Night Editor (TV series)

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Night Editor was a 15-minute American anthology TV series that aired on the DuMont Television Network from March 14 to September 8, 1954. It was written and hosted by Hal Burdick, who also sometimes acted in the stories. Ward Byron produced the show and Dick Sandwick directed it.

Before the TV version, a 15-minute radio program of Night Editor ran on KPO from 1934 to 1948. Burdick played the night editor, telling stories inspired by readers’ letter requests. The radio featured Jack Moyles and occasionally Burdick’s wife, Cornelia, and included a variety of tales from war and crime to ghost stories.

In December 1952, Night Editor was offered for syndication by Harry Goodman Productions, with 26 episodes of 15 minutes each. Mickey Baron directed, and Burdick again wrote the scripts. Kaiser-Frazer sponsored the show in five markets. DuMont described it as a low-cost program, often using one actor and one set. Burdick changed his voice to play multiple characters, and the stories spanned many periods and subjects. The show originally aired Sundays from 10:45 to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and in July 1954 it moved to Wednesdays from 10:30 to 10:45 p.m. Eastern Time.

Twenty-six episodes of the TV series were produced, and 46 episodes are believed to be held in the Library of Congress (J. Fred MacDonald collection).

Columbia Pictures later produced a 1946 film titled Night Editor, based on the radio program’s “Inside Story” episode.