Nightfall (radio series)

Nightfall was a radio drama series produced and aired by CBC Radio from July 1980 to June 1983. While primarily a supernatural/horror series, Nightfall featured some episodes in other genres, such as science fiction, mystery, fantasy, and human drama. Some of Nightfall's episodes were so terrifying that the CBC registered numerous complaints and some affiliate stations dropped it. Despite this, the series went on to become one of the most popular shows in CBC Radio history, running 100 episodes that featured a mix of original tales and adaptations of both classic and obscure short stories.

Nightfall was created by producer Bill Howell, who was known at the time for his work on CBC Playhouse and the cult adventure series, Johnny Chase: Secret Agent of Space. When CBC Radio was revamped and given an expanded budget in 1980, Howell approached the newly appointed head of radio drama, Susan Rubeš, about his idea for a supernatural/horror anthology series. Though not a fan of the horror genre, Rubeš greenlit the production.

Bill Howell served as executive producer of Nightfall at CBC Toronto for the first two seasons. The third season was produced by Don Kowalchuk at CBC Vancouver.

Nightfall featured two hosts during its run. The Toronto years (1980–1982) were hosted by "the mysterious Luther Kranst", a character created by Bill Howell and played by character actor Henry Ramer. For its Vancouver run (1982–1983), Don Kowalchuk worked with voice actor Bill Reiter to develop the character of Frederick Hende.

Production locations and people
Though series production was controlled from a central location, the anthology nature of Nightfall made it possible for episodes to be produced at CBC Radio facilities all over Canada:

CBC Toronto
No. of Episodes: 74 Frequent Actors: Elva Mai Hoover, John Stocker, Frank Perry, Sandy Webster, Ruth Springford, Marian Waldman, Neil Dainard, Hugh Webster, Chris Wiggins, Budd Knapp, Michael Wincott, Graham Haley, David Calderisi, Colin Fox, Arch McDonnell, Nicky Guadagni, Neil Munro, Mary Pirie, Linda Sorenson Recording Engineers: John Jessop, Ray Folcik, John Hollinger, Jan Wright, David Hoyle, Tom Shipton, Brian Wood, Keith van der Clay, Brian Pape, Derek Stubbs, John McCarthy, Greg Fleet Sound Effects: Bill Robinson, Matt Wilcott, Kathy Perry, Stephanie McKenna, Jerry Fielding Production Assistants: Nina Callaghan, Doris Buchanan, Nancy McIlveen, Peggy Este Producers: Bill Howell, Paul Mills, John Douglas, Stephen Katz, Fred Diehl, Peter Boretski, William Lane, Scott Swan

CBC Vancouver
No. of Episodes: 9 Frequent Actors: William Samples, Otto Lowy, Norman Browning, Anna Hagan Recording Engineers: Gerry Stanley, Chris Cutress, Gene Loverock, Bill Seebach Sound Effects: Joe Silva, Jay Hireen, Chris Cutress Production Assistants: Ann Elvidge, Dagmar Kaffanke, Loretta Joyce, Joyce Tinnion Producers: Don Kowalchuk, John Juliani, Robert Chesterman

CBC Edmonton
No. of Episodes: 7 Frequent Actors: Brian Taylor, Graham McPherson, Nicole Evans, Gordon Mariott, Bill Meilen, Stephen Walsh, Blair Haynes Recording Engineers: Al Lamden Sound Effects: Eric Wagers, Deane Purves Production Assistants: Barbara Gault Producers: Lawrie Seligman

CBC Montréal
No. of Episodes: 4 Frequent Actors: Vlasta Vrána, Philip Akin, Timothy Webber, Earl Pennington Recording Engineers: André Fleury, Giles LaRoche Sound Effects: Pierre Lucie, Rene LeVois Production Assistants: Jane Lewis, Nancy Carter Producers: John Juliani, John Jessop

CBC Halifax
No. of Episodes: 3 Frequent Actors: Joseph Rutten, John Fulton Recording Engineers: Rod Sneddon, Keith DeLong Sound Effects: Dermot Kenny, Harold Porter Production Assistants: Claire McIlveen Producers: Elizabeth Fox, Ewan "Sudsy" Clark

CBC Calgary
No. of Episodes: 1 Frequent Actors: David Ferry, Heather Lea McCallum Recording Engineers: Rick Fenton Sound Effects: Norm Hurley Production Assistants: Elaine Farner Producers: Bill Gray

CBC St. Johns
No. of Episodes: 1 Frequent Actors: Frank Holden, Pat Vern Recording Engineers: John Foster Sound Effects: Wayne Hayes Production Assistants: Noreen George Producers: Glen Tilley

Clack Sound Studios, NYC
No. of Episodes: 1 Frequent Actors: F. Peter Lee Recording Engineers: Tom Courtenay-Clack Sound Effects: Tom Courtenay-Clack Production Assistants: n/a Producers: Tom Courtenay-Clack

Incidental Music
The incidental music from Nightfall was sourced from production music libraries such as Selected Sound and Bruton Music. Compositions from artists such as Klaus Weiss, Gerhard Trede, and Berry Lipman can be heard in various episodes throughout the series.