First "Supernaturally-Themed" TV show?

Cafe Society
1

I have fond memories of “Bewitched”, “I Dream of Jeannie”, “The Munsters”, and “The Addams Family” from my childhood – various “supernaturally-themed” sitcoms from the 1960s. At the moment, however, I can’t think of any such shows from the 1950s. (I’m probably missing something obvious, I know…)

What were some similar-themed shows? Which was the first?

I know that all my examples are sitcoms, but feel free to include any drama that might have included a ghost, witch, or similar character or beastie.
As always, any information would be appreciated.

2

The Twilight Zone started in 1959.

3

Topper, 1953.

4

Captain Video?

5

Maybe Lights Out (1946-1952), which originated as a radio series.

6

That’s old, but it was a science fiction series, not supernatural.

7

Oh, I was forgetting about anthology-type series. Good call!

8

Hmmm… Another interesting anthology series. Never heard of this one! Thanks.

9

On a whim, I typed “First TV ghost” into Google. Check out what I found:

The Television Ghost.

10

Nifty! You guys are certainly finding some fascinating old programs.

11

I’m too lazy to look up what years it ran, but the old Forties radio anthology series*** Inner Sanctum ***was made into a TV show in the Fifties.

12

One season, in 1954.

13

Well, first television series ever would be hard to beat.

14

frightfully true.

15

I was going to mention My Mother The Car, but that was mid-sixties. Actually, I’ll mention it anyway, because, seriously: My Mother The Car.

16

D’oh, you beat me to it. I actually knew about The Television Ghost already.

17

Here’s a picture of George Kelting in costume as The Television Ghost.

18

Was he the ghost of the murdered Radio Star?

19

That’s a lot creepier than the description sounded on the wikipedia page.

StG

20

Speaking of dramas, I remember some horrific shows that would probably only be shown on cable now. One in particular took place in a damp, stone house. Throughout the show you could hear low screams and moans, like a ghost, and the storyline made Eugene O’Neil look well-adjusted. (Way over my head but I was frozen in front of the set.) At the end a bedroom door flew open and there was the guy’s hidden-away wife who had been trying to get out for years. Above her bed were long scratch marks in the stone and all her fingernails were torn to the bone.

It never occurred to any of us not to watch that kind of stuff.