Host: Peter Lorre
Peter Lorre was the host and narrator in this horror anthology transcribed in Hollywood. Out of 53 known episodes, 43 are missing. That means four out of every five shows were lost and only 20% survived. Lorre was a great horror host. He did not appear in the actual stories as he did in his 1947 series, Mystery In The Air, (at least not in the few episodes I've heard). The stories are good too, but Lorre as host really puts the listener in the proper frame of mind. Check out the narrations and see for yourself. It demonstrates what a difference a great horror host can make!
This series should not be confused with the short 3 minute John Norman production also called Nightmare. The two have no verified connection with one another at all, despite some theories to the contrary.
A Sample Intro:
Announcer: "Out of the dark of night, from the shadows of the senses, comes this-- the fantasy of fear. Nightmare. Starring as your exciting guide to terror, Peter Lorre."
(Music flourish)
Host: "Oh, you don't believe in ghosts. Careful now. Don't be so sure of yourself. Because, ah, because I know a story about a woman who didn't believe in ghosts either. And she made a business of it. Until one day, terror struck from behind the dark veil."
Announcer: "You are listening to Peter Lorre tell you of 'The Chance of a Ghost.'"
Host: "Now, about this woman. Oh yes, Sonya Gale. Sonya was a medium. She made her living out of death. Heh! You know what a medium is. They hold séances, they lift tables and chairs. They make weird voices come out of nowhere. They say they are in touch with the dead. Heh! You don't believe it? Oh, you don't believe in ghosts, uh? Well, neither do I.... most of the time. And neither did Sonya... at first."
Hear it now, FREE!
(Courtesy of Best-otr.com)
Chance of a Ghost -A phony fortune teller is confronted with what appears to be very real ghosts.
The Leech - A murdering couple have great difficulty disposing of the corpse, especially when it seems to be playing games with them.
Hallow Footsteps - A married man is haunted by the ghost of his first girlfriend-- a woman he murdered.
A personal rememberence about the show (from one of our visitors):
"Other shows I liked a lot were John Steele, Adventurer, and Nightmare with Peter Lorre, an even earlier Mutual show that came on just as it began to get dark in the summer. Scared me silly, especially the episode about a man who killed with a hammer and lived upstairs in some one's house named Gloria, I think. I'd sure love to be able to listen to those shows now. Nightmare with Peter Lorre, an even earlier Mutual show that came on just as it began to get dark in the summer. Scared me silly, especially the episode about a man who killed with a hammer and lived upstairs in some one's house named Gloria, I think. I'd sure love to be able to listen to those shows now. " - Linda D., Upper Black Eddy, Pa.