From the airwaves of the 1930s & 40s to the stage, we present Lights Out in the Hermit's Cave. This is a live double feature performance of radio plays from two classic radio horror shows.
From The Hermit's Cave we present "The House on Lost Man's Bluff" (1930s) It's the story of three travelers, Nan, Charly and Denton, who are forced to take shelter in a mysterious isolated house. It's just for a night, so why is Denton acting so strange? And what about that maniacal laughter?
From Lights Out we present "Valse Triste" (1941). Dolly and Laura are two city girls on a camping trip. They meet John Boyd, a "gentle man" who aims to decide their fate by chance and the flip of a coin.
There will be live foley, old timey commercials, and horror trivia. Join us for an evening of vintage thrills and chills!
The Show: Lights Out in the Hermit's Cave
The stories:
"The House on Lost Man's Bluff" from The Hermit's Cave
"Valse Triste" from Lights Out
Featuring:
June 2-23rd
Performances:
Run time: 60 minutes
Location: Thymele Arts (Conference Room) 5481 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Tickets: Pay What You Can
Accessibility: Thymele Arts has elevator access
Parking is very limited; please allow for extra time as there is no late seating
Press photos will be available after May 31st
For additional info and/or to contact us, please visit Hff18.org/5352
The Hermit's Cave was a syndicated radio anthology on WJR AM in Detroit, Michigan from 1937 to 1944. The syndication was done via scripts, so that stations could broadcast the program with their own casts. It's premise was that an old hermit was telling his assortment of strange and spooky stories from his cave. It was a spin off of The Mummers (1930-1936) which consisted of varies sketches and featured a character called "the Hermit." Of its over 800 episode run, only around 40 recordings remain.
Lights Out was created in 1936 by NBC writer Wyllis Cooper who saw potential to treat the audience to a "witching hour" show at a time slot typically reserved for music. During his run, the stories had a Grand Guignol sensibility. In 1938 he stepped down to work on other projects and Arch Oboler took over. Many of Oboler's stories infused horror fiction with social and political issues drawing upon his own belief of and commitment to anti-fascist liberalism. This was an early influence for Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone. Boris Karloff guest starred multiple time including on the original 1938 recording of "Valse Triste." Unfortunately, that version has been lost to time.
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