Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Dreadful John xx-xx-xx The Boarded Window
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
Description: Relive the Golden Age of Radio with timeless classics like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, Dragnet, and more, as families gather around the radio to enjoy captivating stories before the advent of television.

Introduction

In this episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Dreadful John xx-xx-xx The Boarded Window", listeners are transported back to the eerie and suspenseful tales that captivated audiences during the Golden Age of Radio. Hosted by Dreadful John, the episode features a riveting narration of Ambrose Bierce's chilling story, "The Boarded Window".

Plot Overview

The story is set in 1830, near the burgeoning city of Cincinnati, amidst an expansive and dense forest. The narrative revolves around a reclusive man named Murloc, who lives alone in a log cabin deep within the woods. Unlike his contemporaries who frequently abandoned their settlements in pursuit of new frontiers, Murloc remained steadfast in his isolation, sustaining himself through the sale and barter of wild animal skins.

Key Plot Points:

1. Murloc's Solitude:
   Murloc is depicted as a solitary figure, rarely seen smiling or speaking. His humble abode shows signs of attempted improvement, such as a few cleared acres around his cabin, but his zeal for agriculture wanes over time.
   Notable Quote:

   "The man's name was said to be Murloc. He was apparently 70 years old, actually about 50... His simple wants were supplied by the sale or barter of skins of wild animals in the river town."
   (00:05)

2. Tragic Loss:
   Murloc's life takes a tragic turn when his wife falls ill. With no medical help available, he diligently cares for her, but she succumbs to her illness after three days. This loss profoundly affects Murloc, leading him into a state of mechanical sorrow devoid of emotional expression.
   Notable Quote:

   "He stood over the body in the fading light... Careless yet and unutterably weary."
   (12:30)

3. Supernatural Encounter:
   Following his wife's death, Murloc experiences a series of unnerving events that blur the lines between reality and hallucination. He hears mysterious sounds, feels an otherworldly presence, and ultimately witnesses a horrifying apparition of a panther dragging his deceased wife towards the window.
   Notable Quote:

   "He saw an enormous panther dragging the dead woman toward the window, its teeth fixed in her throat."
   (45:15)

4. Aftermath:
   The next morning reveals the grim reality of the previous night's horrors. His wife's body lies near the boarded window, bearing marks of the terrifying encounter. The mysterious circumstances surrounding her death remain unresolved, leaving an air of lingering dread.
   Notable Quote:

   "The ribbon with which he had bound the wrist was broken. The hands were tightly clenched."
   (60:50)

Characters

• Murloc:
  The protagonist, a reclusive and stoic man living in isolation within the forest. His resilience is tested by personal loss and supernatural events.

• Murloc's Wife:
  A supportive and loving partner whose untimely death serves as the catalyst for the ensuing supernatural phenomena.

Themes

1. Isolation and Loneliness:
   Murloc's solitary life underscores the profound impact of isolation on the human psyche, especially when compounded by loss.

2. Supernatural and the Unknown:
   The eerie occurrences and the appearance of the panther introduce elements of the supernatural, exploring how fear and grief can distort one's perception of reality.

3. Grief and Emotional Suppression:
   Murloc's inability to express sorrow highlights the struggles individuals face in coping with profound loss.

4. Nature vs. the Supernatural:
   Set against the backdrop of the untamed wilderness, the story juxtaposes the harsh realities of nature with inexplicable supernatural events.

Narrative Style

The episode employs a first-person narrative, providing an intimate glimpse into Murloc's inner world. The storytelling is descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the setting and the protagonist's emotional state. The use of suspense and gradual revelation keeps listeners engaged, building tension leading up to the climactic supernatural encounter.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Introduction of Murloc:

  "He lived alone in a house of logs, surrounded on all sides by the great forest, of whose gloom and silence he seemed a part."
  (03:20)

• Murloc's Routine:

  "On those rare occasions when a hunter had passed that lonely spot, the recluse had commonly been seen sunning himself on his doorstep."
  (15:45)

• The Supernatural Cry:

  "A long wailing sound, like the cry of a lost child in the far deeps of the darkening wood."
  (35:10)

• Murloc's Terror:

  "He was terrified beyond the power to cry out or move."
  (50:05)

• Conclusion of the Encounter:

  "And when he returned to consciousness, the sun was high and the wood vocal with songs of birds."
  (55:30)

Insights and Analysis

"The Boarded Window" delves deep into the human experience of loss and the lengths to which one might go to cope with grief. Murloc's stoicism serves as both a shield and a prison, isolating him physically and emotionally. The supernatural elements can be interpreted as manifestations of his internal turmoil, symbolizing the inescapable nature of sorrow.

The story also reflects the challenges of frontier life in the 19th century, highlighting themes of self-sufficiency, isolation, and the constant battle against nature. Murloc's tragic tale is a poignant reminder of the fragility of human emotions in the face of unrelenting hardship.

Conclusion

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio masterfully brings Ambrose Bierce's "The Boarded Window" to life, capturing the essence of classic radio storytelling. Through its atmospheric narration and compelling narrative, listeners are immersed in a tale of solitude, loss, and the supernatural. Dreadful John's engaging delivery ensures that both longtime fans and new listeners alike will be captivated by this haunting story from the Golden Age of Radio.

Produced and Directed by Clive Thomas Cuthbertson
This is King's Crown Radio.