The Kabbala (Aired August 2, 1946)


According to Billboard magazine, talent and production costs for Murder At Midnight averaged about $5000 per program, one of the higher costs of canned, syndicated programming of the era. But the investment shows. And indeed, well into its almost six years of syndication, the series continued to pull respectable audience shares. The talent included well known names such as Lawson Zerbe, Karl Swenson, Berry Kroeger, Lon Clark, Frank Readick, Elspeth Eric, Mandel Kramer, Michael Fitzmaurice, Alfred Shirley, and Raymond Edward Johnson--and his wife, among many other well-respected east coast actors of the era. Anton Leader, later famous for his Television work, directed the series. The writing staff was also top-notch, with names such as Max Erlich, Joe Ruscoll and Robert Newman, among others. The thriller formula of the era called for equally thrilling organ music underscoring, capably handled by Charles Paul and Bert Buhrman on the organ. The sound engineering also greatly contributed to the supernatural thriller 'feel' of the series.

THIS EPISODE:

August 2, 1946. Program #16. KFI, Los Angeles origination, Cowan syndication, World transcription. "The Kabbala". Commercials added locally. A dying Arab passes on an ancient scroll with the ability to see into the future. A good story. Raymond Morgan (host), Albert Buhrman (organist), Anton M. Leader (director), James Van Dyke, Robert Newman (writer), Louis G. Cowan (producer). 26:18. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.