The Horror! (Old Time Radio)

Episode: Poltergeist by Lights Out
Aired: October 18, 2025
Original broadcast: December 16, 1936 (rebroadcast October 20, 1942)
Host: RelicRadio.com

Episode Overview

This episode features a rebroadcast of the chilling Lights Out radio play, “Poltergeist.” The host introduces the show as a piece meant to induce fear and suspense, cautioning that those easily frightened should turn away. The story, penned by Arch Oboler, revolves around three young women whose winter outing turns terrifying after an accidental desecration in a snowy graveyard unleashes supernatural violence. The tale explores themes of superstition, guilt, and the inexplicable power of evil forces.

Key Discussion Points & Narrative Breakdown

1. Episode Introduction and Warnings (00:02 – 01:41)

• The host welcomes listeners and gives background on Lights Out, emphasizing its history and reputation for fear-inducing stories.
• Arch Oboler’s signature warning urges those of “timid soul” to refrain from listening.

  “These Lights out stories are definitely not for the timid soul...if you fright easily, turn off your radio now.” — Arch Oboler (00:45)

2. The Snowy Outing and Dynamic Among Friends (01:42 – 06:47)

• Three friends—Kay, Florence (Flo), and Edna—enjoy a wintry day, singing and joking, revealing lively and distinct personalities.
• The mood shifts abruptly when Kay, dancing in a grove, trips over what initially seems to be a rock—soon discovered to be a tombstone.
• Unease sets in as they realize they’re walking over a forgotten graveyard cloaked in snow.

  “What is it, Kay?...It’s a tombstone.” — Edna (06:13)
  “What a place to fix a dance.” — Kay (06:42)

3. Superstition and the Poltergeist Legend (06:47 – 08:35)

• Edna, distraught, recounts a folk legend: disturbing graves can provoke a poltergeist—an evil spirit that kills or destroys.
• The mood becomes tense as Edna panics, and the others try to reason with her, but fear mounts after a stone flies from the graveyard and injures Edna.

  “An evil spirit. It comes out of the grave. It kills and destroys. It’ll kill us. It’ll kill us all.” — Edna (08:01)

4. The First Supernatural Attack and Its Aftermath (08:55 – 14:33)

• Edna is cared for by a local doctor, but suspicion arises as to how the rock struck her—no one saw who threw it, and the implication of supernatural force lingers.
• The other girls are wracked with guilt and fear, trapped by circumstances and their own imaginations.
• Edna is later found dead in bed, her head crushed by a tombstone—impossibly carried from the remote graveyard.

  “The girl on the bed, her head. It’s crushed flat in by a rock.” — Kay (13:04)
  “God in heaven, it’s not a rock. It’s a tombstone.” — Doctor (13:18)

5. Descent Into Terror and Guilt (14:33 – 19:26)

• Both Florence and Kay spiral into guilt, believing their actions—dragging Edna into the countryside, dancing on the grave—caused her death.
• The supernatural angle deepens as a menacing atmosphere pervades; the doctor and bystanders are unnerved by the unexplained appearance of the heavy tombstone indoors.
• Unseen forces seem bent on vengeance as the girls brace themselves for another visitation.

6. The Climax: The Final Toll of the Poltergeist (19:26 – 24:40)

• Kay, beset by guilt and determination, sneaks out in the freezing night to confront the source of evil at the graveyard. Florence follows.
• Searchers pursue them across the snowy valley, only to find both girls dead—frozen to the ground with their skulls similarly crushed by tombstones.

  “Look at them. That’s the burying ground up there. And they’re dancing. Dancing on the graves.” — Searcher (23:26)
  “Both of the girls froze stiff to the ground. Each with her head crushed...tombstone.” — Doctor (24:40)

7. Epilogue and Reflection (24:40 – 26:40)

• The doctor and locals struggle to rationalize the impossibility of what they’ve witnessed—a supernatural force, or an elaborate murder?

  “You can’t deny what you see with your own eyes...no, he won’t, Doc. There ain’t nobody that takes in breath and leaves out breath like you and me is going to find out who killed that girl.” — Locals (14:51)

• Arch Oboler returns, sharing a real historical case of a poltergeist to reinforce the episode’s theme: some happenings are beyond explanation.

  “There are authenticated records in existence... a certain room in a certain house was deluged by stones thrown from no apparent source.” — Arch Oboler (25:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Warning to Listeners:
  “If you fright easily, turn off your radio now. But if you’re fascinated by the mysterious, the fantastic, the unearthly, then anticipate chills in our story of Poltergeist.” — Arch Oboler (00:47)
• Edna’s Superstitious Panic:
  “You danced on the grave. I saw you...The poltergeist...an evil spirit. It comes out of the grave. It kills and destroys. It'll kill us.” — Edna (06:53–08:07)
• Chilling Discovery:
  “Her head. It's crushed flat in by a rock...It's not a rock. It's a tombstone.” — Kay and Doctor (13:04, 13:18)
• Unanswered Mystery:
  “There ain’t nobody that takes in breath and leaves out breath like you and me is going to find out who killed that girl.” — Local (15:16)
• Dance of Death:
  “That’s the burying ground up there. And they’re dancing. Dancing on the graves...Both of the girls froze stiff to the ground. Each with her head. Crushed the hair. Tombstone.” — Searchers (23:26, 24:40)
• Historical Echo:
  “There are authenticated records in existence that... a certain house was deluged by stones thrown from no apparent source.” — Arch Oboler (25:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction and Set-up: 00:02 – 01:42
• Arrival in the Snowy Countryside: 01:42 – 06:47
• The Graveyard and the Poltergeist Legend: 06:47 – 08:35
• First Incident and Aftermath: 08:55 – 14:33
• Escalating Fear and Death: 14:33 – 19:26
• Final Catastrophe at the Graveyard: 19:26 – 24:40
• Epilogue and Host Reflection: 24:40 – 26:40

Tone and Style

The episode evokes the classic, atmospheric dread of Old Time Radio horror—layering everyday dialogue with mounting terror, superstition, and a final, bleak surrender to the supernatural. With its tense exchanges, rising hysteria, and chilling sound effects, the performance plunges listeners into the heart of a winter nightmare. Arch Oboler’s measured, almost scholarly final remarks underscore both the horror and the mystery, leaving more questions than answers.

Conclusion

Poltergeist masterfully captures psychological and supernatural horror, turning innocent revelry into a nightmare where guilt, folklore, and icy revenge collide. The hosts and characters maintain a period-authentic, conversational style, punctuated by panicked outbursts and grim resignation. It's a haunting listen, skillfully designed to leave audiences uneasy and wondering whether some forces should indeed be left undisturbed.