The Horror! (Old Time Radio)
Episode: The Man Who Hated Scenes by The Price of Fear
Date: October 4, 2025
Host: RelicRadio.com
Stars: Vincent Price, Peter Cushing
Brief Overview
This episode of The Horror! transports listeners to the golden era of radio drama, featuring a chilling installment from the BBC series The Price of Fear. Hosted and narrated by Vincent Price, "The Man Who Hated Scenes" blends psychological unease and marital strife into a tale of obsession, betrayal, and deadly restraint. With Peter Cushing joining the stellar cast, the story unfolds during a chance meeting on a train, leading to a dark confession.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Setting the Atmosphere
- Vincent Price introduces the story with evocative nostalgia about train journeys, emphasizing their capacity for both romance and introspection (01:45).
"Train trips fascinate me... The world seems yours for the asking. Right from that first whistle blow... Towards the romantic and the unknown." (Vincent Price, 01:45)
2. The Encounter on the Train
- A nervous man (Harry) requests to share Price's breakfast table due to insomnia, establishing his anxious, deferential nature (03:35).
"You won't mind if I share your table?" (Harry, 03:35)
- The two bond over common discomfort and small talk, Harry revealing his avoidance of "scenes" and love of calm (04:05-04:47).
"Well, there's no point in making a scene, is there? I do so hate scenes." (Harry, 04:31)
3. Harry’s Confession – Love, Marriage, and Isolation
- Harry discusses his marriage to Marilyn, a significantly younger, beautiful former swimmer—a relationship marked by infatuation and an idyllic but isolated lifestyle (08:02-09:30).
- Tension is revealed as Marilyn grows restless, feeling trapped in their luxurious, yet isolating, country home. The couple argues about the confining nature of their relationship and the truth behind their marriage (10:30-13:48).
"A rich, eccentric, middle aged recluse comfortably ensconced in his 20 bedroomed ivory tower." (Marilyn, 10:50) "You moved me into your millionaire's Alcatraz and then you threw away the keys." (Marilyn, 12:51)
- Harry is devastated by these accusations but admits he still loves Marilyn despite knowing her true feelings (13:48-14:15).
4. Breaking Point and Illness
- After agreeing to travel and rekindle their romance, Harry falls ill from "acute emotional stress," retreating into a psychological breakdown (14:23-14:58).
"I've never been able to stand scenes of any kind... my only defence was a period of total mental withdrawal. A self inflicted coma, if you like." (Harry, 14:58)
5. Marilyn's Change and False Domestic Bliss
- Marilyn stays by Harry's side, expressing a desire to transform their home into a true partnership by firing the servants and simplifying their lives (16:54-18:19).
6. Intruder in the Marriage – Charles, the Chauffeur
- As Harry recovers, Marilyn suggests short outings with Charles, a new, handsome chauffeur, who soon becomes her companion. Harry’s mental state is fragile, and he feels powerless to challenge the situation without provoking a "scene" (19:10-21:04).
- One night, Harry discovers Marilyn and Charles rekindling their past love at the pool—his worst fears realized (21:09-24:51).
"He's a sick man, Chuck. Sicker than he even suspects. A year, two years, a little Longer, maybe. But it's not so important, is it? We can wait. Because we know that one day is only gonna be us, Chuck." (Marilyn, 24:21)
7. The Deadly Hint
- Unable to confront Marilyn directly due to his aversion to confrontation, Harry devises a "quiet" solution: draining the swimming pool when Marilyn and Charles go for a midnight swim, leading to their implied deaths (26:10-28:47).
"A truly effective hint when I finally thought of it. You see, my friend, that evening, as soon as they had left the house, I opened each of the four valves and drained all the water out of the swimming pool." (Harry, 28:17)
8. Chilling Conclusion
- The tale ends in uncomfortable silence, symbolized by the train entering a tunnel (28:47). The host closes by reflecting on the darkness within ordinary lives and the consequences of emotional repression.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Harry's Motive:
"It's probably why I've never objected when I've been overcharged or anything like that. Far easier to pay up. Remain calm." (Harry, 07:30)
- Marilyn’s Rage:
"You made the whole arrangement seem irresistible, didn't you?... And in its place. This. A cage, damn you." (Marilyn, 11:58-12:47)
- The Reveal:
"As soon as they had left the house, I opened each of the four valves and drained all the water out of the swimming pool." (Harry, 28:17)
- Atmospheric End:
"It was like the fall of a curtain." (Vincent Price, 28:47)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Intro to The Price of Fear – 01:01
- Train setting and Harry introduction – 03:35
- Harry’s marriage, meeting Marilyn – 08:02
- First marital argument – 10:30
- Harry’s illness and breakdown – 14:23
- Servants fired, new domestic life – 17:44
- Arrival of Charles, suspicions rise – 19:15
- Affair confirmed by Harry – 21:09, 22:43-24:51
- Harry’s deadly 'hint' detailed – 26:10-28:47
- Final silence, story ends – 28:47
Tone and Style
The episode is saturated with psychological suspense, creeping dread, and the dry, wry delivery of Vincent Price. The dialogue carries a gothic elegance, with moments of brittle civility shattered by passionate outbursts and chilling rationalizations.
Summary
A classic macabre tale, "The Man Who Hated Scenes" is a masterful study in emotional repression, jealousy, and the calamity that reckons when fear of confrontation festers beneath a polished surface. Peter Cushing and Vincent Price breathe life into haunted, tragic characters, building tension through everyday anxieties until the shocking, silent climax. For those who revel in gothic psychological horror, this episode is a quintessential listen.