Stars on Suspense (Old Time Radio): "Horror’s Heavy Hitters" – Episode 425

Date: October 30, 2025
Host: Mean Streets Podcasts
Theme: A Halloween celebration of classic radio horror, showcasing legendary monsters as played by Hollywood’s greatest in old time radio adaptations.
Structure: The episode presents six iconic horror stories:

1. Dracula (Orson Welles & Mercury Theatre)
2. Frankenstein (Suspense)
3. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (The Weird Circle)
4. The Abominable Snowman (Escape)
5. W is for Werewolf (Dark Fantasy)
6. The Phantom of the Opera (Lux Radio Theatre)

Episode Overview

This special Halloween episode gathers vintage radio chillers starring some of the "big screen’s most legendary monsters" and their Hollywood interpreters. The stories whisk listeners from Transylvanian castles and foggy London to the Parisian opera and the snowy Himalayas, blending atmosphere, suspense, and classic horror.

Host Introduction:
“Happy Halloween and welcome to a special episode of Stars on Suspense, where this week our leading men are actually leading monsters … So grab your favorite candy, turn down the lights and join me for a Halloween monster party.” (00:38)

Key Discussion Points and Story Highlights

1. Dracula (Orson Welles & Mercury Theatre)

Starts: 03:32
Highlights:

• Orson Welles performs dual roles as Count Dracula and Dr. Seward, presenting a moody, close adaptation of Stoker’s novel.
• The adaptation plunges into Jonathan Harker’s diary, his arrival at Castle Dracula, the chilling hospitality of the Count, and iconic moments like Dracula’s lack of reflection.
• The story tracks the unfolding horror as Dracula pursues his prey to England, devastates Lucy Westenra, and is ultimately hunted by Van Helsing’s group.
• Notable Quote:
  “You hear them, Mr. Harker? The wolves. The children of the night. As you say, Mr. Harker. The wolves. Listen.” — (Count Dracula/Orson Welles, 11:02)
• The adaptation ends with Mina Harker’s agency in Dracula’s final destruction, a twist from the original.

Memorable Moments:

• The atmospheric descriptions of Transylvania and Dracula’s castle (07:49–14:37).
• The slow intensification as Dracula’s influence spreads in England, culminating in Lucy’s death and the chilling “Beautiful Lady” scene with the children (30:41).
• The supernatural abilities and mythos explained by Van Helsing (37:06–38:54).
• Mina’s psychic link to Dracula and the climactic final pursuit (44:15–54:45).
• The destruction of Dracula and restoration of Mina (56:03–58:22).

2. Frankenstein (Suspense—Stacy Harris and Herb Butterfield)

Starts: 59:24
Highlights:

• A “modernized” retelling featuring Victor Frankenstein’s crisis of conscience as he experiments to create life.
• Focus on Victor’s confession to his friend James, themes of science vs. ethics, and the horror of responsibility for his creation.
• The creature is brought to life, escapes, and tragedy ensues.
• Notable Quote:
  “You’re doing something you have no right to do. Something that you don’t even understand. The creation of man isn’t your job. It isn’t mine.” — (James, 72:14)

Memorable Moments:

• The eerie lab scene and the awakening (67:21 onward).
• Tension between Victor and James as the monster escapes and the growing danger to the local village (76:49–78:48).
• Victor's tragic confrontation and ambiguous ending: "The result of that experiment has never been found." (79:59)

3. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (The Weird Circle)

Starts: 80:51
Highlights:

• The classic tale of duality, as Jekyll’s potion brings forth his evil doppelganger, Hyde.
• Focus on London atmospherics, the swelling horror of Hyde's crimes, and Jekyll’s inability to control his darker half.
• Notable Quote:
  “Every man is truly two beings cursed with the struggle of good and evil within him … The miracle of consummate evil come to life. The hidden soul of Jekyll. I am Mr. Hyde.” — (Dr. Jekyll, 88:26)

Memorable Moments:

• The transformation sequence and chilling sound design (91:21).
• Jekyll's torment and Hyde’s increasingly violent episodes (94:34–99:43).
• The final confrontation: “The sword breaks to hide. Mix it well. Pour the powder in slowly. Drink it … The unclouding, straightening of your crooked, evil soul.” (102:06)
• Hyde’s death and his form reverting to Jekyll: “It’s Dr. Jekyll … The evil man is deadpool. For here lies the better half of his duality triumphant.” (107:19)

