Enjoy two free horror episodes of Inner Sanctum Mystery w/ Paul McGrath

A) 5/30/49 The Corpse is Lonely

B) 4/17/50 Beneficiary, Death

Taking its name from a popular series of mystery novels, Inner Sanctum Mystery debuted over NBC’s Blue Network in January 1941. Inner Sanctum Mystery featured one of the most memorable and atmospheric openings in radio history: an organist hit a dissonant chord, a doorknob turned and the famous “creaking door” slowly began to open. Every week, Inner Sanctum Mystery told stories of ghosts, murderers and lunatics. Produced in New York by Himan Brown, the casts usually consisted of veteran radio actors, with occasional guest appearances by Hollywood stars including Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Claude Rains. What made Inner Sanctum Mystery unique among radio horror shows was its host -- a slightly sinister sounding fellow originally known as “Raymond.” The host had a droll sense of humor and an appetite for ghoulish puns, and his influence can be seen among horror hosts everywhere, from the Crypt-Keeper to Elvira. Raymond Edward Johnson was the show’s host until 1945; Paul McGrath took over as host until the show left the air in 1952. Beginning in 1945, Lipton Tea sponsored the series, pairing Raymond and a cheery spokeswoman (Mary Bennett – the Lipton Tea Lady), whose sprightly pitches for Lipton Tea seemed out of place with the macabre themes of the stories. Later in the run, Bromo-Seltzer came aboard as sponsor. In 1974-82, producer, Himan Brown, would utilize the creaking door again in his masterful attempt to resurrect radio drama, The CBS Radio Mystery Theater.