BLACK MAGIC

[RADIO-SERIAL]

Listed in HC-N as a presentation of the “March Players.”

BLACK MAGIC (KMPC, BEVERLY HILLS)
[Saturday—9:00-9:30 PM]

August 5, 1933

[EP. 1]

August 12, 1933

[EP. 2]

August 19, 1933

[EP. 3]

August 26, 1933

[EP. 4]

September 2, 1933

[EP. 5]

September 9, 1933

[EP. 6]

September 16, 1933

[EP. 7]
BLACK MAGIC

[Hollywood Citizen-News, September 24, 1933] “KMTR at 8 broadcasts the first

episode of ‘Black Magic,’ a mystery serial by Hazel Lindoft. The cast of 8 is

headed by Ursula March, formerly associated with KTAB, San Francisco.”

Billed as “a story of India.”

ORIGINATION:

KMTR, Los Angeles, California.

DURATION:

September 24-[October 21], 1933.

PERSONNEL:

Hazel Lindoft (scriptwriter), Ursula March (director).

CAST:

Ursula March, et al.

EXTANT RECORDINGS:

None.

BLACK MAGIC (KMTR, LOS ANGELES)
[Sunday—8:00-8:30 PM]

Sep. 24, 1933

Oct. 1, 1933

Oct. 8, 1933

Oct. 15, 1933

Oct. 22, 1933

Oct. 29, 1933

Nov. 5, 1933

Nov. 12, 1933

Nov. 19, 1933

Nov. 26, 1933

Dec. 3, 1933

BLACK MAGIC

This series ran on Chicago station WIND in 1936. It was first listed as a "mystery

sketch" and later described as "eerie stories dramatized." It is uncertain whether

this was a WIND original or whether it might be the 1935 MacGregor-Solie

transcription serial, of which two episodes survive. (Or possibly four, since the

author has acquired a transcription disc with Episodes 17 and 18, but has not had

the opportunity to listen to them yet.)

[Broadcasting, February 1, 1933: “McGregor and Solie, San Francisco

transcription producers, are recording a mystery serial called ‘Black Magic’ for

syndication to broadcasters. The series was originally given two years ago over

Pacific coast NBC hook-up under caption of ‘Kenya Bill’ for S. and W. Coffee Co.”

[BIG QUESTION: Did MacGregor record one BLACK MAGIC serial in 1933 that

was based on the Kenya Bill story, and then record another BLACK MAGIC serial

in 1935 that had nothing to do with Kenya Bill or the Pit of Black Magic?)

[Broadcasting, December 1, 1935: “MacGregor & Sollie Inc., San Francisco

transcription producers, is recording a 15-minute, 156-episode mystery drama,

Black Magic, written by James De Ball, former continuity writer of KYA, that

city.”

[San Francisco Examiner, May 16, 1937: “Dorothy Scott, attractive blonde

microphone thespian, formerly associated with the C.P. MacGregor transcription

studios… When the studios moved from San Francisco to Hollywood last year,

Miss Scott went along to complete a long contract as the lead in two transcription

programs, ‘Black Magic’ and “Cub Reporter.’ Her versatility became apparent

when she played the role of a serious-minded heiress in one and a scatter-brained

comedienne in the other. As Maryellen in ‘Black Magic’ she moves through many

a swift episode of mystery, her footsteps dogged by the wily charlatan, Sandram

Khan…”

George Rand played Kenya Bill in San Francisco (and also “The Old Ranger” in

the West Coast version ofDeath Valley Days.)

ORIGINATION:

MacGregor & Solie Inc., San Francisco, California (electrical

transcriptions).

DURATION:

Recorded in 1933 and 1935.

[Broadcast dates of [March 17-June 27], 1936, indicate the program’s run on

WIND, Chicago.]

PERSONNEL:

Unknown.

CAST: Walter Paterson, Dorothy Scott (Maryellen).

EXTANT RECORDINGS:

Episodes 2, 3, 17, and 18 of the MacGregor-Sollie

series.

BLACK MAGIC (MACGREGOR-SOLIE)
[1]
[2]
[3] “The Serpent of the Nile”
[“…Who is the Serpent of the Nile?

Sandram Khan and his Black Magic

are prime suspects…”]

[4]
[“…Sandram Khan and a

demonstration of evil arts in his

cabin…”]

[5]
[6]