Arch Oboler (0:06)

Oh, stories. Weird stories that murdered too. Turn out your lights. Turn them out. Good evening. Come in, won't you? What's the matter? Surely you're not nervous. Perhaps if you can't. By telling the story we are meant to call from out of the past. Stories strange and weird tales of mystery and terror by radio's masters of the macabre Story of the supernatural, the supernormal dramatized life that faith the mysteries of the unknown. We tell you this right. So if you wish to avoid the excitement tension of these magnets, we purge our we turn all your down. Welcome back to the Horror Old Fashioned Fear. Every Saturday@ RelicRadio.com we're gonna hear from the devil and Mr. O. This week, a series that aired from May to October of 1970 for 26 episodes. There's a rebroadcast of 1940s lights out stories presented by Arch Obler. Our story today is from August 16, 1970. It's titled the House is Haunted. Lights out for the devil and Mr. O. It is later than you think. Turn out your lights now. We bring you stories of the supernatural and the supernormal, dramatizing the fantasies and the mysteries of the unknown. We tell you this frankly so that if you wish to avoid the excitement and tension of these imaginative plays, we urge you calmly but sincerely to turn off your radio now. This is Mr. O R Chobor. Now, completely for amusement, I give you a rather old fashioned ghost story titled House is Haunted. It begins after a realistic message from your station. When you've got a family to feed, there are ways to cut high food costs. And we'd like to tell you an economical, tasty way to serve top quality meat dishes. Today's answer is high protein ham, H A M crackers and Atalanta imported Polish ham. When you buy crackers or Atalanta Polish ham, there's no waste, no gristle or bone to throw away and no water added. It's all lean, flavorful ham, down to the last tasty bit. You can even use the small amount of jelly broth to make soups more nourishing or to create delicious gravies. And ham is also perfect for breakfast, school lunch, snacks and parties. It's the easiest food you can prepare because Polish ham is fully cooked when you buy it. Highlight your Easter dinner with a Polish ham. It's the most delicious, most economical way to delight your guests. And you'll be delighted with their compliments because only you'll know how easy it was to prepare that magnificent platter. Incidentally, a Can of crackers or at a lot of ham is the perfect Easter gift for everyone on your list. And now, if you haven't already done so, turn off your lights and listen to the house is haunted. Mongara. Mongara. Shut that door. When you get out. You smell up the place. Big fellow rainbow, big fellow rain. Know what? Get out of here. Get out, I tell you. Don't squat there looking up at me. Get out. All right, I'll throw you out when you filthy devil. Out, filthy beggar. And write my last letters. Dear Sheldon. Well, here's my last letter to you. Another three weeks and my exile's over. I'm coming home after three years in this devil forsaken bush country. Home. Home. I've almost forgotten how to write that word. Well, Sheldon, my friend, tell them to fatten up the fatted calf. I'm coming home rich. Ask Alec Riverton won't have to take their infernal snobbery. He struck it rich out here and he's coming back to buy the town and everybody in it. Liar. Liar. Liar. You haven't struck it rich. You're still a tramp. You're nothing. Nothing. Three years in hell and you're nothing. Yes, they always laughed at you. And they'll keep on laughing. Alec Riverton. Have you heard? He's back in town. Yeah, sure. He's broke. He's always broke. Broke, broke. Who? Monara. Didn't I tell you to stay out? Bushman. Bushman. Get out of here. Bushman. Bushman. Look. Me find. No me find. Me Mungara. Me find. Give it to me. No, me find. Me diamond as big as your hand. Me take stone. Queenland buy two, three wife. Me Mongara. Listen, Mongara. I have no money. Me take Queenland. Busman. Queenland got lot money. Oh, yes, lot money. But I'll give you my rifle. See big gun. You Mangara Give me that diamond. No, no. Give one gun. Mongara go Queenland. Get lot money. Lot gun. Mangara. Wait. Listen to me. Money. I'll give you money. More money than Queensland man. My Hun. Give me money. My hon. Tomorrow sun come up. I'll give you money. Do you hear me? Plenty. Plenty money. Give me the diamond. No boss man no got money. Me go Queenland. Oh, wait. You can't go. Boss man no holding me Mongol. Listen to me, you filthy sad. Listen to me. I've got to have that diamond. It's my chance. You can't take it from me. I'll give you anything you want. Just give me a chance. To buy a thing. No me. No. I'll not let you get away from me. No diamond. Give it to