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"The Listener" is an episode from the iconic Inner Sanctum Mysteries radio show, which aired on July 20, 1952 (Episode 516). Known for its suspenseful, often supernatural tales and ghoulish host, this episode is a classic example of 1940s/50s horror drama, featuring eerie sound design, a creaking door, and dark twists.
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00:11Good evening, friends of the Creaking Door.
00:15This is your host to welcome you into the Inner Sanctum for another visit with your favorite
00:21characters.
00:24We're back again with a familiar subject, murder.
00:29You ever want to find out how scared you can get?
00:34Well, suppose you hang around for a while, and when the show's over, I'll cut you down.
00:51All right.
00:53Suppose we get down to brass tacks.
00:55Yes, and I do mean the ones that go around the edge of a coffin.
01:01In a tiny cottage lost in a wild, desolate section of rural New England, Ellen Richards sits in
01:07a chair, listening.
01:09Approaching 60, white-haired, with eyes that dance nervously in the firelight, she listens.
01:16She hears the winds weeping and moaning, grim heralds of the bleak winter, but she listens
01:23for something else.
01:29Gregory?
01:32Is it you?
01:34Where are you?
01:37Upstairs?
01:39Gregory?
01:42Oh, it's nonsense, that's all.
01:46It's nonsense.
01:46It's just because I'm alone.
01:50Gregory!
01:52You wouldn't do this to me if I weren't alone.
01:56Hello, operator.
01:58Hello, what's the matter with you?
01:59Number, please.
02:00Hello, operator.
02:01I want you to ring my nephew, Leslie Richards.
02:03Tell him to come home at once.
02:05Number, please.
02:06My nephew, Leslie, I told you.
02:08What's the matter with you?
02:09Don't you understand?
02:09You must hurry.
02:10I beg your pardon.
02:11What number do you wish to call?
02:13Number?
02:14Number?
02:14Oh, he's in town somewhere.
02:16The depot.
02:17Call him at the depot.
02:18Oh, don't you understand?
02:19I hear the boots.
02:21Those heavy, hard-nail boots.
02:23And the cane tapping.
02:25It's my husband.
02:26He's coming up out of the cellar, step by step, and he's been dead for five years.
02:31And now, he's on the landing.
02:33And now, he's opening the door.
02:35And now...
02:36Hello, Andy.
02:37Hello, Andy.
02:39Oh, Leslie, you darling, darling boy.
02:42Oh, it's you.
02:43It's you.
02:44And not the other.
02:46Really, Andy, I don't quite understand.
02:47Oh, dear boy, you must forgive me.
02:49I'm hysterical.
02:50Just be patient with me.
02:51I'll be all right in a minute.
02:53What's wrong?
02:54What happened?
02:54Let me hold your hand.
02:56Oh, just knowing that you're here makes me feel better already.
03:00I thought I'd go out of my mind.
03:02Oh, you poor darling.
03:03Now, if you'll only tell me where...
03:04Wait a moment.
03:07Do you hear anything?
03:10Just the wind?
03:12That's all?
03:13That's all.
03:14Oh, Leslie, you mustn't leave me alone ever again.
03:17I simply can't bear to be alone.
03:19But I just drove to the station to get Miss Morrow.
03:21Darling, you're in a terrible state.
03:23You really must sit down.
03:24I'll get you something.
03:24Oh, I'll be all right.
03:26I'll be all right.
03:28Where's Miss Morrow now?
03:29She went through the side entrance in her room, I guess.
03:32I think I'm going to discharge that girl.
03:35Why?
03:35Oh, I don't know.
03:36I feel she doesn't belong here.
03:39I don't like strangers about her.
03:40Really, Andy, you're being silly.
03:42You can't bear being alone, and now you want to discharge your companion.
03:45Well, you're here now.
03:47But I can't be with you all the time.
03:49Leslie.
03:49But you almost never leave the house,
03:51and someone must go out to get things done once in a while.
03:54Oh.
03:55Oh, yes, I suppose you're right.
03:57And it won't do you a bit of harm to go out once in a while, too.
04:00The movies in town, or maybe New York for the theater.
04:02No, no, no.
04:03But, Ellen.
04:03Don't you dare suggest that again.
04:05You must never suggest that again, do you hear?
04:08But why?
04:09Why must you stay here locked up in this house?
