Old Time Radio Theater Night @ Visible Voice

By Robert Carillio

Did you ever hear the old saying “it’s so old it’s new?” Well, that’s what I can say about old time radio theater because listening to it is such a refreshing break from television or movies.

I have a disc collection of CBS’s “Radio Mystery Theater” which ran from 1974 until 1982. This show was produced by long time radio theater creator Hyman Brown and hosted by E.G. Marshall, who had the kind of storytelling voice that made you want to gather around a fireplace on a cold October night! CBS Radio Mystery Theater was actually a rebirth of radio theater which had been absent from — or rare — on the radio airwaves for several years prior. It featured many great guest actors and iconic voices, as well as the little known performer.

Long before television people used to gather around the radio and listen to their favorite shows. Featured were such subjects as drama, adventure, comedy, horror and mystery — which is some of the material we will be featuring at Visible Voice Books on Wed 11/2.

In radio theater, unlike television or movies, I appreciate the fact that since there is no moving picture to go along with the dialogue, the script writing had to be very descriptive and imaginative to paint the picture of what is happening in one’s mind. There were no super enhanced computer effects to make up for the substance a particular storyline lacks, which, in my opinion, is so common in many of today’s mainstream movies. Quality writing is what radio theater is all about and if that’s what you like that’s what you’ll get! Most of the time, the acting is fabulous.

Additionally, another advantage of radio theater is that it offers a chance for improving listening skills, increasing attention span and developing your imagination. It gives the eyes a rest from the glare of the television, too. I like laying down, closing the eyes and allow the picture to form in my mind… the characters, the scenes, the time periods etc…. It can become addictive! Radio theater is making a comeback on various local public radio stations in Cleveland/N.E. Ohio.

Experience old time radio mystery theater every 1st Wednesday of the month @ Visible Voice starting at 6:30PM. Radio Mystery Theater Social Night is your time to sit back, relax and bring your favorite snack to munch on (or enjoy wine, coffee, or tea available at the store) and hear famous voice actors performing great stories by many classic radio writers — all in a nostalgic and intimate setting. These stories were crafted especially for radio and to stir your imagination without relying on a picture on a screen.

Between acts, there will be breaks for socializing and mingling with others who appreciate this truly unique lost art form existing long before television. The evening will be hosted by Classic Movies Radio and Nostalgia Meetup Group, in cooperation with Visible Voice Books.

Radio Mystery Theater Social Night happens every 1st Wed of the month, starting on Wed 11/2 at 6:30PM. Please call your hosts Calvin at 216-401-3118 or Robert at 330-393-4448 to learn more about this free event or to get directions to Visible Voice Books in Cleveland’s historic Tremont neighborhood at 1023 Kenilworth Ave. http://Meetup.com/classicmovies.