HOLLYWOOD RADIO THEATER ("THE ZERO HOUR") compiled by Dick Judge
Updated: Mar 6, 2005
First show: Sep 3, 1973 Number of shows: 130 Last show: Jul 26, 1974
Host: Rod Serling
This ambitious series of shows, said to be a year in the making, premiered
on Sep 3, 1973. The Mutual Broadcasting System offered the shows to their
member stations on a syndicated basis, allowing the programs to be aired
during a time period that was convenient, and at a date that was suitable.
For this reason in some areas the series did not begin until late Fall or
early Winter of 1973. However, this was not true for the second 13 week of
programs. All stations began airing the show on Apr 29, 1974 with the final
program broadcasted on Jul 26, 1974. At the beginning the shows ran for 30
minutes but on the 14th week they ran 25 minutes a day until the end.
ZERO HOUR was hosted by the famed Rod Serling who offered comments before
and after each show. He wrote some of the scripts but for the most part
they were done by a group of young Hollywood writers. Since the CBS Radio
Mystery Theater began its run on Jan 6, 1974, some comparison should be
made between the two offerings. ZERO HOUR used Hollywood film stars who
appeared for a week at a time; the stories were exciting and action-packed.
The prime mover behind the ZERO HOUR was Mutual. The CBS Radio Mystery
Theater, on the hand, had the capable E. G. Marshall, as host. The casts
consisted of experienced old-time radio actors and actresses, with an
occasional TV or film star. The writing of the Mystery Theater more closely
resembled the Suspense and Inner Sanctum plots of old; the script writers
being people who wrote in the style of old-time radio. In both the series
most of the stories were original in nature but the Mystery Theater did
adapt suspense and mystery tales from Edgar Allen Poe, Mark Twain, Sir
Conan Doyle and other well known authors.
There were two distinct 13 week series. During the first of these there
was one story line that was broadcast in 5 daily episodes featuring the
same cast of characters. The second 13 week series featured one star in
five different stories and a different supporting cast each night.
The Mutual network suggested the following weekly alignment but some of their
affiliates may have aired the first 13 weeks in a different order.
*******************************************************************************
WEEK TITLE CAST
------- -------------------------------- -----------------------------------
01 Wife of the Red-Haired Man Patty Duke, John Astin, Howard Duff,
02 Someone's Death George Kennedy, Robert Reed
03 Fourth of Forever John Dehner, Susan Oliver
04 Face of the Foe Jessica Walters, Joe Campanella,
Judy Carne
05 Blessing Way Ed Nelson, Barbara Anderson,
Tige Andrews
06 Princess Stakes Murder Howard Duff, Julie Adams, Ray Danton
07 Queen in Danger Juliet Mills, Robert Brown,
Murray Mathieson
08 Desperate Witness Dick Crenna, Keenan Wynn, Julie Adams
09 If Two of Them Are Dead Earl Holliman, Katherine Burns,
Nina Foch
10 But I Wouldn't Want to Die There Nehemiah Persoff, Brock Peters,
Marge Redman
11 Heir Hunters Ken Berry, Joanne Worley,
Edgar Bergen
12 Die in the Country Peter Marshall, Susan Strasberg,
Andrew Dugan
13 Deadman's Tale George Maharis, Craig Stevens,
Charles McGraw
The affiliates had to air the next 13 week period of the shows in the
order designated below.
