The Zero Hour

The Zero Hour, also known as Hollywood Radio Theater, debuted in syndication on September 3, 1973, during a brief revival of network radio drama. The Mutual Broadcasting System picked it up that December, and Rod Serling served as host and narrator.

It was produced by Los Angeles advertising man J. M. Kholos and directed by Elliott Lewis, one of radio's most experienced hands. The original format told a five-part story Monday through Friday, each part roughly 30 minutes with commercials; in late April 1974 it switched to complete half-hour stories, with one lead actor starring all week.

Writers included Tony Hillerman, Kenneth Fearing and Bill S. Ballinger, and the casts featured film and TV names such as John Astin, Edgar Bergen, Richard Crenna, Patty Duke and Howard Duff. Short on promotion and audience, it was cancelled by Mutual; the last show aired July 26, 1974, after 130 episodes.

It is worth hearing for Serling's voice and for Lewis's craft, one of the last gasps of commercial radio drama.