Harold's Old Time Radio — "American Weekly: Christmas Eve Ghost"

Date: November 30, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Theme:
A dramatization of "The Christmas Eve Ghost," a supernatural tale originally published in American Weekly, exploring themes of faith, promise, and miracles aboard a haunted ship on Christmas Eve.

Episode Overview

This episode features a classic radio play based on the short story “The Christmas Eve Ghost,” a blend of maritime superstition, ghostly prophecy, and holiday hope from the mid-19th-century New England coast. The drama centers on the pious Captain Cobb, his crippled son Davy, the dying ship’s parson, and the fulfillment of a miraculous Christmas prophecy. The story unfolds in the shadow of shipwreck, loss, and the supernatural, culminating in a moving Christmas revelation.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: Maritime Superstitions and the Ruth I. Brown

• The episode begins with the narrator introducing the lore of haunted ships and the specific history of the Ruth I. Brown, a "sturdier, smarter five-master schooner" captained by Cobb, a devout religious man (00:38).
• “Men of the sea are superstitious, even more so than landsmen.... All these apparently innocent details have certain ominous interpretations for your sailor man.” — Narrator (00:38)

2. The Parson's Fate and Prophecy

• On a blustery Christmas Eve, the ship's parson, weakened and dying from a gunshot wound received ashore, is comforted by Captain Cobb and Mr. Willibrand (01:48–07:57).
• Scene features heartfelt exchanges about faith, spirits, and the afterlife:
  • “You believe in spirits, don’t you?” — Captain Cobb (02:51)
  • “The Good Book tells us they do appear. I wonder if a parson ever saw them.” — Captain Cobb (03:09)
  • As the parson lies dying, he hears "heavenly music" and foretells his return:
  • “I know that I shall return too... Not only preach to men’s souls, but I shall heal their bodies.” — Parson (06:33–06:52)

3. The Shipwreck & The Wait for a Miracle

• A week after the parson's death, the ship burns to the water, and the town is split between skepticism and hope about the parson's prophecy (07:57–08:47).
• Captain Cobb's crippled son, Davy, becomes the focal believer, dreaming the parson’s return might free him from his crutches.

4. Christmas Eve One Year Later: Gathering at the Wreck

• On the anniversary, townspeople assemble at the charred wreck of the Ruth I. Brown (08:47–10:51).
• Tension and doubt are palpable:
  • “He was the only one aboard who heard or saw anything... How will we ever know if he comes back?” — Mr. Willibrand (10:10)
  • “The parson was a very honest man, mate.” — Captain Cobb (10:53)

5. The Apparition and the Miracle

• As eight bells sound (midnight), a ghostly voice is heard by the audience, though not by the characters — the parson has kept his promise:

  • “Now here I am, just as I said, Captain. Mr. Willibrand, listen to me.” — Parson (11:04)
  • “Don’t fear death, Mr. Willibrand. Death is peace. Death is beautiful. Oh, if you could only hear me.” — Parson (11:32)

• Davy appears, astonishingly without his crutches:

  • “You don’t have to, father. See, I’ll never need my crutches again. I can walk.” — Davy (13:24)

6. Resolution: Did the Parson Return?

• The story leaves the town, and listeners, to ponder the miracle, and promises a further account in the next issue of American Weekly (13:49–14:50):
  • “Did the old parson keep his promise and reappear? Full details of the story... will be found... in next Sunday’s issue of the American Weekly.” — Narrator (13:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Faith and the Afterlife:
  • “I know that I shall return too... and then I shall not only preach to men's souls, but I shall heal their bodies.” — Parson (06:40)
• Skepticism vs. Hope:
  • “He said lots of things the parson did. But I won’t believe him.” — Mr. Willibrand (09:40)
• Miraculous Healing:
  • “See, I’ll never need my crutches again. I can walk.” — Davy (13:24)
• Poignant Ghostly Address:
  • “Don’t fear death, Mr. Willibrand. Death is peace. Death is beautiful. Oh, if you could only hear me.” — Parson (11:32)
• Triumphant Return:
  • “Now here I am, just as I said, Captain. Mr. Willibrand, listen to me.” — Parson (11:04)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:38] – Introduction of the haunted ship legend and Captain Cobb’s piety.
• [01:48] – The parson’s deathbed scene and prophetic statement.
• [07:57] – Ship fire and ensuing speculation about the prophecy.
• [08:47] – Anniversary gathering at the wreck with townspeople.
• [10:53] – Height of skepticism; Captain Cobb's affirmation of the parson's honesty.
• [11:04] – Parson’s ethereal return (heard by the audience).
• [13:24] – Davy’s miraculous healing.
• [13:49] – Narrator’s teaser for further details in American Weekly.

Tone & Style

The radio play is imbued with atmospheric, old-timey maritime dialogue, alternating between gruff sailor banter and earnest spiritual yearning. The tone is earnest and somber, blending skepticism and faith in a heartfelt Christmas narrative.

Conclusion

This episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" delivers a moving ghost story layered with faith, skepticism, and community. Through the haunting return of a saintly parson, the miraculous healing of Captain Cobb’s son, and ambiguous supernatural events, listeners are transported to the mystic, creaking decks of a 19th-century schooner on Christmas Eve. The episode invites listeners to wonder: was it faith, a holiday miracle, or something more that walked the deck of the Ruth I. Brown that night?