They Call Me Howie by Theater Five

Summary

Detailed Summary of "They Call Me Howie" by Theater Five

Podcast Title: The Horror! (Old Time Radio)
Host/Author: RelicRadio.com
Episode: They Call Me Howie
Release Date: June 14, 2025

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of The Horror! titled "They Call Me Howie," listeners are transported into a chilling tale that intertwines childhood innocence with supernatural intrigue. Produced by Theater Five, this story delves into themes of reincarnation, lost history, and the eerie connections between past and present.

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Setting the Scene

The narrative unfolds in a quaint, old-fashioned household celebrating the birthday of a young boy named Howie. The atmosphere is festive yet subtly tense, hinting at underlying mysteries.

• Kathy: "Oh, stories. Real stories. And murder too. Turn out your legs. Turn them out." (00:06)

This opening sets a foreboding tone, blending normalcy with an undercurrent of dread.

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The Birthday Celebration

The family gathers to celebrate Howie's birthday, complete with candles, presents, and well-wishes. Uncle Steve arrives, bringing with him an array of gifts that seem peculiarly antique.

• Bob: "Good evening." (00:18)
• Holly: "Happy birthday, dear Howie. Happy birthday to you." (02:08)

As candles are blown out and presents are opened, Howie begins to exhibit unusual behavior, signaling the onset of the supernatural elements.

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Strange Behavior Emerges

Post-celebration, Howie starts acting out of character. He laments not having received any presents from a previous year, referencing an event from when he was eight years old—a time his parents believe predates their current home.

• Howie: "I didn't get any presents." (03:12)
• Kathy: "Darling, you got some lovely presents. A nice new freight car for your train and a baseball bat." (03:18)

His insistence on past events that no one remembers raises alarm bells within the family.

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Uncovering the Past

Driven by concern, Holly begins to investigate the history of their new home, uncovering connections to a figure named Captain Marmado, an 18th-century militia captain who died in a tragic accident.

• Holly: "Well, how could Howie give him the name of an obscure captain who died over 200 years ago?" (11:45)

Simultaneously, Steve discovers historical records that mirror Howie's recollections, suggesting that Howie may possess memories from a past life.

• Holly: "Cotton Merryweather. Born 1742. Died 1750." (13:03)

These findings deepen the mystery, indicating a supernatural reincarnation or lingering spirit within Howie.

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Family Confrontation

The family confronts Howie about his strange statements and knowledge of the past. Howie's revelation shocks them further when he insists that his real name is Cotton Merryweather, a boy who died centuries ago.

• Howie: "My name isn't Howie. It's Cotton." (08:21)
• Howie: "I died a long, long time ago, but I didn't stay dead. I woke up and came." (08:37)

The tension peaks as the family grapples with the possibility that Howie is the reincarnation of Cotton Merryweather, bringing historical tragedies into their present lives.

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Discovering Historical Artifacts

In their quest for answers, the family discovers a hidden diary belonging to Abigail Marmadux, detailing the hardships of life in the 18th century, including the death of Cotton Merryweather.

• Kathy: "There's something written here in the fly leaf. Abigail Marmadux. Her diary. 1750." (17:15)

These artifacts provide tangible evidence of the connection between the past and Howie's current existence, solidifying the supernatural elements of the story.

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Supernatural Interaction

Howie's interactions with a boy named Adam, who reveals himself to be Cotton, further blur the lines between past and present.

• Howie: "Hey, Cotton." (20:23)
• Cotton (Adam): "Hi, Adam." (20:30)

This encounter underscores the family's realization that their home is a nexus of historical spirits, with Howie at the center of these ethereal connections.

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Resolution and Reflection

As the episode draws to a close, the family faces the reality of living with Howie's dual existence. They decide to keep his past life a secret to protect him from social ostracization, accepting the supernatural disturbance as a part of their lives.

• Kathy: "I want you to promise us that you won't tell anyone else what you remember." (16:15)
• Howie: "Okay, Mom. I won't talk about it if you don't want me to." (16:38)

The family's decision reflects their struggle to balance normalcy with the haunting presence of history within their home.