04:11Because.
04:13Because ever since my husband disappeared, I vowed.
04:17Oh, what's the use?
04:19You wouldn't understand.
04:20I think I would.
04:21Oh, no, no.
04:22Oh, you're young and handsome and charming, and there's no use troubling you with all that.
04:28Yeah.
04:29I feel ever so much better already.
04:32Oh, dear Leslie, you don't know what you've done for me.
04:36Really?
04:37It was horrible living here with just Miss Morrow until you were sweet enough to come and stay with a
04:43poor, lonely old lady.
04:46I know it must be trying for you.
04:48It's really lots of fun.
04:49I'm having a fine time.
04:51And that talk of your being an old lady is just nonsense.
04:53Why, if Uncle Gregory were here and could see you now, he'd fall in love and marry you all over
04:58again.
04:59Why do you say that?
05:01Just to make you laugh.
05:03Oh.
05:06Oh, you're very flattering.
05:08See, you're laughing.
05:09That's better.
05:10Leslie, you won't go away ever, will you?
05:14What an idea.
05:16You're my only living relative.
05:18I'll remember your kindness when I'm gone.
05:22You'll be wealthy, very wealthy.
05:24Here, now what kind of talk is this when you're gone indeed?
05:27Why, we're going to have grand times here forever and ever.
05:31Now, you go to bed and sleep away, all that foolishness.
05:35And here's a kiss for a pleasant dream.
05:40Oh, you silly, silly boy.
05:43Well, say good night to Miss Morrow for me.
05:46I'm too tired to wait.
05:48Good night.
05:52Barbara?
05:53Come in.
05:55Barbara.
05:56Don't tell me about it.
05:57Don't say anything.
05:58Just kiss me and hold me tight.
06:00Oh, dearest.
06:02Oh, Leslie.
06:05I could hardly bring myself to come back here tonight.
06:08She's so hateful and cruel.
06:10Barbara, don't.
06:10She may hear you.
06:11I'm sorry, but how much more of this do you think I can stand?
06:14This house will drive me as mad as she is.
06:17Please, dearest.
06:17All right, all right.
06:19It all seems so senseless.
06:21You say you love me and yet...
06:23You know I haven't any money, but I'll get some.
06:25I'll get a great deal, and as soon as I do...
06:27All I want to know is when.
06:28When?
06:30Tonight.
06:31Perhaps.
06:44Gregory?
06:46No, no.
06:47Go away.
06:49Leslie?
06:51Leslie!
06:52Come here at once.
06:53Leslie!
06:55Andy, I heard you call me.
06:56What is it?
06:57Listen.
06:58Listen.
07:00Do you hear it?
07:02Yes.
07:03Oh, thank heaven.
07:04I'm not the only one.
07:06What is it?
07:08It's Gregory.
07:09Oh, no, Andy.
07:10I know it.
07:11That's the way he used to walk around the house, chapping with his cane.
07:14No, that's nonsense.
07:15But I know.
07:16I heard it before while I was alone.
07:18He's come back somehow.
07:20Oh, Leslie, he's come back.
07:22Then why should he do this?
07:23If it's Uncle Gregory come back, why, he'd come right in the front door.
07:26But don't you see he can't?
07:28He's been dead these five years.
07:31Dead?
07:34You told me he'd disappear.
07:35I know.
07:36I know.
07:37I didn't want to shock you.
07:41I...
07:41Oh, Leslie.
07:43How much can I trust you?
07:46Trust me?
07:48Why, Andy, you know there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you.
07:52There.
07:53Listen.
07:55Where is it coming from?
07:58The living room.
07:59Give me my robe.
08:00Here.
08:00But I don't see why you must get out of bed.
08:02I must know about this.
08:03I can't leave this house, Leslie, and if he's here...
08:05Why can't you leave it?
08:06You can sell it and go away.
08:07You don't understand.
08:09Yes.
08:09The living room.
08:10We're going in there.
08:11I'm not afraid to face anything if you're with me.
08:14Now, come.
08:14Very well.
08:18Do you see anything?
08:20There's nothing in the corridor.
08:22But I can hear it.
08:24It's closer.
08:25There's the living room.
08:26Not a soul there.
08:28Not a soul?
08:29Why'd you pick up that fireplace iron?
08:31You'll know in a moment.
