The CBS Radio Mystery Theater: An Episode Guide and Handbook to Nine Years of Broadcasting, 1974-1982 [Paperback]

Gordon Payton (Author), Martin, Jr. Grams (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786418907 | ISBN-13: 978-0786418909 | Publication Date: January 26, 2004 | Edition: New edition

Almost every evening for nine years during the late 1970s and early 1980s, the CBS Radio Mystery Theatre brought monsters, murderers and mayhem together for an hour. Created, produced and directed by Himan Brown, the series remains a landmark in radio drama. This book is a detailed history and episode guide to the show.

Descriptive information includes exact titles, airdates and rebroadcast dates, episode numbers, cast lists, writer and adapter credits, and a storyline synopsis. This material comes directly from CBS press releases in order to insure complete accuracy. Also included wherever possible are information about the actors and actresses, quotes from performers and writers (many from personal interviews), anecdotes about various scripts and sound effects, and other notes of interest.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"an extensive look at the radio drama that gave us the fear you can hear in the ’70s -- Starlog

"excellent index to titles, actors and actresses, and writers...fascinating glimpse into the history of radio and radio drama" -- ARBA

About the Author

Gordon Payton is a radio drama actor, director, producer and archivist. He lives in Collingswood, New Jersey. Martin Grams, Jr., has written a number of books on the performing arts, including Radio Drama: A Comprehensive Chronicle of American Network Programs, 1932–1962 (2000). He lives in Delta, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 485 pages
• Publisher: Mcfarland & Co Inc Pub; New edition edition (January 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786418907
• ISBN-13: 978-0786418909
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #244,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars radio drama at its best, October 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The CBS Radio Mystery Theater: An Episode Guide & Handbook to Nine Years of Broadcasting, 1974-1982 (Library Binding)

This is a good book for fans of the radio series, as it lists all the episodes and brief synopsis's of each one. It also has air dates, and a good index. It suffers only in two areas. It is overpriced for a book its size, and it does not go into the history behind the series in depth. No interviews with stars or photograghs were included,which would have enhanced it value. Still for fans, it is a must buy. Hopefully maybe the authors in a future printing will add the aforementioned information.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well researched, great reference tool for show collectors., June 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The CBS Radio Mystery Theater: An Episode Guide & Handbook to Nine Years of Broadcasting, 1974-1982 (Library Binding)

CBS Radio Mystery Theater fans no longer have to wonder about titles and broadcast dates of their favorite RMT episodes, or how many episodes there actually are. "The CBS Radio Mystery Theater" is meticulously prepared and researched with a complete listing of all original Mystery Theater episodes.

The episodes listed here are in their original broadcast order. The strength of this book is definitely the episode listing. Each episode liner note contains the title, broadcast date, rebroadcast date (if applicable), cast, show synopsis and notes. It works excellent as a research tool for the Mystery Theater tape collector. The book also contains two appendixes. Appendix 1 is a chronological listing of the 1977 CBS/General Mills Radio Adventure Theater episodes. Appendix 2 is the complete broadcast log of the 1998 revival of the CBS Radio Mystery Theater. Curiously, missing from the book are the episodes that aired in 1988/89.

Although the episode portion of the book is outstanding, it is sadly lacking in the history department. I had expected more interviews and photos (there are no photos) describing the history of the show. Some anecdotes would have been nice too. The preface and show history total a mere eight pages! This is unfortunate, seeing that the show ran for more than eight years. It leaves this Mystery Theater buff with many unanswered questions about the show. The quality of the book cover, binding and paper are superb. This is basically a library edition which will last indefinitely in a private collection.

CBS RMT fans, if you are looking for a book with all of the episodes to use as a reference guide, this is the one for you. However, if you want for an in-depth book that details the history of the show with photographs and anecdotes, you may have to wait a while.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for all CBS RMT fans!, July 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The CBS Radio Mystery Theater: An Episode Guide & Handbook to Nine Years of Broadcasting, 1974-1982 (Library Binding)

This is a must-have book. The index is thick and covers every name, actor, writer, director, etc. The plot descriptions are a god-send, and very well written. That I will swear on my mother's grave. I noticed the history is not as long as most of Martin Grams' books, but I also noticed that most of the information that would normally be found in the history, has been listed under the episode entries. Trivia and recollections. One person wrote that they found the history too short and not enough interviews. Not true. If you were to flip through and take all of the trivia and interviews from under all of the episode entries themselves, it would probably total more than fifty pages of history! For any old-time radio fan and CBS RMT fan, this is THE book on the program. And we have to thank both Gordon Payton and Martin Grams, (the latter is the best d--- researcher on Old-Timer Radio - "we love you Martin!") for putting together such a great book. Buy this one folks! Accept no imitations!