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Notable Quotes

• Kathy: "What's the matter, Howie? Probably having a nightmare." (07:35)
• Howie: "When's lunch? I'm starving." (16:43)
• Steve: "He's a perfectly normal kid. All right, maybe he's a little more imaginative than most." (09:12)
• Holly: "Well, now we're getting someplace." (17:18)

These quotes highlight the characters' evolving understanding and reactions to the supernatural events unfolding around them.

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Conclusion

"They Call Me Howie" masterfully blends the everyday occurrences of family life with the eerie mysteries of past lives and historical hauntings. Through Howie's journey, listeners explore the thin veil between the present and the remnants of a troubled past, leaving them pondering the possibilities of reincarnation and the lingering spirits that may inhabit our world.

Production Credits:

They Call Me Howie was written by Hal Hackerty, produced and directed by Warren Somerville, featuring a talented cast including Elliot Reed, Evelyn Juster, Stan Watt, and S.S. Melvin. The atmospheric soundscapes were crafted by audio engineers Neil Paltz and Marty Folia, with original music by the Alexander Vlastotzenko Orchestra under Glenn Oss.

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For more spine-tingling stories, visit RelicRadio.com or find The Horror! on Spotify by searching for Relic Radio Network.

Transcript

[Kathy]

Oh, stories. Real stories. And murder too. Turn out your legs. Turn them out.

[Bob]

Good evening.

[Kathy]

Come in, won't you?

[Steve]

What's the matter? Surely you're not nervous. Perhaps you can't. By telling a story, we are meant to call from out of the past. Stories strange, weird tales of mystery and.

[Bob]

Terror by radio's masters of the macabre.

[Steve]

Stories of the supernatural, the supernormal dramatized by fantasy. The mystery, the unknown. We tell you this, Franklin, so if you wish to avoid the excitement tension of these magnet play, we urging our brave theory to turn off your radio.

[Narrator]

Welcome back to the Horror. Thanks for joining me. This week we're gonna hear from Theater 5 this time a series that ran from August of 1964 to July of 1965 over ABC stations five days a week at 5pm 260 broadcasts with a variety of different genres of stories. Our story today is they Call Me Howie. This one aired March 19, 1965.

[Bob]

The other five presents. They call Me Howie.

[Holly]

Happy birthday, dear Howie Happy birthday to you.

[Kathy]

Now, honey, make your wish and blow out all the candles.

[Howie]

I wish. I wish.

[Holly]

No, son, you're supposed to keep it a secret.

[Kathy]

Your wish won't come true if you tell.

[Holly]

That was a loud one. Yep, there go the lights. Oh, hold off on the candles, Howie, till I see about getting some light in here, huh? They're on again. Okay, birthday boy, blow away.

[Kathy]

Now, take a deep breath. Well, come on, honey, unless you like wax. Frosty. Holly. What's the matter, dear? Bob, look at him. He's white as a sheet.

[Holly]

I think it's too much birthday. What's the matter, Howie?

[Kathy]

Let me feel your head. No fever. Maybe it's the storm.

[Holly]

Oh, now, he's not gonna let a little thing like a thunderstorm frighten him, are you, tiger?

[Howie]

I didn't get any presents.

[Holly]

Didn't get any pre. What's he talking about?

[Kathy]

Darling, you got some lovely presents. A nice new freight car for your train and a baseball bat.

[Holly]

Wasn't that what you wanted?

[Howie]

I mean, the last time, Howie, don't.

[Kathy]

You remember the big party we had on your last birthday in the other house before we moved here. You got all your friends. You got lots of presents. An erector set and a space gun. Well, don't you remember, dear?

[Howie]

I mean, the last.

[Steve]

What's he talking about?

[Holly]

What last time, Howie?

[Howie]

The last time I was 8 years old.

[Kathy]

He's coming down with something. I think someone we know had better get to bed.

[Howie]

But I haven't had my cake.

[Kathy]

Mommy will save the cake in tomorrow. Oh, that must be Steve. Let him in, will you, Bob, while I put Howie to bed.

