- 2 months ago
- #horror
- #supernatural
Lights Out is an American old-time radio program devoted mostly to #horror and the #supernatural.
Created by Wyllis Cooper and then eventually taken over by Arch Oboler, versions of Lights Out aired on different networks, at various times, from January 3, 1934 to the summer of 1947 and the series eventually made the transition to television. Lights Out was one of the earliest radio horror programs, predating Suspense and Inner Sanctum, and was the first to gain a large following.
Created by Wyllis Cooper and then eventually taken over by Arch Oboler, versions of Lights Out aired on different networks, at various times, from January 3, 1934 to the summer of 1947 and the series eventually made the transition to television. Lights Out was one of the earliest radio horror programs, predating Suspense and Inner Sanctum, and was the first to gain a large following.
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00:00Ionized Yeast presents, Lights Out, Everybody.
00:11It is later than you think.
00:23Lights Out brings you stories of the supernatural and the supernormal, dramatizing the fantasies
00:36and the terrors of the unknown.
00:39We tell you this frankly, so if you wish to avoid the excitement and tension of these
00:45imaginatively plays, we urge you, calmly but sincerely, to turn off your radio now.
01:00My name, Arch Obler.
01:02Bon Voyage is the title of tonight's story.
01:05In other words, a good journey.
01:08Remember back in the days when one could go vacationing on shipboard?
01:12Well, those were the days when two old women began this most amazing Bon Voyage.
01:18Tonight I'm very curious to see if you'll really feel as I do about the events to unfold in
01:23this extremely strange, uh, travelogue.
01:27So, turn off your lights and listen.
01:29Now, are you sure the trunk is tied on securely, Mr. Cab Driver?
01:42Yes, I'm good and tight.
01:44Ask him if he's absolutely sure, Julia.
01:47Are you absolutely sure, Mr. Cab Driver?
01:49Lady, so help me.
01:50If that trunk falls off, I'll give him a cab.
01:52Now, just a minute, young man.
01:53Is that your attitude?
01:54Let me warn you, my sister and I can always take another cab.
01:57A thousand.
01:58Lady, so help me.
01:59I ain't taking any attitude.
02:00Believe me, the trunk's tied on tight.
02:02You want to get to the dock in time?
02:04Time to drive slowly, Julia.
02:05All right, Emma, get in.
02:06Now, drive slowly, young man.
02:08Yes, ma'am.
02:12They might at least have come up to say goodbye.
02:15Now, Sister Emma, you know mighty well they're jealous of us.
02:19Every one of them.
02:20It's our cross and we must bear it.
02:22Mrs. McDonald.
02:23Mrs. McDonald is just like the rest of them in that house.
02:26She takes our rent each week.
02:28But she's as jealous as any of them.
02:30Young man, drive slowly or we leave your cab.
02:32Yes.
02:33Never should have stayed there.
02:34I told you that 15 years ago, when we first moved in.
02:38I remember distinctly saying,
02:39Emma, we shouldn't stay in a boarding house where there isn't a solitary soul above the status of a traits person.
02:46You remember I said that?
02:47Ask him if we'll get to the dock in plenty of time.
02:49Young man, we won't be late now, will we?
02:51I'll get you there, lady.
02:52Sir, help me.
02:53Well, see that you do.
02:56Beneath us.
02:57There's no doubt about it, Sister Emma.
02:59Everyone's always been jealous of us.
03:01No doubt about it.
03:02The sea air should be good for our trouble.
03:09Don't talk about it.
03:10He can't hear us driving.
03:12No, I suppose he can't.
03:14It's been 20 years.
03:18Oh, why should we think about it?
03:20The sea air will blow it away.
03:21Ask him if we're almost there.
03:25Young man, how much further?
03:27Practically there, ma'am.
03:28We've got plenty of time.
03:30It's half hour to midnight.
03:31I'll see to it that we get there in time or you'll regret it.
03:36Failing at midnight.
03:37I don't like it.
03:38Don't talk like that.
03:40It was the only time.
03:44We're slowing up.
03:46Ask him what's the matter.
03:47Young man, what's the trouble?
03:49No trouble at all, ma'am.
03:50We're at the dock.
03:51See, Earl, make me stop dreaming those dreams, don't you think so, Sister Julia?
