Podcast Summary: "The Horror! (Old Time Radio)"
Episode: "The Rats In The Walls" by The Black Mass
Release Date: January 11, 2025

Introduction

In this gripping episode of "The Horror! (Old Time Radio)" hosted by RelicRadio.com, listeners are transported back to the eerie ambiance of Old Time Radio with a masterful adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's classic horror story, "The Rats in the Walls." Presented by The Black Mass, this episode delves into themes of ancestral curses, supernatural occurrences, and the thin veil between reality and nightmare.

Background and Historical Context

Host Introduction

The episode begins with the host welcoming listeners to "The Horror," setting a foreboding tone:

"Be afraid! Be very afraid. Old Time Radio is filled with ghost stories, monsters, creatures who walk the earth, and other tales of the unexplained." (00:06)

Introducing H.P. Lovecraft and The Black Mass

Eric Bowersfeld provides context about H.P. Lovecraft, highlighting his belief in ancient races and black magic:

"He regarded all his work as based on the idea that the world was inhabited at one time by another race which in practicing black magic, lost its foothold and was expelled, yet lives on outside, ever ready to take possession of this earth again." (01:02)

The Black Mass introduces their rendition of "The Rats in the Walls," originally published in Weird Tales in 1924 and adapted for this episode.

The Tale of Restoration and Ancestral Hauntings

Restoring Exham Priory

The protagonist, De La Power, purchases the ancestral home, Exham Priory, embarking on its restoration despite its ruinous state:

"The restoration of Exham Priory had been a stupendous task... I let no expense deter me." (01:02)

Historical Tragedy

De La Power recounts the dark history of his family, marked by the alleged mass murder committed by his ancestor, Walter de La Power, who killed his family and fled to the United States:

"Walter de La Power fled to the United States, where by the end of several generations the family had achieved the proud and honorable... Virginia line." (01:36)

Captain Norris, an antiquarian, assists in the restoration, providing deep insights into the Priory's architectural and historical significance:

"The architecture, you see is peculiarly composite. Gothic towers... merged on the one side you see down here with the solid limestone of the precipice." (08:39)

Supernatural Elements and Unfolding Terror

Local Superstitions and Legends

Bernard Mays, voicing Captain Norris, discusses the villagers' fear and superstition surrounding Exham Priory:

"The people view Exham Priory as nothing less than a haunt of fiends and werewolves." (10:18)
"After three centuries, a power has returned to his ancient site to reconstruct the very house." (10:13)

He elaborates on the dark legends, including tales of bat-winged devils and an army of rats that emerged following the ancestral tragedy:

"A cycle of myths revolves scattered among the village homes and brought curses and horrors in its train." (13:45)

First Supernatural Occurrence

Six days into the restoration, De La Power experiences a chilling encounter in his chamber:

"I heard a low, distinct scurrying, as of mice or rats. Then it was gone." (15:14)
He describes vivid nightmares and real sounds of ravenous rats filling the Priory's walls, blurring the line between dreams and reality.

Investigating the Crypt

Determined to uncover the source, De La Power and Captain Norris spend a night in the crypt, leading to horrifying discoveries:

"Stone steps descended into an abysmal dark... a ghastly array of human or semi-human bones." (24:54)
They find inscriptions and carvings suggesting ancient, possibly pagan, rituals tied to the Priory's dark past.

Climactic Revelations and Conclusion

Encounter with the Subterranean Horrors

As they explore deeper, the protagonists witness a nightmarish grotto filled with demonic figures and an endless swarm of rats:

"The twilight grotto was of enormous height and stretched farther than any eye could see... a circle of monoliths." (26:08)
"There were buildings and other architectural remains... an insane tangle of bones." (26:26)

De La Power's Descent into Madness

Overwhelmed by the supernatural forces, De La Power spirals into madness, convinced that the rats are manifestations of his family's cursed legacy:

"I am not that demon in the twilight grotto... They must know that I did not do it. They must know it was the rats." (28:08)
His torment culminates in the destruction of Exham Priory and his confinement, haunted by the incessant scurrying of the demonic rats.

Final Remarks

The episode concludes with a recap of the horror story and credits to the production team:

"That was 'The Rats in the Walls' by H.P. Lovecraft... The technical production was by John Whiting... played by Bernard Mays." (29:28)
The host invites listeners to support RelicRadio.com and tune in for future episodes.

Key Insights and Themes

• Ancestral Curses: The story underscores the lingering impact of past sins on present and future generations, a common theme in Gothic horror.

• Supernatural vs. Reality: The blurring of dreams and reality highlights the psychological torment of the protagonist, emphasizing the fear of the unknown.

• Isolation and Madness: De La Power's isolation during the restoration leads to his unraveling, a testament to how solitude can exacerbate internal fears and supernatural beliefs.

• Architectural Horror: The detailed descriptions of Exham Priory's architecture serve as a backdrop for the unfolding horror, symbolizing the inescapable nature of one's heritage.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "He regarded all his work as based on the idea that the world was inhabited at one time by another race..." – Eric Bowersfeld (01:02)

• "The architecture... Gothic towers... Romanesque substructure." – Bernard Mays (08:39)

• "The people view Exham Priory as nothing less than a haunt of fiends and werewolves." – Bernard Mays (10:18)

• "I heard a low, distinct scurrying, as of mice or rats. Then it was gone." – Eric Bowersfeld (15:14)

• "The twilight grotto was of enormous height and stretched farther than any eye could see." – Eric Bowersfeld (26:08)

• "I am not that demon in the twilight grotto. They must know that I did not do it. They must know it was the rats." – Eric Bowersfeld (28:08)

Conclusion

"The Rats In The Walls" episode by The Black Mass masterfully captures the essence of Lovecraftian horror, blending rich historical context with spine-chilling supernatural elements. Through its detailed narration and immersive sound design, the podcast transports listeners into a world where ancestral sins and dark magic resurface to haunt the living. This adaptation serves both as a tribute to Lovecraft's timeless storytelling and as a standout piece in the realm of Old Time Radio horror.

Timestamps Reference:

• [00:00] Introduction by Eric Bowersfeld and Bernard Mays
• [01:02] Host introduces H.P. Lovecraft and The Black Mass
• [08:39] Bernard Mays discusses architectural details
• [10:13] Bernard Mays explains villagers' fear
• [15:14] Eric Bowersfeld narrates first supernatural occurrence
• [24:54] Descent into the crypt and discovery of bones
• [26:08] Eric Bowersfeld describes the twilight grotto
• [28:08] Climactic revelation and De La Power's madness