In 1988, an reinterpretation of George Romero & John Russo's Night of the Living Dead seemed special, and when Simon & Schuster released a version in the manner of an old-time radio play, now that caught folks' attention, even if NOTLD's general fanbase came to scorn it.
At the time, I had fun with the production, and after experiencing BrokenSea's Planet of the Apes & Beneath the Planet of the Apes audio editions (see early-October post), I got an itch to revisit this zombie effort.
In a way, the Simon & Schuster production reminds me more of a rapid-paced, Power Records release (albeit with harsh language) than a throwback, radio program, but no matter. The presentation (sold at the time on cassette and later CD) is a complementing though unusual diversion and on that basis deserves a listen.
The play also holds an interesting cast, led by Bill (Star Wars: A New Hope/Raiders of the Lost Ark) Hookins as Ben, Ed (U.F.O.) Bishop as the narrator and Harry Cooper, and Linda (Lynda) Hayes as Helen Cooper and Barbara.
Give the chapters a try. The reinterpretation may be a tad corny, but if you're open-minded, the dramatization might just win you over with its over-the-top, tie-in charm.
