This visit to the Listener Library features an episode recommended to us by two listeners! Both Moses and Ethan suggested we check out “The Outsider” from the 1960s-era series, The Black Mass! Erik Bauersfeld (who provided the voices for both Admiral Ackbar and Bib Fortuna) adapted, performed, and produced this version of H.P. Lovecraft’s classic short story in which an unnamed protagonist struggles to escape from a dreary and desolate environment. What circumstances brought him to live in such a dismal place? What would he discover if he were to escape? Is this episode a trap? Listen for yourself and find out! Then vote and let us know what you think!
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I didn’t read Lovecraft until my early 20s but “The Outsider” was one of the first (along with “The Statement of Randolph Carter”). Personally, I think this adaptation is excellent. I love the ambient noises, creepy music, and, of course, acting of Mr Bauersfeld
Agreed. I’m eager to listen to more episodes of Black Mass. Bauersfeld adapts a number of classic M.R. James stories. Like Lovecraft, James was criminally neglected by the golden age of radio. “Casting the Runes” is the only major American radio adaptation I’ve discovered.
Catching up on episodes and was so happy to hear this one! Always loved this story for its quiet and twisted tragedy…similar in that sense to another fav Lovecraft story Cool Air. It’s horrific, atmospheric, and tragic. So much so that I made a super-8 version of it in my first year of film school 100 years ago! It is sooo film school-ish, but has a few beautiful shots I’m proud of to this day. If you promise not to laugh too loudly, you can view it here – https://vimeo.com/131735993. Cheers! And as always…love love love the show!!!
I’m not laughing! That was a treat to watch. The use of shadows is beautiful. STANDS THE TEST OF TIME! Thanks for sharing.
This was a really well-done adaptation. I’d like to hear more from The Black Mass.
“The Outsider” was the first Lovecraft story I ever read, in some horror collection that I found in my college library when I was a freshman. I liked it enough that I sought out other Lovecraft stories, and I was soon hooked. Maybe if I had read his later, “cosmic” stories first, I would have a lower regard for this more “backward-looking” one, but as my introduction to Lovecraft, it has always been among my favorites.
Climbed the Black Tower? What?! I think you’ve been reading too much August Derleth. This story should be taken at face value.