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Arch Oboler's Plays

Description

ARCH OBOLER PLAYS was the series title for 3 separate series: a series of 53 shows in 1939 and 1940, a series of 26 shows in 1945, and a series of 13 in 1964. The 1964 series is also known as ARCH OBOLER PRESENTS. All shows were produced and directed by Arch Oboler. The 1939-1940 series aired on NBC, sustained, on Saturdays at 10:00 PM EST; shows typically ran 30 minutes except the August 26, 1939 show which ran 60 minutes. All shows in this series were original radio plays written by Arch Oboler except the last two, which were adaptations by him. The 1945 series aired on Mutual, sustained, on Thursdays at 10:00 PM EST; shows ran 30 minutes. The 1964 series was syndicated, all new productions using original and previous scripts, running about 20 minutes.

Arch Oboler's Plays is a radio anthology series written, produced and directed by Arch Oboler. Minus a sponsor, it ran for one year, airing Saturday evenings on NBC from March 25, 1939, to March 23, 1940, and revived five years later on Mutual for a sustaining summer run from April 5, 1945, to October 11, 1945.

Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 4.0. Updated Jun 13, 2025.

Showtimes

Original schedule

  1. 193910:00 PM ET
    NBC Red Network (WEAF New York) · night
    SuMoTuWeThFrSa
  2. 19399:30 PM ET
    NBC Red Network (WEAF New York) · night
    SuMoTuWeThFrSa
  3. 19399:00 PM ET
    NBC Red Network (WEAF New York) · night
    SuMoTuWeThFrSa
  4. 1939–19408:00 PM ET
    NBC Red Network (WEAF New York) · night
    SuMoTuWeThFrSa
  5. 194510:00 PM ET
    Mutual Radio Network · night
    SuMoTuWeThFrSa
  6. 19648:00 PM ET
    Mutual Radio Network (WCPO Cincinnati aircheck) · night
    SuMoTuWeThFrSa

Cast & Crew

References

“Radio Drama - A Comprehensive Chronicle of American Network Programs, 1932-1962.” Grams Jr., Martin, n.d.
Hickerson, Jay. The 4th Revised Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and Guide to ALL Circulating Shows.
Paulson, Roger C. Archives of the Airwaves (7 Volumes). The Old Radio Times.
Dunning, John. On the Air : The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Sperdvac Radiogram.
“RADIO PROGRAMS SCHEDULED FOR THE CURRENT WEEK.” New York Times, March 17, 1929.
“RADIO PROGRAMS SCHEDULED FOR THE CURRENT WEEK New York.” New York Times, October 6, 1929.
Grams Jr., Martin. Radio Drama - A Comprehensive Chronicle of American Network Programs, 1932-1962.
Terrace, Vincent. Radio Programs, 1924-1984. A Catalog of Over 1800 Shows.
Terrace, Vincent. Radio's Golden Years - The Encyclopedia of Radio Programs 1930-1960. Collector's Corner.
“THE MICROPHONE WILL PRESENT--.” New York Times, March 24, 1929.
“Today's Radio Program.” New York Times, January 1, 1927.

Broadcasts