The Zero Hour (U.S. radio series)

The Zero Hour (aka Hollywood Radio Theater) was a 1973–74 American radio drama anthology series hosted by Rod Serling.^[1]^[2] With tales of mystery, adventure and suspense, the program was broadcast for two seasons.

The radio series debuted on September 3, 1973, in syndication, and was picked up by the Mutual Broadcasting System in December. The original format featured five-part dramas broadcast Monday through Friday with the story coming to a conclusion on Friday. Including commercials, each part was approximately 30 minutes long. Mutual affiliates were free to broadcast the series in any available time slot that they wished.^[3]

In 1974, still airing five days a week, the program changed to a full story in a single 30-minute installment with the same actor starring throughout the week in all five programs. That format was employed from late April 1974 to the end of the series in July 1974.

Producer J. M. Kholos was a Los Angeles advertising man who acquired the rights to suspense novels, including Tony Hillerman's The Blessing Way, for radio adaptations. In some cases, the titles were changed. For example, the five-part "Desperate Witness" was an adaptation of The Big Clock by Kenneth Fearing. To create a strong package, Kholos followed through by lining up top actors, including John Astin, Edgar Bergen, Joseph Campanella, Richard Crenna, John Dehner, Howard Duff, Keenan Wynn, Richard Deacon, Patty Duke, Nina Foch, George Maharis, Susan Oliver, Brock Peters and Lurene Tuttle.

The opening theme music was by Ferrante & Teicher. Don Hills produced the series for StudioHouse, which also produced the Salvation Army's Heartbeat Theatre. Counting each five-part show as five episodes, there were a total of 130 episodes. Failing to find a large audience due to the initial weekly serial format and lack of promotion, Mutual canceled the program, and the final episode was broadcast on July 26 1974, though many Mutual affiliates continued broadcasting repeats for several months afterwards. According to director Elliott Lewis, "They wanted as much name value as possible to help with sales. They forgot they had to sell it. Everybody sat in the office and waited for someone to call them up and buy the show."^[4]

Highbridge Audio released six of the five-part stories on audiocassettes. "Desperate Witness"; "Face Of The Foe"; "But I Wouldn't Want To Die There"; "Wife Of The Red-Haired Man"; "The Heir Hunters" and "If Two Of Them Are Dead."

Episodes – Series One

Episode	Title	Written by / based on novel by	Airdate
1–5	"Wife of the Red Haired Man (parts 1-5)"	Bill S. Ballinger	September 3, 1973 (1973-09-03) to September 7, 1973 (1973-09-07)
"This week Bill S. Ballinger's best selling novel of the pursuit of a damned couple, starring Patty Duke Astin, John Astin, and Howard Duff."
6–10	"Someone's Death (parts 1-5)"	Charles Larson	September 10, 1973 (1973-09-10) to September 14, 1973 (1973-09-14)
"This week Charles Larson's inside story of television murder, starring George Kennedy, Joyce Bulifant and Robert Reed."
11–15	"Fourth of Forever (parts 1-5)"	Bill S. Ballinger	September 17, 1973 (1973-09-17) to September 21, 1973 (1973-09-21)
"This week Bill S. Ballinger's study of a deadly obsession, starring John Dehner and Susan Oliver."
16–20	"Face of the Foe (parts 1-5)"	Patricia Power	September 24, 1973 (1973-09-24) to September 28, 1973 (1973-09-28)
"This week Patricia Power's eerie saga of a neighborhood besieged, starring Jessica Walters, Joe Campanella and Judy Carne."
21–25	"Blessing Way (parts 1-5)"	Tony Hillerman	October 2, 1973 (1973-10-02) to October 6, 1973 (1973-10-06)
"This week Tony Hillerman's haunting tour of terror, starring Ed Nelson, Barbara Anderson, and Tige Andrews."
26–30	"Princess Stakes Murder Case (parts 1-5)"	Kin Platt	October 8, 1973 (1973-10-08) to October 12, 1973 (1973-10-12)
"This week Kin Platt's gymkhana of foul play, starring Howard Duff, Julie Adams and Ray Danton."
31–35	"Queen in Danger (parts 1-5)"	Adam Hall	October 15, 1973 (1973-10-15) to October 19, 1973 (1973-10-19)
"This week Adam Hall's chess match of continental intrigue, starring Juliet Mills, Robert Brown and Murray Matheson."
36–40	"Desperate Witness (parts 1-5)"	Kenneth Fearing	October 22, 1973 (1973-10-22) to October 26, 1973 (1973-10-26)
"This week Kenneth Fearing's study of a deadly obsession, starring Richard Crenna, Keenan Wynn, and Julie Adams."
41–45	"If Two of Them Are Dead (parts 1-5)"	Stanton Forbes	October 29, 1973 (1973-10-29) to November 2, 1973 (1973-11-02)
"This week Stanton Forbes' bizarre retrospective tale of entanglement, starring Earl Holliman, Catherine Burns, and Nina Foch as Sister Love."
46–50	"But I Wouldn't Want to Die There (parts 1-5)"	Stanton Forbes	November 5, 1973 (1973-11-05) to November 9, 1973 (1973-11-09)
"This week Stanton Forbes' labyrinth of tropical intrigue, starring Nehemiah Persoff, Brock Peters, and Marge Redmond." Also starring Alan Reed.^[5]
51–55	"Heir Hunters (parts 1-5)"	Bill S. Ballinger	November 12, 1973 (1973-11-12) to November 16, 1973 (1973-11-16)
"This week Bill S. Ballinger's sound portrait of an unlikely hero, starring Ken Berry, Joanne Worley, Edgar Bergen."
56–60	"A Die in the Country (parts 1-5)"	Tobias Wells	November 19, 1973 (1973-11-19) to November 23, 1973 (1973-11-23)
"This week Tobias Wells' neogothic tale of small-town terror, starring Peter Marshall, Susan Strasberg, and Andrew Duggan."
61–65	"The Dead Man's Tale (parts 1-5)"	Merwin Gerard	November 26, 1973 (1973-11-26) to November 30, 1973 (1973-11-30)
"This week Merwin Gerard's study of a man pursued, starring George Maharis, Craig Stevens and Charles McGraw."