NO. DATE TITLE CAST
---- ------------ -------------------------------------- ------------------
66. Apr 29, 1974 Bye-Bye Narco Mel Torme
67. Apr 30, 1974 Terror in the Night Mel Torme
68. May 1, 1974 Scream of the Hawk Mel Torme
69. May 2, 1974 Extortionist Mel Torme
70. May 3, 1974 Price of Admission Mel Torme
71. May 6, 1974 Shortage Story Jackie Cooper
72. May 7, 1974 Escape to Nowhere Jackie Cooper
73. May 8, 1974 Fair's Fair You Know Jackie Cooper
74. May 9, 1974 Housecall Jackie Cooper
75. May 10, 1974 Violation Jackie Cooper
76. May 13, 1974 Arm's Length Dick Sargent
77. May 14, 1974 Some People Die Only Once Dick Sargent
78. May 15, 1974 Reward Dick Sargent
79. May 16, 1974 Villainous Verdict Dick Sargent
80. May 17, 1974 Strange Odyssey of Sandy Mitchell Dick Sargent
81. May 20, 1974 White Flame Burning Bright Lyle Waggoner
82. May 21, 1974 Mind of the Beholder Lyle Waggoner
83. May 22, 1974 Why Is Ted Marcosi Driving Aunt Lyle Waggoner
Sally Insane?
84 May 23, 1974 There's a Man in 211 Lyle Waggoner
85. May 24, 1974 Death Is a Puppeteer Lyle Waggoner
86. May 27, 1974 Doctor Rivington, Presumably William Shatner
87. May 28, 1974 Wanted: A Willing Companion William Shatner
88. May 29, 1974 Pigs Could Put You in the Pen William Shatner
89. May 30, 1974 Sky Lab, Are You There? William Shatner
90. May 31, 1974 Favor You Can't Refuse William Shatner
91. Jun 3, 1974 Death at Half a Length Greg Morris
92. Jun 4, 1974 Floating Down the River Greg Morris
93. Jun 5, 1974 Once a Thief Greg Morris
94. Jun 6, 1974 Other Sins Only Speak, Murder Shrieks Out Greg Morris
95. Jun 7, 1974 Rehabilitation of Citizen Fimple Greg Morris
96. Jun 10, 1974 Bonnie and Clyde Are Alive Lee Meriwether
and Living as Mary and Bill
97. Jun 11, 1974 Sisters of Satan Lee Meriwether
98. Jun 12, 1974 Mannequin Sham Lee Meriwether
99. Jun 13, 1974 Double Date to Destiny Lee Meriwether
100. Jun 14, 1974 Clay Pigeons Lee Meriwether
101. Jun 17, 1974 Past Is Always Present Peter Lupus
102. Jun 18, 1974 Woman in Black Peter Lupus
103. Jun 19, 1974 Come Light My Fire Peter Lupus
104. Jun 20, 1974 Riders Wanted: Share Expenses Peter Lupus
105. Jun 21, 1974 Death on Canvas Peter Lupus
106. Jun 24, 1974 House That Clemont Built Shelley Berman
107. Jun 25, 1974 Joint Account Shelley Berman
108. Jun 26, 1974 Tiger Cages Shelley Berman
109. Jun 27, 1974 Violence Takes a Curtain Call Shelley Berman
110. Jun 28, 1974 Children Are Dying Shelley Berman
111. Jul 1, 1974 Bend, Spindle and Mutilate Bob Crane
112. Jul 2, 1974 Murder Is a Work of Art Bob Crane
113. Jul 3, 1974 Edwards Tug and Salvage Bob Crane
114. Jul 4, 1974 Larceny on the Lake Bob Crane
115. Jul 5, 1974 OLAM aka On the Lam aka The Lamb(s) Bob Crane
116. Jul 8, 1974 Corpse Takes a Sleigh Ride Monte Markham
117. Jul 9, 1974 Marionettes Monte Markham
118. Jul 10, 1974 Ghost of the Black Plague Monte Markham
119. Jul 11, 1974 Trunkful of Trouble Monte Markham
