Podcast Summary: Beyond The Green Door – "One Wish"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Basil Rathbone (narrator)
Date: January 16, 2026
Episode Theme: A cautionary tale from the Golden Age of Radio about obsession, magic, and the unforeseen consequences of hesitation.

Episode Overview

In this episode of Beyond the Green Door, we are transported to a time before television, where families gathered to be captivated by mysterious and whimsical tales on the radio. This particular story, narrated by Basil Rathbone, introduces Frank Davis—a solitary, magic-obsessed man whose lifelong quest for supernatural power leads him to a fateful encounter. The episode explores themes of desire, hesitation, and the perils of underestimating those closest to us.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Introduction to Frank Davis and His Obsession

• [00:06] The episode opens with the narration of Frank’s life:
  • Frank is described as a "man with an obsession"—not with mundane collections, but with magic.
  • He lives alone with his black cat, surrounded by books, magical paraphernalia, and arcane ingredients.
  • Quote: “His only companion was a cat. His chairs were piled high with books, his walls were covered with sorcerer's tools, and his closets were stuck with herbs and essences.” (Narrator, 00:20)

2. The Summoning and the Wish

• Frank is relentless in his pursuit: "He knew that someday he would find the proper spell and a demon and grant him one glorious wish." (00:37)
• When he finally succeeds, "a wisp of smoke appeared in the middle of his room. The demon slowly took form, and Frank, who had dreamed of this moment for so long, found himself shaking with fear." (00:48)
• Frank hesitates, unsure of what to wish for—wealth, power, or immortality—despite years of preparation.
• The demon, growing impatient, bellows: "Your wish." (01:30)

3. The Peril of Indecision

• The story’s tension escalates as Frank wrestles with his choice, realizing the gravity of having “one wish and only one wish.”
• Quote: “But after 20 years of striving for this moment, Frank wanted to make the best wish possible… The demon was growing impatient.” (01:40)
• Unexpectedly, the demon says, "It's irregular... but I think it fulfills the conditions." (01:55)

4. The Unexpected Twist

• Frank is seized by dizziness; when he recovers, the demon is gone.
• To his horror, Frank discovers he has been transformed: “Frank noticed that his ears had grown long and his nose had grown even longer. He had gray fur instead of skin, and he had a tail.” (02:10)
• The room has become enormous—he has become a mouse.

5. The Revelation and Cat’s Wish

• Frank realizes too late that “his hesitation had caused his doom.” (02:30)
• The final twist: it is hinted that his cat, not he, has made a wish—“It was horribly apparent now that his cat had made a wish, which the demon had accepted. And naturally enough, his cat had wished for a mouse.” (02:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "He had grown so used to failure that success caught him by surprise."
  (Narrator, 00:46)

• "One wish and only one wish. That was the rule. But what would he wish for?"
  (Narrator, 01:10)

• "Your wish," the demon bellowed in a voice so loud that both Frank and his cat backed away."
  (Demon/Narrator, 01:30)

• "It's irregular, the demon said, but I think it fulfills the conditions."
  (Demon, 01:55)

• "Frank knew that his hesitation had caused his doom... his cat had wished for a mouse."
  (Narrator, 02:30-02:40)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:06-00:45] Introduction to Frank's magical obsession
• [00:46-01:25] The demon's dramatic entrance and Frank's panic
• [01:26-01:55] Demon insists on the wish; Frank still vacillates
• [01:56-02:10] Transformation and realization of his fate
• [02:11-02:40] The twist: the cat’s wish and Frank’s doom

Episode Tone & Style

The storytelling is classic radio drama: atmospheric, suspenseful, and laced with a dry, moralistic wit. Basil Rathbone’s narration is calm yet ominous, building steadily to the episode’s darkly humorous twist ending.

Summary Takeaway

"One Wish" cleverly reminds listeners that hesitation, especially in moments of opportunity, can lead to unintended consequences—and sometimes, those closest to us have wishes of their own. As Frank learned too late, in the world of magic, even a cat can get the last word.