The Mysterious Traveler (1943 – 1952) was one of the golden age of radio’s most atmospheric anthology programs, blending mystery, suspense, crime, science fiction, and the supernatural into half-hour stories with a sting in the tail.
The series was created and written by Robert Arthur and David Kogan, and hosted by Maurice Tarplin, whose smooth but unsettling voice invited listeners to “take a trip with me…” as a train whistle blew in the background. Tarplin’s narrator — the Mysterious Traveler — acted as both guide and sometimes participant in the unfolding drama.
Episodes ranged from hard-boiled crime tales to ghost stories, twist-ending mysteries, and moral fables. The tone was often dark, with endings that revealed poetic justice or a final, chilling twist.
The show became popular enough to spawn:
- A short-lived magazine (1951–1952) featuring new stories in print.
- A comic book series from Charlton Comics.
- A sister program, The Sealed Book, which reused some scripts.
Known for its moody train-ride framing and variety of genres, The Mysterious Traveler has remained a favorite among old-time radio fans, with many episodes surviving in circulation today despite the loss of others.
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