As mentioned, it seems as though Wikipedia is the starting point for information searches these days. (If nothing else, the entries there oftentimes point the way to primary source documents.) So, instead of re-writing what's offered at Wikipedia, I thought I'd just post it here verbatim.
By the way, as sad as it is, Alonzo Deen Cole is largely forgotten today and apparently doesn't even merit his own Wikipedia entry; instead, and I'm thankful it does exist, information on Cole is found on the entry regarding his 1931-1938 radio program "The Witch's Tale."
And without further ado, here it is:
By the way, as sad as it is, Alonzo Deen Cole is largely forgotten today and apparently doesn't even merit his own Wikipedia entry; instead, and I'm thankful it does exist, information on Cole is found on the entry regarding his 1931-1938 radio program "The Witch's Tale."
And without further ado, here it is:
"The Witch's Tale
The Witch's Tale was a horror-fantasy radio series which aired from 1931 to 1938 on WOR, the Mutual Radio Network, and in syndication. The program was created, written, and directed by Alonzo Deen Cole (February 22, 1897, St. Paul, Minnesota - April 7, 1971).
Production and casting
Cole's spooky show was hosted by Old Nancy, the Witch of Salem, who introduced a different terror tale each week. The role of Old Nancy was created by stage actress Adelaide Fitz-Allen, who died in 1935 at the age of 79. Cole replaced her with 13-year-old Miriam Wolfe, and Martha Wentworth was also heard as Old Nancy on occasion. Cole himself provided the sounds of Old Nancy's cat, Satan. Cole's wife, Marie O'Flynn, portrayed the lead female characters on the program, and the supporting cast included Mark Smith and Alan Devitte.
For syndication, the shows were recorded live during broadcast and distributed to other stations. These recordings were destroyed by Cole in 1961, so few episodes survive. Cole was also the writer, producer and director of the radio mystery-crime drama, Casey, Crime Photographer.
In November 1936, Alonzo Deen Cole edited The Witch's Tale magazine with the lead story by Cole. It ran for only two issues.
Television
An effort was made to bring the series to television. In 1958, Television Programs of America made plans to film a pilot with Cole as consultant and story supervisor. The associate story editor was Raymond Levy. However, the show never made it to TV.
Influence
EC Comics publisher Bill Gaines was inspired by Cole's Old Nancy host to create the character the Old Witch, illustrated by Graham Ingels as the host of EC's The Haunt of Fear."
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