Episodes – Series Two

Starring	Episode	Title	Written by / based on novel by	Airdate
Mel Torme
	66	"Bye-Bye Narco"	Keith Walker	April 29, 1974 (1974-04-29)
	"Today Keith Walker's odd tale of violated sanctuary..."
	67	"Terror in the Night"	Glenhall Taylor	April 30, 1974 (1974-04-30)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's frightening suspense thriller..."
	68	"Scream of the Hawk"	Keith Walker	May 1, 1974 (1974-05-01)
	"Today Keith Walker's story of the ultimate revenge..."
	69	"Extortionist"	Glenhall Taylor	May 2, 1974 (1974-05-02)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's tale of a threatened death..."
	70	"Price of Admission"	Kim Weiskopf	May 3, 1974 (1974-05-03)
	"Today Kim Weiskopf's audio glimpse of the mayhem on the midway..."
Jackie Cooper
	71	"Shortage Story"	Kim Weiskopf	May 6, 1974 (1974-05-06)
	"Today Kim Weiskopf's twisted tale of modern times..."
	72	"Escape to Nowhere"	Glenhall Taylor	May 7, 1974 (1974-05-07)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's tale of murder and futile escape..."
	73	"Fair's Fair, You Know"	Keith Walker	May 8, 1974 (1974-05-08)
	"Today Keith Walker's convoluted tale of now you see it now you don't..."
	74	"Housecall"	Kim Weiskopf	May 9, 1974 (1974-05-09)
	"Today Kim Weiskopf's unravelling of a grisly prescription..."
	75	"Violation"	Keith Walker	May 10, 1974 (1974-05-10)
	"Today Keith Walker's frightened story of blinded justice..." Featured in the cast: John Larch
Dick Sargent
	76	"Arm's Length"	Kim Weiskopf	May 13, 1974 (1974-05-13)
	"Today Kim Weiskopf's grisly tale of detachment..." Featured in the cast: Ross Martin
	77	"Some People Die Only Once"	Glenhall Taylor	May 14, 1974 (1974-05-14)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's story of a mysterious death..."
	78	"Reward"	Keith Walker	May 15, 1974 (1974-05-15)
	"Today Keith Walker's oblique look into the other side of crime..."
	79	"Villainous Verdict"	Glenhall Taylor	May 16, 1974 (1974-05-16)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's drama of deception and death..."
	80	"Strange Odyssey of Sandy Mitchell"	Keith Walker	May 17, 1974 (1974-05-17)
	"Today Keith Walker's spine-tingling tale of the supernatural..." Featured in the cast: Casey Kasem
Lyle Waggoner
	81	"White Flame Burning Bright"	Glenhall Taylor	May 20, 1974 (1974-05-20)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's macabre adventure in pyromania..."
	82	"Mind of the Beholder"	Kim Weiskopf	May 21, 1974 (1974-05-21)
	"Today Kim Weiskopf's sidelong glance at a small town entanglement..."
	83	"Why Is Ted Marcosi Driving Aunt Sally Insane?"	Keith Walker	May 22, 1974 (1974-05-22)
	"Today Keith Walker's romp through the ? of horror..."
	84	"There is a Man in 211"	Kim Weiskopf	May 23, 1974 (1974-05-23)
	"Today Kim Weiskopf's strange saga of apartment living..."
	85	"Death is a Puppeteer"	Glenhall Taylor	May 24, 1974 (1974-05-24)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's story of murder in a theater..."
William Shatner
	86	"Dr. Rivington, Presumably"	Kim Weiskopf	May 27, 1974 (1974-05-27)
	"Today Kim Weiskopf's health chart of an epidemic family..."
	87	"Wanted: A Willing Companion"	Kim Weiskopf	May 28, 1974 (1974-05-28)
	"Today Kim Weiskopf’s overview of an underground newspaper ad..."
	88	"Pigs Could Put You in the Pen"	Glenhall Taylor	May 29, 1974 (1974-05-29)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's drama of a macabre humor..."
	89	"Sky Lab Are You There?"	Keith Walker	May 30, 1974 (1974-05-30)
	"Today Keith Walker's double tale of terror in space..."
	90	"Favor You Can't Refuse"	Keith Walker	May 31, 1974 (1974-05-31)
	"Today Keith Walker's caustic account of disorganized crime..."