03:56Hell, you don't talk about it.
03:58Here you are, ladies.
04:00Got to hear him plenty of time.
04:01Ask him if it's the right dock.
04:03Sure it is, lady.
04:04Dock 11.
04:05Hey, should I take your trunk off?
04:06No, no.
04:07No, charge extra for that.
04:09And there'll be someone from the steamship company to do that.
04:12What's your fare?
04:13There it is on the meter, ma'am.
04:14A dollar and a quarter.
04:16Here's a dollar.
04:17A dollar and a quarter, ma'am.
04:19You can see for yourself.
04:20The meter, the meter.
04:21I don't care what the meter says.
04:23It took much less time than I thought.
04:24But, lady...
04:25I don't want to hear any more about it.
04:27Come, Emma.
04:27Yeah.
04:28Now, lady, be...
04:29Stand to one side, driver.
04:30Let us out.
04:31Now, lady, if the meter reads a dollar and a quarter, I've got to collect a dollar and a quarter.
04:34Not another word.
04:35Question the trunk, fasten the trunk there and go about your business.
04:38But, lady, I got...
04:39Oh, I give up what to do.
04:41Are you sure it's the right dock, Sister Julia?
04:44Of course it is.
04:45See?
04:45Dock 11.
04:46Oh.
04:47What it says on the tickets.
04:48There's your trunk.
04:49Come voyage to both of you.
04:52Impudence, scoundrel.
04:54Left our trunk lying right there in the street.
04:56Save money, anyhow.
04:58Get one of the ship's people to put it on.
05:01No one around.
05:02Oh, strange.
05:04Everything's so quiet.
05:06And just before sailing time...
05:08There's a sailor.
05:09Ask him to take our trunk aboard.
05:11Mr. Sailor.
05:13Mr. Sailor.
05:13He hears you.
05:14You calling me, lady?
05:16Ask him if he's connected with the ship.
05:18Are you connected with the ship?
05:19Yes.
05:20You want to go on board?
05:21We certainly do.
05:23Julia, look.
05:26People.
05:27Where did they...
05:28One minute there was nobody.
05:30And now so many people getting on board.
05:33Julia, ask him...
05:34I got your trunk.
05:35This way to the gangplank.
05:37Yes, yes, of course.
05:38Come, Sister Emma.
05:39You don't have to tip on the thing, Sister Julia.
05:42Part of the service weekend.
05:43I know, I know.
05:44This way to the gangplank, lady.
05:46Oh, got your tickets ready, Sister Julia?
05:47I got them, I got them.
05:49Walk quickly.
05:50Don't want to lose sight of that man with our trunk.
05:52This way, ladies.
05:53Boats are crowded.
05:55So many people.
05:56Nobody seems to want to look at our tickets.
05:58Oh, well, that's all right, too.
06:01Come ahead, Emma.
06:07Your cabin, lady.
06:08Ask him if it's the right one, Julia.
06:10Now, are you sure it's the right one, sailor?
06:13Your trunk's inside, ladies.
06:14All ship-shape.
06:16Very well.
06:17Come ahead, Emma.
06:17All right.
06:19Now, you don't have to tip him anything, Julia.
06:21It isn't necessary at all.
06:24Well, there isn't much of a cabin.
06:27Much smaller than they told us.
06:29I'll speak to the captain.
06:30Oh, not now.
06:30Not now.
06:31After we sail.
06:32Don't leave me alone in this place.
06:33Now, Emma.
06:34Now, don't now, Emma, me.
06:36You got the same thoughts.
06:38Don't talk about it.
06:39The air, sea air will do us both good that way now, won't it?
06:42Don't talk about it.
06:47There, we're starting.
06:48Yeah.
06:48I'm going out to see us start.
06:56No.
06:56No, wait for me.
07:00Here, Emma.
07:01By the rail.
07:01They've taken down the gangplank already.
07:03I see.
07:04I see.
07:04That means we're freed of the land and everything on it, doesn't it, Emma?
07:08Don't talk about it.
07:09Isn't it enough that for 20 years...
07:11We're starting.
07:16Ship's moving.
07:18How fast the dock and all the people on it are fading away.
07:22Yes.
07:22Yes.
07:23They're almost out of sight.
07:25Julia.
