Dark Fantasy: The Sleeping Death (June 12, 1942)

Setting: A contemporary (1942) American small town or rural setting, possibly with scenes in a doctor’s office, a cursed house, or a foggy graveyard. The episode employs sound effects such as creaking floors, heavy breathing, eerie whispers, and sudden silences to create a suspenseful, otherworldly atmosphere, emphasizing the creeping horror of a deadly sleep.
Plot:
Introduction: The episode opens with the Dark Fantasy theme, a haunting orchestral score, followed by announcer Tom Paxton (or possibly Keith Payton, as sources vary) introducing the series as a delve into “tales of the weird and supernatural.” The narrator sets the stage for “The Sleeping Death,” hinting at a mysterious affliction that causes victims to fall into a fatal sleep, promising a tale designed to give listeners “goose pimples,” per Bishop’s style.

The Premise: The story likely centers on a protagonist, perhaps a doctor, journalist, or town resident named Dr. Thomas or James, investigating a series of inexplicable deaths in a small community. Victims fall into a deep, unbreakable sleep and die without waking, with no apparent cause. The “sleeping death” could be linked to a supernatural force—a curse, a vengeful spirit, or an ancient artifact—or a malevolent entity, such as a witch, demon, or dream-walking creature. The protagonist, possibly joined by a skeptical friend or a frightened local, uncovers a pattern, perhaps tied to a haunted location, a family secret, or a recent disturbance, like the desecration of a grave.

Escalating Horror: As the investigation deepens, the protagonist experiences eerie phenomena—nightmares, shadowy figures, or voices whispering in their sleep. Bishop’s scripts often incorporate Gothic and Lovecraftian elements, so the “sleeping death” might stem from a cursed object (e.g., a locket or mirror), a ritual gone wrong, or a spectral entity that feeds on victims’ life force. Key scenes could include a tense visit to a victim’s bedside, where heavy breathing abruptly stops, a confrontation in a creepy attic, or a nighttime trek to a graveyard, with sound effects like wind, whispers, or a heartbeat amplifying dread. The protagonist’s fear of falling asleep themselves heightens the psychological tension, as the entity grows stronger with each death.

Climax and Resolution: The climax likely involves a desperate attempt to break the curse or defeat the entity, perhaps by confronting it in a dreamlike realm or destroying its source. The protagonist might risk falling into the fatal sleep to save others, facing a battle of wills against the supernatural force. Bishop’s endings often blend ambiguity and horror, so the protagonist could succeed but at a cost—losing their sanity or becoming marked by the entity—or fail, with the “sleeping death” claiming more victims. The episode closes with the narrator reflecting on the fragility of life and the terror of the unknown, leaving listeners unsettled. The 29-minute runtime, noted in owltail.com, suggests a slow-burn, suspenseful narrative.

Themes: The fear of losing control, the inescapability of death, and the horror of supernatural predation. The episode reflects Dark Fantasy’s focus on existential dread and wartime anxieties about unseen threats and mortality.

Cast and Roles:
Protagonist (Dr. Thomas/James): Played by an unnamed actor, likely Ben Morris or Fred Wayne, voicing a determined investigator with growing fear, shifting from rational inquiry to desperate resolve as the “sleeping death” closes in.

Antagonist (Entity/Witch): Played by an unnamed actor or actress, possibly Eleanor Naylor Caughron, voicing the supernatural force with an eerie, hypnotic tone, possibly distorted for dreamlike or demonic effects.

Supporting Characters: An ensemble of unnamed actors, possibly including Garland Moss or Murillo Scofield, playing roles such as:
Friend/Local: Voiced with skepticism or terror, aiding or hindering the protagonist.

Victim/Family Member: Voiced with anguish or lethargy, emphasizing the affliction’s toll.

Minor Roles: Townsfolk, a priest, or spectral voices, adding to the ominous ambiance.

Narrator/Announcer: Likely Tom Paxton (or Keith Payton), delivering the opening and closing remarks with a somber, suspenseful tone, framing the story’s chilling 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 radio work. Specific roles for “The Sleeping Death” are unlisted, as the series rarely credited individuals, but the ensemble ensured a gripping, emotive performance.

Production Details:
Music: Ominous orchestral music, likely composed by WKY’s in-house musicians, opens and closes the episode, with eerie stings accentuating suspenseful moments, enhancing the supernatural mood.

Writer: Scott Bishop (George M. Hamaker), crafting a tale blending Gothic horror with psychological tension, likely drawing on myths of deadly sleep (e.g., succubi or cursed dreams).

Director: Not explicitly credited, but likely overseen by WKY’s production team, ensuring a tight 29-minute pacing and immersive sound design.

Sound Effects: Crucial to the episode, including creaking floors, heavy breathing, eerie whispers, sudden silences, or ghostly wails, creating a vivid, unsettling soundscape. The “sleeping death” might be marked by a fading heartbeat or hypnotic hum.

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

World and National Events Around June 12, 1942:
To provide context for the broadcast, here are key world and national events occurring in early June 1942, reflecting the wartime climate that shaped listeners’ perspectives:
World Events:
World War II – Pacific Theater: The Battle of Midway (June 4–7, 1942) concluded with a decisive U.S. victory against Japan, crippling their navy and shifting Pacific momentum. By June 12, radio news was flooded with triumphant reports, boosting morale after Pearl Harbor and resonating with the episode’s theme of overcoming a deadly foe.

European Theater: Allied bombing raids on Germany intensified, with the RAF’s “Thousand Bomber” raid on Cologne (May 30–31) still reverberating in radio reports. Preparations for the Second Battle of El Alamein (October 1942) were underway, reflecting global stakes, mirrored by the episode’s unseen menace.

Holocaust Escalation: Nazi deportations to death camps like Auschwitz and Treblinka accelerated, with limited U.S. awareness via radio and newspapers. The episode’s theme of a creeping, fatal force echoed wartime fears of hidden atrocities.

Japanese Advances: Japan’s occupation of the Philippines and Burma persisted, with radio covering Allied efforts to disrupt supply lines, amplifying fears of Axis dominance.

National Events:
War Mobilization: The U.S. war effort was at its peak, with rationing of gas, sugar, rubber, and coffee enforced. War bond drives, heavily promoted on radio, urged civilian sacrifice, reflecting the episode’s undertones of mortality and struggle.

Japanese American Incarceration: Over 100,000 Japanese Americans were interned in camps like Manzanar under Executive Order 9066 (February 1942). Radio debates on the policy fueled wartime paranoia, paralleling the episode’s theme of unseen threats.

Entertainment and Morale: Hollywood and radio boosted morale, with films like Yankee Doodle Dandy (premiered May 29) and radio shows like The Bob Hope Show blending humor with patriotism. Dark Fantasy’s horror offered a stark contrast, channeling wartime dread into supernatural narratives.

Sports and Culture: The 1942 baseball season was underway, with the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals leading. Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” (recorded May 1942) gained traction as a wartime anthem, reflecting a yearning for peace.