Greg Morris
	91	"Death at Half a Length"	Keith Walker	June 3, 1974 (1974-06-03)
	"Today Keith Walker's drama at the races..."
	92	"Floating Down the River"	Glenhall Taylor	June 4, 1974 (1974-06-04)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's tale of a watery grave..."
	93	"Once a Thief"	Kim Weiskopf	June 5, 1974 (1974-06-05)
	"Today Kim Weiskopf's thumbnail sketch of a light-fingered filcher..."
	94	"Other Sins Only Speak, Murder Shrieks Out"	Glenhall Taylor	June 6, 1974 (1974-06-06)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's story of a murderous triangle..."
	95	"Rehabilitation of Citizen Fimple"	Keith Walker	June 7, 1974 (1974-06-07)
	"Today Keith Walker's whimsical tale of love and crime..."
Lee Meriwether
	96	"Bonnie and Clyde are Alive and Living as Mary and Bill"	Glenhall Taylor	June 10, 1974 (1974-06-10)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's study in violence..."
	97	"Sisters of Satan"	Glenhall Taylor	June 11, 1974 (1974-06-11)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's suspenseful drama of a peaceful but dangerous mission..."
	98	"The Mannequin Sham"	Kim Weiskopf	June 12, 1974 (1974-06-12)
	"Today Kim Weiskopf's unmasking of a consumer fraud..." Featured in the cast: Les Tremayne
	99	"Double Date to Destiny"	Keith Walker	June 13, 1974 (1974-06-13)
	"Today Keith Walker's chilling story of assassination..."
	100	"Clay Pigeons"	Kim Weiskopf	June 14, 1974 (1974-06-14)
	"Today Kim Weiskopf's study of cinema murder come to life..."
Peter Lupus
	101	"Past is Always Present"	Glenhall Taylor	June 17, 1974 (1974-06-17)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's suspensful drama of a hidden drama..."
	102	"Woman in Black"	Sue Dunham	June 18, 1974 (1974-06-18)
	"Today Sue Dunham's postmortem of a vicious cycle..."
	103	"Come Light My Fire"	Glenhall Taylor	June 19, 1974 (1974-06-19)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's offbeat story of people who play with matches... and death..."
	104	"Riders Wanted: Share Expenses"	Sue Dunham	June 20, 1974 (1974-06-20)
	"Today Sue Dunham's trackdown of a curious caravan..." Featured in the cast: Casey Kasem
	105	"Death on Canvas"	Sue Dunham	June 21, 1974 (1974-06-21)
	"Today Sue Dunham's portrait of an artist in trouble..." Featured in the cast: Casey Kasem
Shelley Berman
	106	"House That Clemont Built"	Keith Walker	June 24, 1974 (1974-06-24)
	"Today Keith Walker's hilarious tale of death by error..."
	107	"Joint Account"	Kim Weiskopf	June 25, 1974 (1974-06-25)
	"Today Kim Weiskopf's bank statement of miscalculations..."
	108	"Tiger Cages"	Keith Walker	June 26, 1974 (1974-06-26)
	"Today Keith Walker's nasty tale of political chicanery..."
	109	"Violence Takes a Curtain Call"	Glenhall Taylor	June 27, 1974 (1974-06-27)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's tragedy of murder in a theater..."
	110	"Children Are Dying"	Keith Walker	June 28, 1974 (1974-06-28)
	"Today Keith Walker's hellish tale of heroin on the streets..."
Bob Crane
	111	"Bend, Spindle and Mutilate"	Sue Dunham	July 1, 1974 (1974-07-01)
	"Today Sue Dunham's computer readout of automated murder..."
	112	"Murder is a Work of Art"	Glenhall Taylor	July 2, 1974 (1974-07-02)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's eerie drama of mummies and revenge..."
	113	"Edwards Tug and Salvage"	Keith Walker	July 3, 1974 (1974-07-03)
	"Today Keith Walker's low comedy on the high seas..."
	114	"Larceny on the Lake"	Glenhall Taylor	July 4, 1974 (1974-07-04)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's story of an FBI agent who almost loses his life in the line of duty..."
	115	"OLAM aka On the Lam aka The Lamb(s)"	Keith Walker	July 5, 1974 (1974-07-05)