07:26What?
07:27Did you notice all those people on the shore?
07:30Hmm?
07:30They were waving handkerchiefs, but...
07:33But they were crying.
07:35Sister Julia.
07:48What?
07:49The time.
07:50What time is it?
07:52I don't know.
07:53Reach over and turn on the light.
07:54Ship's rolling so badly.
07:56Oh, there.
07:5920 minutes after two.
08:02The longest night.
08:03I haven't been able to sleep a wink.
08:06Why does the ship have to go so fast?
08:08That's all right.
08:09Taking us away from the cursed land.
08:11Stop saying that.
08:12Strange how for 20 years a face can come to one in the night.
08:16Stop, I tell you.
08:17I'm going up on deck.
08:18Oh, no.
08:19Don't leave me here.
08:20I'll go with you.
08:21Come ahead.
08:22Come ahead.
08:22But keep your mouth closed.
08:23Are you going to get dressed?
08:24No.
08:25No.
08:25Just a coat.
08:26Find my slippers.
08:28Might be cold.
08:29Then stay here.
08:30No.
08:30No.
08:30I'll go with you.
08:31I got my coat all ready.
08:33Don't leave me.
08:34Come ahead.
08:37So quiet.
08:40Those might have...
08:41Must be the end.
08:42Shh.
08:43Everyone's asleep.
08:45It's good to be getting away from the land.
08:48Here.
08:49Up these stairs.
08:50Huh?
08:51Well, can't you see the sign?
08:52Promenade deck?
08:53Oh.
08:54Oh, yes.
08:55The deck.
08:56That'll be nice.
08:57And now, don't fall.
08:59Don't fall.
08:59Don't fall.
09:03I think we should go out there this time of night, sister Julia.
09:14Do you like the cabin any better?
09:16No, you were as much to blame as I.
09:18The blood.
09:19You said...
09:20Stop it.
09:20Stop it.
09:21Come out here.
09:25The wind...
09:26You wanted to come out here.
09:27Where...
09:28Where will we walk?
09:29Where does one walk on shipboard?
09:31Come.
09:35They drive the ship so fast.
09:37It's frightening.
09:38Then go below.
09:39No.
09:41Julia.
09:42Walk faster.
09:43I want to keep walking.
09:44Julia.
09:45But what is it?
09:45We've been all around the deck.
09:47Well?
09:48And we haven't seen anyone.
09:50It's the middle of the night.
09:51But no one...
09:52What do you expect at three in the morning?
09:53A brass band?
09:54There should be someone.
09:56Go down to the room.
09:57Julia.
09:58Did you hear that?
10:01Nothing but the wind.
10:02No.
10:03Something else.
10:07Nothing.
10:10Julia.
10:12What's the matter?
10:13Over the side of the ship.
10:16Huh?
10:17A hand.
10:19No.
10:20No, it isn't.
10:22Oh, Julia.
10:22Come back.
10:23Come back.
10:24No.
10:25No.
10:26No, you're crazy.
10:26There's nothing.
10:27But I saw.
10:28I went to the rail.
10:29There was nothing.
10:30Oh, we shouldn't have killed him, Julia.
10:32Oh, we know.
10:33If I talk about it, maybe I'll find a little rest from the crazy thoughts that have been
10:37in my head for 20 years.
10:38Stop talking.
10:39Stop, you fool.
10:40Ever since that night, Julia, they've been tearing at me.
10:43Crazy talk.
10:44You're a fool.
10:45A fool.
10:45Not such a fool.
10:46The thought of it's made you an old woman.
10:48I'm all right.
10:49You too, Julia.
10:50All these years, you've been afraid, too.
10:53Will you ever stop talking?
10:54At night, sometimes I hear you cry out in your sleep.
10:57No, I don't.
10:58You do, Julia.
10:58You do.
10:59You do in fear of him.
11:01Here?
11:02Why should I be frightened?
11:03You helped me carry him down the steps to the basement, Julia, remember?
11:06Stop it.
11:08I'm not afraid.
11:09His bones, they're dust by now.
11:12Worms took care of that.
11:13You are frightened.
11:14You are.
11:15Tell me that you are.
11:16You know you are.
11:16No, no, no.
11:17No, get away from me and stop talking to me.
