Every week, Inner Sanctum Mysteries told a story of ghosts, murderers, and lunatics. Taking its name from a popular series of mystery novels, Inner Sanctum Mysteries debuted over NBC radio’s Blue Network in January 1941 and featured one of the most memorable and atmospheric openings in radio history as an organist hit a dissonant chord, a doorknob turned, and a creaking door slowly began to open.

Inner Sanctum Mysteries was produced in New York, the cast usually consisting of veteran radio actors, with occasional guest appearances by such Hollywood stars as Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, and Claude Rains. What made Inner Sanctum Mysteries unique among radio horror shows was its host, a slightly sinister sounding fellow originally known as “Raymond.” The host had a droll sense of humor and an appetite for ghoulish puns, and his influence can be seen among horror hosts everywhere, from the Crypt Keeper to Elvira. Raymond Edward Johnson was the show’s host until 1945; Paul McGrath took over as host until the show left the air in 1952. Producer Himan Brown would utilize the creaking door again in the 1970s, when he produced and directed The CBS Radio Mystery Theater.

In this collection are the following episodes and the date they aired on radio:

“Corridor of Doom” (23 Oct 45)

“The Wailing Wall” (6 Nov 45)

“Boomerang” (20 Nov 45)

“The Dark Chamber” (11 Dec 45)

“The Confession” (22 Jan 46)

“Death of a Doll” (18 Oct 48)

“The Devil’s Fortune” (31 Jan 49)

“The Unburied Dead” (16 May 49)

“The Corpse without a Conscience” (20 Jun 49)

“Beneficiary: Death” (17 Apr 50)

“No Rest for the Dead” (13 Jul 50)

“Twice Dead” (6 Nov 50)