[Howie]

I want to stay up for Uncle Steve.

[Kathy]

You can see the present tomorrow. You've had enough excitement for one day. I'm okay, mom.

[Holly]

On it.

[Kathy]

Well, five minutes then. And no arguments when time's up, okay?

[Howie]

Okay.

[Steve]

All right.

[Holly]

Sorry I'm late.

[Steve]

Your New England dude didn't help. Those cow paths you call road.

[Holly]

Did you have any trouble finding the place?

[Steve]

Just followed what you laughingly called your map. Hi.

[Kathy]

Hi, Steve. Oh, you're dripping. Here, come on over to the fire and get dried off.

[Howie]

Hi, Uncle Steve.

[Steve]

Yeah, first things first.

[Bob]

Hi, slugger.

[Holly]

Happy birthday.

[Howie]

Oh, boy.

[Kathy]

Howie, what do you say when somebody gives you a gift?

[Howie]

Thanks, Uncle Steve. Gee, Uncle Steve. Look, dad, toy soldiers. How about that, George Washington? Lafayette.

[Holly]

Practically the whole Continental Army.

[Kathy]

Let Mommy see, dear. Why, Steve, you extravagant idiot.

[Howie]

They're antiques.

[Steve]

Well, this old soldier does look a little beat up. I lost one of his arms. Or maybe it's in the box.

[Howie]

Oh, that's Captain Marmado.

[Steve]

Kids these days sure know their history. I never heard of the guy.

[Kathy]

Neither have I. What's Captain Marmadux famous for, Holly?

[Howie]

I don't know.

[Kathy]

Well, what did they teach you about him at school?

[Howie]

Who'd want to teach us anything about old One Arm?

[Holly]

Well, how do you know about him?

[Howie]

I came around lots of times. He never did anything except get drunk. That's how he lost his arm. Didn't even lose it in a fight. Just got drunk and shot it off by accident.

[Holly]

It's me. Where they pick it up.

[Howie]

What's in the other present, Howie?

[Steve]

Oh, here it, sis. A little housewarming gift for you and Bob.

[Kathy]

Oh, thank you, darling. I just love opening packages. Oh, Steve, it's wonderful. What is it?

[Howie]

It's a witch's cross, Mom.

[Kathy]

A witch's cross, is it, Steve?

[Steve]

That's what the little old antique lady said. I thought every front door should have one. You know, a status thing.

[Kathy]

Is that what they used them for? To ward off witches?

[Steve]

Understood the neighborhood was crawling with them.

[Howie]

Sure, we had a witch's cross on our door.

[Holly]

Now that'll be enough of that, Howie.

[Kathy]

Bob, he's just.

[Holly]

Imagination is one thing, downright lying is another. Now, I think you've had enough excitement for one day, son. Come on now, hobbit.

[Howie]

Or do I have to?

[Kathy]

5 minutes and no arguments, remember? Now say goodnight to Uncle Steve and I'll come up and tuck you in.

[Howie]

Good night, Uncle Steve.

[Steve]

Night.

[Howie]

And thanks for the soldiers. They're neat. Night, dad.

[Kathy]

And here we are back in the living room. End of 25 cent tour. What do you think, Steve?

[Steve]

Well, if you have to move to New England, you might as well go all out.

[Holly]

Well, take my advice and never buy an old house. At least not a 200 year old house.

[Kathy]

Said he forgetting who talked who into going colonial.

[Steve]

It'd be great for Howie.

[Kathy]

No, I'm afraid it's been rather lonely for him so far.

[Steve]

Why don't any of the neighbors have kids his age?

[Kathy]

Well, if they do, he hasn't met any.

[Holly]

I think that's why he's been acting so strangely. Been by himself too much.

[Kathy]

Yeah, well, school starts Monday. He'll make a whole new set of friends.

[Howie]

Mommy. Mommy.

[Kathy]

Howie. Probably having a nightmare.

[Holly]

After what he put away today, I'm not surprised.

