The Mysterious Traveler
“The Mysterious Traveler” was a popular and influential American radio drama anthology series that ran on the Mutual Broadcasting System from December 1943 to September 1952.Here’s a breakdown of the show:
Concept: Each week, listeners were invited to join a “Mysterious Traveler” (primarily voiced by Maurice Tarplin) on a train journey, where he would introduce a dark, mysterious, or suspenseful tale. The stories often had elements of mystery, suspense, crime fiction, horror, and science fiction. The narrator’s opening line, “This is the Mysterious Traveler, inviting you to join me on another journey into the strange and terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will thrill you a little and chill you a little. So settle back, get a good grip on your nerves and be comfortable—if you can!” became iconic.Creators: The series was created, written, and directed by Robert Arthur and David Kogan. They were known for their prolific work in radio drama.Format: It was an anthology series, meaning each episode featured a complete, self-contained story with different characters and plots. There was no recurring cast besides the Mysterious Traveler himself.Notable Aspects:Atmosphere: The show was renowned for its effective use of dramatic music and sound effects to create an immersive and eerie listening experience.Variety of Genres: While primarily suspense and mystery, the show explored various genres, including supernatural tales, science fiction, and crime dramas.Popularity and Legacy: “The Mysterious Traveler” was highly popular during its run, even winning the Edgar Award for best radio drama in 1953. Its success spawned a comic book adaptation and a short-lived magazine.Survival: Unfortunately, despite nearly 400 episodes produced, only about 70 to 75 of them are known to still exist today.Controversy and Cancellation: The show’s creators, Robert Arthur and David Kogan, were active members of the Radio Writer’s Guild, which, in the McCarthy era of the early 1950s, was unfortunately deemed a “communist front group” by the House Committee for Un-American Activities (HUAC). This led to pressure from advertisers and affiliates, ultimately contributing to the cancellation of “The Mysterious Traveler” radio show and the magazine in 1952.Cast: While Maurice Tarplin was the most consistent voice of “the Mysterious Traveler,” other actors like House Jameson and John Stanley also voiced the role in later episodes. The series featured a rotating cast of talented radio actors, including Jackson Beck, Lon Clark, Roger DeKoven, Elspeth Eric, Wendell Holmes, Bill Johnstone, Joseph Julian, Jan Miner, Santos Ortega, Bryna Raeburn, Frank Readick, Luis van Rooten, Ann Shepherd, Lawson Zerbe, and Bill Zuckert.
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