Posted in Fan Letters
Trevor P. writes:
Hi there, Let me preface this message by saying that I have wanted to congratulate you guys for almost 20 years. Your consistent insistence on providing an authentic quality modern drama for the ears has inspired me. I suppose that I should introduce myself. My name is Trevor and I am in my early 30’s. I live in St. Louis Missouri though I was born and raised in Michigan. My introduction to your program came at a critical juncture in my life. I remember it as if it were yesterday. Allow me to step back in time for a moment
in order to illuminate my mood and the proceedings involved. I was 13 years old on that chilly Christmas day as my family traveled to Wisconsin to visit my grandparents. I was anticipating the gifts that would be opened once we arrived. Usually they were known for giving warm sweaters or afghan blankets. These were certainly wonderful presents. Yet they normally don’t represent the pinnacle of a young teen’s idea of the greatest thing on Earth. Still, I did wonder about it especially since my mom had told me that it just might be a little different this year. As we pulled up in their driveway, my anticipation seemed to grow though I wasn’t sure of the cause. Hugs were exchanged as we all unfolded ourselves from the van. Grandma and grandpa were glad to see us and ushered us inside. After a sumptuous meal of Turkey with all of the trimmings, the gift exchange began. I was handed a box which seemed a little heavier than usual. I was confused as to what might be inside. Upon tearing the wrapping paper, I found a collection of cassettes neatly packaged in an attractive album. I have always loved radio drama ever since my early childhood. I can well remember listening to episodes of The Shadow and Suspense while trying to hide my tape recorder from my parents after bedtime. Radio has always been very important to me. I think this is true due to my total blindness from
birth. My inability to use visual images from television or movies has shown me a way of painting pictures with sound. When listening to an audio reenactment of a popular story or play, I am at one with my sighted peers. My grandparents knew this about me and found a way to fill that need. I was told that this
was a series of shows called the Cape Cod Radio Mystery Theater. I had never heard of it. I had certainly listened to the CBS Radio Mystery theater hosted by E G Martial when I was younger. Still this show seemed new and crisp with it’s fresh approach to audible stories. Still, I was skeptical. Upon escaping to a private corner of the house, I reluctantly put the first tape into the recorder. From that moment, I was transported!! The fidelity with which these programs were made was only the least of my pleasures. Also the care you took in selecting the actors for these roles showed as they stood on the stage of my mind. Waverly Underhill’s mysteries as well as the Hypnotist and The Caller on Line 1 awoke in me a thrill that I’ve never been able to duplicate since. From that moment onward, my love of your program has been unbounded. Yet I have never been able to find any of your other shows since. I would love to get my hands on your complete catalog if possible. You have also inspired me to want to get involved in preserving this wonderful type of show.