Age, there were the periodic (though largely 119 different actors/actresses had been cast during the first thirty-nine episodes. unfounded) complaints by various organizations that the medium’s horror and Kudos to the NBCRRD production staff for providing this opportunity to so mystery programs were contributing to the detriment of juveniles. In the U. S., many performers. Those AFRA-ites identified to date are listed in this booklet’s The Weird Circle was rarely considered one of the guilty parties. Interestingly, Episode Guide. James Van Dyk and Julie Stevens were among the established however, the show was included in a December 1944 Canadian Broadcasting thespians heard on the show, while Irving Goldwater and others were relative Corporation report recommending that stations not renew contracts for newcomers to radio in 1943. Of special note is Norman Lloyd (below), whose such programs. Not surprisingly, this generated extensive coverage in trade impressive career continues to this day. He is well-known from the Hitchcock publications in both the U.S. and Canada. The Weird Circle was extremely films Saboteur and Spellbound, in addition to the 1980s television series St. popular in Canada, with Imperial Tobacco Company of Canada, Ltd. sponsoring Elsewhere. The deep-voiced announcer heard in the opening and closing the program on some 40 stations (including CJAD in Montreal). In 1944, The segments, and who also articulated various character Montreal Kiwanis Club included The Weird Circle on its list of questionable roles, was Robert Anthony Dean (pseudonym of programs, along with The Shadow, Dick Tracy and The Green Hornet, among actor/announcer Ted Jewett). He also served in the others. Though there was much discussion of the matter, Canadian stations same capacity for another NBCRRD dramatic series, continued to broadcast these programs. Your Playhouse of Favorites, which debuted in 1945. One of soundmen on The Weird Circle was F. The 1944 and 1945 episodes of The Weird Circle were directed by Bert Wood. Tilden Brown, whose career at NBC commenced at Some of these scripts were written by Jack Barefield, a member of the NBCRRD the network’s Guest Relations Department in 1934. continuity staff. He contributed to both dramatic (Five Minute Mysteries) and He climbed the ladder from page to tour guide, and music (Three Suns & A Starlet) programs for NBC. Upon departing the network, then became a member of the setup staff prior to his he pursued an academic career, published several plays and created San Diego's promotion to Sound Effects in 1937. In addition to Norman Lloyd is heard in Vantage Theatre. The series was also open to submissions from freelancers. A The Weird Circle and The Haunting Hour (which "The Cask of Amontillado."

4 5 they’re bloodcurdling enough to suit the most rabid fan.” However, Van Hemert profile in The Billboard (December 18, 1943) surveying this market indicated -- the columnist’s counterpart at the Herald & News in Klamath Falls (also in that the NBCRRD would pay between $100 - $150 per script. This was about Oregon) -- emphasized that the series was “easily as bad as Lights Out” and average for network productions. Naturally, programs that were packaged by predicted that “the Weird Circle will some day be widely known as very inferior advertising agencies would pay more (up to $250) for an original script. Among entertainment.” However, no details were offered in support of this opinion. An the series offering top dollar were Theatre of Today and Mollé Mystery Theatre. ecstatic follow-up column (August 15, 1947) reported: “It gives me very great The Billboard article stated that these prices were still reflecting the lower pre- pleasure that ‘The Weird Circle’ Thursday night KFJI thriller will give way to a war commissions. One freelance scripter who contributed to The Weird Circle new program ‘Ports of Call.’” Readers were also informed that The Weird Circle later wrote a “How To” piece in The Writer (December 1951). His first bit of had just completed a 52-episode run. This termination was probably determined advice to the novice who wished to enter radio was to reap the benefits of joining by the contract negotiated during the previous year and not the scathing review. the Radio Writers Guild (RWG). Indeed, it was a 1945 RWG Bulletin that One wonders about the nature of Van Hemert’s reaction when the series returned revealed Alfred Bester as a wordsmith of The Weird Circle, though it us unknown to KFJI for a second round in 1956? Obviously, that editor was no John Crosby, which individual stories he adapted. His radio ventures, which followed work in who praised the quality of the transcription business in his newspaper column comics, commenced with The Return of Nick Carter and Charlie Chan. He also (New York Herald Tribune, June 16, 