Old-Time Radio Shows Writer and Producer Arch Oboler

Born and raised from Chicago, Arch Oboler was well known for his script writing career in radio, and had many other aspects to his career in entertainment. He was an old time radio show script writer, producer, director, and even novelist. Arch’s career transcended across the growing range of media of the day, graduating from radio to film star and television star too. In 1909, Arch Oboler was born in Illinois’ Chicago. He began his writing career very early by selling radio scripts while he was still a high school student. The first time he was widely noticed was when he wrote a script that had Don Ameche and Mae West portraying Adam and Eve with a somewhat suggestive twist.

A majority of the listeners tuning in to the show were obviously upset with the content of the show, and perhaps to add insult to injury, the show aired on Sundays and made reference to the Bible in light-hearted ways. Old radio shows such as these caused quite an upset as a result. In fact, it caused Mae West to be banned from radio for many years. Though the sketch would be considered very mild by today’s standards, it was very controversial for its time. Soon after the anger distinguished, Oboler was offered ‘Lights Out’, a new show that had spooky tales. In 1939 he was given the show ‘Arch Oboler’s Plays’ where he continued to share horror stories across the air waves.

In addition to his radio work, Oboler appeared in many theatrical productions and in film. Films that he featured in include Gangway for Tomorrow, Escape, and On Our Merry Way. He even directed films like Twonky and Bwana Devil. His political activism grew significantly in the 1940s. He incorporated this into his media career, writing many anti-nazi screenplays and scripts. Hollywood stars even wanted to star in the productions, and were happy to do so for union scale pay, as they supported the anti-nazi movement.

Oboler also wrote the Broadway play ‘Night of the Auk’ and the novel ‘House on Fire’. His performances were always perfect, and this added to his growing popularity and reputation, plus he brought in his interests of science fiction and horror into the mix. While many would have commented his work as gory, that did not stop the general consensus from enjoying what he offered, and so he had millions of fans. The work of Arch Oboler stood out in his time. It was somewhat controversial and always creatively delivered. His work was popular in the early 1930s and continued to remain popular throughout his career. As far as old time radio goes, it was Oboler’s ‘Lights Out’ that outlived him, and can still be heard in syndication across old time radio stations. While he did pass away on 19th March, 1987, his work has certainly outlived him. A huge star of old time radio shows, he has many fans that enjoyed the scary stories he had to offer.