Join the Society for a dark, cold night spent with BBC’s Fear on Four story entitled “The Horn”! It’s not the Golden Age of Radio by a long shot, but it’s the perfect story for spending a winter’s night hiding under the covers. What can the English teach us about the etiquette for addressing the dead? Just how many connections to Doctor Who does this episode have? What is that tapping noise that woke you up in the middle of the night? Listen for yourself and find out! Then vote and let us know what you think:
The ghost woman was really more banshee than anything. Now I’m curious about the short story it’s adapted from. You said she was characterized more as a zombie in that, right? Wonder how that plays, especially since banshees are frankly spookier than zombies.
Louie…. Louieeeeeee……
I think it’s a function of prose versus audio. I haven’t read the short story myself, but according to a review I found online, Gallagher paints her as an avenging zombie and “dwells on the fetid state of the living corpse.” I assume Gallagher indulges in graphic physical descriptions of the dead woman and, since the Fear On Four adaptation doesn’t utilize a narrator, it wisely focuses on her unearthly voice, making her (as you say) more of a banshee. Much more effective on radio, I agree. If you enjoyed this story, Fear On Four adapts a second Gallagher story… Read more »
1. There’s that reply link! How did I keep missing it? Sheesh.
2. Wow. “By the River, Fontainebleau” is like Deliverance meets X-Files, and they elope to Île-de-France. I probably shouldn’t have listened to that before bed. It’s pretty amazing, though. Not so great for lighthearted podcast commentary but still, amazing.
That is incredibly tempting. And kind of sounds like a dare. (Hey, if I didn’t enjoy horror fiction, I probably wouldn’t be listening to your podcast.)
Yup, downloading it. Thanks for the dubious recommendation! I’ll have to get back to you about it. Probably not tonight, however, as fat Sinatra is calling (crooning?) my name…
I listened to this while putting boxes on the staircase going to my sealed off attic. Creepy enough that the attic is closed off. Add a spooky ghost voice in the mix and it makes for a restless night’s sleep.
It really lends itself to being heard in moments of isolation. The show packs a punch!
The Horn has been my favorite contemporary story for years. I love the voice early on when it matches the wind, but sadly becomes too tangible quickly. Like mentioned above, she’s much more like a banshee and I really envision the trucks as the Cóiste Bodhar/ death coach that accompanies a banshee’s wail. Every time I listen I think: when David discovers the body that they really have reached peak scary and the banshee begins to take away from that suspenseful moment. I think with a couple of tweaks someone could remake this into the truly scary story it has… Read more »
Colleen and I just listened to this one (finally). It’s without a doubt among my all-time favorite horror radio dramas. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!
From the real English countryside I can confirm that this gives me the chills. All alone in my small Victorian era room I pull the blanket up to my chin and my toes tucked up in the eiderdown and listen.
To all the people out there still listening, goodnight.
From this English lass, I bid you God speed.
This one is SO GOOD.
That was an outstanding radio horror story. Thank you for this and also for introducing me to Fear on Four and Appointment with Fear which I look forward to exploring.
You’re welcome, David! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for the comments!