1947). Though he did not mention The contributed to The Shadow, Harvest of Stars and many others before moving into Weird Circle by name, the medium’s most acclaimed pundit cited the various television. He later wrote some of the most hailed novels of the science fiction program types (including mystery) in which NBC was involved in its syndicated genre: The Demolished Man and The Stars My Destination. offerings. Moreover, Crosby acknowledged the critical role recorded programs played in providing avenues for local advertisers. As was the policy of many transcribed series, there were no on air credits for The Weird Circle. A promotional piece in Radio Daily (May 19, 1944), stated that Throughout radio’s Golden Age, there were the periodic (though largely 119 different actors/actresses had been cast during the first thirty-nine episodes. unfounded) complaints by various organizations that the medium’s horror and Kudos to the NBCRRD production staff for providing this opportunity to so mystery programs were contributing to the detriment of juveniles. In the U. S., many performers. Those AFRA-ites identified to date are listed in this booklet’s The Weird Circle was rarely considered one of the guilty parties. Interestingly, Episode Guide. James Van Dyk and Julie Stevens were among the established however, the show was included in a December 1944 Canadian Broadcasting thespians heard on the show, while Irving Goldwater and others were relative Corporation report recommending that stations not renew contracts for newcomers to radio in 1943. Of special note is Norman Lloyd (below), whose such programs. Not surprisingly, this generated extensive coverage in trade impressive career continues to this day. He is well-known from the Hitchcock publications in both the U.S. and Canada. The Weird Circle was extremely films Saboteur and Spellbound, in addition to the 1980s television series St. popular in Canada, with Imperial Tobacco Company of Canada, Ltd. sponsoring Elsewhere. The deep-voiced announcer heard in the opening and closing the program on some 40 stations (including CJAD in Montreal). In 1944, The segments, and who also articulated various character Montreal Kiwanis Club included The Weird Circle on its list of questionable roles, was Robert Anthony Dean (pseudonym of programs, along with The Shadow, Dick Tracy and The Green Hornet, among actor/announcer Ted Jewett). He also served in the others. Though there was much discussion of the matter, Canadian stations same capacity for another NBCRRD dramatic series, continued to broadcast these programs. Your Playhouse of Favorites, which debuted in 1945. One of soundmen on The Weird Circle was F. The 1944 and 1945 episodes of The Weird Circle were directed by Bert Wood. Tilden Brown, whose career at NBC commenced at Some of these scripts were written by Jack Barefield, a member of the NBCRRD the network’s Guest Relations Department in 1934. continuity staff. He contributed to both dramatic (Five Minute Mysteries) and He climbed the ladder from page to tour guide, and music (Three Suns & A Starlet) programs for NBC. Upon departing the network, then became a member of the setup staff prior to his he pursued an academic career, published several plays and created San Diego's promotion to Sound Effects in 1937. In addition to Norman Lloyd is heard in Vantage Theatre. The series was also open to submissions from freelancers. A The Weird Circle and The Haunting Hour (which "The Cask of Amontillado."

4 5 was the immediate successor to the former series), he created patterns for Eliot). (These are all featured in this collection). The initial set of 26 episodes daytime serials (Stella Dallas) and juvenile adventures (Terry & The Pirates). was so highly lauded that another cycle of thirteen was produced. The creation Formulating sounds of a different nature was Donald Bain, who garnered a of additional blocks continued during 1944 and, by the start of 1945, there were reputation for being able to "imitate everything from a mosquito to an elephant." a total 78 episodes. Stations and sponsors continued to purchase the program. In Bain’s avocation initially blossomed during World War I, becoming a morale 1945, station KWK in St. Louis inaugurated a ‘Mystery of the Month’ slot, in booster for fellow troops. He enjoyed an extensive career in vaudeville and radio, which listeners were presented with episodes of the same series each weekday on Broadway, in Hollywood, and later on television. In this collection, listen for night (at the same time) over a four week period. The station scheduled The his renditions of a wide array of beasts. The Weird Circle continued to be offered Weird Circle for September at 10 pm. NBCRRD continued to offer The Weird throughout the 1950s and into the 1960s by NBC’s parent company RCA. Circle throughout the 1940s.

