The Cabinet of Dr. Fritz
 | |
| Genre | Radio horror anthology |
|---|---|
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Language(s) | English |
| Syndicates | NPR |
| Created by | Thomas Lopez |
| Written by | Thomas Lopez |
| Directed by | Bill Raymond |
| Original release | October 3 – December 26, 1984 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
The Cabinet of Dr. Fritz was a 1984–85 binaural radio drama series produced by Thomas Lopez and the ZBS Foundation for NPR. At the beginning of each show, it was suggested that listeners wear headphones.
Production
The stories were recorded with dummy head recording or "Kunstkopf binaural sound". The Cabinet of Dr Fritz production used a Neumann Ku81 solid rubber head with microphones set inside the inner ear chambers, nicknamed "Fritz".[1]
The series was produced with funds provided by the New York State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting through National Public Radio Satellite Program Development Fund.[2]
Sticks, from Karl Edward Wagner's story,[2] and The Mist, adapted from Stephen King's novella,[3] were later offered commercially in "3D-Sound" on cassettes and CDs.
In Stereophile, Thomas J. Norton reviewed:
- Clearly demonstrates the dramatic possibilities of the binaural art... It's a striking recording... The sense of depth and space is startling; the ambient feel of the environment combined with the sense of movement and positioning of the dialog and highly effective sound effect makes for a memorable experience... Listen in a darkened room for maximum impact.[3]
Episodes
Below is a complete list of the show’s 13 episode run
| # | Title | Notes | Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Mist - Part 1 | Adaptation of Stephen King’s novella about a small town that is suddenly enveloped in an unnatural mist concealing otherworldly monsters. Dramatized by Thomas Lopez (as M. Fulton) and directed by Bill Raymond. Additional credits include music by Tim Clark, location recording engineered by Bob Bielecki and special thanks to Dennis Etchison, who adapted The Mist into a feature-length screenplay for Dino DeLaurentiis in the early 1980s. That unproduced script was used as a jumping off point for Thomas Lopez’s radio adaptation. [4] While the story was split into three separate parts for radio, it was later released as one long drama from Simon & Schuster Audio on cassette in 1986 and later on CD. | October 2, 1984[5] |
| 2 | The Mist - Part 2 | Continuation of Stephen King's story, dramatized by Thomas Lopez | October 9, 1984 |
| 3 | The Mist - Part 3 | Conclusion of Stephen King's story, dramatized by Thomas Lopez | October 16, 1984 |
| 4 | Aura - Part 1 | Adaptation of Carlos Fuentes’ short novel, dramatized by Thomas Lopez (as M. Fulton). Upon answering a classified ad tailored to his talents, Felipe Moreno meets a 100-year-old woman who appears to have complete control over her young niece. Recipient of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting award for Best Radio Drama[6] | October 23, 1984 |
| 5 | Aura - Part 2 | Conclusion of Carlos Fuentes’ haunting short novel, dramatized by Thomas Lopez | October 30, 1984 |
| 6 | The Bleeding Man & Saturday Night at the White Woman Watching Hole[7] | A pair of strange tales from Cherokee Indian fantasist Craig Strete,[8] dramatized and directed by Thomas Lopez. Music composed and performed by Tim Clark. “The Bleeding Man” tells the story of a young Native American who from birth has been bleeding from his chest. The government keeps him locked in a cell. Refusing to heed his uncle’s warnings, the authorities ignorance leads to a devastating climax. | November 6, 1984 |
| 7 | Sticks | An abandoned farmhouse, built upon an ancient stone foundation, is surrounded by sculptures of twisted sticks in the forms of bizarre crucifixes. A stone burial chamber and evidence of human sacrifice indicate that a prehistoric cult once lived there ... and it soon becomes clear that they still do. Adaptation of Karl Edward Wagner's short story, dramatized by Thomas Lopez and directed by Bill Raymond. | November 13, 1984 |
| 8 | Mumbo Jumbo - Part 1 | Jazz, voodoo, the Cotton Club, flappers, gangsters and bootleggers intermingle in this lively adaptation of Ishmael Reed’s novel. Recorded on location in Philadelphia, Lopez and company captured the sounds of the era by riding in the backseat of old cars and recording out on the late night streets of Philly with a cast of over thirty actors. Starring Dave Adams as the voodoo detective, Papa LaBas. | November 20, 1984 |
| 9 | Mumbo Jumbo - Part 2 | Ishmael Reed’s novel, dramatized and directed by Thomas Lopez | November 27, 1984 |
| 10 | Mumbo Jumbo - Part 3 | Ishmael Reed’s novel, dramatized and directed by Thomas Lopez | December 4, 1984 |
| 11 | Mumbo Jumbo - Part 4 | Ishmael Reed’s novel, dramatized and directed by Thomas Lopez | December 11, 1984 |
| 12 | Mumbo Jumbo - Part 5 | Ishmael Reed’s novel, dramatized and directed by Thomas Lopez | December 18, 1984 |
| 13 | Mumbo Jumbo - Part 6 | Conclusion of Ishmael Reed’s novel, dramatized and directed by Thomas Lopez | December 25, 1984 |
References
- ^ ZBS Foundation » Catalog » 3D Binaural Sound "All the 'Cabinet of Doctor Fritz' stories were recorded in Kunstkopf binaural sound. Kunstkopf literally translated means 'art head', and refers to a German-manufactured recording device: a Ku81 solid rubber head with microphones set inside the inner ear chambers. Nicknamed 'Fritz', the Ku81 picks up sound so perfectly that when you listen to the recording you'll be convinced that those heavy shuffling footsteps, demented little chuckles and wheezing gasps are six inches from the nape of your neck."
- ^ a b "Craig A. Finseth's episode guide". The Nation's Report Card. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ^ a b "The Binaural Source". Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ^ von Doviak, Scott. Stephen King Films FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the King of Horror on Film. Applause Theatre & Cinema, 2014
- ^ RadioGOLDINdex The Cabinet of Doctor Fritz radio log
- ^ ZBS Foundation Official Page Aura product page
- ^ Reno Gazette-Journal (Reno, Nevada) Radio Highlights 1984, November 11: Page 88
- ^ Starlog Magazine “Opening The Cabinet of Doctor Fritz” Issue #88 November, 1984