Lights Out - Murder Castle

In the Lights Out episode "Murder Castle," Joseph Kearns stars as a prosperous gentleman, who makes a practice of placing employment ads for young woman.

This episode is based on the true story of serial killer H. H. Holmes and his "murder castle" located in Chicago in the 1890's. How many people he killed in his bizarre home is unknown. You can read more about Holmes and his pattern of swindling and murdering women for money in the December 1943 issue of Harper's Magazine.  It is also reported that Holmes' spirit, and those of his victims, still haunt the location of the castle, though the building is gone.

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As the episode opens, the police have picked up a young woman muttering one word over and over again...revenge, revenge, revenge...

What could have driven her out of her mind?

Another young woman, named Ella Malone, knocks on the door of the home of Henry Stewart. She is there in response to his advertisement for a new secretary. Her experience appears satisfactory, and he hires her for the job. She gives him the money to be used for a surety bond, and he gives her a receipt.

Then, he shows her the rest of his very unusual, self-designed house....

"Murder Castle" was written/produced by Arch Oboler. Joseph Kearns starred as Henry Stewart. Also appearing were Mercedes McCambridge and Gladys Holland. The names of the other performers are not given.

Download Lights Out - 1938-02-16_Murder Castle

This episode was performed a second time on August 3, 1943. All  recordings of this show are the same; therrefore, I  don't know if the episode starring Joseph Kearns is from  1938 or 1943. If you know, please leave a comment.  Thanks!

(Image of the real "Murder Castle" in Chicago, Illinois)

Comments

[Kay Lhota]

I'm no expert, but I believe that this is the 1943 broadcast, performed at CBS. The earlier NBC Chicago-based "Lights Out" programs have a different sound, and the gong that punctuates the drama is higher in tone. I've listened to many Arch Oboler dramas and he often reused scripts, which has made for a lot of confusion and misdated recordings. The yeast tablet commercial in the middle of this drama with the wartime reference and announced by Frank Martin makes me positive that this is from 1943.

[Daryl]

Good episode. I've never been a huge fan of Lights Out but I have read a bit on HHH Holmes, a truly bizarre individual. Surprising he isnt known more these days.
All in all, well worth the time and effort.

[Mike Newton]

Why don't you post the Chicken Heart episode which was on the Drop Dead LP that came out in the Sixties? You could also post the Bill Cosby routine where he talks about listening to Lights Out on radio. That really is funny and because of that, more people became familiar with Lights Out. Anybody who listened to scary programs on radio back then can identify with Cosby.

[cmillinsf]

Hi Mike,
I did! Back in 2008, I posted both of those.
http://www.escape-suspense.com/2008/12/bill-cosby-and-lights-out.html
Classic stuff!
Thanks,
Christine