- Nightfall (CBC)
"Nightfall" is the title of a
radio drama series produced and aired byCBC Radio (seeCanadian Broadcasting Corporation ) from July 1980 to June 1983. While primarily a supernatural/horror series, "Nightfall" featured some episodes in other genres, such as science fiction, mystery, fantasy, and human drama. One episode was even adapted from afolk song byStan Rogers . Some of "Nightfall"'s episodes were so terrifying that the CBC registered numerous complaints and some affiliate stations dropped it. Despite this, the series went on to become one of the most popular shows inCBC Radio history, running 100 episodes that featured a mix of original tales and adaptations of both classic and obscureshort stories ."Nightfall" was the brainchild of producer Bill Howell, who was best known at the time for his work on "CBC Playhouse" and the cult favorite adventure series, "". (Howell later went on to be executive producer of
CBC Radio 's highly-popular series, "The Mystery Project ", which ran from 1992 to 2004.) WhenCBC Radio was revamped and given an expandedbudget in 1980, Howell approached the newly-appointed Head of Radio Drama, Susan Rubes, about his idea for asupernatural /horror anthology series that would push the envelope. Though not a fan of the horror genre, Rubes recognized a hit when she saw one and gave Howell the green light to begin production.Bill Howell served as Executive Producer of "Nightfall" at CBC Toronto for the first two seasons. The reins were passed for the third season to veteran
CBC Radio producer Don Kowalchuk ("Doctor Bundolo's Pandemonium Medicine Show") at CBC Vancouver."Nightfall" featured two hosts during its run. The Toronto years (1980–1982) were hosted by "the mysterious Luther Kranst", a character created by Bill Howell's devious imagination and played by character actor Henry Ramer. For its Vancouver run (1982–1983), Don Kowalchuk worked with voice actor Bill Reiter to develop the character of Frederick Hende.
Production Locations & People
Though series production was controlled from a central location, the anthology nature of "Nightfall" made it possible for episodes to be produced at
CBC Radio facilities all over Canada:CBC Toronto
No. of Episodes: 74
Frequent Actors: Elva Mai Hoover, John Stocker, Frank Perry, Sandy Webster, Ruth Springford, Marian Waldman, Neil Dainard, Hugh Webster,Chris Wiggins , Budd Knapp, Michael Wincott, Graham Haley, David Calderisi, Colin Fox, Arch McDonnell, Nicky Guadagni, Neil Munro, Mary Pirie
Recording Engineers: John Jessop, Ray Folcik, John Hollinger, Jan Wright, David Hoyle, Tom Shipton, Brian Wood, Keith van der Clay, Brian Pape, Derek Stubbs, John McCarthy, Greg Fleet
Sound Effects: Bill Robinson, Matt Wilcott, Kathy Perry, Stephanie McKenna, Jerry Fielding
Production Assistants: Nina Callaghan, Doris Buchanan, Nancy McElvene, Peggy Este
Producers: Bill Howell, Paul Mills, John Douglas, Stephen Katz, Fred Diehl, Peter Boretski, William Lane, Scott SwanNo. of Episodes: 9
Frequent Actors: William Samples, Otto Lowy, Norman Browning, Anna Hagan
Recording Engineers: Gerry Stanley, Chris Cutress, Gene Loverock, Bill Seebach
Sound Effects: Joe Silva, Jay Hireen, Chris Cutress
Production Assistants: Ann Elvidge, Dagmar Kaffanke, Loretta Joyce, Joyce Tinnion
Producers: Don Kowalchuk,John Juliani , Robert ChestermanCBC Edmonton