11:19Nothing to be frightened of.
11:21We're miles at sea.
11:22Water between us and the land.
11:24Miles between us and where we buried him.
11:26Why should I be afraid of something dead for 20 years?
11:29I'm not afraid.
11:30I'm not the...
11:32What?
11:35What?
11:36What?
11:37Look!
11:39His face!
11:41His face in the sky!
11:44Faster, Emma.
11:53Walk faster.
11:54This?
11:55Is this the right car?
11:56Oh, get out of my way.
11:58Cabin.
11:59Got to get to the cabin.
12:00Close the door.
12:00Lock it.
12:01Yes, yes, lock it.
12:02Can't hurt us if we're behind a locked door.
12:04It wasn't locked before.
12:05Oh, but that isn't our cabin, Julia.
12:07What are you talking about?
12:08Of course it is.
12:08No.
12:09I tell you it is.
12:10Julia, no.
12:11No.
12:11This cabin.
12:12Here.
12:13Oh, it's locked, too.
12:15Got to get in.
12:16Got to get inside.
12:18Stuart, let me in my cabin.
12:20Oh, no.
12:20No, you'll wake everyone up.
12:21Stuart, come here and let me in my cabin.
12:23Julia, no.
12:24Stuart!
12:28No one...
12:29No one heard you.
12:31I'll make someone hear me.
12:33Let me in.
12:34I'll try another door.
12:36Let me in.
12:36Please let me in.
12:38Let me in.
12:39Wake up somebody.
12:40Let me in.
12:41Oh, please open the door.
12:42Oh, open the door.
12:43Please open the door.
12:44Wake up somebody and let me in.
12:46Oh, let me in.
12:47Open the door, please.
12:48Wake up somebody and let me in, I say.
12:50Open the door.
12:51Julia.
12:52Julia.
12:52Let me in, I say.
12:53Stop.
12:53It's no use.
12:55What?
12:56What do you mean?
12:57They'll never answer us.
12:59Huh?
12:59Why?
13:00They found out about him.
13:02You're crazy.
13:03Come on.
13:04The next deck.
13:05Find someone to let us in our cabin.
13:07Stuart.
13:08Stuart.
13:08No.
13:08Don't leave me.
13:09Wait for me, Julia.
13:10Stuart.
13:10Somebody.
13:11Somebody wake up.
13:12I want to get in my cabin.
13:13Oh, Julia.
13:14Sister Julia.
13:15Wait.
13:16They've got to answer me.
13:17Look.
13:18That room.
13:19It says Chief Stuart.
13:21I'll show him not to answer me.
13:23I'll show him.
13:24Julia.
13:25What?
13:27Empty.
13:29And this one empty.
13:31And this one's empty too.
13:33Oh, Sister Julia.
13:34What?
13:34What have you found?
13:35Sister Julia.
13:36Stop waving your hands at me.
13:37Talk.
13:38The ship.
13:38Teary-tearing through the night.
13:40Oh, don't you understand?
13:42We're alone.
13:43We're alone.
13:53It...
13:53It doesn't seem possible.
13:56We've been all over the ship.
13:58But what...
13:59What makes it go?
14:01Oh, stop, you fool.
14:02Stop.
14:02Stop.
14:03Trying to drive me crazy as you are.
14:05I can't stand it out here.
14:07Walls closing in on me.
14:09I'm going out.
14:10No, no.
14:10Stay here.
14:11Oh, no.
14:11Let me go.
14:12Let me go.
14:12No, no, no.
14:13You won't go on deck.
14:14You won't go on deck.
14:15And Lou, you won't leave me.
14:16Oh, I've got to get out of here.
14:17Get out of there.
14:18Oh, I'm not frightened.
14:19I didn't see his face.
14:21You did.
14:22Stay here or I'll choke the tongue out of my neck.
14:26That's the way you killed Ip.
14:28That's the way.
14:28No.
14:29No, you killed him.
14:30You.
14:31I only held his neck.
14:32Your hand was on the knife.
14:34You stabbed him again.
14:35No.
14:35And again.
14:36And again.
14:36No, no.
14:37I'll go up there.
14:38I'll go up there.
14:39Emma.
14:40Emma, come back.
14:41Not on deck.
14:42Don't leave me.
14:43Don't leave me.