120. Jul 12, 1974 Grand Prize Monte Markham
121. Jul 15, 1974 Welcome Home Denny Shackleford Joe Campanella
122. Jul 16, 1974 Death of a Genius Joe Campanella
123. Jul 17, 1974 Remember Me? Joe Campanella
124. Jul 18, 1974 Lost in Time Joe Campanella
125. Jul 19, 1974 Once Upon a Truck Joe Campanella
126. Jul 22, 1974 Corpse Takes the Stand Ross Martin
127. Jul 23, 1974 Carnival of Menace Ross Martin
128. Jul 24, 1974 Chicago John and the Glitter People Ross Martin
129. Jul 25, 1974 Smoke Screen Ross Martin
130. Jul 26, 1974 Holdout (LAST SHOW IN SERIES) Ross Martin
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following is an alphabetical listing of the THE ZERO HOUR
No. Date or Week Title
--- ------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
76. May 13, 1974 Arm's Length
111. Jul 1, 1974 Bend, Spindle and Mutilate
21. Week 5 Blessing Way, Part 1
22. Week 5 Blessing Way, Part 2
23. Week 5 Blessing Way, Part 3
24. Week 5 Blessing Way, Part 4
25. Week 5 Blessing Way, Part 5
96. Jun 10, 1974 Bonnie and Clyde Are Alive and Living as Mary and Bill
46. Week 10 But I Wouldn't Want to Die There, Part
47. Week 10 But I Wouldn't Want to Die There, Part
48. Week 10 But I Wouldn't Want to Die There, Part
49. Week 10 But I Wouldn't Want to Die There, Part
50 Week 10 But I Wouldn't Want to Die There, Part
66. Apr 29, 1974 Bye-Bye Narco
127. Jul 23, 1974 Carnival of Menace
128. Jul 24, 1974 Chicago John and the Glitter People
110. Jun 28, 1974 Children Are Dying
100. Jun 14, 1974 Clay Pigeons
103. Jun 19, 1974 Come Light My Fire
116. Jul 8, 1974 Corpse Takes a Sleigh Ride
126. Jul 22, 1974 Corpse Takes the Stand
61. Week 13 Deadman's Tale, Part 1
62. Week 13 Deadman's Tale, Part 2
63. Week 13 Deadman's Tale, Part 3
64. Week 13 Deadman's Tale, Part 4
65. Week 13 Deadman's Tale, Part 5
91. Jun 3, 1974 Death at Half a Length
85. May 24, 1974 Death Is a Puppeteer
122. Jul 16, 1974 Death of a Genius
105. Jun 21, 1974 Death on Canvas
36. Week 8 Desperate Witness, Part 1
37. Week 8 Desperate Witness, Part 2
38. Week 8 Desperate Witness, Part 3
39. Week 8 Desperate Witness, Part 4
40. Week 8 Desperate Witness, Part 5
56. Week 12 Die in the Country, Part 1
57. Week 12 Die in the Country, Part 2
58. Week 12 Die in the Country, Part 3
59. Week 12 Die in the Country, Part 4
60. Week 12 Die in the Country, Part 5
86. May 27, 1974 Doctor Rivington, Presumably
99. Jun 13, 1974 Double Date to Destiny
113. Jul 3, 1974 Edwards Tug and Salvage
72. May 7, 1974 Escape to Nowhere
69. May 2, 1974 Extortionist
16. Week 4 Face of the Foe, Part 1
17. Week 4 Face of the Foe, Part 2
18. Week 4 Face of the Foe, Part 3
19. Week 4 Face of the Foe, Part 4
20. Week 4 Face of the Foe, Part 5
73. May 8, 1974 Fair's Fair You Know
90. May 31, 1974 Favor You Can't Refuse
92. Jun 4, 1974 Floating Down the River
11. Week 3 Fourth of Forever, Part 1
12. Week 3 Fourth of Forever, Part 2
13. Week 3 Fourth of Forever, Part 3
