Arch Oboler: Old Radio Shows Writer and Producer Par Excellence

Best known for his radio script work, Arch Oboler was a Chicago native who enjoyed many facets of his career. His career covered a range of different entertainment styles, from his main focus on old time radio show script writing, through to producing and directing, and even writing novels. He worked in all aspects of media from radio to film to television. Born in 1909, Oboler grew up in Chicago, IL. From a young age, he started writing his very own radio scripts and selling them at high school. He gained greater exposure with his possibly controversial script portrayal of the Adam and Eve story (starring Mae West and Don Ameche).

Perhaps because the show aired on a Sunday or perhaps because of its light treatment of the Bible, many listeners were outraged. Old radio shows such as these caused quite an upset as a result. In fact, it caused Mae West to be banned from radio for many years. By today’s standards, the sketch would have certainly been classified as mild material, but this was not the case in that time. Not for the faint-hearted, the scary stories show ‘Lights Out’ soon made it to the airwaves, with Oboler running the show. In 1939 he was given the show ‘Arch Oboler’s Plays’ where he continued to share horror stories across the air waves.

In addition to his radio work, Oboler appeared in many theatrical productions and in film. He starred in films such as Escape, On Our Merry Way, and Gangway for Tomorrow. Twonky was a popular film that was directed by Oboler. In the 1940s, Arch Oboler managed many political marches and so on. He wrote and performed many anti-nazi works. In fact, his work was generally well received, and even attracted the likes of top flight Hollywood stars, who even offered to take on roles for scaled down pay.

Oboler also wrote the Broadway play ‘Night of the Auk’ and the novel ‘House on Fire’. He enjoyed sci-fi and horrow, and even gave out his performances at perfect pitch. While many would have commented his work as gory, that did not stop the general consensus from enjoying what he offered, and so he had millions of fans. In his lifetime, Arch Oboler’s works always preceded him. It was somewhat controversial and always creatively delivered. The 1930s was the start of what would be a rise in popularity and fame to support his career. As far as old time radio goes, it was Oboler’s ‘Lights Out’ that outlived him, and can still be heard in syndication across old time radio stations. Though he died on March 19, 1987, his work has continued long after his passing. A huge star of old time radio shows, he has many fans that enjoyed the scary stories he had to offer.