14:44Emma.
14:45Emma, come back.
14:46Don't leave me.
14:47Emma, where are you?
14:50Emma.
14:50Emma, where are you?
14:52I admit it.
14:53I am afraid.
14:54I am afraid, Emma.
14:56Emma, where are you?
14:57It's so dark out here.
14:59All these years we've been together, you can't run off and leave me now when I tell you I'm afraid.
15:03Emma.
15:04Oh, Emma.
15:05Emma, you're afraid.
15:05Go away.
15:07Emma.
15:07Emma, we've got to be together.
15:08Don't lie there on the deck.
15:09Get up.
15:10We've got to stay together the way we always had.
15:12Oh, you talked me into killing him.
15:15You did.
15:16So I did.
15:16So I did.
15:17But you and I have got to stay together, I tell you, until we get off this horrible ship.
15:21Listen, Emma.
15:23A ship can't go without men making it go.
15:26But we've been on every deck, and there's no one, only him.
15:30Him, him, you insane fool.
15:32How many times must I tell you he's dead and dust?
15:34But you saw his face.
15:35Imagination, nothing more.
15:38The night's so black.
15:40I admit, I'm frightened.
15:41Of course, I'd see the thing I didn't want to see.
15:44But how could the ship?
15:45Listen, and I'll tell you.
15:47A great ocean liner like this one, there are men in the engine room, and men on the bridge.
15:52What if there aren't any passengers?
15:54It just means we got on the wrong boat.
15:56But no one.
15:56I tell you, there is someone.
15:58Someone up there on the bridge steering the ship.
16:01If there was no steering, we'd go in circles.
16:04Look.
16:04See how straight through the waves we're going?
16:06There's no one.
16:07Come up to the bridge, and I'll show you.
16:10There's a man up there steering this boat.
16:12A man of flesh and blood.
16:14There must be.
16:15There must be.
16:25I'm afraid to climb.
16:26Come here.
16:27But how can you know?
16:28A man must steer this ship.
16:30If there's no one there.
16:33Oh, it's so dark.
16:35I can't see.
16:36Yes.
16:37This is up where the steering thing should be.
16:39No, I'm afraid.
16:41In there.
16:42The wheelhouse, they call it.
16:43Yes, that's it.
16:44There's windows around it.
16:46You see someone in there?
16:47A wheel?
16:48No, no, no.
16:49There must be someone there.
16:50Come close, Emma.
16:51Look.
16:52Windows covered with mist.
16:53Look in there, Emma.
16:54Your eyes are better than mine.
16:55Tell me there's someone steering.
16:57No, no.
16:58Oh, no, no.
16:59Get out of the way.
17:00Let me post to the window.
17:02I'll see.
17:04Ah.
17:06Steering wheel.
17:07Emma.
17:08We are alone.
17:09I told you.
17:10I told you.
17:11No.
17:11No.
17:12No, stop the ship.
17:13Stop.
17:14Where are you taking me?
17:15Stop.
17:16No use, Emma.
17:17No use.
17:18Jada for our sin.
17:20The ship won't stop.
17:21Until we confess.
17:22I confess.
17:23Yes, I confess.
17:25I killed him.
17:25Then we killed a man.
17:26For his money.
17:2720 years ago.
17:28We did it together.
17:29We needed money.
17:29We needed money.
17:30He had so much.
17:31Jabbed him.
17:32I did.
17:33Cut him up.
17:33And we buried him in the basement.
17:35And no one ever knew.
17:36There.
17:37Confessed.
17:38Now stop.
17:39Stop.
17:39Stop.
17:39Stop.
17:39Stop.
17:40Stop.
17:40Stop.
17:40Stop.
17:40Stop.
17:40Stop.
17:44Stop.
17:46Emma.
17:47You heard it.
17:48The whistle.
17:48Someone is aboard.
17:49Yes.
17:49Who?
17:50I am.
17:51Ah.
17:51A sailor.
17:53You.
17:54The man who took us on this ship.
17:55The same, madam.
17:57You.
17:57Who are you?
17:58The captain of the ship, madam.
17:59Captain.
18:00Captain?
18:01My unfortunate pleasure, madam.
18:03What?
18:03Where?
18:04If you will excuse me, madam, I must go in there.
