The Cabinet of Dr. Fritz

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.

The Cabinet of Dr. Fritz
GenreRadio horror anthology
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUSA
Language(s)English
SyndicatesNPR
Created byThomas Lopez
Written byThomas Lopez
Directed byBill Raymond
Original releaseOctober 3, 1984 (1984-10-03) – December 26, 1984 (1984-12-26)
No. of episodes13

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

#TitleNotesAirdate
1The Mist - Part 1Adaptation 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]
2The Mist - Part 2Continuation of Stephen King's story, dramatized by Thomas LopezOctober 9, 1984
3The Mist - Part 3Conclusion of Stephen King's story, dramatized by Thomas LopezOctober 16, 1984
4Aura - Part 1Adaptation 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
5Aura - Part 2Conclusion of Carlos Fuentes’ haunting short novel, dramatized by Thomas LopezOctober 30, 1984
6The 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
7SticksAn 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
8Mumbo Jumbo - Part 1Jazz, 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
9Mumbo Jumbo - Part 2Ishmael Reed’s novel, dramatized and directed by Thomas LopezNovember 27, 1984
10Mumbo Jumbo - Part 3Ishmael Reed’s novel, dramatized and directed by Thomas LopezDecember 4, 1984
11Mumbo Jumbo - Part 4Ishmael Reed’s novel, dramatized and directed by Thomas LopezDecember 11, 1984
12Mumbo Jumbo - Part 5Ishmael Reed’s novel, dramatized and directed by Thomas LopezDecember 18, 1984
13Mumbo Jumbo - Part 6Conclusion of Ishmael Reed’s novel, dramatized and directed by Thomas LopezDecember 25, 1984

References
  1. 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."
  2. "Craig A. Finseth's episode guide". The Nation's Report Card. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  3. "The Binaural Source". Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  4. von Doviak, Scott. Stephen King Films FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the King of Horror on Film. Applause Theatre & Cinema, 2014
  5. RadioGOLDINdex The Cabinet of Doctor Fritz radio log
  6. ZBS Foundation Official Page Aura product page
  7. Reno Gazette-Journal (Reno, Nevada) Radio Highlights 1984, November 11: Page 88
  8. Starlog Magazine “Opening The Cabinet of Doctor Fritz” Issue #88 November, 1984
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