Suspense and Horror – Retro Radio Podcast

Told by Ernest Chapel as a character named Adam. He is basically a homeless guy who found shelter in a warehouse basement. When he woke, his world as he knew it had been blown off the map. He tells it as he sees it, from his vantage point as a mostly uneducated, common man. How did it happen? Why? He doesn’t know, only that it did. Chicago, and as far as he knows, all other cities like it are flattened. Adam soon finds he isn’t the only survivor. A professor fills in some of the technical points of the nuclear holocaust, and mutant fish, swimming in nearby bodies of water. The atmosphere has been burned away, and if there are any survivors else where, where are they? What direction should they travel? How long would they last with the residual atomic fallout, and radiartion in the rapidly cooling atmosphere? The doc has taken chances he probably shouldn’t have, but encourages Adam, and another survivor, Emily to stay put, and thrive as they do their part in repopulating a dying planet. Is there any bright side to the hopeless future? Adam paints the bleak picture. Bonus Track * Keith compares this end of time, post-apocalyptic story to others that are in the genre, and how different ones, from different eras in time present such a future differently. . He also comments on the way they make a social statement more about the society at the time they were written, than any literal end to the world. * Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman – In the Cool Cool Cool of the Evening.

Told by Ernest Chapel as a character named Adam. He is basically a homeless guy who found shelter in a warehouse basement. When he woke, his world as he knew it had been blown off the map. He tells it as he sees it, from his vantage point as a mostly uneducated, common man. How did it happen? Why? He doesn't know, only that it did. Chicago, and as far as he knows, all other cities like it are flattened. Adam soon finds he isn't the only survivor. A professor fills in some of the technical points of the nuclear holocaust, and mutant fish, swimming in nearby bodies of water. The atmosphere has been burned away, and if there are any survivors else where, where are they? What direction should they travel? How long would they last with the residual atomic fallout, and radiartion in the rapidly cooling atmosphere? The doc has taken chances he probably shouldn't have, but encourages Adam, and another survivor, Emily to stay put, and thrive as they do their part in repopulating a dying planet. Is there any bright side to the hopeless future? Adam paints the bleak picture. Bonus Track * Keith compares this end of time, post-apocalyptic story to others that are in the genre, and how different ones, from different eras in time present such a future differently. . He also comments on the way they make a social statement more about the society at the time they were written, than any literal end to the world. * Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman - In the Cool Cool Cool of the Evening.

Set in an earlier time, we join a psychological drama of Sam Jones. The state executioner contemplates his own demise, but what has he done wrong? In flashback, Sam recounts his career of hundreds of hangings. Secrecy veils the job, and even the hangman’s wife is unaware of her husband’s business. Gossip brings the news to Helen, and Sam is forced to admit to her, with much description, all about the morbid job that he has come to love. He loves everything about it. The stumbling up the steps, the cries of the doomed, the sound of money in his pocket. Not able to come to grips with the news, his wife leads him. The eager executioner even read newspapers for accounts of crimes where his services would be called for. Who would the courts send his way next? If it was the courts who condemned the man, why is Sam so concerned over being caught? Who is pursuing him, and why? Has he been caught tampering with evidence? Who was the innocent man that was killed at his hand?

Set in an earlier time, we join a psychological drama of Sam Jones. The state executioner contemplates his own demise, but what has he done wrong? In flashback, Sam recounts his career of hundreds of hangings. Secrecy veils the job, and even the hangman's wife is unaware of her husband's business. Gossip brings the news to Helen, and Sam is forced to admit to her, with much description, all about the morbid job that he has come to love. He loves everything about it. The stumbling up the steps, the cries of the doomed, the sound of money in his pocket. Not able to come to grips with the news, his wife leads him. The eager executioner even read newspapers for accounts of crimes where his services would be called for. Who would the courts send his way next? If it was the courts who condemned the man, why is Sam so concerned over being caught? Who is pursuing him, and why? Has he been caught tampering with evidence? Who was the innocent man that was killed at his hand?

John Prentice has had a dream that he’ll be killed. There’s nothing to such premonitions… are there? When a tough sounding voice phones, claiming to be a hit man, John turns down the chance to pay money to call off the hit. Has he done the right thing? Will the cops be able to help? More nightmares, and John now knows where, and how he’ll die. He organizes his financial affairs. That disembodied, gruff voice calls again with more threats that match the dreams. How does he know about the dreams… or are the dreams true and not just superstition? Is there a rift between John and his business partner that has ended in hiring the hit man? John’s daughter Eva,, and her fiancee Clyde take it upon themselves to do their own investigating. When Jon has disappeared, despite being guarded by cops,. Secrets are exposed, a murder is averted, but wait. The Whistler has one more twist to seal the deal for justice.

