Joshua, Tim, and Eric check out a chilling tale from Suspense for this inaugural episode. By reputation, this is one of the finest examples of horror from the golden age of radio, and the Society is ready to share their thoughts on this classic broadcast and try to answer several vital questions. Who makes a sneaky cameo in this story? What sort of creature is threatening our protagonists? Does author intent matter at all in interpreting the significance of artistic work? Listen for yourself and find out! Then vote and let us know what you think!
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Nice job, & congrats on choosing one of the best OTR horror stories I know. Would love more trivia in future podcasts (almost typed “broadcast”) as well as consideration of why things can be more effective on radio than when they are presented visually.
Many thanks on the kind words and helpful feedback!
This is one of the best horror episodes of the golden age of radio drama (along with “Whence Came You?” and “The Thing On the Fourble Board” from Quiet Please.
We wanted to start with a strong one! We’re saving some of the most famous titles for special occassions. It’s like going down to the wine cellar.
Nice concept, thanks for doing this! I’m so glad I stumbled across your podcast even if it’s a year and a half later. This is one of my favorite OTR horror stories, but weirdly I never thought of the “thing” as a thing at all, more like a presence that stays within the area, infecting those who build on it, sleep on it, almost like what the Japanese horror movies portrayed in Ringu or Ju-on, the presence is just beyond grasp. I think we should keep in mind this is right after WW2, and Americans were just learning of the… Read more »
Amy, I had never even thought of the comparison to Ju-on, but they share so much in common. Whether the thing in the locked closet is meant to be a literal monster or some manifestation of repressed fear, it ultimately vanishes. The real story is about the narrator and his wife and their attempt to live in a world with hidden pains and hidden “curses.” Thanks for the observations!
been hearing how scary this was! doggone happy you covered it!
I’m less enthusiastic than many on House on Cypress Canyon, although it does grow on me some with repeat listenings. This story excels at bringing the desired vibe. It communicates the events as grimly inevitable about as well as anything I’ve come across. The people are caught up in circumstances beyond their control or understanding, and that definitely contributes to the overall sense of unease. There are some aspects, however, that keep this from Classic status for me. I fall somewhere between Eric and Joshua in my reaction to the detached air of the narrator. For the most part, Taylor’s… Read more »