“The warning is passed along that the 11:30 p. m. to midnight spot over NBC-KOMO will be no
place for the weak-hearted. And that warning is in all seriousness, for the program will be ‘Death
At Midnight,’ frankly designed to chill the spines of listeners. And the title means just what it
threatens—a death at the actual stroke of twelve in each story of the series. Ted Maxwell is the
author, and, at his suggestion, studio lights will be turned out during the presentation just to
create atmosphere.” [Seattle Post-Intelligencer]
On October 16 theLos Angeles Timesreported: “The third episode ofDeath at Midnight, titled
‘Satire on Murder’, probably will never hit the air. This 11:30 to midnight blood-and-thunder
plaster has been permanently canceled by N.B.C.”
[Oakland Tribune, October 27, 1935] “Here’s a brief biography of Ted Maxwell, character actor,
dialectician and former playwright… currently appearing on several programs originating in the
NBC Chicago studios…Born in Oakland, January 9, 1899…Started in vaudeville, dramatic stock
and repertory in 1915…
“With first wife (now dead) played sketch, ‘Seven Thousand Dollars’…Later headed own
company, The Ted Maxwell players, producing many of his own plays…Found time during these
periods to write 40 plays all of which were produced by stock companies throughout the United
States.
“Joined NBC staff on Coast in 1927…Married Bobbie Dean Maxwell in San Francisco in
1927…Served on production staff, and then resigned in favor of working as staff artist…Played in
many Western NBC features…Went to Chicago in 1935.”
DEATH AT MIDNIGHT (KFI, LOS ANGELES—NBC PACIFIC COAST)
October 2, 1937“The Quick and the Dead”
triangle snowed in and a trek through the blizzard for help…”]
Ted Maxwell.
Lois Austen, Bert Horton, Ted Maxwell, Charles McAllister.
October 9, 1937
October 16, 1937“Satire on Murder”
[
This script was probably not broadcast—nor any other script. The series was
permanently cancelled.]