No. of Episodes: 7
Frequent Actors: Brian Taylor, Graham McPherson, Nicole Evans, Gordon Mariott, Bill Meilan, Stephen Walsh, Blair Haynes
Recording Engineers: Al Lamden
Sound Effects: Eric Wagers, Deane Purves
Production Assistants: Barbara Gault
Producers: Lawrie SeligmanCBC Montréal
No. of Episodes: 4
Frequent Actors:Vlasta Vrana ,Philip Akin , Timothy Webber, Earl Pennington
Recording Engineers: André Fleury, Giles LaRoche
Sound Effects: Pierre Lucie, Rene LeVois
Production Assistants: Jane Lewis, Nancy Carter
Producers:John Juliani , John JessopCBC Halifax
No. of Episodes: 3
Frequent Actors: Joseph Rutten, John Fulton
Recording Engineers: Rod Sneddon, Keith Glum
Sound Effects: Dermot Kenny, Harold Porter
Production Assistants: Claire McElvene
Producers: Elizabeth Fox, Ewan "Sudsy" ClarkCBC Calgary
No. of Episodes: 1
Frequent Actors: David Ferry, Heather Lea McCallum
Recording Engineers: Rick Fenton
Sound Effects: Norm Hurley
Production Assistants: Elaine Farner
Producers: Bill GrayCBC St. Johns
No. of Episodes: 1
Frequent Actors: Frank Holden, Pat Vern
Recording Engineers: John Foster
Sound Effects: Wayne Hayes
Production Assistants: Noreen George
Producers: Glen TilleyClack Sound Studios, NYC
No. of Episodes: 1
Frequent Actors: F. Peter Lee
Recording Engineers: Tom Courtenay-Clack
Sound Effects: Tom Courtenay-Clack
Production Assistants: n/a
Producers: Tom Courtenay-ClackEpisode Guide
eason 1
# Title Written by Air Date 1 Love and the Lonely One John Graham July 4, 1980 2 The Monkey's Paw Len Peterson July 11, 1980 3 Welcome to Homerville Don Dickinson, Allan Guttman July 18, 1980 4 Hands Off John Graham July 25, 1980 5 The Telltale Heart Len Peterson Aug. 1, 1980 6 Late Special Clint Bomphray Aug. 8, 1980 7 Future Fear John Graham Aug. 15, 1980 8 How Did You Get My Name? Don Dickinson, Allan Guttman Aug. 22, 1980 9 The Body Snatcher sFrank W. McEnaney Aug. 29, 1980 10 The Willoughby Obsession George R. Robertson Sept. 5, 1980 11 No Admittance/No Exit Don Bailey, Milo Ringham Sept. 12, 1980 12 Wind Chill David McCaughna Sept. 19, 1980 13 The Repossession Arthur Samuels Sept. 26, 1980 14 The Stone Ship Len Peterson Oct. 3, 1980 15 Special Services Martin Kinch Oct. 10, 1980 16 Buried Alive John Graham Oct. 17, 1980 17 Last Visit Ray Will Oct. 24, 1980 18 Ringing the Changes P. Norman Cherrie Oct. 31, 1980 19 The Devil's Backbone Silver Donald Cameron Nov. 7, 1980 20 Ray Canale Nov. 14, 1980 21 Ray Canale Nov. 21, 1980 22 Deadly Developments Arlene Ezrin Nov. 28, 1980 23 Where Does the News Come From? James D. (Jimmy) Morris Dec. 5, 1980 24 Where Do We Go From Here? Max Ferguson Dec. 12, 1980 25 On Christmas Day in the Morning Don Dickinson, Allan Guttman Dec. 19, 1980 26 The Appetite of Mr. Lucraft P. Norman Cherrie Dec. 26, 1980 27 The Guest of Honour Len Peterson Jan. 2, 1981 28 A Short Wave Good-bye George R. Robertson Jan. 9, 1981 29 They Bite Len Peterson Jan. 16, 1981 30 Dark Side of the Mind Max Ferguson Jan. 23, 1981 31 Wildcats Otto Lowy Feb. 27, 1981 32 The Room Graham Haley Mar. 6, 1981 33 Angel's Kiss John Graham, George R. Robertson Mar. 20, 1981 34 The Book of Hell Mavor Moore Mar. 27, 1981 35 Mkara Graham Haley Apr. 3, 1981 36 The Fatal Eggs Arthur Samuels Apr. 17, 1981 37 Breaking Point Max Ferguson May 1, 1981 38 