me. You're not going to sell it to anybody else. Give it to me. No me. Me find it. You no take from me. You devil. I can't take it. I haven't got your strength. No. All right. Your knife. Knife. I'll kill you till you last. You go long way now, but long way no help you. You die. Three day when you get off, big fellow. Boat. Three day. Boss Riverton. You died. Alec. Alec Riverton? Yes. Charles. Over here. By George, Alec, really you. Good to see you, Sheldon. You got my letter. Oh, obviously I'm here. So you've struck it rich, huh? Good old Ali. What'd you find? The whole bunch of us been crazy with curiosity ever since I got your letter. Gold, Platinum, Tungsten. Tiger. I'm very tired, Charles. I knew you'd do it, Ali. All you needed was a little perseverance. Once you stayed down there, I knew you wouldn't come back till you did something important. All right, old fellow. Tell me now, what did you. You don't mind, Charles? I'm very tired. I had a bad trip. Why? I'm sorry. I didn't stop to think. There'll be plenty of time to talk later, won't there? Yes. Yes, I suppose there will be. Cab, sir? Cab, sir? Lowest rates to the best hotel. Yes. Yes, I'll take a cab. Right in, sir. But, Alec, your bag. I'm having them sent on. Get in. Right. Where to, chief? Arlington Hotel. Right. Well, Arlington, eh? I can afford it. I should hope so. One day's rent in that place. I'd pay for a week in your old flat, eh, Ali? What of it? I tell you, I can afford to do as I please. You. You must have had a hard trip. What do you mean? Just what I said. No, you didn't. Say what you wanted to say. I'll say it. Say it. Ali, what's the matter? Nothing's the matter. Nothing. I tell you what can be the matter. I tell you I've struck it rich. You hear me? Rich. I haven't failed. I, I. Charles, help me. Alec, what is it? I've got to talk. I've got to. Charles, I've got to tell someone. You the truth. Charles, listen to me. I. I had some trouble down there. Trouble? Yes. With a man. And yet not a man. Australian bushman savage. He found a diamond. A tremendous diamond. I had nothing. Three years of hell and work, and I had nothing. That ignorant savage with a Fortune he wouldn't know what to do with. So I. I so fought. You fought? I. I cheated him out of him. Sheldon, didn't you hear me? What am I supposed to say? Yes, yes. There's little you can say. Isn't I feel better already? It takes the grind out of a thing to talk about it, doesn't it? And you won't tell anybody, will you? Sheldon. Sheldon. Don't just look at me like that. He did that too. He wongara the man. I filthy savage. Why should his eyes listen? You know what he said? He said that three days after I got off the boat. Three days after you got off the boat. What? What? What did you say? Well, I didn't say it. You did. You said the three days after you got off. No, no, that doesn't matter. All that matters is that I've got a pocket full of cash. That's important, isn't it? I. I think I'm sorry for you. Sorry for me? You crazy? I got all the money I can use for the rest of my life. Hey, you cab driver. Pull back that glass. I want to talk to you. You, chief. What's on your mind? What do you take me for, a country cousin? This isn't the shortest way. Well, you see, big shot, it's this way. I just thought that. You die in free day when you get off, big fellow. Boats three days. Wash the river. Ton. You die. Alec, stop the cab. Stop the cab. Stop it. Alec. What is it? What's wrong? You cab driver. What did you say? What did you say, Sir, Help me. I ain't said nothing. I know you spoke. What's the matter? What's wrong with you? He didn't say anything to get excited about. Lord, honest. All I said was that I'd take you the way you wanted to go. Ungarra's voice. I heard it. Ungarra? But you said he's dead. Yes, yes, I know he's dead. Dead and rotting half across the world. He couldn't have spoken, and yet I think I heard him. The dead can't speak. Come on, Joe, tell us about it. You mind if we go outside for a little while, Ms. Bennet? Nan. All right. I can't take those jokes either. Well, this is more like it. The air is good. Yes. I haven't had a word alone with you all night, have I? Truthfully, I didn't expect you to talk. Why not? Oh, Charlie Sheldon told me you weren't much of a talker. Well, he's right where I've come from, I Haven't had many opportunities to talk. Come now. Not sing. Sing, Mr. Riverson. Almost as bad as that down under. Where? The bush country. Interior. Australia. Oh. You know, you're the first woman I've gone out with since I got back. I'm not quite sure whether that's so flattering. It is. Until Sheldon introduced me to you, I. I just didn't want to be with anyone. Thank you. Very pretty. Aren't you in the dark? No, really. I'm all there, ma'am. Three