Arch Oboler: Old Time Radio 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 shows 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. The first time he was widely noticed was when he wrote a script that had Don Ameche and Mae West portraying Adam and Eve with a somewhat suggestive twist.
Perhaps because the show aired on a Sunday or perhaps because of its light treatment of the Bible, many listeners were outraged. As such, this old time radio show was in quite a spot of bother. In fact, it caused Mae West to be banned from radio for many years. Times, perceptions and attitudes have of course changed considerably since then, but it was clearly controversial in the era in which it originally broadcast. Not for the faint-hearted, the scary stories show ‘Lights Out’ soon made it to the airwaves, with Oboler running the show. His namesake show ‘Arch Oboler’s Plays’ was where he continued to scare everyone out there with a range of spooky chilling tales, from 1939.
Aside from his central radio work, Oboler starred in films and theater shows. Films that he featured in include Gangway for Tomorrow, Escape, and On Our Merry Way. He also directed films such as Bwana Devil and Twonky. In the 1940s, Arch Oboler managed many political marches and so on. He incorporated this into his media career, writing many anti-nazi screenplays and scripts. 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’. His performances were always perfect, and this added to his growing popularity and reputation, plus he brought in his interests of science fiction and horror into the mix. 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. At his peak, Arch Oboler and particularly his works, lasted a long time. His work was always done in a unique manner, which sometimes brought about inevitable controversy, since the time was relatively rife with social taboos. 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. While he did pass away on 19th March, 1987, his work has certainly outlived him. The ghoulish stories that he offered were what made him so enjoyable and accessible to others, and it is this terrifying old-time radio shows career of his that people will remember him best for.
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