CBSRMT
CBSRMT
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CBS Radio Mystery Theater
About CBSRMT
CBS Radio Mystery Theater (or CBSRMT) was an ambitious and sustained attempt in the 1970s to revive the great drama of old-time radio. Created by Himan Brown (who had by then become a radio legend due to his work on Inner Sanctum Mysteries, The Adventures of Nero Wolfe and other shows dating back to the 1930s), it aired on affiliate stations across the CBS Radio network. The series began its long run January 6, 1974; the final episode was broadcast December 31, 1982. The show was broadcast nightly and ran for one hour, including news and commercials. Typically, a week consisted of three to four new episodes, with the remainder of the week filled out with reruns. There were 1,399 original episodes broadcast. The total number of broadcasts, including reruns, was 2,969. The format was similar to that of classic old time radio shows such as The Mysterious Traveler and The Whistler, in that there is a host, E.G. Marshall, who introduced each episode and provided pithy wisdom throughout; but, unlike the hosts of those shows, Marshall is fully mortal, merely someone whose heightened insight and erudition plunge the listener into the world of the macabre. The program was pitched, at least initially, to an audience old enough to remember classic radio. Young characters tended to have names more popular a generation earlier, such as Jack, George, Phyllis and Mary. Many scripts, especially those by Ian Martin, showed a tin ear for 1970s youth slang ("Don't let her give you no run-around, dad. She not only smokes, turns on, but she's a user!" - "The Ghost Plane"; "I think bein' around here's gonna be kicks!" - "Don't Let It Choke You"). But Radio Mystery Theater's debut coincided with America's intense 1950s nostalgia of 1973-78. Because radio mystery drama was reminiscent of that era, the program quickly developed a fan base among young listeners as well. Each show began with the sound of a creaking door slowly opening to invite listeners in for the evening's adventure. Three descending notes from the double basses would introduce Marshall's sinister intonation of, "Come in... Welcome." A muted trumpet sting and timpani roll, then: "I'm E.G. Marshall." A low, eerie woodwind theme would follow as Marshall introduced the program. At the end of each show, Marshall would deliver his classic signoff, "... inviting you to return to our Mystery Theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant ... dreams?" The door would then creak and slam shut, followed by the show's haunting theme music. Marshall hosted the program from January, 1974, until February, 1982, when actress Tammy Grimes took over, maintaining the format.
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