Lights Out December 22, 1937 - Christmas Story

"Christmas Story," an episode of the radio horror series Lights Out, aired on December 22, 1937, over the NBC Red Network. Written by Arch Oboler, this chilling tale subverts the warmth of the holiday season with a dark, supernatural twist. The story centers on a seemingly heartwarming Christmas Eve setting—possibly a family gathering or a lone traveler seeking shelter—where festive cheer is shattered by an eerie presence. A malevolent force, perhaps a ghostly figure or a cursed object tied to the holiday, emerges to exact vengeance or reveal a hidden sin. As the characters confront their fears, the episode builds suspense through Oboler’s masterful use of sound effects, such as howling winds and creaking doors, culminating in a terrifying climax that leaves listeners questioning the sanctity of Christmas. The narrative blends psychological horror with moral undertones, characteristic of Oboler’s provocative storytelling.
Note: Specific details about this episode are limited due to sparse documentation, but the summary reflects Lights Out’s typical format under Oboler, adapted to a Christmas theme based on the title and seasonal context.
Cast and Crew
Cast:
Lead actors: Likely included Boris Karloff, Mercedes McCambridge, or other NBC radio regulars (specific actors for this episode are not documented, but these were frequent Lights Out performers)

Supporting roles: Filled by NBC stock players, possibly including Lou Merrill, Betty Winkler, or Joseph Granby

Announcer: Not explicitly credited, likely an NBC staff announcer

Crew:
Writer/Director: Arch Oboler (primary creative force behind Lights Out in 1937)

Producer: NBC Red Network, possibly overseen by Arch Oboler or Willis Cooper’s lingering influence

Music: NBC house orchestra, likely arranged by Leith Stevens or another network composer

Sound Effects: NBC sound effects team, known for innovative techniques under Oboler’s direction (e.g., amplified heartbeats or ghostly whispers)

Note: Exact cast and crew details for this episode are not fully documented in available sources. The above is based on Lights Out’s standard production team and recurring actors during the 1937 season.
News in the United States (Week of December 22, 1937)
Economic Downturn: The "Roosevelt Recession" worsened, with stock market declines and unemployment rising to 17%. President Franklin D. Roosevelt faced pressure to adjust New Deal policies, with debates over federal spending intensifying.

Labor Unrest: Strikes persisted in the textile and coal industries, though less widespread than earlier in 1937. The Congress of Industrial Organizations gained traction, pushing for union rights.

Disney Milestone: Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered on December 21, 1937, in Los Angeles, marking a groundbreaking achievement in animated filmmaking and drawing massive crowds.

Holiday Preparations: Christmas shopping surged despite economic woes, with department stores reporting strong sales of toys and radios. Charitable drives, like those for the Salvation Army, were prominent.

Aviation News: Pan American Airways tested new routes for Pacific flights, with a focus on Hawaii and Asia, signaling growing interest in commercial air travel.

News in the World (Week of December 22, 1937)
Sino-Japanese War: Japan’s invasion of China escalated, with the Nanjing Massacre (began December 13, 1937) resulting in mass atrocities. Reports of Japanese brutality shocked the international community, though Western responses were limited.

Spanish Civil War: The Battle of Teruel raged, with Republican forces launching an offensive against Franco’s Nationalists. Harsh winter conditions and heavy casualties marked the conflict, with foreign volunteers still active.

Nazi Germany: Adolf Hitler prepared for territorial expansion, with plans for Austria and Czechoslovakia taking shape. Anti-Semitic policies intensified, with Jewish businesses forcibly “Aryanized.”

British Diplomacy: Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain pursued appeasement, seeking to avoid war with Germany. Talks with Italy’s Benito Mussolini aimed to stabilize the Mediterranean amid Spanish tensions.

Soviet Union: Stalin’s Great Purge continued, targeting intellectuals and military officers. The purge’s impact on Soviet readiness was becoming evident, though details remained obscured.