John Prentice has had a dream that he’ll be killed. There’s nothing to such premonitions… are there? When a tough sounding voice phones, claiming to be a hit man, John turns down the chance to pay money to call off the hit. Has he done the right thing? Will the cops be able to help? More nightmares, and John now knows where, and how he’ll die. He organizes his financial affairs. That disembodied, gruff voice calls again with more threats that match the dreams. How does he know about the dreams… or are the dreams true and not just superstition? Is there a rift between John and his business partner that has ended in hiring the hit man? John’s daughter Eva,, and her fiancee Clyde take it upon themselves to do their own investigating. When Jon has disappeared, despite being guarded by cops,. Secrets are exposed, a murder is averted, but wait. The Whistler has one more twist to seal the deal for justice.

A marriage is on the rocks. He feels unfulfilled at providing, giving, and catering to his talkative wife’s whims. Gossip, and frivolous house keeping details have become a burdensome drag on his mind. The only reason he hasn’t taken the step to murder her is he knows it would require an elaborate plan, and everybody knows that the downfall of murderers is the well constructed plan falls apart on them. While helping with the dishes, the inspiration crashes down onto him, with the same suddenness he drops the favorite piece of china from the dinner set. Her own words seal her doom. Her demise will be so simple, so natural as to be easily taken for an accident. The deed is done, and all he has to do is go about his typical day at work, and wait for her body to be discovered by the maid. The phone call will come in that tragedy has struck, and all he has to do is stay calm, and react with the appropriate shock at hearing the loss of his bride. But the call never comes. Nervousness and abnormal tension strain his typical relationships with co-workers. Composure nearly cracks when the phone message arrives, but it’s not about a death, but to say his wife is alive, well, and at a bridge game with her friends. Barely able to restrain himself, and drawing the kind of attention he needs to avoid from everyone in his daily circle, he races home. Is his wife dead, or not? Has he blown his simple plan by his nervous behavior? He learns the twist the Whistler has known all along… or at least part of it. Stay tuned, and you’ll learn an extra twist that ensures not only justice, but poetic justice as well. Features Elliot Lewis, and Be Benederet. Bonus Track * Keith talks about the manner of twist endings used in today’s episode, and other similar endings that the Whistler often has. We also take time to thank several listeners for hitting the like button lately. * Andrews Sisters and the Les Paul Trio 1946 Rumors Are Flying

A marriage is on the rocks. He feels unfulfilled at providing, giving, and catering to his talkative wife’s whims. Gossip, and frivolous house keeping details have become a burdensome drag on his mind. The only reason he hasn’t taken the step to murder her is he knows it would require an elaborate plan, and everybody knows that the downfall of murderers is the well constructed plan falls apart on them. While helping with the dishes, the inspiration crashes down onto him, with the same suddenness he drops the favorite piece of china from the dinner set. Her own words seal her doom. Her demise will be so simple, so natural as to be easily taken for an accident. The deed is done, and all he has to do is go about his typical day at work, and wait for her body to be discovered by the maid. The phone call will come in that tragedy has struck, and all he has to do is stay calm, and react with the appropriate shock at hearing the loss of his bride. But the call never comes. Nervousness and abnormal tension strain his typical relationships with co-workers. Composure nearly cracks when the phone message arrives, but it’s not about a death, but to say his wife is alive, well, and at a bridge game with her friends. Barely able to restrain himself, and drawing the kind of attention he needs to avoid from everyone in his daily circle, he races home. Is his wife dead, or not? Has he blown his simple plan by his nervous behavior? He learns the twist the Whistler has known all along… or at least part of it. Stay tuned, and you’ll learn an extra twist that ensures not only justice, but poetic justice as well. Features Elliot Lewis, and Be Benederet. Bonus Track * Keith talks about the manner of twist endings used in today’s episode, and other similar endings that the Whistler often has. We also take time to thank several listeners for hitting the like button lately. * Andrews Sisters and the Les Paul Trio 1946 Rumors Are Flying

A dark and stormy night, a screen, and a kidnapper steals away his latest victim. Robberies, burglaries, and disappearances have Margot Lane in a panic as she recounts newspaper reports of the crimes to her boss, Lamonte Cranston. Upscale residents sell their homes. House servants resign from their employers. But what does an old map from 1894 have to do with the reign of terror? Lamonte thinks he knows, but it’s going to take some help from the Shadow. What is the meaning of this dastardly riddle? Tapping his way through the underworld in the map, the Shadow confirms what he suspects. When Margot Lane goes to help Lamonte descend to the underworld caverns, she slips, and falls into the darkness. Meanwhile, in a tunnel under the city, trapped victims who have disappeared are distraught, and hold little hope of rescue. The Creeper reveals himself to Margot, and takes her to join the rest of his captives. To prevent further enslaving, the Shadow uses his power to cloud men’s minds and assure the Creeper his crimes have found him out. Will the desperate Creeper harm Margot, or the others, to stop the Shadow? The race is on to intervene with the crazed, lonely, and injured Creeper from using dynamite to seal his fate, and the rest of his victims. The fuse is lit, the dynamite explodes, and… Margot is surprised to hear of the demise of the Shadow. But is it an unfounded report. Bonus Tracks * Keith gives a few shout outs, after reading a short article to sum up the origin of the Shadow stories. The article can be found at ThePulp.net – The Shadow. * Abbott and Costello, 1944 Peter Lorre’s Sanitarium

