Sealed Book, The

The Sealed Book was a radio series of mystery and terror tales, produced and directed by Jock MacGregor for the Mutual network. Between March 18 and September 9, 1945, the melodramatic anthology series was broadcast on Sundays from 10:30 pm to 11:00 pm.

Each week, after “the sound of the great gong,” host Philip Clarke observed that the mysteriously silent “keeper of the book has opened the ponderous door to the secret vault wherein is kept the great sealed book, in which is recorded all the secrets and mysteries of mankind through the ages, Here are tales of every kind, tales of murder, of madness, of dark deeds strange and terrible beyond all belief.” After this introduction, the dramas began, occasionally interrupted by curiously extended organ solos.

The Stars

The Sealed Book starred Philip Clarke as the keeper of the book, a croaking, cackling hermit, with knowledge of the black arts, who in each show unlocked the great padlock that kept the sealed book safe from prying eyes.

Key Dates

• The series debuted on March 18, 1945.
• It ran until September 9, 1945, airing on Sundays from 10:30 pm to 11:00 pm on the Mutual network.

Other Information

Scripts for The Sealed Book were written by Robert Arthur, Jr. and David Kogan, who also worked on The Mysterious Traveler and recycled many of the more popular stories from that parent program. The first episode was “The Hands of Death,” which concluded with “Death Laughs Last.”

The Sealed Book was an anthology series, with no recurring characters besides the Narrator and the Keeper of the Book. However, the writers often reused character names like “Hester,” “Drake,” and “Roger” from week to week. The series was known for its melodramatic style and curiously extended organ solos, which were likely used to allow for the insertion of local commercials.

Overall, The Sealed Book was a classic old-time radio mystery and horror anthology that captivated audiences with its tales of the macabre and the supernatural.

While it may not have had the same level of popularity as some of its contemporaries, it remains an intriguing and entertaining relic of the golden age of radio.

All 26 episodes are available to listen to on RUSC. Enjoy!