Black Hood was an American radio serial based on the popularity of the US superhero comics series Black Hood. It was broadcast on the Mutual Broadcasting System July 5, 1943 – January 14, 1944.[1][2]

Black Hood
Other namesThe Black Hood
Genreadventure radio serial, crime serial
Running time15 minutes
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
Home stationMutual Broadcasting System
StarringScott Douglas, Marjorie Cramer
Original releaseJuly 5, 1943 (1943-07-05) –
January 14, 1944 (1944-01-14)
No. of episodes120.
Opening themeThe Sorcerer's Apprentice (Paul Dukas)
Sponsored bynone.

Concept

edit

Rookie police officer Kip Burland had a secret identity, the Black Hood. Donning a specific, "specially developed" black hood gave Burland special magical powers.[3] The only person who knew about Burland's secret identity was Barbara Sutton, a newspaper reporter who helped him fight crime.[3]

The American comics series Black Hood had been a popular comic strip since its first appearance in the ninth issue of Top-Notch Comics in October 1940. On July 5, 1943,[4] a radio serial debuted on the Mutual Broadcasting System. It aired in episodes of 15 minutes and five times a week, at 5:15 in the afternoon.[1] The opening theme music was a snippet from Paul Dukas's The Sorcerer's Apprentice.[5]

Compared to the source material the radio serial was less violent and sexually suggestive. The show also introduced a third character, Police Sergeant McGinty.[5]

120 episodes were recorded.[6] Because it failed to find a sponsor its last broadcast was January 14, 1944.[1] Only one audio copy has survived, the initial episode "Emerald Voodoo Ring" which was recorded as the audition disc.[5]

Cast

edit
  • The Black Hood: Scott Douglas
  • Kip Burland: Scott Douglas
  • Barbara "Babs" Sutton: Marjorie Cramer

See also

edit

Sources

edit
  1. ^ a b c Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. p. 95. ISBN 9780199770786. Retrieved 24 November 2016. black hood radio.
  2. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2003). Radio Program Openings and Closings, 1931–1972. McFarland. p. 29. ISBN 9781476612232. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  3. ^ a b Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924–1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4. P. 44.
  4. ^ Radio Today. New York Times. 5 July 1943
  5. ^ a b c "Mighty Crusaders website". Archived from the original on 2013-05-18. Retrieved 2015-10-26.
  6. ^ Mitchell, Kurt; Thomas, Roy (2019). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 190. ISBN 978-1605490892.