Dark Fantasy, Pt. 2

Originally published in the February, 2009, Old Radio Times.(http://www.otrr.org/pg07_times.htm)

Dark Fantasy: WKY’s Contribution to NBC Programming
Bret Jones
Copyright © 2008

Dark Fantasy was written, produced, and acted by WKY staff. Scott Bishop, who would go on to pen stories for Mysterious Traveler, was the writer for the anthology. The producer for the program was John Prosser and some of the actors included: Ben Morris and Eugene Francis, who were heard week after week taking on new roles. This is unprecedented during the “golden age” of radio broadcasting as audio theatre of the day was presented by professional actors and writing staff. This makes Dark Fantasy a unique entry in the history of the medium. The only well-known performer to appear on the show was Jane Wyatt, the three-time Emmy-winning actress. The parts she is remembered for is from Father Knows Best starring opposite Robert Young and as Mr. Spock’s mother from Star Trek. The Dark Fantasy episode she appeared in was “Debt from the Past.”

From its first episode the program was immediately compared to Lights Out, which was considered the pinnacle of audio horror. Also, being in the horror category helped determined its 11:30pm timeslot on Friday nights. The show in many ways resembled the melodramatic quality of Lights Out, Sealed Book, and Witches’ Tale, but possessed its own unique brand of eeriness.