Drama as an Aid in Academic Learning and Creative Writing: The CBS Radio Mystery Theater

Michael Anthony Stahl1

1

Publication Date: 2024/10/18

Abstract: A comprehensive radio series of 1,399 episodes which originally ran seven nights a week from January 1974 to December 1982. The series dealt with a very large expanse of subject matter, not only in classic and modern literature and history, but also at times featured basic facts in the areas of the sciences including chemistry, medicine, astronomy and physics. As a result, the series served, and continues to serve as an effective educational tool in addition to being a source of entertainment very similar in style to the audiobook. It also serves as a virtual template for the study of the art of storytelling and creative writing.

Keywords: Academic Learning, Audiobook, CBS Radio Mystery Theater, Creative Writing, English Literature Instruction, General Education, Radio Drama, Storytelling.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24OCT104

PDF: https://ijirst.demo4.arinfotech.co/assets/upload/files/IJISRT24OCT104.pdf

REFERENCES

  1. Payton, Gordon, and Grams, Martin, The CBS Radio Mystery Theater: An Episode Guide and Handbook, 1974-1982, McFarland and Company, 1999, pp.3-8, p.78, p. 435.
  2. DeCuir, Marissa, Writer’s Digest “Why Audiobooks Are Skyrocketing, and How Writers Can Take Advantage in 2022”, Mar 6, 2022. Retrieved 8/26/2024.
  3. Announcement of contest winner by Producer/Director Himan Brown during broadcast of episode “Help, Somebody” on CBS Radio, August 18, 1975. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsOmz8mno2M Retrieved 8/26/2024.
  4. Stahl, Michael Anthony, The CBS Radio Mystery Theater as An Educational Degree, Stahl Consolidated, 2006, pp. 4-5, pp. 26-27.
  5. Dunning, John. On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1998. pp. 142–143.
  6. Footage from The Tomorrow Show with host Tom Snyder, airdate January 24, 1974. The cast of the CBS Radio Mystery Theater including Mason Adams, Kim Hunter, E.G. Marshall, Jackson Beck, Brina Rayburn, Himan Brown, performing a brief drama written by Ian Martin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0N5T8SqPEE&t=78s Retrieved 8/22/2024.
  7. Footage from CBS Radio Mystery Theater cast performing on CBS News Sunday Morning with host Charles Kuralt. Featuring Arnold Moss, Lloyd Battista, and Russell Horton taping episode “Roll Call of the Dead” which aired September 27, 1982. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDaPFY-ehmY Retrieved 8/22/2024.