Episode Guide: In 1949, Frigidaire (then a General Motors subsidiary) invited its local appliance (Note: Episodes were assigned individual program numbers in a continuous dealers to engage in a joint advertising plan. They offered a 50% partnership sequence regardless of the year or block in which they were recorded.) in bankrolling one of twenty-four different radio series from four different packagers, including The Weird Circle. An interesting example of the way this CD 1A: “The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym” - 1943 (Program # 4) collaboration worked can be found in the participation of Collins & Magill of This Edgar Allan Poe tale, penned in 1838, features Carl Frank, Santos Ortega, Troy, New York. The program was broadcast at the unusual hour of 1 pm on Irving Goldwater, Earl George, Ted de Corsia, and Roc Rogers. Friday’s via station WABY. (After all, the one family member who might be listening at that time of day would also be the person who had the most interest in CD 1B: “A Terribly Strange Bed” - 1943 (Program # 6) a new refrigerator.) A similar venture was profiled in a 1945 issue ofCooperative Chester Stratton, Dwight Weist (below), Julie Stevens, Roc Rogers, and Carl Digest, in which the Harmony Valley Creamery Association of San Luis Obispo, Eastman star in this Wilkie Collins yarn from 1852. California interacted with its member dairy farmers to promote the interests of the industry and to increase enrollment. The program was broadcast via the local CD 2A: “The Horla” - 1943 (Program # 9) KVEC on a weekly basis at assorted times and on various days. Guy de Maupassant’s 1886 thriller is brought to life by Julie Stevens, James Van Dyk, Santos Ortega, Ted de Corsia, and Cameron Andrews. The local flavor of The Weird Circle invited critique of the program by the radio editors at city newspapers. In assessing the program's competition in The CD 2B: “The Lifted Veil” - 1943 Windy City, Paul K. Damai (The Times, Munster, Indiana, January 26, 1944) (Program # 20) rated the quality of the show about equal with that of two network programs: Carl Frank, Dwight Weist and Richard Nero Wolfe (Blue, WENR) and Stage Door Canteen (CBS, WBBM). In the Gordon are heard in this story, which Wednesday, August 28, 1946 edition was written by Marian Evans (better of Oregon’s Roseberg News-Review, known as George Eliot) in 1859. the columnist of the KRNR DIAL- LOG wrote: “Spotlight Bands, Cisco CD 3A: “A Terrible Night” - 1943 Kid, Main Line, [all three Mutual/Don (Program # 22) Lee Network series] and The Weird This Fitz-James O’Brien tale, penned Circle are your high spots for tonight’s in 1856, features Michael Fitzmaurice, listening. The Weird Circle draws the Lesley Woods, Arnold Moss, and Will top recommendation in spite of the Geer. comparative lateness of the hour [10:30 Dwight Weist is heard in "A Terribly Strange Bed" and "The Lifted Veil" pm]...The stories are classics and 6 3 ceived inferior quality, and general stigma, often associated with pre-recorded CD 3B: “Frankenstein” - 1943 (Program # 26) shows. Alex Russo documents the early days of the NBCRRD in his book Points This 1818 classic by Mary Shelley features Chester Stratton, James Van Dyk and on the Dial: Golden Age Radio Beyond the Networks. When it was first orga- Richard Saunders. nized as the Electrical Transcription Service in 1934, there existed a great debate among NBC executives as to the proposed venture’s worth. However, it soon be- CD 4A: “The Spectre of Tappington” - 1944 (Program # 29) came apparent that it was fulfilling a need for many local stations, providing pro- Richard Harris Barham’s 1840 ghost story is performed by