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?
