Classic Television - Prime Time

Ghost Story 

Original channel

NBC

Original run

March 17, 1972 (pilot)

September 15, 1972 – March 30, 1973

Presented by

Sebastian Cabot (1972)

Ghost Story (later retitled Circle of Fear) is an American television anthology series that aired for one season on NBC from 1972 to 1973. Executive-produced by William Castle, Ghost Story initially featured supernatural entities such as ghosts, vampires, and witches. By mid-season, low ratings led to a title change and a shift—for the most part—away from paranormal themes.

Ghost Story was hosted by Sebastian Cabot as Winston Essex, the owner of a mysterious hotel named Mansfield House. Cabot's introductions were filmed in the Hotel del Coronado near San Diego, California. A pilot episode aired in March 1972 as one half of a NBC Friday night double feature; the series premiered in September. Ghost Story dealt exclusively with ghosts, vampires, witches, and other supernatural elements. The show's format and tone drew comparisons to NBC's Night Gallery and ABC's The Sixth Sense. Guest stars included Helen Hayes, Jason Robards, Patricia Neal, William Windom, Gena Rowlands, Carolyn Jones, Melvyn Douglas, and Jodie Foster.