Dark Fantasy: Funeral Arrangements Completed (May 15, 1942)

Setting: A contemporary (1942) American setting, likely a small town or urban area, centered around a funeral parlor, a gloomy mansion, or a cemetery, with scenes possibly shifting to a supernatural or ghostly realm. The episode employs sound effects such as creaking coffins, tolling bells, ghostly whispers, and howling winds to create a chilling, death-obsessed atmosphere, typical of Dark Fantasy’s vivid horror.
Plot:
Introduction: The episode opens with the show’s foreboding theme music and announcer Tom Paxton (or possibly Keith Payton, as sources vary) introducing Dark Fantasy as a series of “tales of the weird and supernatural.” The narrator sets the stage for a grim story about death and the uncanny, with the title “Funeral Arrangements Completed” suggesting a sinister twist involving premature or supernatural burial plans.

The Premise: The story likely centers on a protagonist—perhaps an unsuspecting individual, a grieving relative, or a curious investigator—who becomes entangled in a disturbing situation at a funeral parlor or related setting. The “funeral arrangements” could involve the protagonist being mistakenly declared dead, targeted for a premature burial, or drawn into a supernatural scheme orchestrated by a malevolent undertaker, a ghostly presence, or a cursed family. Bishop’s scripts often blend horror with psychological tension, so the narrative might explore themes of mortality, entrapment, or a pact with death, possibly inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s tales of premature burial or H.P. Lovecraft’s cosmic dread.

Escalating Horror: As the protagonist delves into the mystery, supernatural events unfold. They might discover that the funeral parlor is a front for occult rituals, that the “deceased” are not truly dead, or that a ghostly entity manipulates the living to join the dead. Key scenes could include the protagonist trapped in a coffin, hearing muffled voices or clawing at wood, with sound effects like creaking lids, tolling bells, or eerie chants heightening the terror. The atmosphere might shift to a shadowy graveyard or a spectral realm, where the protagonist faces apparitions or a deathly figure demanding their soul.

Climax and Resolution: The climax likely involves a desperate struggle to escape the funeral’s grip, whether by outwitting a sinister undertaker, breaking a curse, or confronting a supernatural force. Bishop’s stories often feature a twist or ambiguous ending, so the protagonist might escape the grave only to find the experience haunts them, realize they’ve been marked by death, or succumb to the supernatural, leaving their fate unclear. The episode concludes with the narrator reflecting on the thin line between life and death, leaving listeners with “goose pimples” as Bishop intended.

Themes: The fear of death and premature burial, the manipulation of mortality, and the human struggle against supernatural inevitability. The episode reflects Dark Fantasy’s blend of horror, suspense, and existential dread, crafted to unsettle listeners’ imaginations.

Cast and Roles:
Protagonist: Played by an unnamed actor, likely Ben Morris or Fred Wayne, portraying a relatable character facing the terror of premature burial or supernatural death. The performance would convey panic, desperation, and resolve, with vocal shifts to reflect the horror, typical of Dark Fantasy’s intense acting style.

Supporting Characters: An ensemble of unnamed actors, possibly including Eleanor Naylor Caughron, Garland Moss, or Murillo Scofield, playing roles such as:
Antagonist/Undertaker: A sinister or ghostly figure, voiced with a cold, menacing tone, orchestrating the deadly arrangements.

Family/Friends: Characters grieving or unknowingly complicit in the protagonist’s plight, adding emotional stakes.

Minor Roles: A doctor, a cemetery worker, or a spectral entity, voiced by the ensemble to enhance the macabre setting.

Narrator/Announcer: Likely Tom Paxton (or Keith Payton), delivering the opening and closing remarks with a somber, suspenseful tone, framing the story’s grim mood.

Note on Cast: Dark Fantasy relied on WKY’s versatile in-house cast, with actors like Ben Morris and Eleanor Naylor Caughron known for their skill. Specific roles for “Funeral Arrangements Completed” are unlisted, as the series rarely credited individual performances, but the ensemble’s talent ensured a chilling delivery.

Production Details:
Music: Ominous orchestral or organ music, likely composed by WKY’s in-house musicians, opens and closes the episode, with eerie stings accentuating suspenseful moments. The score enhances the deathly, supernatural mood, akin to Lights Out!’s atmospheric style.

Writer: Scott Bishop (George M. Hamaker), known for crafting tales that merge supernatural horror with psychological tension, likely drawing inspiration from Poe’s tales of premature burial or Lovecraft’s existential dread.

Director: Not explicitly credited, but likely overseen by WKY’s production team, ensuring the episode’s tight 30-minute pacing and immersive sound design.

Sound Effects: Crucial to the episode, including creaking coffins, tolling bells, ghostly whispers, muffled voices, clawing sounds, howling winds, or graveyard ambiance, creating a vivid, macabre atmosphere. The sense of entrapment might be amplified by thuds or a heartbeat.

Sponsor: None, as Dark Fantasy was typically unsponsored, airing late Friday nights (often 11:30 PM) on NBC stations, supported by the network and WKY’s innovative programming.

World and National Events Around May 15, 1942:
To provide context for the broadcast, here are key world and national events occurring in mid-May 1942, reflecting the wartime climate that shaped listeners’ perspectives:
World Events:
World War II – Pacific Theater: The Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4–8, 1942) concluded, with U.S. and Australian forces halting Japan’s advance toward Port Moresby, a strategic victory reported in U.S. media by mid-May, boosting morale after the Bataan Death March (April 9–17), where thousands of U.S. and Filipino prisoners perished under Japanese captivity.

Doolittle Raid Aftermath: The Doolittle Raid on Tokyo (April 18) remained a source of national pride, with radio broadcasts in May celebrating its morale-boosting impact as a bold U.S. strike against Japan post-Pearl Harbor.

European Theater: Nazi Germany’s occupation intensified, with the Holocaust escalating. Deportations to death camps like Auschwitz increased, though U.S. knowledge was limited. Allied bombing raids, such as the May 17 raid on Cologne, signaled growing resistance, covered on NBC and Mutual broadcasts.

Japanese Advances: Japan’s Pacific conquests, including Burma and the Philippines, continued to threaten Allied supply lines. By mid-May, Japan was planning the Midway invasion (June 1942), heightening U.S. concerns about Pacific stability, a frequent radio news topic.

National Events:
War Mobilization: The U.S. was fully committed to World War II, with rationing of gas, sugar, and rubber in place. The War Production Board prioritized military output, converting factories for tanks and planes, a shift emphasized in radio campaigns urging civilian support.

Japanese American Incarceration: Executive Order 9066 (February 1942) led to ongoing relocations of Japanese Americans to internment camps like Manzanar and Tule Lake. By May, thousands were interned, a controversial policy debated in the press and on radio, reflecting wartime fears and prejudice.

Entertainment and Morale: Hollywood and radio boosted morale. Films like Saboteur (released April 24), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and The Fleet’s In were popular, while radio shows like The Bob Hope Show mixed humor with war bond appeals. Dark Fantasy’s horror offered escapism from war’s grim realities.

Sports and Culture: The 1942 Masters Tournament (April 9–13) saw Byron Nelson win, providing a distraction. Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas,” recorded May 29 but gaining traction, became a wartime anthem, while Ella Fitzgerald’s “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” remained a jazz hit, reflecting the era’s vibrant music scene.