08:32Can you move the piano?
08:34Those old uprights are pretty heavy, but I think I can do it.
08:38There.
08:39Get that little shovel from the fireplace.
08:41Hurry.
08:42I must say, I don't understand.
08:44What are you doing there?
08:45What is it?
08:45Some kind of secret trap door on the floor you're trying to move with that iron?
08:49Yes.
08:49It's the floorboard.
08:51Oh, here.
08:51Let me do it.
08:51All right.
08:55I think I have it now.
08:59There's nothing but dirt under there.
09:01Use the shovel.
09:02Very well.
09:03Leslie, I don't know it.
09:06Listen.
09:08The tapping stopped.
09:10Yes.
09:11Why?
09:14Perhaps this is why.
09:17Perhaps he wanted me to find his body.
09:21He's still there?
09:23Look.
09:26Gregory!
09:27So that's why you never left this house, isn't it?
09:29He was lying here all this time.
09:33Lying here where you buried him.
09:35After you murdered him.
09:37Isn't that so, Auntie Ellen?
09:42Now, who was bleeding last?
09:46Oh, yes.
09:48Auntie Ellen, the old darling, just had her nephew dig up her husband from under the floor.
09:53If you think she kept him there to make him stay home nights, you're wrong.
09:58He'd been murdered.
10:00And Auntie Ellen's nephew just accused her of killing him.
10:04Yes.
10:05Yes, I killed him.
10:08Leslie, you mustn't tell anybody.
10:09I know you won't tell.
10:11Oh, it's been horrible living all these years with him right in the same house.
10:15I could never leave.
10:17Someone might find him, you see.
10:19And every time I heard a noise in the house, oh, it was frightful.
10:23I should think so.
10:24That's why I sent for you.
10:25I couldn't bear it alone.
10:27Now you know my secret, and you will help me.
10:31Will I?
10:31Of course, dear Leslie.
10:33Leslie, I know you will, and won't you?
10:37Oh, it's Miss Morrow.
10:38Don't let her see you.
10:39Quite all right, Auntie Ellen.
10:41Come in, Barbara.
10:42No, no, you can't.
10:43I've heard everything, Mrs. Richards.
10:46And I know everything.
10:48You know?
10:51You and Leslie.
10:53It was you who made those noises.
10:55That tapping, it didn't start until after you came.
10:58Yes, I do.
10:59You horrid boy, why did you?
11:02How could you do this to me after everything I've done for you?
11:05I thought you loved me.
11:07I thought...
11:07Sit down.
11:08No, I will not.
11:11Leslie!
11:12Sit down, I said.
11:15Barbara, get a checkbook.
11:17Okay.
11:17What are you going to do?
11:19Dear Auntie Ellen, you are going to write a check for $50,000.
11:24For you?
11:25For me.
11:26Here's the book and the pen.
11:28I see it all now.
11:30What a fool I've been, taking the two of you into my home.
11:34And now you do this to me just to get my money.
11:37You killed him for that money.
11:38You have no right to talk.
11:39You make him do this.
11:41Leslie's a good boy.
11:42You found out about this and you put him up to it.
11:45I'm going to call the police.
11:46You're a little thief.
11:47You're a murderer, Auntie Ellen.
11:49You won't call any police.
11:51In fact, you'll tell no one.
11:54And you'll write that check now.
11:57Do you understand?
12:00Leslie, yes, you're quite right.
12:05I'm not in a very good position, am I?
12:09You've hurt me deeply, Leslie.
12:13After I trusted you, after I...
12:17Leslie, what happened to your matter?
12:21I don't know.
12:22She just stood up and collapsed.
12:25Addie.
12:26Addie Ellen.
12:27Is she dead?
12:28No, she's still breathing.
12:30She's paralyzed, stiff as a boy.
12:32Barbara, call her doctor.
12:33I'll fix that floor and push the piano back.
12:35Do you think it's safe?
12:35Absolutely.
12:36She won't say a word if she comes out of this.
12:38And if she does tell about the check, who will believe her?
12:40It'll be our word against a murderer's.
12:42Come on, Barbara.
12:43We've got to get her well enough to write that check.
12:51Mrs. Richards, if you can understand what I'm saying, blink your eyes.
12:57Ah, thank you.
13:00Well, Dr. Walsh?
