Many of the early mystery series were produced from studios in the East, mostly WOR for Mutual. But in Chicago a series would evolve that would be best remembered for its famous sound effects. Lights Out was the brainchild of Chicago NBC staffer, Wyllis Cooper. Cooper, whom future producer/writer Arch Oboler called one of radio's innovative geniuses, devised a series of horrors built around sound effects never heard on radio. Lights Out treated its listeners to violent death by stabbings, choppings and chokings. Cooper used such effects as a knife tearing uncooked meat, cleavers slicing into heads of cabbage, frying bacon for electrocution. The stories, however violent, were substantial and provided strong narration.

When Cooper left for Hollywood, Arch Oboler was offered the show. He extended it by taking it into realms even Cooper never used including the occult, science fiction with a horrific twist, and often bizzare suggestions in which people were driven nuts by their own fears. Oboler was a genius at his craft. His stories sometimes used stream-of-consciousness that we would later hear in Cooper's Quiet, Please. His use of the inner voice preyed on the listener's fears while they tuned in. And continuing in the tradition established by Cooper, Oboler used sound effects such as people being turned inside out or swallowed up by a storage chest. Needless to say, listeners begged for more week after week.

Best remembered for its famous sound effects

The use of sound effects along with the creepy-voiced narrator established a pattern that was to be heard in many other mystery-related series to come. Another Witch's Tale knock-off which began in 1935 was The Hermit's Cave. Broadcasting from WJR, Detroit and syndicated nationally, the creepy-voiced narrator was the Old Hermit. With the sound of wind blowing and howling, the hermit introduced the tales of horror "from his cave." Like Lights Out the stories were steeped in the grisley. The opening is memorable to friends of old-time radio:

"Ghost stories...weird stories...and murders too! So turn your lights out...turn them out!"

"Turn out your your lights..."

Continued