Podcast Summary: "The Black Mass 64-07-03 (x) Rats in the Walls"
Released on April 20, 2025, "The Black Mass 64-07-03 (x) Rats in the Walls" is an evocative episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, hosted by Harold's Old Time Radio. This episode presents a gripping dramatization of H.P. Lovecraft's classic horror story, "The Rats in the Walls," immersing listeners in a tale of ancestral curses, psychological terror, and supernatural horrors.
Introduction to the Story
The episode begins with the protagonist, Walter de la Poa, recounting his journey to restore his ancestral home, Exham Priory. The priory, long abandoned since the reign of James I, is steeped in dark history and local superstitions. Walter's determination to reclaim and renovate the ruined estate sets the stage for the unfolding horror.
Notable Quote:
“The restoration of Exham Priory had been a stupendous task, for little had remained of the deserted pile but a shell-like ruin.”
— Walter de la Poa [01:00]
Historical Background and Ancestral Curse
Walter delves into his family's troubled past, revealing that his ancestor, Gilbert de La Poa, was accused of murdering his entire household under mysterious circumstances. The villagers' indifferent response and the legal system's lax treatment of the case left Walter as the sole heir, prompting him to flee to the United States and subsequently return centuries later.
Notable Quote:
“With this sole heir nevertheless legally denounced as a murderer, the estate had reverted to the Crown.”
— Walter de la Poa [01:00]
Meeting Captain Norris and Exploring Exham Priory
Upon his arrival in England, Walter enlists the help of Captain Nari (referred to as Captain Norris in the transcript), who possesses extensive knowledge of Exham Priory's architecture and history. Together, they navigate the priory's complex structure, uncovering layers of Gothic, Saxon, and Romanesque elements.
Notable Quote:
“The architecture you see is peculiarly composite. Gothic towers resting over there on Saxon or Romanesque substructure.”
— Captain Norris [04:53]
Village Superstitions and Fear
Walter and Captain Norris discuss the villagers' deep-seated fear and hatred of Exham Priory, viewing it as a haunt of fiends and werewolves. The locals' superstitions are rooted in the priory's ancient rites and the mysterious disappearance of peasants, further intensifying the dark aura surrounding the estate.
Notable Quote:
“They view Exham Priory as nothing less than a haunt of fiends.”
— Captain Norris [06:28]
The Legend of the Rats
Central to the priory's dark legacy is the legend of the rat swarm that erupted three months after Gilbert de La Poa's alleged massacre. This "scampering army of obscene vermin" devastated the surrounding area, fueling myths of curses and horrors associated with the priory.
Notable Quote:
“A lean, filthy, ravenous army which had swept all before it and devoured fowl, cats, dogs, hogs, sheep and, you know, even two villagers.”
— Captain Norris [09:50]
Supernatural Experiences and Visions
As Walter begins the restoration, supernatural occurrences escalate. He experiences vivid nightmares and eerie sensations of movement and sound within the priory's walls. These unsettling experiences blur the line between reality and hallucination, hinting at the deep-rooted curses haunting the estate.
Notable Quote:
“I could swear to is that behind it I heard a low, distinct scurrying as of mice or rats.”
— Walter de la Poa [16:56]
Discovery of the Crypt and Subterranean Horrors
Walter and Captain Norris explore the priory's crypt, uncovering ancient inscriptions and architectural anomalies. Their investigation leads them to a hidden descent into a dark grotto, revealing a horrifying subterranean world teeming with skeletal remains and demonic entities.
Notable Quote:
“The descent from reality had almost prepared me for what was to come.”
— Walter de la Poa [21:48]
Confrontation with the Supernatural
In the depths of the grotto, Walter encounters nightmarish visions of swineherds and fungus beasts, culminating in an overwhelming swarm of giant rats. These creatures symbolize the ancestral curse's manifestation, driving Walter to the brink of madness as he grapples with his family's haunted legacy.
Notable Quote:
“I felt them all around me. I was one of them. Part of the ravenous army that feasts on the living and the dead.”
— Walter de la Poa [24:48]
Climactic Terror and Descent into Madness
The episode reaches its climax as Walter succumbs to the supernatural forces within Exham Priory. After a harrowing confrontation with the demonic rats, he is overwhelmed by madness, culminating in the destruction of Hexham Priory and his confinement, encapsulating the tragic downfall wrought by the ancestral curse.
Notable Quote:
“When they found me in the blackness over the half-eaten body of Captain Nari, they accuse me of a hideous thing. But they must know that I did not do it. It was the rat.”
— Walter de la Poa [25:07]
Production and Conclusion
The episode concludes with credits, acknowledging Bernard Mays as Captain Norris, Erik Bowersfeld (the host) as Powers, and John Whiting for technical production. The adaptation faithfully captures Lovecraft's atmospheric horror, blending rich narration with dramatic performances to create an immersive auditory experience.
Notable Quote:
“The rat in the Wall by H.P. Lovecraft.”
— Narrator [25:07]
Final Thoughts
"The Black Mass 64-07-03 (x) Rats in the Walls" masterfully brings to life Lovecraft's haunting narrative through meticulous production and compelling storytelling. Harold's Old Time Radio successfully transports listeners to the eerie Exham Priory, exploring themes of ancestral guilt, supernatural curses, and the fragility of the human psyche. This episode stands as a testament to the enduring power of old-time radio dramas in conveying timeless tales of horror and suspense.