14. Week 3 Fourth of Forever, Part 4
15. Week 3 Fourth of Forever, Part 5
118. Jul 10, 1974 Ghost of the Black Plague
120. Jul 12, 1974 Grand Prize
51. Week 11 Heir Hunters, Part 1
52. Week 11 Heir Hunters, Part 2
53. Week 11 Heir Hunters, Part 3
54. Week 11 Heir Hunters, Part 4
55. Week 11 Heir Hunters, Part 5
130. Jul 26, 1974 Holdout (Last show)
106. Jun 24, 1974 House That Clemont Built
74. May 9, 1974 Housecall
41. Week 9 If Two of Them Are Dead, Part 1
42. Week 9 If Two of Them Are Dead, Part 2
43. Week 9 If Two of Them Are Dead, Part 3
44. Week 9 If Two of Them Are Dead, Part 4
45. Week 9 If Two of Them Are Dead, Part 5
107. Jun 25, 1974 Joint Account
114. Jul 4, 1974 Larceny on the Lake
124. Jul 18, 1974 Lost in Time
98. Jun 12, 1974 Mannequin Sham
117. Jul 9, 1974 Marionettes
82. May 21, 1974 Mind of the Beholder
112. Jul 2, 1974 Murder Is a Work of Art
115. Jul 5, 1974 OLAM aka On the Lam aka The Lamb(s)
93. Jun 5, 1974 Once a Thief
125. Jul 19, 1974 Once Upon a Truck
94. Jun 6, 1974 Other Sins Only Speak, Murder Shrieks Out
101. Jun 17, 1974 Past Is Always Present
88. May 29, 1974 Pigs Could Put You in the Pen
70. May 3, 1974 Price of Admission
26. Week 6 Princess Stakes Murder, Part 1
27. Week 6 Princess Stakes Murder, Part 2
28. Week 6 Princess Stakes Murder, Part 3
29. Week 6 Princess Stakes Murder, Part 4
30. Week 6 Princess Stakes Murder, Part 5
31. Week 7 Queen in Danger, Part 1
32. Week 7 Queen in Danger, Part 2
33. Week 7 Queen in Danger, Part 3
34. Week 7 Queen in Danger, Part 4
35. Week 7 Queen in Danger, Part 5
95. Jun 7, 1974 Rehabilitation of Citizen Fimple
123. Jul 17, 1974 Remember Me?
78. May 15, 1974 Reward
104. Jun 20, 1974 Riders Wanted: Share Expenses
68. May 1, 1974 Scream of the Hawk
71. May 6, 1974 Shortage Story
97. Jun 11, 1974 Sisters of Satan
89. May 30, 1974 Sky Lab, Are You There?
129. Jul 25, 1974 Smoke Screen
06. Week 2 Someone's Death, Part 1
07. Week 2 Someone's Death, Part 2
08. Week 2 Someone's Death, Part 3
09. Week 2 Someone's Death, Part 4
10. Week 2 Someone's Death, Part 5
77. May 14, 1974 Some People Die Only Once
80. May 17, 1974 Strange Odyssey of Sandy Mitchell
67. Apr 30, 1974 Terror in the Night
84 May 23, 1974 There's a Man in 211
108. Jun 26, 1974 Tiger Cages
119. Jul 11, 1974 Trunkful of Trouble
79. May 16, 1974 Villainous Verdict
75. May 10, 1974 Violation
109. Jun 27, 1974 Violence Takes a Curtain Call
87. May 28, 1974 Wanted: A Willing Companion
121. Jul 15, 1974 Welcome Home Denny Shackleford
81. May 20, 1974 White Flame Burning Bright
83. May 22, 1974 Why Is Ted Marcosi Driving Aunt Sally Insane?
01. Week 1 Wife of the Red-Haired Man, Part 1
02. Week 1 Wife of the Red-Haired Man, Part 2
03. Week 1 Wife of the Red-Haired Man, Part 3
04. Week 1 Wife of the Red-Haired Man, Part 4
05. Week 1 Wife of the Red-Haired Man, Part 5
102. Jun 18, 1974 Woman in Black
For any comments on this log contact dickjudge@juno.com.