years in the bush country. Maybe I'd better go in. No, stay. Please. Just talk to me. Talk. Yes. All right. How long have you been back? One day. Is that all? I'd better go in. No, I won't. What were you doing in Australia? Business of some sort. You? Please tell me about you. You're an actress. Two schools of thought. Right now I'm what's unhappily known as resting between engagements. Hmm. Let's get away from here. What do you mean? Go someplace away from here. Should I? I want you to. That does it. I. I can never say no to a good looking man who knows his own mind. All right, Mr. Riverson. Wherever you say. But don't forget that three day boss man, you die. No. What's the matter? What is it? You. What did you just say? Well, all I said was that if you wanted two, three day boss man, you die. You devil. What? You think you can fool me, but it's you. Mongara. I heard you. What's the joke? I don't get it out of your throat. I heard it. Well now look here. I'll stop you. I'll stop you. Mongara. I will. I will. Help. Hey. Snub that you? Help. Somebody help me. Show me East Jogger. We leave our the Devil and Mr. O. Story of the house is haunted. For a short message. Gramercy park close of 64 West 23rd street in New York says 16 advertising men and one mother in law have been trying to write commercials for Gramercy Park. Commercials that will make you stop dead in your tracks, leave your wife your home run like crazy. Still in your underwear to buy a suit. The president called a meeting and said stop the baloney. Just tell everyone that Gramercy park sells great looking suits, good quality, perfect fit and the price is right. After 78 years of manufacturing men's clothing, Gramercy park says tell it straight. Let the clothes do the fancy talking. Men. If that makes sense to you, go up to the third floor of the factory building at 64 West 23rd Street. You'll see a new and better way to buy men's clothing. There's no obligation and credit cards are okay. Open to 7, Saturday to 6, Sunday, 10 to 4. Gramercy Park Close. 64 West 23rd Street, New York. We now go back to the Devil and Mr. O. Story of the house is haunted. Now look here, Alec. For 24 hours you have moved out of this room. Now, why don't you stop it? It's none of your business. Oh, isn't it? Not for me. You'd be in jail right now. Why do you think Nan Bennett didn't have you thrown in jail? She needed money. Yeah. It took me three hours straight talking to talk her into it once and for all. Why did you choke? It's none of your business. Nothing's my business? No. I'm just the guy who happened to be chump enough to be friend, huh? Alec, listen to me. Go to the police. No, no, don't say that. Sheldon. If you talk, I can't talk and I won't talk. Alec. My infernal friendship. Alec, at least let me call in a doctor. Doctor? What do I want with a doctor? For your nerves, maybe. Mind your own business. I tell you, I'm all right. There's nothing. Who's that? Equator, I suppose about dinner. Are you sure? Well, ask who it is. Of course. Who is it? Groom service. Oh, well, come in, come in. Your dinner, sir. Yes, yes, I know what it is. Well, set the table. Serve it. Very good, sir. You are in a state. All right, Eric. I just don't get it. The second day. What? Never mind. You going to eat with me or aren't you? Everything is ready, sir. It's about time. Here, you sit here, Sheldon. All right, Waiter. Yes, sir. Lights. Let's have some more light here. I want to see what I'm eating. Alec, there's plenty of light. Don't you interfere. I pay for service and I'll get it. Waiter. Didn't you hear me? But don't stand there gaping at me. Do as I said. Yes, sir, but I was just thinking that. You die in three days. Three days. I'll kill you. Waiter. I'll kill you. No, no, sir. Let go of me. I didn't do anything. Let go of him. Are you completely out of your mind? Kill him. I will, I will. But I didn't do anything. You turn the table over. Needed, sir. I swear it. That's true, Alec. You overturned the table. The waiter didn't moongara his voice. Waiter. You spoke with his voice. I heard you. I saw your lips move. Wait, Alec. What do you say, waiter? What did he say? Quickly. What did he say before I threw over the table? Answer me. What did he say? Why, I don't remember. What did you say, waiter? I merely said that I thought the meat was a bit cold. Perhaps I'd better replace it. Oh, no. You lie. You lie. I heard you. You spoke with his voice. Get out. That devil won't get me. He's dead. Get out. Get out. My head. I. Alec. Alec. But, Doctor, isn't there something you can do? Violent again? All night he'd doze off. And then he'd wake up screaming about devils and. Doctor, you've got to do something for him. If I only knew what was troubling him. Do you know