Dark Fantasy March 27, 1942 - Convoy for Atlantis

"Convoy for Atlantis," episode 19 of the radio horror series Dark Fantasy, aired on March 27, 1942, over the NBC Red Network from WKY in Oklahoma City. Written by Scott Bishop, this thrilling tale blends supernatural horror with science fiction, centered on a mysterious maritime convoy. The story follows a group of sailors aboard a ship in a convoy navigating treacherous seas, where ships have been vanishing without a trace. Strange phenomena—eerie lights, ghostly voices, or sudden fog—suggest a connection to the mythical lost city of Atlantis. As the crew grapples with fear and superstition, a supernatural force, possibly an ancient Atlantean entity or cursed treasure rising from the depths, threatens to drag the convoy into an otherworldly abyss. The episode builds suspense through vivid sound effects like creaking ships and crashing waves, culminating in a chilling revelation about the convoy’s fate. Bishop’s narrative weaves adventure and terror, leaving listeners questioning the boundaries between myth and reality.

Note: The episode’s audio is noted as damaged in some archives, with pops that clear up during playback, but the core plot is preserved in surviving recordings.

Cast and Crew
Cast:
Ben Morris as the lead (likely the ship’s captain or a key sailor, 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: Tom Paxton (frequent announcer for Dark Fantasy)

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, using techniques like water splashes and wind machines for maritime ambiance

Note: Exact cast and crew details for this episode are not fully documented. The above is based on Dark Fantasy’s standard production team and recurring actors during the 1941-1942 season, with Paxton’s role confirmed in archival sources.

News in the United States (Week of March 27, 1942)
World War II Home Front: The U.S. ramped up war production, with factories converting to military output. The War Production Board restricted civilian goods, including clothing, to conserve materials like wool and cotton.

Military Developments: The fall of Bataan in the Philippines loomed (surrendered April 9), with U.S. and Filipino troops under siege. General Douglas MacArthur, now in Australia, planned Allied counteroffensives.

Japanese American Internment: Internment camps expanded under Executive Order 9066. Manzanar camp in California saw increased arrivals, with over 1,000 Japanese Americans relocated by late March.

Rationing Expansion: Gasoline rationing began on the East Coast, limiting drivers to 3 gallons per week. Sugar rationing was announced, with registration for ration books set for May.

Cultural Note: The film Reap the Wild Wind, a Technicolor adventure starring John Wayne, was a box-office hit, offering escapist entertainment during wartime.

News in the World (Week of March 27, 1942)
Pacific Theater: Japan solidified control over Southeast Asia, capturing the Andaman Islands. Allied forces regrouped in Australia, planning defenses against a potential Japanese invasion.

European Theater: Nazi Germany’s U-boat campaign intensified, sinking 20 Allied ships in the Atlantic that month. The Luftwaffe bombed Malta heavily, targeting British supply lines.

Soviet Front: The Red Army launched counterattacks near Moscow, but German forces prepared for a spring offensive. Stalin demanded more Allied aid, straining Lend-Lease negotiations.

Holocaust: The deportation of Jews to extermination camps accelerated, with trains arriving at Auschwitz and Belzec. The scale of Nazi atrocities was still largely unknown to the Allies.

Allied Strategy: The U.S. and Britain finalized plans for Operation Bolero, the buildup of American troops in the UK, signaling preparations for a future European invasion.