Radio Horror Broadcasts explores the unsettling history and enduring legacy of early radio horror, dissecting how auditory storytelling gripped a nation through suspense and fear.
The book examines the psychological triggers employed via sound design and narrative structures, revealing how these broadcasts shaped anxieties during times of social and political upheaval such as the Great Depression and World War II.
This golden age of radio drama not only provided escapism but also reflected the deep-seated fears of its audience, influencing cultural norms and even sparking widespread panic, as exemplified by Orson Welles' War of the Worlds.
The book uniquely bridges media history, psychology, and popular culture to analyze horror's evolution.
Starting with key concepts of auditory fear, it progresses through historical overviews, case studies of famous broadcasts like Suspense, and analyses of recurring themes.
By understanding the anatomy of fear in audio, readers gain insights into the cultural impact of these programs and their influence on modern psychological thrillers in film and television. The techniques used in these broadcasts offer lessons applicable to contemporary audio content creation.