[Kathy]

I better go up. What is it, dear? Howie? Howie, are you all right?

[Howie]

Mom?

[Kathy]

Holly, answer me, dear.

[Howie]

Mom.

[Kathy]

You're all right, dear.

[Howie]

Sure.

[Kathy]

Well, let me see your tongue.

[Howie]

Oh, Mom.

[Kathy]

Well, go back to sleep, honey. You were just having a bad dream. Do you want me to leave on the light, Mom? Yes, dear?

[Howie]

My name isn't Howie. It's Cotton.

[Kathy]

Now, Holly, I want you to stop talking like that.

[Howie]

I mean, the other time. That's when I was called Cotton.

[Kathy]

What other time, dear?

[Howie]

You know, Mom, I died a long, long time ago, but I didn't stay dead. I woke up and came.

[Steve]

Howie was pretty wound up last night, Kathy. What have you been putting in his milk?

[Kathy]

Steve, that's not the least bit funny.

[Steve]

Oh, come on. The doc gave him a clean bill of health, didn't he?

[Kathy]

It's not his health I'm worried about, sis.

[Steve]

Howie's a perfectly normal kid. All right, maybe he's a little more imaginative than most, but you should have.

[Kathy]

Seen his face last night.

[Howie]

He.

[Kathy]

He was like someone I didn't even know, like. Like somebody else's child.

[Steve]

Has he ever said anything like that before?

[Kathy]

No. Well, he did say something strange just after we moved here. I didn't think anything of it at the time, but one morning I came into his room to wake him up for breakfast. I remember he opened his eyes and he had that same faraway look, as though he didn't know quite where he was. He sat up in bed and looked around the room, and then he said, where's Nana? I asked him who Nana was, and he said that's what he called his grandmother.

[Steve]

What's so strange about that?

[Kathy]

Steve, you know, both Bob's mother and our mother died long before Howie was born.

[Steve]

I still don't think there's really anything to worry about. Well, now, he might have seen a picture of mom or Bob's mother and invented an imaginary well play.

[Kathy]

Oh, Stevie.

[Steve]

And kids do that. My advice to you is just forget about it. Don't question him about it, and don't make a big thing about.

[Kathy]

Hi, I'm back.

[Steve]

Oh, hi, Bob.

[Kathy]

Hi, honey.

[Holly]

Well, I completed my appointed rounds. Let's see now. Morning paper, cigarettes, the makings for martinis tonight.

[Kathy]

And did you get the book I wanted at the library?

[Holly]

Well, I looked for it, but it wasn't in. But while I was there, I did a little poking around in the sacks and had to sign my life away to get permission to take this out. But listen to this.

[Steve]

Middlesex County Historical Society.

[Holly]

I marked the page. Ah, listen, here we are. Marmado, Josephus. 1698. 1750. Captain, colonial militia.

[Kathy]

Captain Marmadux. Wasn't that Howie's name for his toy soldier?

[Holly]

Settled Middletown.

[Steve]

That's just a few miles from here, isn't it?

[Holly]

1715. Married Abigail Lawton.

[Steve]

Two children.

[Holly]

Ah, here. Lost his arm in shooting accident, 1745. Died in smallpox epidemic, 1750.

[Kathy]

Then there really was a Captain Marmado. How he didn't make him up after all.

[Steve]

Harm at all.

[Holly]

Hardly seems important enough to have been immortalized in leading.

[Kathy]

I know it's just a toy soldier with its arm broken off, but. Well, how could Howie give him the name of an obscure captain who died over 200 years ago? You said yourself he wouldn't have been taught about him at school.

[Steve]

What'd you say Howie said his name was last night? I mean, what did it used to be?

[Kathy]

Cotton.

[Steve]

Not a very common name.

[Holly]

Well, it was in 1750. Get Howie down here now, Bob.

[Kathy]

I don't want him upstairs.

[Holly]

I'm just going to ask him a few questions. Where is he?

[Kathy]

Well, he must be in his room. Howie?

[Howie]

Yeah?

[Kathy]

Would you come down, dear?

