Inner Sanctum's sinister host welcomed listeners "through the squeaking door to another night of horror." The show’s "squeaking door" was one of radio’s most-remembered openings and was inspired by the creaking hinges on a sound effects door at the radio studio. Raymond Edward Johnson was the voice of the mysterious host during the first four seasons. When Johnson left the series in 1945, Paul McGrath took over and then House Jameson assumed the sinister role. Inner Sanctum aired from January 7, 1941 through October 5, 1952 and spawned a series of B-films starring Lon Chaney, Jr.