John Moore, Michael gramming which could also be most profitable for the network. The Division was Fitzmaurice, Elizabeth Morgan, and Alfred Shirley. administered by Vice-President C. Lloyd Egner, who oversaw a staff of some 200 employees functioning in similar jobs to their ‘live’ network counterparts. CD 4B: “The Cask of Amontillado” - 1944 (Program # 33) The thespians in Poe’s 1846 tale of revenge include Norman Lloyd and Bernard Production of The Weird Circle was originally supervised by Oscar Turner, with Lenrow. scripts adapted by Peggy Mayer. She stated in a 1943 press release that the series enabled her to achieve a lifelong goal: “to bring enduring works by masters CD 5A: “Falkland” - 1944 (Program # 35) of literature to radio.” She also co-directed this initial block of episodes with Arnold Moss and Edwin Jerome head the cast in this 1827 story by Edward Morris Hamilton. Her radio career commenced as an actress in Chicago. She Bulwer-Lytton (below). then moved to New York and acquired a job as a radio director’s secretary. Mayer turned script writer at age 24, becoming the youngest authoress of a network CD 5B: “The Trail for Murder” - 1944 (Program # 36) daytime serial (The Story of Bess Johnson). The Weird Circle was auditioned for This 1865 tale of the supernatural crafted by Charles Dickens features James Van the press, as well as the radio and advertising industry, on June 10, 1943 with Dyk, Kay Loring and Humphrey Davis. Poe's "The Fall of The House of Usher." CD 6A: “The Phantom Picture” - 1944 (Program # 41) Although Variety (June 23, 1943) reported that the Longines-Wittnauer Watch Carl Frank, Alan Devitt, Carl Eastman, and Inge Adams are heard in this spine- Co. was the first advertiser to pick up the series for distribution in theU.S., chiller, which was adapted from an early nineteenth century story by Washington no further information has been discovered regarding this particular endeavor. Irving. The series was, however, contracted by many local sponsors. The first was Peter Hand Brewery Co. of Chicago, whose product endorsements were heard each CD 6B: “The Burial of Roger Malvin” - 1944 (Program # 47) Thursday night at 9:30 pm via WGN, starting on July 8th. (Though WGN was a This Nathaniel Hawthorne yarn, penned in 1832, features Stacy Harris and Inge key station of the Mutual network, The Weird Circle Adams. was not aired as a program of that network). In New York, The Weird Circle was bankrolled by Howard CD 7A: “The Fatal Love Potion” - 1944 Clothes, Inc., airing at 6:00 pm Sunday nights on (Program # 48) the independent WNEW. In Los Angeles, listeners Michael Fitzmaurice and Ted de Corsia star in this tuned in to KECA (the Blue Network affiliate) on Edward Bulwer-Lytton tale from 1834, transformed Thursdays at 7:30 pm for episodes sponsored by from “The Last Days of Pompei.” Sanford Laboratories. CD 7B: “The Spectre Bride” - 1944 In addition to the trio of authors cited in the opening (Program # 60) paragraph, the first twenty-six episodes included the Elizabeth Eustis, Lesley Woods, Michael Fitzmaurice, works of Fitz-James O’Brien, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edwin Jerome are heard in William Harrison Nathaniel Hawthorne (Portrait by Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote "Falkland" Charles Osgood) (left) and Marian Evans (using the pen name George Ainsworth’s unearthly narrative from 1822. and "The Fatal Love Potion" 2 7 CD 8A: “The Thing in the Tunnel” - 1944 (Program # 66) This episode, adapted from Charles Dickens’ (right) THE WEIRD CIRCLE 1866 story “The Signal Man,” includes performances by James Van Dyk, Walter Vaughn and Alan Devitt. Restless Sea