Inner Sanctum (1941-52) aired “The Dead Laugh” on Monday, September 23, 1946 as the 285th of its approximately 527 episodes. Unfortunately, most of the shows are lost, with best guesstimates ranging from 140 to “less than 200” still in circulation. However, among these still existing shows, some are only partial episodes, with the majority of the complete episodes being AFRS (Armed Forces Radio Service) repeats. While the AFRS is to be commended for having preserved these episodes, it should be noted that it deleted the local, syndicated commercials in order not to play favorites with advertised products (and in select episodes added government ads supporting the war effort). It also removed the original openings and closings, running episodes under the Mystery Playhouse title with Peter Lorre as one of the show’s hosts (along with a nameless “Sergeant X” in certain episodes). This is one of the AFRS Mystery Playhouse episodes, and is otherwise a complete episode. Raymond Johnson (1911-2001) was the show’s original host. Paul McGrath (1904-1978, photo above right) would replace Johnson as host after he left the show in May of 1945 to join the armed forces, and is the host of this episode. Lipton Tea would not become a sponsor until the 1945 season, bringing with it the perky co-host and Lipton Tea spokesperson Mary Bennett who became famous for working in Lipton Tea commercials alongside the host’s terrible puns. Bromo Seltzer became the show’s new sponsor in July of 1946 and remained so until 1950, at which time Mars Candy Bars would assume sponsorship of the show until 1952.

This is the 36th Inner Sanctum episode we’ve run since we began featuring Old Time Radio shows back in 2009, but only the 6th since 2019 (even counting the one last week) so felt it high time for another with Halloween in the offing this very night, Saturday, October 31, 2026. First, however, and of interest to genre fans of horror and the fantastic, we would like to note that between 1943 and 1945 Universal Pictures obtained the rights to, and produced six Inner Sanctum Mystery films. They were Calling Dr. Death (1943), Weird Woman (1944), Dead Man’s Eyes (1944), The Frozen Ghost (1945), Strange Confession (1945) and Pillow of Death (1945). All would star legendary horror actor Lon Chaney, Jr. (The complete collection is linked at left.)

“The Dead Laugh” is a chilling blend of psychological horror with a very different kind of ghost, the nature of which is perhaps more personal and real than we would care to admit. This high tension episode features a woman, a man, a murderer, and a ghost, the perfect mix to brighten your Halloween and keep you curled under a blanket on the couch…most definitely within arm’s reach of your radio.

Happy Halloween!

Play Time: 26:01

Classic Horror Monsters

 

To view the entire list of weekly Old Time Radio episodes at Tangent Online, click here.