Dark Fantasy March 13, 1942 - Superstition Be Hanged

"Superstition Be Hanged," episode 17 of the radio horror series Dark Fantasy, aired on March 13, 1942, over the NBC Red Network. Written by Scott Bishop, this chilling tale delves into the dangers of dismissing superstition in a world where the supernatural holds sway. The story likely centers on a skeptical protagonist—possibly a scientist or journalist—who scoffs at local folklore about a cursed object, ritual, or place tied to the number 13, given the episode’s title and air date (a Friday the 13th). Their rationalism is tested when eerie events unfold: strange noises, inexplicable accidents, or ghostly apparitions suggest the superstition has a terrifying basis. As the protagonist’s disbelief crumbles, they face a deadly supernatural force, with the episode culminating in a grim lesson about respecting the unknown. The narrative uses atmospheric sound effects and Bishop’s knack for psychological horror to deliver a suspenseful, macabre twist.

Cast and Crew
Cast:
Ben Morris as the lead (likely the protagonist or narrator, typical for Bishop’s scripts)

Supporting actors: Likely included regulars like Eleanor Naylor Corin, Fred Wayne, or Muir Hite (specific roles for this episode are not documented)

Announcer: Not explicitly credited, often handled by NBC staff or a series regular

Crew:
Writer: Scott Bishop (creator and primary writer for Dark Fantasy)

Director: Likely Scott Bishop or an NBC staff director

Producer: NBC Red Network, possibly overseen by George Zachery

Music: NBC house orchestra, possibly arranged by Cyril Armbrister

Sound Effects: NBC sound effects team, standard for 1940s radio drama

Note: Exact cast and crew details for this episode are not fully documented in available sources. The above is based on Dark Fantasy’s standard production team and recurring actors during the 1941-1942 season.
News in the United States (Week of March 13, 1942)
World War II Mobilization: The U.S. intensified its war effort post-Pearl Harbor. The War Production Board banned non-essential use of steel, redirecting resources to tanks and ships. Civilian tire rationing began, limiting access to rubber.

Military Updates: The U.S. Navy reported successes in the Pacific, including raids on Japanese-held islands. General Douglas MacArthur, evacuated from the Philippines on March 11, arrived in Australia, vowing, “I shall return.”

Japanese American Relocation: Following Executive Order 9066 (February 19, 1942), the first Japanese Americans were moved to internment camps, with Manzanar in California receiving its initial detainees in March.

Economic Measures: The Office of Price Administration imposed price controls on consumer goods to curb inflation. War bond drives gained momentum, with celebrities like Bob Hope promoting sales.

Cultural Note: The film To Be or Not to Be, a satirical comedy directed by Ernst Lubitsch, was released, offering wartime audiences dark humor amid global tensions.

News in the World (Week of March 13, 1942)
Pacific Theater: Japan consolidated control over Southeast Asia, capturing Java and Rangoon, Burma, by early March. Allied forces, including British and Dutch, faced heavy losses, with Australia bracing for potential invasion.

European Theater: Nazi Germany’s U-boat campaign in the Atlantic sank numerous Allied ships, threatening supply lines. The Luftwaffe continued sporadic raids on Britain, though less intense than the 1940 Blitz.

Soviet Front: The Red Army held firm against German forces in the Battle of Kharkov, despite brutal winter conditions. Soviet counteroffensives disrupted Hitler’s plans for a spring offensive.

Holocaust: Deportations of Jews to ghettos and camps accelerated across Nazi-occupied Europe. The first transports to Belzec extermination camp began in March 1942, though the full scale of atrocities remained hidden.

Allied Diplomacy: The U.S. and Britain finalized plans for Lend-Lease aid to the Soviet Union, strengthening the Allied coalition. Churchill pressed Roosevelt for a second front to ease Soviet pressure.