The Hall of Fantasy

The Hall of Fantasy was a drama anthology series broadcast on the Mutual Broadcasting System network in the early 1950s. It was originally broadcast in Utah and Chicago between 1947 and 1949, before being picked up by MBS. Created by Richard Thorne, the series focused mainly on stories with a supernatural theme, but it did include a smattering of fantasy and SF. Around 40 of approximately 200 shows still survive. The episodes below are the SF, fantasy and supernatural episodes.
Episode 1: The Judge's House

​A man rents a house and is menaced by the ghost of its former occupant.

​First broadcast: 6 April 1947.
Original Story by Bram Stoker.
​Cast: Richard Thorne, Beth Caulder, Earl Donaldson, Mel Wyman.
Episode 2: Man-Size In Marble
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​A couple are menaced by two statues of knights which come alive.

First broadcast: 13 April 1947.
Original Story by E. Nesbit.
​Cast: Carl Grayson, Beth Caulder, Phyllis Perry, Archie Hugely.
Episode 3: Markheim
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​A thief and murderer receives an unexpected visitor.

First broadcast: 27 April 1947.
Original Story by Robert Louis Stevenson.
​Cast: Carl Grayson, Richard Harcourt, Beth Caulder, Richard Thorne.
Episode 4: The Mark of Shame
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​A man killed in a duel gets his revenge from beyond the grave.
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​First broadcast: 4 May 1947.
Original Story by Mary Elizabeth Braddon.
​Cast: Richard Thorne, Beth Caulder, Archie Hugely, Ken Jensen, Mike Larogo.
Episode 5: The Castle of Lavoca

A creepy old castle holds a sinister secret.

​First broadcast: 22 August 1952.
Original Story by Richard Thorne.
​Cast: Unknown.
Episode 6: The Shadow People

A woman and her family are menaced by beings who live in the shadows.

​First broadcast: 5 September 1952.
Original Story by Richard Thorne (based on a story by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu).
​Cast: Unknown.
Episode 7: The Hangman's Rope

​Has notorious executioner Jack Ketch returned from the dead to continue his grisly trade?

​First broadcast: 5 January 1953.
Original Story by Richard Thorne.
​Cast: Unknown.
Episode 8: The Black Figurine of Death

A dying man's family, set to inherit his estate, find themselves embroiled in murder following his death. Is Uncle Amos and his small, black figurine wreaking revenge for their neglect from beyond the grave?

​First broadcast: 26 January 1953.
Original Story by Richard Thorne.
​Cast: Harry Elders, Eloise Kummer, Claire Baum.
Episode 9: The Silver Flask

Two men become obsessed with an antique silver flask, reputed to possess supernatural powers.

​First broadcast: 2 February 1953.
Original Story by Richard Thorne.
​Cast: Unknown.
Episode 10: The Dance of the Devil Dolls

​Two friends are menaced by an old woman and her voodoo dolls.

​First broadcast: 9 February 1953.
Original Story by Richard Thorne.
​Cast: Unknown.
Episode 11: The Masks of Ashor

​A couple are gifted two ancient, golden masks by a relative. They are soon visited by the messenger of the underworld, who wants his property back.

​First broadcast: 9 March 1953.
Original Story by Richard Thorne.
​Cast: Unknown.
Episode 12: The Night The Fog Came

A newly discovered form of microscopic aquatic life, which can travel in fog, kills on contact by drowning people on dry land.

First broadcast: 23 March 1953.
Original Story by Richard Thorne.
​Cast: Richard Thorne, Sam Siegel, Harry Elders, Jim Andolin.
Episode 13: The Beast With Red Eyes

Paranormal investigator Dr. Hesselius attempts to help a man plagued by a supernatural beast with blazing red eyes.

​First broadcast: 30 March 1953.
Original Story by Richard Thorne (based on a story by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu).
​Cast: Carl Greyson, Richard Thorne.
Episode 14: The Return From Death

A scientist invents a machine to bring the dead back to life and tests it on an executed murderer. It does not go well.

​First broadcast: 6 April 1953.
Original Story by Richard Thorne.
​Cast: Unknown.
Episode 15: The Demon of The Night

A werewolf terrorises a small American town.

​First broadcast: 13 April 1953.
Original Story by Richard Thorne.
​Cast: Unknown.
Episode 16: Out of The Sky

A flying saucer lands near a small American town and the occupant threatens to destroy Mankind.

​First broadcast: 20 April 1953.
Original Story by Richard Thorne.
​Cast: Edward Clarke, Carl Greyson.
Episode 17: The Wild Huntsman
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​A hunting party encounter the spectral 'Wild Huntsman', who brings death to any who lay eyes upon him.

​First broadcast: 27 April 1953.
Original Story by Richard Thorne.
​Cast: Harry Elders, Richard Thorne, Muriel Bremner, Sam Siegel.
Episode 18: The Idol of Crom Cruach

High in the Appalachian mountains, a hidden valley is discovered, inhabited by druids who still perform human sacrifice.

​First broadcast: 4 May 1953.
Original Story by Richard Thorne.
​Cast: Unknown.
Episode 19: The Spectre of Denston Castle

​An American couple inherit an old English castle, but are driven away by a family curse and the castle's resident ghost.

​First broadcast: 11 May 1953.
Original Story by Richard Thorne.
​Cast: Unknown.
Episode 20: The Crawling Thing

A scientist discovers a serum to increase the size and intelligence of animals. He decides to test it on a spider...

​First broadcast: 18 May 1953.
Original Story by Richard Thorne.
​Cast: Unknown.