Nightfall was a radio drama series produced and aired by CBC Radio from July 1980 to June 1983. While primarily a supernatural/horror series, Nightfall featured some episodes in other genres, such as science fiction, mystery, fantasy, and human drama. According to promotional accounts repeated on fan sites, some of Nightfalls episodes were so terrifying that the CBC registered numerous complaints and some affiliate stations dropped it;OTR Plot Spot Nightfall Archives however, at least one researcher who investigated the claim found no documented evidence that any station actually dropped the show over listener complaints, suggesting the story may be embellished promotional lore rather than a verified fact. Despite this, the series went on to become one of the most popular shows in CBC Radio history,Digital Deli Brief History of Nightfall running 100 episodes that featured a mix of original tales and adaptations of both classic and obscure short stories.
Nightfall was created by producer Bill Howell, who was known at the time for his work on CBC Playhouse, the sketch-comedy series Air Farce, and the cult adventure series, Johnny Chase: Secret Agent of Space. According to Howell, the idea for Nightfall grew out of a 1979 national producers' meeting in Banff, Alberta, convened by the newly appointed head of CBC Radio Drama, Susan Rubeš; though not a fan of the horror genre, Rubeš greenlit the production.
Bill Howell served as executive producer of Nightfall at CBC Toronto for the first two seasons. The third season was produced by Don Kowalchuk at CBC Vancouver.
Nightfall featured two hosts during its run. The Toronto years (1980–1982) were hosted by "the mysterious Luther Kranst", a character created by Bill Howell and played by character actor Henry Ramer. For its Vancouver run (1982–1983), Don Kowalchuk worked with voice actor Bill Reiter to develop the character of Frederick Hende.
The show's scripts were overseen by an editorial team led by John Gavin Douglas as the CBC Radio Drama area executive, who was joined by Howard Engel and Earl Toppings in reviewing and refining submissions from the show's writers.
Production locations and people Though series production was controlled from a central location, the anthology nature of Nightfall made it possible for episodes to be produced at CBC Radio facilities all over Canada:
CBC TorontoNo. of Episodes: 74Frequent Actors: Elva Mai Hoover, John Stocker, Frank Perry, Sandy Webster, Ruth Springford, Marian Waldman, Neil Dainard, Hugh Webster, Chris Wiggins, Budd Knapp, Michael Wincott, Graham Haley, David Calderisi, Colin Fox, Arch McDonnell, Nicky Guadagni, Neil Munro, Mary Pirie, Linda SorensonRecording Engineers: John Jessop, Ray Folcik, John Hollinger, Jan Wright, David Hoyle, Tom Shipton, Brian Wood, Keith van der Clay, Brian Pape, Derek Stubbs, John McCarthy, Greg FleetSound Effects: Bill Robinson, Matt Wilcott, Kathy Perry, Stephanie McKenna, Jerry FieldingProduction Assistants: Nina Callaghan, Doris Buchanan, Nancy McIlveen, Peggy EsteProducers: Bill Howell, Paul Mills, John Douglas, Stephen Katz, Fred Diehl, Peter Boretski, William Lane, Scott Swan
CBC VancouverNo. of Episodes: 9Frequent Actors: William Samples, Otto Lowy, Norman Browning, Anna HaganRecording Engineers: Gerry Stanley, Chris Cutress, Gene Loverock, Bill SeebachSound Effects: Joe Silva, Jay Hireen, Chris CutressProduction Assistants: Ann Elvidge, Dagmar Kaffanke, Loretta Joyce, Joyce TinnionProducers: Don Kowalchuk, John Juliani, Robert Chesterman
CBC EdmontonNo. of Episodes: 7Frequent Actors: Brian Taylor, Graham McPherson, Nicole Evans, Gordon Mariott, Bill Meilen, Stephen Walsh, Blair HaynesRecording Engineers: Al LamdenSound Effects: Eric Wagers, Deane PurvesProduction Assistants: Barbara GaultProducers: Lawrie Seligman
CBC MontréalNo. of Episodes: 4Frequent Actors: Vlasta Vrána, Philip Akin, Timothy Webber, Earl PenningtonRecording Engineers: André Fleury, Giles LaRocheSound Effects: Pierre Lucie, Rene LeVoisProduction Assistants: Jane Lewis, Nancy CarterProducers: John Juliani, John Jessop
CBC HalifaxNo. of Episodes: 3Frequent Actors: Joseph Rutten, John FultonRecording Engineers: Rod Sneddon, Keith DeLongSound Effects: Dermot Kenny, Harold PorterProduction Assistants: Claire McIlveenProducers: Elizabeth Fox, Ewan "Sudsy" Clark
CBC CalgaryNo. of Episodes: 1Frequent Actors: David Ferry, Heather Lea McCallumRecording Engineers: Rick FentonSound Effects: Norm HurleyProduction Assistants: Elaine FarnerProducers: Bill Gray
CBC St. JohnsNo. of Episodes: 1Frequent Actors: Frank Holden, Pat VernRecording Engineers: John FosterSound Effects: Wayne HayesProduction Assistants: Noreen GeorgeProducers: Glen Tilley
Clack Sound Studios, NYCNo. of Episodes: 1Frequent Actors: F. Peter LeeRecording Engineers: Tom Courtenay-ClackSound Effects: Tom Courtenay-ClackProduction Assistants: n/aProducers:' Tom Courtenay-Clack
Episode guide
Season One
Season Two
Season Three
Incidental music The incidental music from Nightfall was sourced from production music libraries such as Selected Sound and Bruton Music. Compositions from artists such as Klaus Weiss, Gerhard Trede, and Berry Lipman can be heard in various episodes throughout the series.
References
External links Internet Archive: Nightfall OTR Plot Spot: Nightfall - plot summaries and reviews. Nightfall - Canadian Communication Foundation Spotify playlist of incidental music used in the series