13:01Well, I can't give you a final opinion yet, young man.
13:04She seems to know what we're saying.
13:06Was it a stroke?
13:08Possibly.
13:09We won't know until I can take some x-rays.
13:11It may be simple hysterical paralysis.
13:15Doctor, I'd like to know if there's any danger.
13:20Danger?
13:21Yes and no.
13:23Patients have sometimes lived for years after a stroke.
13:26I'm going to call in a specialist for consultation.
13:29And I'll be back in the morning with x-ray equipment.
13:32Meanwhile, don't move her from that chair.
13:35Yes, Dr. Walsh.
13:36It was very kind of you to come so quickly.
13:39Mrs. Richards is an old friend of mine.
13:41Call me at once if she seems to get worse.
13:43I certainly will.
13:44Good night.
13:45Good night.
13:47Leslie.
13:48Oh, rotten luck, isn't it?
13:50Just when we had...
13:52Hey, look.
13:54She seems to be smiling.
13:55Now, be careful.
13:56She can understand everything you say.
13:58I know.
13:59And let her.
14:00Let her.
14:02You won't get away with it, Auntie.
14:04We still have you, you know.
14:06The will.
14:07You forgot about that will.
14:08You can't make a new one now.
14:10You can't write.
14:12And we know your secret.
14:13Yes, Auntie.
14:14We still have you.
14:16No, Leslie.
14:17She has us.
14:19What are you talking about?
14:20You heard what the doctor said.
14:21It may be years.
14:22We can wait.
14:22Can we?
14:23Wait here, taking care of her, waiting for her to die?
14:26Can you imagine what that'll be like?
14:28Well, maybe you can wait.
14:29I can't.
14:30Barbara, you mustn't.
14:30What's the use, Leslie?
14:32We waited all this time, and you see what happened?
14:34We're worse off than we were before.
14:36Now, Barbara, you mustn't bruise your head.
14:37There may be something we can do.
14:38What can we do?
14:40We can...
14:42Yes, Leslie?
14:44She got away with it.
14:46Why can't we?
14:48Murder.
14:48Yes.
14:50I've even thought of a plan.
14:51Have you?
14:52We can both be away, far away from here in South America, perhaps, when this house can
14:56catch fire.
14:57An invalid unable to move, it can be arranged, you know.
15:00Yes.
15:01Yes, it can be arranged.
15:03But are you sure of this will?
15:04Certainly.
15:05She told me about it a dozen times.
15:06Have you seen it?
15:07No, but I know.
15:08Leslie, you can't believe what she tells you.
15:09You better look.
15:10We must be sure of all this.
15:11You're quite right.
15:13I'm almost certain the will is in her room.
15:15I'll find it.
15:16You'll see that I'm right.
15:22Did you say something, Mrs. Richards?
15:25I thought I heard you say something.
15:28Why are you looking at me that way?
15:32Mrs. Richards, I'm not afraid.
15:35I don't care if you heard everything.
15:36I'm not afraid of you anymore.
15:39You and your orders.
15:42Nothing I did was ever good enough for you, was it?
15:45Always telling me I was too common, too cheap for you.
15:49Well, I found out what you were tonight.
15:52Stop your staring at me.
15:56You want to know something, Mrs. Richards?
15:58He didn't figure this out himself.
16:01I was the one who was smart enough for that.
16:03I kept wondering why you never left this house.
16:07Why your husband disappeared.
16:09And I told Leslie.
16:12Can you stop your staring at me?
16:14Barbara, what is it?
16:15I heard you scream.
16:17It's nothing.
16:19Nothing at all.
16:20Have you found it?
16:21No, not yet.
16:21But it's around somewhere.
16:22I'm sure of it.
16:23Do you want it?
16:24No.
16:25No.
16:25I'll find it in a minute.
16:26I'll find it in a minute, I'm sure.
16:29Mrs. Richards.
16:32Your chair.
16:34Your chair has moved.
16:36You moved it while my back was turned while I was talking to Leslie, didn't you?
16:40Didn't you?
16:42And I am from the fireplace.
16:45I was there a minute ago.
16:47Did you take it?
16:49Did you?
16:50We're near enough to...
16:52No.
16:53No.
16:53No.
16:54No.
16:56Barbara.
16:57Barbara, I found it.
16:58She left me everything.
