Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Zero Hour 74-04-30 (067) Terror In The Night

Air Date: October 27, 2025

Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio presents a classic suspense thriller from the Golden Age of Radio: “Terror in the Night,” adapted by Glenn Hall Taylor for Mutual Broadcasting’s Zero Hour series. The story revolves around an ominous night in a remote Victorian guest house, where two women are confronted by a mysterious, dangerous stranger. The plot is thick with tension, fear, and fast-spiraling danger, delivering vintage radio chills true to the genre.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: The Victorian Guest House

• [02:16] Narration establishes the isolated Schofield house near Mariposa, California, home to Mrs. Schofield and her granddaughter, Karen. With tourist season ended, they're alone on a stormy night.
  • “A relic of the gold rush days... only Audrey Schofield and her granddaughter Karen are sheltered beneath a steep, pitched roof.”

2. The Mysterious Visitor Arrives

• [03:00–05:43]
  • Karen is unsettled by the stormy night and spots a strange man peering in the window. The tension rapidly grows as he is invited inside after a brief scare.
  • The man, Steve Lewis, claims he needs a place to stay and requests that his presence not be mentioned to anyone.
  • Karen (to her grandmother): “I seen someone who was looking in the window. I’m scared.” [03:16]
  • Steve Lewis: “By the way, I haven’t told anyone where I’d be... I appreciate it if you didn’t mention to anybody that I’m here.” [05:02]

3. Parallel Investigation – Sheriff's Manhunt

• [05:43–07:21]
  • Shift in scene: local law enforcement discusses a chain of violent crimes – a theater robbery and a murder – tracing the suspect’s movements toward Mariposa.
  • Sheriff: “The owner of a station in Coulterville... remembered a guy in a gray suit who asked about the road to Mariposa. He was driving a car just like the salesman’s.”
  • The tension is heightened by knowledge the criminal may match the physical description of their current guest at the Schofield house.

4. Suspicion Grows at the Guest House

• [07:21–08:34]
  • After sharing dinner, Karen’s mistrust deepens, especially when the family dog, Angus, reacts to the stranger’s suitcase.
  • They discover the phone line has been cut, confirming their fears.
  • Karen: “The phone is dead, Grandma... I know what could have happened to it, and I’m going to find out.” [08:15]

5. Confirmation of Danger

• [12:18–13:41]
  • The women search the stranger’s suitcase, finding jewelry and a bloodied tire iron wrapped in a shirt.
  • The man catches them, confesses to murder, and forcibly takes control of the situation.
  • Stranger (revealing himself): “You’re right, lady. That is blood. It’s a man's blood. I killed him.” [13:09]
  • Karen attempts to stand up to him, but is threatened.

6. Hostage Situation and Escape Attempt

• [14:15–15:28]
  • Another tourist unknowingly visits the house but is turned away by the impostor.
  • The killer announces his plan to use the women as cover to avoid police:
    “Nobody will suspect a nice young man like me if I’m traveling with a sweet old lady and a pretty young girl.” [15:28]
  • He orders them to hand over their car keys and prepares to leave.

7. Pursuit and Rescue

• [17:58–18:35]

  • At a local diner, the sheriff learns of a suspicious encounter at the Schofield house and realizes the truth.
  • The lawmen rush to the house as the killer attempts to flee, holding the women hostage.
  • Diner Patron: “The fellow that came to the door said someone was sick... He was a tall fellow, had on a gray suit as I remember.” [18:35]

• [19:42–21:06]

  • High-speed pursuit ensues. The sheriff and his partner drive aggressively ("98 miles an hour") to intercept the station wagon.
  • They successfully force the car off the road and arrest the killer.
  • Sheriff: “Freeze, Hanford!” [20:46]
  • Both women are safe, though shaken.

8. Aftermath and Reflection

• [21:06–21:16]
  • Mrs. Schofield remarks she will take down the tourist accommodation sign, showing the impact of the night’s terror.
  • Mrs. Schofield: “I'll tell you something – the first thing I’m going to do after I get a good night’s rest is take down that tourist accommodation sign.” [21:06]
  • Sheriff (sympathetically): “Sometimes a person can be too damned accommodating.” [21:16]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Karen’s Fear:
  “It makes the house feel cold, the way I imagine a tomb.” [03:02]
  (Sets the episode’s eerie atmosphere.)

• Stranger’s Ominous Request:
  “I appreciate it if you didn’t mention to anybody that I’m here.” [05:02]
  (Early warning sign.)

• Unveiling the Villain:
  Killer: “You’re right, lady. That is blood. It’s a man's blood. I killed him.” [13:09]

• Threat and Control:
  Killer: “Now then, let’s all understand each other. Okay. Until I’m ready to leave, you’ll do exactly as I say. Or I may just have to show you how well I can handle that tire iron.” [13:44]

• Resolution:
  Sheriff: “Freeze, Hanford!” [20:46]
  Mrs. Schofield: “The first thing I’m going to do after I get a good night’s rest is take down that tourist accommodation sign.” [21:06]

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------------------------| | 02:16 | Introduction to Schofield house and main characters | | 03:00 | Karen’s unease and visitor’s arrival | | 05:43 | Sheriff’s investigation update | | 07:21 | Karen and Audrey discuss suspicions | | 08:15 | Discovery of cut telephone line | | 12:18 | Women inspect the killer’s suitcase | | 13:09 | Killer confesses to the murder | | 14:00 | Killer takes control, threatens women| | 17:58 | Sheriff learns of danger at the house| | 19:42 | Police chase and rescue finale | | 21:06 | Mrs. Schofield’s resolution |

Tone & Style

The dialogue and narration capture classic radio drama pacing: suspenseful, atmospheric, and direct. The tone ranges from cozy domesticity to tense terror, culminating in relief and weary humor. The episode taps into archetypal fears of isolation, home invasion, and the kindness of strangers gone wrong.

Summary Takeaway

“Terror in the Night” is a tightly wound thriller set in a bygone era but as effective as ever in delivering suspense. The chilling performance of the villain, the resourcefulness of the protagonists, and the pulse-pounding final chase all combine for a dramatic slice of radio history—richly rewarding for fans of classic suspense and newcomers alike.