Radio Recap: Nightmare

The first time I heard an episode of Nightmare I wasn't quite certain what it was. Obviously my ears immediately recognized the familiar voice of Peter Lorre hosting and narrating the program - but how could it be that he had an entire series I hadn't heard about before? Given that Nightmare is a horror-mystery anthology with one of the all-time great horror-mystery stars hosting, it is a little mystifying that it's seldom brought up among old-time radio fans.

Nightmare was a late entry in radio, airing on Mutual from fall 1953 to spring 1954. It lasted a full calendar year, yet a mere 7 episodes still exist. All the commercials have been cut from the programs, leaving them very trim (about 23 minutes each). The seven episodes are:

• "The Purple Cloud" (November 19, 1953) Two men fear a nuclear assault has occurred.
• "Coincidence" (November 26, 1953) A schmoe has the bad luck to find the murder weapon that recently killed his girlfriend's father.
• "High Wire Lady" (December 24, 1953) A woman afraid of heights is forced to face her fears.
• "The Hollow Footsteps" (February 3, 1954) A man seems to be haunted by a ghost that only he can hear.
• "The Chance of a Ghost" (March 31, 1954) A medium fears she has truly made contact with the spirit world.
• "The Leech" (April 7, 1954) An unfaithful wife and her lover murder her husband but are prevented from making a getaway.
• "The Hybrid" (April 14, 1954) A new hothouse plant has a thirst for blood.

As my brief descriptions show, the content was very similar to Inner Sanctum Mysteries, but the style was more restrained. The exception to the rule is "the Hybrid," a menacing story with some gruesome moments and extremely effective sound effects. By the declining standards of 1953-1954 radio, Nightmare is pretty good. Stories such as "Coincidence" are contrived, but in that instance the intent of the plot is to create a contrived situation to endanger the protagonist.

It's a pity that Lorre didn't perform in these programs as we know from Mystery in the Air that no one could energize a script like he - but Nightmare did at least boast a lot of solid radio professionals who turned in good work. Lorre's hosting permitted him to be a bit light-hearted, often speaking in rhyme. Lorre is always delightful.

The Digital Deli has a great article on the series.