Lights Out (1949)
One of American television's earliest horror anthologies, Lights Out brought chilling supernatural tales from radio to NBC screens starting in 1949.
Lights Out - Series Information
- First Air Year: 1949
- Last Air Year: 1972
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Crime, Drama, Reality
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 161
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: July 19, 1949 (United States - TV-PG), July 19, 1949 (Canada - PG), July 19, 1949 (Mexico - B)
- Networks: NBC
- Production Companies: Admiral Corporation, Erwin, Wasey & Co. Inc., NBC
- Production Countries: United States of America
Lights Out - Plot
Lights Out was an extremely popular American old-time radio program, an early example of a network series devoted mostly to horror and the supernatural, predating Suspense and Inner Sanctum. Versions of Lights Out aired on different networks, at various times, from January 1934 to the summer of 1947 and the series eventually made the transition to television. In 1946, NBC Television brought Lights Out to TV in a series of four specials, broadcast live and produced by Fred Coe, who also contributed three of the scripts. NBC asked Cooper to write the script for the premiere, "First Person Singular", which is told entirely from the point of view of an unseen murderer who kills his obnoxious wife and winds up being executed. Variety gave this first episode a rave review ("undoubtedly one of the best dramatic shows yet seen on a television screen"), but Lights Out did not become a regular NBC-TV series until 1949.
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Lights Out - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Jack La Rue
- J. Pat O'Malley
- Richard Derr
- John Newland
- Ross Martin
- David Lewis
- John Forsythe
- Peter Capell
- Dean Harens
- Burgess Meredith
Lights Out - FAQs
Is Lights Out based on a true story?
Lights Out is not based on a single true story. It's an anthology series rooted in original horror and supernatural fiction, adapted from the long-running radio program of the same name. Each episode presented a standalone tale of terror, drawing on classic horror conventions rather than real-life events.
What is Lights Out about?
Lights Out is a groundbreaking anthology series that brought horror and supernatural storytelling to early American television. Originally a hugely popular radio program dating back to 1934, it transitioned to NBC-TV in 1949, delivering weekly tales of dread, mystery, and the macabre to a new generation of viewers.
Where can you stream Lights Out?
Lights Out is currently available to stream for free with ads on Tubi TV. For other viewing options, availability may vary by region, so it's worth checking your local streaming services for the latest updates.
How did Lights Out transition from radio to television?
NBC Television first brought Lights Out to TV in 1946 as a series of four live specials produced by Fred Coe. The premiere episode, 'First Person Singular,' earned a rave review from Variety. The series then became a regular NBC-TV program in 1949, running for three full seasons.
Who are the main actors in Lights Out?
Lights Out featured a rotating ensemble of notable performers across its anthology format, including Jack La Rue, Burgess Meredith, John Forsythe, Ross Martin, and Leslie Nielsen. The series served as an early showcase for many actors who would go on to distinguished careers in film and television.
How many episodes does Lights Out have?
Lights Out ran for 161 episodes across three seasons, plus four special episodes that preceded the regular series. Season 1 comprised 48 episodes, Season 2 had 52, and Season 3 wrapped up with 57, making it a remarkably prolific run for early American television.
What shows are similar to Lights Out?
Fans of Lights Out will likely enjoy other classic anthology horror series such as Night Gallery, Tales from the Darkside, and The Twilight Zone. For something closer in vintage, Out of the Unknown and Chiller offer similarly eerie, standalone storytelling rooted in science fiction and the supernatural.
Why is Lights Out historically significant for television?
Lights Out holds a special place in TV history as one of the earliest network series dedicated to horror and the supernatural. Predating Suspense and Inner Sanctum on radio, its move to NBC-TV in 1949 helped establish the anthology horror format that would influence decades of genre television to come.
More About Lights Out
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