4. The Abominable Snowman (Escape—William Conrad, et al)

Starts: 110:15
Highlights:

• An American-led Himalayan expedition goes in search of the yeti, facing both native superstition and the unexplainable horrors in the high snows.
• The story is structured as a doomed adventure narrative, focusing on fear, survival, and the confrontation with the unknown.
• Notable Quote:
  “Yeti … Wild man … The porters are afraid. It is because the yeti are cannibals. That is why …” — (Nassang, 118:07)

Memorable Moments:

• Chilling discovery of tracks and the growing sense of the team's peril (121:44–123:26).
• Deaths of team members and encounters with the beast (128:29–131:56).
• The ambiguous, tragic conclusion—nature and legend both claiming the victors and the vanquished.

5. W is for Werewolf (Dark Fantasy)

Starts: 139:54
Highlights:

• A moody, psychological werewolf tale set on an isolated island, involving family secrets, lycanthropy, and a child’s supernatural affliction.
• Heavy use of atmosphere: howling at night, bloodstains, and superstition among the islanders.
• Notable Quote:
  “The palm of Johnny’s hand—Good Lord, man, it’s all covered with a thick growth of hair …” (145:55)

Memorable Moments:

• The unveiling of the family’s hereditary curse (157:24–161:14).
• Discovery of a wolfish corpse in the child’s grave (159:49).
• The tense final confrontation: “Young Johnny is dead. … Bill Jr. died a werewolf. His great-grandfather before him had the same disease.” (160:11)

6. The Phantom of the Opera (Lux Radio Theatre—Basil Rathbone, Nelson Eddy, Susanna Foster)

Starts: 164:10
Highlights:

• A star-studded adaptation centered on the haunting of the Paris Opera House by Claudin (the Phantom), obsessed with the young soprano Christine.
• Tension between Claudin’s longing and the horror he inspires, including logo motifs from the original film.
• Notable Quote:
  “You will sing for me and only for me, my darling. … I made the chandelier fall. For you, Christine. … Nothing can kill me!” — (Claudin/Phantom, ~213:28–216:39)

Memorable Moments:

• The jealousy and sabotage among rival prima donnas (174:37).
• The chandelier crash and Christine’s abduction (204:08–206:52).
• Final confrontation in the catacombs: Christine unmasks Claudin, leading to his death and the coda of her musical triumph.

Notable Quotes and Timestamps

• Host (Opening):
  “Happy Halloween and welcome … this week our leading men are actually leading monsters …” (00:38)
• Dracula/Orson Welles:
  “You hear them, Mr. Harker? The wolves. The children of the night …” (11:02)
• Van Helsing:
  “My friends, there are such things as vampires. Had I known at first … many of us who love her.” (37:06)
• Frankenstein/James:
  “You’re doing something you have no right to do. … The creation of man isn’t your job.” (72:14)
• Jekyll:
  “Every man is truly two beings cursed with the struggle of good and evil within him … I am Mr. Hyde.” (88:26)
• Hyde:
  “You cannot kill me. Nothing can kill me.” (216:33)
• Abominable Snowman/Nassang:
  “It is because the yeti are cannibals. That is why the porters are afraid.” (118:07)
• Werewolf/Bill:
  “The palm of Johnny’s hand—Good Lord, man, it’s all covered with a thick growth of hair.” (145:55)
• Phantom/Claudin:
  “You’re not afraid anymore, are you? … You’ll sing and want to, won’t you, my darling?” (211:30)

The Halloween Atmosphere & Curation

The episode’s host, with a mix of warmth and retro Halloween showman flair, guides listeners through each segment with historical notes and voice actor credits, lending context and a sense of occasion.

Host (Intro to Dracula):
“We’re starting off tonight with the best story of its kind ever written … Orson Welles as Count Dracula in his own version of Bram Stoker’s great novel.” (04:24)

Host (Closing):
Summarizes all featured monsters: “We just heard Dracula, Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Abominable Snowman, the Werewolf, and the Phantom of the Opera. That will do it for this show. … Each of them a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.” (224:37)

Flow and Value

This episode serves as an anthology of iconic horror, faithfully capturing the chills, pathos, and mythic stature these stories hold in popular culture. For newcomers, it is an accessible way into golden age radio; for fans, it is a nostalgic treat.

Listeners will find a rich selection of archetypal horror tales, outstanding performances, and a festive Halloween mood—perfect for a night of thrills, mystery, and classic radio storytelling.

End of Summary