he's got some crazy fixation about some Australian savage? He told me he cheated him. He keeps repeating the third day. The third day. Over and over again in his nightmare. The third day. And today, when dawn came, he began to cry. He said that today was the third day. Doctor, please come in and look at him for yourself. As you wish. Who is it? What do you want? It's the doctor. Yes? Good morning, Mr. Riverton. What's this nonsense about nightmare? I'm glad you came, Doctor. He won't dare come when you're here, will he, Doctor? He? Why, who do you mean? Never mind what I mean. Just stay by me. Don't leave me. Not today, Sheldon. You won't leave me? Of course, Mother. Please try to calm down, will you, fella? You think I've gone crazy, don't you? Well, I tell you I haven't. I did hear him talk twice. Yes. Once the first day and once the second day. But today I must not hear him hear me. I must not. If I do, I die, too. And I can't die. I won't die. I never had anything how I could live. I could have all the things. I'd better give him the hypodermic. Yes, please. Anything to quiet him. He's so afraid. I can't help him. Mr. Riverton, please. What? Your arm. What are you going to do? I merely want to give you a sedative. Subcutaneously. It will act quickly that way. Put you to sleep, Ali. Sleep. It'll put me to sleep. Yes. Yes, of course. Give it to me quickly. He can't hurt me when I sleep, can he? Who can't hurt you? Stop asking questions, I tell you. Give me the injection quickly. The third day. If I fool him today, he can't hurt me. Ever. I know he can. Give me the injection. Here's my arm. Hurry, Doctor. Yes, hurry. Hurry. I've got to be asleep. Yes, yes, of course. In a moment. You'll be all right? Yes. Just another second and you die. Boss Riverton. You die. Alex Riverton. Mr. Riverton. No. No. Stay away from me. What? I heard you. What is wrong? You're not the doctor. You're him. The devil. Moongara. Doctor is out of his mind. Yes, of course. I'll give him the set of. No. No. You're him. I know it. You're him. You speak with his voice. I heard you. You're him. Alec, the doctor wants to help you. Of course, to help you. No. No. Don't touch me. Moongara. Don't touch me. Moongara. Get away from me. Mungara. You're dead. I killed you. I saw the knife drive in you. You're dead. You hear me? You're dead. You're dead. The dead can't live again. No. No. No. That knife in your hand. Don't do it to me. I'll give you back your diamond. I'll give you back. I'll give you back your diamond. Mungara. Don't knife me. Don't. Don't. Doctor, he's fainted. Yes, he. No. No, it can't be. Doctor, what is it? What's wrong? Your friend. He's dead. Dead? Yes. Why? Why did he die? Why? I don't know. I only touched him with the hypodermic needle. This is Mr. O R Chobler. The conscience of a man, of a very strange man is the subject matter of our next week's play. More about that after a message. Hal Wallace's the Nelson Affair. That Hamilton bitch. Perhaps I am. I'm the woman he wants. Glenda Jackson and Peter Finch in the Nelson Affair. Rated pg. Judith Christ in the New York magazine says the Nelson Affair is an absorbing one. Anything one could wish for. Done with remarkable effectiveness. Together again are Peter Finch and Glenda Jackson is Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton. And what a dynamic duet they offer a brilliant cast. Q magazine says the Nelson Affair is refreshing in its candor. See the Nelson Affair now at the Fine Arts Theater. The disease touches you personally. Or unless you realize how serious it is. You tend to think of it as just another charity. There's one disease that everyone's heard of. Yet few realize that it afflicts 8 million Americans. Few realize that it kills more people each year than automobile accidents. Few realize that kidney disease is not just another charity. It's the fourth major cause of death in this country. This is Charlton Heston asking you to support your kidney foundation. This is Mr. O. Again next week. I take you through the wonders of this medium inside the very head of a man with a very strange, very macabre profession. The play's title? Official Killer. The time next time it is later than you think. That's gonna do it for the Horror for this week. I'll be back tomorrow with Strange Tales. In the meantime, there's more from the devil and Mr. O, the horror and all of the other Relic radio podcasts, relicradio.com and a shoutcast stream with even more old Time Radio lots to listen to, all made possible by your support. If you'd like to help out, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of the links on the website. Thanks to those who have thanks for joining me this week. Talk to you again next Saturday with another episode of the Horror.