[Steve]

I know it sounds crazy, but I want to see if our cotton is one of the cottons in this book.

[Kathy]

Well, I'm glad you think it's funny, Steve.

[Steve]

Oh, come on, Kathy.

[Howie]

Yeah, Mom?

[Kathy]

Your father wants to ask you some questions, Howie.

[Howie]

Okay.

[Holly]

Now, Howie, I want you to answer me very carefully.

[Howie]

Okay?

[Holly]

Now tell me, what's your name?

[Howie]

Howard Prime.

[Steve]

There, you see?

[Kathy]

Your father means honey. Your. Your other name.

[Howie]

Oh, you mean before.

[Holly]

Before what, son?

[Howie]

Before I died.

[Steve]

Oh, look, I've been kidded by experts.

[Kathy]

Steve, please, please. Yes, dear. Before. What was your name then?

[Howie]

I told you. Cotton.

[Holly]

Cotton what?

[Howie]

Merryweather. Cotton Merryweather.

[Steve]

Well, a Grand old colonial name.

[Holly]

Now try to remember. Where were you born?

[Howie]

Middletown, Connecticut.

[Holly]

Here.

[Howie]

1742.

[Holly]

And when did you die?

[Bob]

Oh, brother.

[Howie]

1750 you2 can't be serious. I did too. I got the pox and died same year as my father. He died too, just before my birthday.

[Holly]

All right, son.

[Howie]

Is that all?

[Kathy]

Run along and play, dear.

[Howie]

When's lunch? I'm starving.

[Kathy]

I'll call you.

[Howie]

Okay.

[Holly]

Now let's take a look in the book that little. Merryweather. Merryweather. Merryweather, Joshua. 1809. No, that's the wrong year. Merryweather, William. 1690. This could be it. 1690. 1750.

[Kathy]

That was the year he said his father died.

[Holly]

Wife, Mary Southwick. Children? Prudence, William and Cotton.

[Kathy]

Oh, Bob.

[Holly]

Cotton Merriweather. Born 1742. Died 1750.

[Kathy]

SA. Howie.

[Howie]

Yeah?

[Kathy]

Come in here a minute, will you, dear? Now, Steve, try not to excite him.

[Steve]

Excite him? Kathy, do you realize what this means? Now, if Howie can remember, I mean really remember, all the little details of life in the 18th century, the little day to day things of living every historian in the country will beat after his door.

[Holly]

No, Steve. Kathy and I don't want this to go any further.

[Steve]

But think of the things you'll be able to tell us. He's a storehouse of information on the life of the 18th century.

[Kathy]

I don't want a walking history book for a son. I won't have him turned into some kind of a freak. I want him to grow up like a normal boy. Not some reincarnation of a child who died 200 years ago. How do you think he'll be treated by the other children if this gets around? Hi.

[Howie]

Lunch ready? I'm hungry.

[Kathy]

Lunch will be ready in a minute, dear. Howie, your father and I want to talk to you very seriously again. Now, first of all, darling, I want you to know that I believe you. We all do. I mean about your being another little boy once. Oh, Bob, it sounds so. You talk to him, Howie.

[Holly]

Howie, what your mother means is that it's perfectly all right for you to remember things since you do. But we want you to promise us that you won't tell anyone else what you remember.

[Kathy]

Look, honey, it's all right for Daddy and me and Uncle Steve to know, but other people might not understand. So we want you to promise.

[Howie]

Okay, Mom. I won't talk about it if you don't want me to.

[Holly]

Then we won't say anything more about it.

[Kathy]

Run along and wash for lunch.

[Howie]

Oh, my.

[Kathy]

Go on, scoot.

[Holly]

Well, now, I suggest that we forget about it, too.

[Kathy]

What Else can we do?

[Steve]

Say, is he supposed to be playing with this thing?

[Kathy]

Why? What is it?

[Steve]

Something he was toting around.

[Holly]

It's pretty valuable, isn't it?

[Kathy]

Oh, music box. I never saw that before.

[Holly]

It looks like an antique.

[Kathy]

It's full of old letters.

