The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society

This week we feature another episode from our Listener Library, this time a story entitled “Hands of Death” from The Sealed Book, recommended to us by Jill. Many thanks, Jill! It’s the story of two brothers, one driven to murder by his monstrous hands and the other obsessed with collecting murder-related memorabilia. After a disputed inheritance has driven them apart, their reunion is a macabre blend of blackmail, revenge, and milk. Which brother is the true monster? In their deadly rivalry, which of the two will gain the upper hand? Did you see what I did there? Listen for yourself and find out!

We’re running a little late this week—out humblest apologies! Our Listener Library is again featured in this week. This time, we’re listening to “It Happened” from Lights Out, recommended to us from a fan on Instagram! The recording tells the story of a young girl, eager to explore her own freedom, runs away from her tour group in Paris. Her quest for fun and adventure soon takes a dark turn as she finds that beneath the city of lights exists a gruesome world of eternal night. Is this the worst vacation/etsy shop idea ever endured? What is the true nature of suspense? Why did no one tell Tim that Sadako vs. Kayako has been out in North America for more than a year? Listen for yourself and find out!

We continue to delve into our Listener Library, this time featuring an episode of Suspense entitled “The Devil’s Saint” by John Dickson Carr! The story was recommended to us by Hubert after listening to our take on the Cabin B-13 version of the same story using the title, “The Sleep of Death!” Carr’s story tells the story of a young woman and her mysterious uncle, played by the one and only Peter Lorre. When a young man seeks the niece’s hand in marriage, the uncle forbids the wedding unless the suitor passes a night in a seemingly cursed room. Why do guests in the tapestry room die during the night?  Will the young man survive to see the dawn? Is there any better way for young unmarried women to attract husbands than wearing funny hats? Listen for yourself and find out!

This week’s visit to our Listener Library features a classic Ray Bradbury story as adapted by X Minus One! Our thanks to Cheryl (author of The Viv and Charlie Mystery Series!) for recommending this episode, “Mars is Heaven,” based on part of Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles (although it was originally published in Planet Stories).  An exploratory mission to Mars discovers strangely familiar sights when they land on the planet’s surface. What hopes and fears dwell in the hearts of those who explore new worlds? Do the small town comforts hide some sinister secret? Did we perpetuate another internet error by saying that Mason Adams was in this cast even though he’s not mentioned in the actual recording? (Our apologies if we did.) Listen for yourself and find out!

Join us for “A World of Darkness” from Suspense! We’re continuing to pull episodes from our Listener Library and this story was recommended to us by Bart. Thanks, Bart! “A World of Darkness” features the investigation of a young woman’s murder. The police have an array of likely suspects and one witness—a man who cannot see (played by Paul Lukas). This man claims to know who killed her and how. Why would someone in this young woman’s life be driven to kill her? Can the sounds the witness hears from his own apartment prove who the murderer was? Is Carl really a good dog? Listen for yourself and find out!

We’re still exploring our Listener Library, and this week our thanks go to Christian for recommending “Bloodbath,” an episode of Escape, featuring Vincent Price. Five men in the middle of the jungle discover a vast uranium deposit and a fortune awaits any survivors who reach civilization. But the fewer survivors there are, the more money awaits. Is nature crueler than the greed of humanity? Are these animals actually this deadly in real life? In what ways are Vincent Price and Cookie Monster alike? Listen for yourself and find out!

This week we are listening to another episode of the Canadian series, Nightfall! Our thanks to Ashley for recommending “Assassin Game” to us! Saul Rubinek stars in this rare science fiction story from the series. In the future year of 1994, the finest students at prestigious universities prove their competitive edge by playing a game of assassination. But as corporate influence begins to increase, the game grows truly deadly! Does this game foster excellence or ruthless ambition? Is this university nothing more than a corporate puppet? Would you like this jingle lodged in your head forever? Listen for yourself and find out!

We are back in the Listener Library, this time exploring “A Country Road,” an episode of Suspense recommended to us by Donal. Many thanks, Donal! Cary Grant stars in this thriller about a married couple who take an ill-timed shortcut that leaves them stuck with a deranged killer on the loose. Is there any escape from their predicament? When the danger arrives, will their fears paralyze them? Do you love Cary Grant as mach as we do? Listen for yourself and find out!

We are back in the Listener Library! Because Darrell requested it, we’re listening to an adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story, specifically an episode of X Minus One entitled “Colony!” In a search for a suitable planet to colonize, a ship’s crew examine a world that seems too good to be true. Why have their possessions suddenly turned against their owners? Is there any way to know which items are genuine? Do you trust your rug? Do you trust it completely? Listen for yourself and find out!