17:00Barbara, what happened to you?
17:03Annie Ellen, where are you?
17:04I'm standing behind you, Leslie.
17:07What?
17:07Don't move.
17:08But Barbara...
17:09She's dead.
17:10I killed her.
17:12I have the and iron here in my hand.
17:14Don't move.
17:15Annie, now please.
17:16Stay on your knees.
17:18Just where you are.
17:19Very well.
17:20If you wish.
17:21But...
17:22You were very anxious to find out what happened to my husband.
17:25Now you shall know everything.
17:28In fact, you shall know precisely because the same thing is going to happen to you.
17:34You see, I used this very same instrument, this poker.
17:38You and she will share his grave.
17:43It's all some silly joke, isn't it?
17:45You can't do this to me.
17:47You know that I love you.
17:49Don't move.
17:50Don't you see, Annie?
17:51For heaven's sake, put that thing down.
17:52You don't know what you're doing.
17:53Don't!
17:54Don't!
17:55Don't!
17:55Don't!
17:56Don't!
17:57Don't!
18:03Don't!
18:05I'm sorry to disturb you, Dr. Walsh.
18:07This is Ellen Richards.
18:08Ellen Richards?
18:09I knew you'd be surprised, but I fully recovered.
18:13You were quite right when you thought it was hysterical paralysis.
18:16Well, I thought so all along, but naturally I wouldn't venture an opinion without an expert.
18:21But, uh, why did it happen?
18:24Oh, it was a silly thing, I suppose, but my nephew Leslie told me he was going to marry Miss
18:28Morrow.
18:29In fact, they planned to elope.
18:31And, uh, that was the shock that brought it on?
18:33Yes, Dr. Walsh.
18:35I suppose I let myself care for my nephew more than I should.
18:38Yes, yes, I understand.
18:40But I'm quite over it now.
18:41I spent them on with my blessing.
18:43They drove into New York and they're sailing for South America in a few days.
18:47So you needn't come tomorrow evening.
18:49All right, Ellen.
18:50But your nerves must be in bad shape.
18:53You better let me give you a checkup.
18:55Very well, Doctor.
18:56I'll come to your house the day after tomorrow.
18:59Good night.
19:00Good night.
19:08Well, there, Ellen.
19:09That completes my checkup.
19:11And what's the verdict?
19:13You've got a constitution like iron.
19:15You'll live to at least 110.
19:17Oh, but, Ellen, you'll have to get out of your house.
19:20No, now, don't go into that again, Dr. Walsh.
19:24When Gregory disappeared, I made up my mind I would never leave.
19:27And I mean to stick to that vow.
19:29That's not what I meant, Ellen.
19:31Haven't you heard the news?
19:33What news?
19:34The new superhighway.
19:36It's going to be built right through your property.
19:38Your house is dead center of the roadway.
19:40They'll have to rip it down.
19:41What?
19:42Well, they can't do it.
19:44I won't let them.
19:45Well, there's no reason to be alarmed.
19:47You realize a handsome profit for your property.
19:50When will these people be around?
19:52When are they coming?
19:53Why, the surveyors are in the neighborhood now.
19:56They may be calling at your house today to examine the property and make an estimate of its value.
20:00Today?
20:01Well, I must get back to the house immediately.
20:04I don't want them to come when I'm not there.
20:07Oh, excuse me.
20:09Hello?
20:11Yes?
20:13Yes, one moment.
20:15It's for you, Ellen.
20:17For me?
20:18Who is it?
20:19Why, I believe the man said the state police.
20:24But what could they possibly want with you, Ellen?
20:31Auntie Ellen's relatives and friends are now all stonkled dead in the parlor.
20:39She bashed in nobody's head but her husband's, her nephews, and his girlfriend.
20:46And we leave this electric personality while she's on her way to becoming a short circuit.
20:55Of course, we don't want to alarm you, but crimes like these don't happen except to people like you.
21:03And you.
21:05But not you.
21:08Well, friends, it's time once again to close that creaking door.
21:12Until next week at this same time when we'll be back with a little hunk of horror.
21:18You'll be sure to listen, aren't you?
21:21Until next week, then.
21:23Good night.
21:26Pleasant dreams.
21:28Pleasant dreams.
21:33THE END
22:17Inner Sanctum has come to you through the worldwide facilities of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.
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