A dark and stormy night, a screen, and a kidnapper steals away his latest victim. Robberies, burglaries, and disappearances have Margot Lane in a panic as she recounts newspaper reports of the crimes to her boss, Lamonte Cranston. Upscale residents sell their homes. House servants resign from their employers. But what does an old map from 1894 have to do with the reign of terror? Lamonte thinks he knows, but it’s going to take some help from the Shadow. What is the meaning of this dastardly riddle? Tapping his way through the underworld in the map, the Shadow confirms what he suspects. When Margot Lane goes to help Lamonte descend to the underworld caverns, she slips, and falls into the darkness. Meanwhile, in a tunnel under the city, trapped victims who have disappeared are distraught, and hold little hope of rescue. The Creeper reveals himself to Margot, and takes her to join the rest of his captives. To prevent further enslaving, the Shadow uses his power to cloud men’s minds and assure the Creeper his crimes have found him out. Will the desperate Creeper harm Margot, or the others, to stop the Shadow? The race is on to intervene with the crazed, lonely, and injured Creeper from using dynamite to seal his fate, and the rest of his victims. The fuse is lit, the dynamite explodes, and… Margot is surprised to hear of the demise of the Shadow. But is it an unfounded report. Bonus Tracks * Keith gives a few shout outs, after reading a short article to sum up the origin of the Shadow stories. The article can be found at ThePulp.net – The Shadow. * Abbott and Costello, 1944 Peter Lorre’s Sanitarium

Enjoy this short, spooky classic, likely from an LP record produced well after the 1937 air date. In the space of an hour, a tiny piece of flesh has grown out of proportion. Emergency crews flood the streets. As the attacking heart explodes out of control, courts convene, and a flashback recounts how it all began. Has it really started with a simple chicken heart? Exponential growth of the beating heart is unstoppable by water, or fire of gunshots, absorbing all in its path. . No military weapon, air craft, or poison gas can make it stop growing. The heart beat goes on as humanity seems doomed.

Enjoy this short, spooky classic, likely from an LP record produced well after the 1937 air date. In the space of an hour, a tiny piece of flesh has grown out of proportion. Emergency crews flood the streets. As the attacking heart explodes out of control, courts convene, and a flashback recounts how it all began. Has it really started with a simple chicken heart? Exponential growth of the beating heart is unstoppable by water, or fire of gunshots, absorbing all in its path. . No military weapon, air craft, or poison gas can make it stop growing. The heart beat goes on as humanity seems doomed.

A terrible feeling of foreboding strikes Nita. Does fate hold a danger for young Tom? Jacob is a surgeon who would love nothing more than to have his son Tom return to medical school. Why can’t he be like his nephew Harvey, stick to his studies, and be on the fast track for life as a doctor? Harvey has his own frustrations. He wants to marry Nita as well. Will he be able to sweep her off her feet, and make her forget Tom? Will Jacob do any better when he makes his own proposition to Nita to leave his son alone? She and Tom prove its not about money when they race off to elope. In the murky night, Tom crashes his airplane. A phone call finds both Harvey and Jacob responding. Tom recovers, but when he learns Nita has died, he blames his father. Is he right to have suspicions? Could Jacob actually be so cold hearted? Was Harvey as clueless as he let on in giving treatment? The Whistler has the twist ending and answer ready.

A terrible feeling of foreboding strikes Nita. Does fate hold a danger for young Tom? Jacob is a surgeon who would love nothing more than to have his son Tom return to medical school. Why can’t he be like his nephew Harvey, stick to his studies, and be on the fast track for life as a doctor? Harvey has his own frustrations. He wants to marry Nita as well. Will he be able to sweep her off her feet, and make her forget Tom? Will Jacob do any better when he makes his own proposition to Nita to leave his son alone? She and Tom prove its not about money when they race off to elope. In the murky night, Tom crashes his airplane. A phone call finds both Harvey and Jacob responding. Tom recovers, but when he learns Nita has died, he blames his father. Is he right to have suspicions? Could Jacob actually be so cold hearted? Was Harvey as clueless as he let on in giving treatment? The Whistler has the twist ending and answer ready.

A tyrant, and commandant of what amounts to an island prison, enjoys the life of comfort and ease. He talks with Marina about the possibility of being replaced soon, and having to give up his reign over the prisoners who act as his personal servants. Yacov is not looking forward to losing his cushy position to return to the mundane life in the bureaucracy at large. A ship sails his way, but an accident… that happened on purpose… causes it to sink. Lifeboats are manned, but all aboard are said to have gone down with the ship. Is the commandant still safe in his position? Apparently not, when his successor has swam the distance from the open sea, quite well, and invigorated. The subtle power struggle continues as pretenses are made to show the newcomer around. How far will Yacov go to ensure his position is secure? Might his best laid plans back fire on him in this island power struggle?