All-Nighter Graham Pomeroy May 15, 1981 eason 2
# Title Written by Air Date 39 Carmilla John Douglas, Graham Pomeroy Nov. 20, 1981 40 In the Eye of the Beholder Burke Campbell Nov. 27, 1981 41 Cemetery Stop Margery Stewart Dec. 4, 1981 42 In the Name of the Father Janet Bonellie Dec. 11, 1981 43 Baby Doll Larry LeClair Dec. 18, 1981 44 Reunion at the Victory Café Tom MacDonnell Jan. 1, 1982 45 Gerald Bill Gray Jan. 8, 1982 46 Mindrift F. Peter Lee Jan. 15, 1982 47 Your Fortune in Twenty Words or Less Larry LeClair Jan. 22, 1982 48 Teddy Stephen Freygood Jan. 29, 1982 49 Child's Play Arthur Samuels Feb. 5, 1982 50 The Club of Dead Men John Douglas Feb. 12, 1982 51 The Thinking Room Tim Wynne-Jones Feb. 19, 1982 52 The Porch Light Randy Brown Feb. 26, 1982 53 Volcano Roy (T. E.) Sallows Mar. 5, 1982 54 The Monkey's Raincoat Charles Tidler Mar. 12, 1982 55 From My Appointed Place Below John Douglas Mar. 19, 1982 56 The Old Post Road William Lane Mar. 26, 1982 57 The Debt John Richard Wright Apr. 2, 1982 58 Harris and the Mare John Douglas Apr. 9, 1982 59 The Jogger Tony Bell Apr. 16, 1982 60 The Screaming Skull Guy Babineau Apr. 23, 1982 61 Mr. Agostino Janet Bonellie Apr. 30, 1982 62 The Road Ends at the Sea Tim Wynne-Jones May 7, 1982 63 The Maid's Bell John Douglas May 14, 1982 64 A Glimpse of Eternity Ian Weir May 28, 1982 65 Beyond the Law Steve Petch June 4, 1982 66 The Turn of the Blood Paul Bettis June 11, 1982 67 Reverse Image Arthur Samuels June 18, 1982 68 Teig O'Kane and the Corpse John Douglas June 25, 1982 eason 3
# Title Written by Air Date 69 This One Will Kill You Arthur Samuels Oct. 1, 1982 70 Footsteps Larry LeClair Oct. 8, 1982 71 Lifeline Frank Moher Oct. 15, 1982 72 The Tie That Binds Nika Rylski Oct. 22, 1982 73 The Dentist Bill Gray Oct. 29, 1982 74 Assassin Game John G. Fisher Nov. 5, 1982 75 Lazarus Rising John Douglas Nov. 12, 1982 76 Young Goodman Brown John Douglas Nov. 19, 1982 77 But, Oh, What Happened to Hutchings! Roy (T. E.) Sallows Nov. 26, 1982 78 Daddy's Girl Janet Bonellie Dec. 3, 1982 79 The Cruel Husband David Leicester Dec. 10, 1982 80 The Signalman Otto Lowy Dec. 17, 1982 81 Watching Bryan Wade Dec. 31, 1982 82 The Strange Odyssey of Lennis Freed Tim Wynne-Jones Jan. 7, 1983 83 Weather Station Four Arthur Samuels Jan. 14, 1983 84 The Brides of Olivera Larry Gaynor Jan. 21, 1983 85 The Contract John Richard Wright Jan. 28, 1983 86 Beauty's Beast Burke Campbell Feb. 4, 1983 87 The Angel of Death Raymond Storey Feb. 11, 1983 88 Semi-Detached Shawn Selway Feb. 18, 1983 89 A Glaze of Perfect Beauty Stephen Freygood Feb. 25, 1983 90 No Quarter Phil Savath Mar. 4, 1983 91 The Undertaker John Douglas Mar. 11, 1983 92 Private Collection Warren Graves Mar. 18, 1983 93 The Hit Laurence Gough Mar. 25, 1983 94 Walter's Dog Larry LeClair Apr. 1, 1983 95 Safe in the Arms of Jesus Martin Kinch Apr. 8, 1983 96 The Wedding Phil Savath Apr. 15, 1983 97 Hypnotized Jesse Bodyan Apr. 22, 1983 98 After Sunset Brian Taylor Apr. 29, 1983 99 Servants of Cerberus Mary Humphrey Baldridge May 6, 1983 100 Waters Under the Bridge Gaëtan Charlebois May 13, 1983 ee also
*
Audio theatre External links
* [http://www.nightfall-25.com The Unofficial Site]
* [http://www.otrplotspot.com/Nightfall.htm Plot Summary Archive]
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