	"Today Keith Walker's outsized story of heroism in Korea..."
Monte Markham
	116	"Corpse Takes a Sleigh Ride"	Glenhall Taylor	July 8, 1974 (1974-07-08)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's chiller drama of blood in the snow..."
	117	"Marionettes"	Sue Dunham	July 9, 1974 (1974-07-09)
	"Today Sue Dunham's eerie tale of 'no strings attached'..."
	118	"Ghost of the Black Plague"	Keith Walker	July 10, 1974 (1974-07-10)
	"Today Keith Walker's gothic tale of revenge..." Featured in the cast: Peggy Walton, Ben Wright, Parley Baer, Rhoda Williams, and Daws Butler.
	119	"Trunkful of Trouble"	Glenhall Taylor	March 1974 (1974-711)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's gruesome account of murders in a ? house..."
	120	"Grand Prize"	Sue Dunham	July 12, 1974 (1974-07-12)
	"Today Sue Dunham's bizarre quiz program aftermath..."
Joe Campanella
	121	"Welcome Home Denny Shackleford"	Sue Dunham	July 15, 1974 (1974-07-15)
	"Today Sue Dunham's front row seat at a family reunion..."
	122	"Death of a Genius"	Glenhall Taylor	July 16, 1974 (1974-07-16)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's dramatic account of a shocking murder..."
	123	"Remember Me?"	Gus Bayes	July 17, 1974 (1974-07-17)
	"Today a story by Gus C. Bayes of love and murder..."
	124	"Lost in Time"	Keith Walker	July 18, 1974 (1974-07-18)
	"Today Keith Walker's frightening voyage into the past..."
	125	"Once Upon a Truck"	Sue Dunham	July 19, 1974 (1974-07-19)
	"Today Sue Dunham's nursery rhyme of highjacking..."
Ross Martin
	126	"Corpse Takes a Stand"	Glenhall Taylor	July 22, 1974 (1974-07-22)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's weird tale of a cadaver in a courtroom..."
	127	"Carnival of Menace"	Glenhall Taylor	July 23, 1974 (1974-07-23)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's black episode of circus life..."
	128	"Chicago John and The Glitter People"	Kim Weiskopf	July 24, 1974 (1974-07-24)
	"Today Kim Weiskopf's oblique excursion down Tin Pan Alley..." Featured in the cast: Daws Butler
	129	"Smoke Screen"	Glenhall Taylor	July 25, 1974 (1974-07-25)
	"Today Glenhall Taylor's story of a small-town lawman with a big-time mind..."
	130	"The Holdout"	Gus Bayes	July 26, 1974 (1974-07-26)
	"Today a story by Gus C. Bayes about a jury... and justice..."

References

^ The Zero Hour Radio Log
^ "Submitted for Your Perusal The Zero Hour – 1974" (RodSerling.com)
^ Zero Hour at The Digital Deli Too
^ Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. pp. 744–745. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved 2019-09-28.
^ Yabba Dabba Doo!: The Alan Reed Story. BearManor Media. p. 199.

External links

Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio Logs: The Zero Hour
Rod Serling's ZERO HOUR PROMO PODCAST - Original audio promo for the series from 1973. [When accessed on February 22, 2017, this link was no longer active]
Libsyn podcasts First 6 programs; subsequent episodes appear by scrolling down on page.
History of Mutual radio's Zero Hour and Rod Serling
The Digital Deli Too
Glenhall Taylor: Before Television
Times Past Old Time Radio Opening description on this page above appears to come from this site.
Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety, and Comedy Gus Bayes, sound man.

[TZH1-1] The Zero Hour Radio Log

[2] "Submitted for Your Perusal The Zero Hour – 1974" (RodSerling.com)

[3] Zero Hour at The Digital Deli Too

[Dunning-4] Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. pp. 744–745. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved 2019-09-28.

[5] Yabba Dabba Doo!: The Alan Reed Story. BearManor Media. p. 199.

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