18:08It is time to take the wheel.
18:10But there's no one.
18:11How could the ship?
18:12You will excuse me.
18:14It is time.
18:14You've got to tell us.
18:16You will step into the wheelhouse.
18:18This way.
18:22I will set the course.
18:24You've got to tell us.
18:25Yes.
18:26What is this ship?
18:27Where is everyone?
18:28Then why did you bring us here?
18:29North by east.
18:31Aye.
18:32That's the course.
18:33Will you answer me?
18:34Julia, make him tell us.
18:36I'll go crazy.
18:37Say the captain, whatever you are.
18:39Tell us where we are.
18:40Tell us where we're going.
18:41We've got to.
18:43Where you are.
18:44Yes.
18:45On my ship, my lady.
18:46With what ship?
18:47Why did you bring us here?
18:48Because you killed a man for profit.
18:51How?
18:52How did you?
18:53How did I know when one is as I am, one knows many things?
18:59Yes, you are.
19:02Your other question, madam, where are we going?
19:05Yes, where?
19:07You go to your doom.
19:09The man's insane, Emma.
19:11That's it.
19:11We're on the ship with the madman.
19:13No, madam.
19:14A dead man.
19:15You, you're, you're crazy.
19:17Julia, what, what do we do?
19:19What?
19:19Calm yourself, my ladies, and listen.
19:22Yes, listen closely.
19:24It's no more than fair that it all be very clear in your minds before it happens.
19:30What?
19:31This is my ship, and on a night like this many years ago, I stood here just as I stand now,
19:38my two hands tight upon the wheel.
19:41Julia, what's he talking about?
19:43Listen to me.
19:45I stood here, and below the decks, asleep and trusting me, their captain, were five hundred souls.
19:54Five hundred men, women, and their children.
19:57What's that got to do with us?
20:01Asleep, you hear me.
20:03Five hundred souls.
20:04I, their captain, my hands on the wheel, an empty sea ahead.
20:09Mine to make the course.
20:10Mine to turn the wheel.
20:12I closed my eyes.
20:14I slept.
20:15I, the captain, slept.
20:17I didn't see.
20:17I didn't hear.
20:19A tower, a cliff of ice ahead.
20:21We crashed.
20:21I, crashed and sank.
20:26Five hundred souls, and I, their captain.
20:30He is crazy.
20:32So the captain lost his ship, and lost his life, and five hundred lives with it.
20:40And so we sail again tonight.
20:43What's, what's it all to do with us, with Emma and me?
20:47The captain, who slept and died, made a bargain with the devil.
20:51A good bargain, to bring him peace and rest.
20:54What?
20:55On each year, my ship rises out of the sea again.
21:00Once each year, I sail it.
21:02Oh, Julia, why is he talking like that?
21:05I set the course the same as I set it on that very night.
21:09The wind, it blows the same.
21:11But with me now, not five hundred souls, but two.
21:15Two of evil like yourself.
21:17Well?
21:18We sail.
21:20My hands are on the wheel.
21:22And on and on, the ship, it tosses beneath her feet.
21:25I close my eyes again, just as I did that night.
21:29Suddenly, straight ahead, an iceberg.
21:32Julia, look.
21:34It's true.
21:35Something is ahead.
21:36Iceberg.
21:36My eyes are closed tightly, as they were that night.
21:39I cannot see it.
21:40I cannot.
21:40No, turn the wheel.
21:41Open your eyes.
21:42We'll crash.
21:42We'll crash.
21:44Open your eyes.
21:45Turn the wheel.
21:46No.
21:47My eyes stay closed.
21:48No, no, no.
21:49Don't you understand, you two?
21:50That's my bargain with the black one.
21:53Each year on this very night, I bring someone evil to the death.
21:57And for each one that dies with me this way, they blot out one of those five hundred who
22:03drowned beneath me, taken off my soul.
22:06One of them for each of you.
22:08Open your eyes.
22:10An iceberg.
22:11Please.
22:12We'll die.
22:13Turn the wheel.
22:15No.
22:16I want you to die.
22:17No, no.
22:18You must die.
22:19Black one, listen.
22:21I give you two more evil ones.
22:24Two more.
22:25No.
22:26No.
22:28Ah.
22:28No!
22:58No!
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