[Holly]

Probably something he found poking around in the attic.

[Kathy]

Bob, Steve, look at the date on this. 1725. And this one. 1728. 1730. Do you know how valuable these are?

[Holly]

What's that underneath? Looks like some kind of a book.

[Kathy]

Somebody's diary. There's something written here in the fly leaf. Abigail marmadux. Her diary. 1750. It covers the whole year. June, July, September. Oh, listen to this. Friday, September 4th. Lord protect us. Josephus. Down with the pox. What? That's what he died of, wasn't it? In here's a mention of somebody named Merryweather. September 6th. Crushed as I am by my own sorrow, I cannot but spare a little for poor Merry Merryweather. Losing William and Cotton. Cotton within the week. The good Lord must have his reasons for this terrible thing. But I can't make the next line out.

[Holly]

Well, now we're getting someplace. Pour through enough of that stuff and you'll probably find something about the shooting accident too.

[Steve]

What about that kid of yours? Imagine at his age reading all this stuff and a pulling a stunt like that.

[Kathy]

Oh, I. I don't know whether to hug him or spank the daylights out of him.

[Steve]

He probably found this in the attic there. Must be the house that Moo moved in when they left Middletown.

[Holly]

If I weren't so relieved, I'd be furious.

[Steve]

I think you two had better have a good long talk with son and heir. He had me going too, you know.

[Kathy]

Well, thank heaven school starts Monday. He'll be too busy to get into any more mischief. I think you're going to like this school, Howie.

[Howie]

Doesn't look like much of a school to me.

[Kathy]

Oh, you better not let your father hear you say that. He's complaining enough about what it's cost him to send you here as it is.

[Howie]

Looks more like a house than a school.

[Kathy]

Well, it's very old, dear. Children like yourself have been going here for over 200 years.

[Howie]

I don't think I'm gonna like it.

[Kathy]

Oh, Howie, how do you know you give it a chance when you've met some of the other children. You.

[Howie]

You're not coming in, are you, Mom?

[Kathy]

Well, I would like to meet your new teacher. That is, of course, if you have no objections.

[Howie]

Well, none of the other kids will have mothers.

[Kathy]

Never you mind the other kids.

[Howie]

Hey, there's Adam. Hey, Adam.

[Kathy]

Howie, you don't know that little boy.

[Howie]

Sure I do.

[Kathy]

Well, when did you meet him? You never told me.

[Howie]

You know. I'm afraid I don't know you know before now.

[Kathy]

Howie, you know what your father told you about talking that nonsense.

[Howie]

But, mom, he's my best friend.

[Kathy]

He is. No, I will your father unless you stop at this instant.

[Howie]

Hey, Cotton. Hey, Cotton.

[Kathy]

Hey. Hey, Cotton, you're too.

[Howie]

Hi, Adam.

[Kathy]

Well, they call me Peter now. Yeah, they call me Howie.

[Bob]

Theater 5 has presented they Call Me Howie, written by Hal Hackerty, produced and directed by Warren Somerville. In the cast, Elliot Reed, Evelyn Juster, stan Watt and S.S. melvin. Audio engineers Neil Paltz and Marty Folia. Sound technician, Ed Blaney. Script editor, Jack C. Wilson. Original music by Alexander Vlastotzenko Orchestra under the direction of Glenn Oss, Executive producer for theater five, Mr. Lee Bowman. We invite your comments right to theater five, New York, 23 New York. That's theater five, New York, 23 new York. This is Fred Foy speaking.

[Holly]

Foreign.

[Bob]

This has been an ABC Radio Network production.

[Narrator]

There's more from Theater five, the Horror, the Relic Radio shows and our Shoutcast stream all at the website relicradio.com. you can also find the shows on Spotify. Just search for Relic Radio Network or click on the Spotify link in one of the episodes that'll take you there. If you'd like to help support Relic Radio, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of the links on the website. Your support makes it all happen. Thanks to those who have helped out. Thanks for joining me this week. I'll be back tomorrow with Strange Tales and next Saturday with our next episode of the Horror.