Beyond Midnight
Beyond Midnight was a South African radio horror anthology series that ran from 1968 to 1970 on Springbok Radio. The program "was a replacement series for SF'68. Michael McCabe served as producer, and adapted stories for both series. Unlike its sci-fi predecessor, Beyond Midnight served up stories with a supernatural bent."[1] The show was sponsored by Biotex and featured the tagline "Just Soak, Just Soak, Just Soak in Biotex."
Episodes
[edit]As the recordings of several episodes have been lost (especially towards the end of its run) and their plots are not available.
| Episode | Title | Adapted by / based on story by | Airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Marble Knights" | E. Nesbit | November 1, 1968 | |
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A marble statue comes to life with terrifying results. | ||||
| 2 | "The Paxton's House [aka House At Brickett Bottom]" | Amyas Northcote | November 8, 1968 | |
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Two sisters come across a narrow glen named Brickett Bottom. The two become infatuated with an old brick house and befriend the occupants. Things become strangely odd when the two sisters mention their encounter with locals who all say they've never heard of the old house or the occupants. Based on the Amyas Northcote story, 'Brickett Bottom' (1921) and referred to in other radio programs as 'House At Brickett Bottom' or 'Brickett Bottom' (on the program, CBS Radio Mystery Theater had an episode called 'The Phantom House'). | ||||
| 3 | "The Monkey's Paw" | W.W. Jacobs | November 15, 1968 | |
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A struggling family come across a desiccated monkey's paw that had a spell set upon it. Their desire to have their lives change for the better meet grim results. Based on the W.W. Jacobs story, 'The Monkey's Paw' (1902). | ||||
| 4 | "The Phantom Coach" | Amelia B. Edwards | November 22, 1968 | |
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A lost hunter seeking refuge comes across a recluse living in a mansion, in hopes of finding his way back. Based on the Amelia B. Edwards story, 'The Phantom Coach' (1864). | ||||
| 5 | "Spider-Phobia" | Elizabeth Walter | November 29, 1968 | |
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A magazine writer returning to his apartment comes across his greatest fear upon entering his suite; a spider. Based on the Elizabeth Walter story, 'The Spider' (1967) and referred to in other radio and television programs as 'The Spider' and 'A Fear of Spiders' (on the program, Night Gallery teleplay, 1971). | ||||
| 6 | "The Late Mr. Elsham" | H.G. Wells | December 6, 1968 | |
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A young, ambitious medical student comes across a wealthy old man with a vast fortune who offers up his fortune to the young man. However, there are conditions attached to it. Based on the H.G. Wells story, 'The Story of the Late Mr. Elvesham' (1896) and referred to in other radio programs as 'The Story of the Late Mr. Elvesham'. | ||||
| 7 | "Harry" | Rosemary Timperley | December 13, 1968 | |
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A young girl has an imaginary friend named Harry, who she claims is her brother. It slowly becomes evident that the imaginary friend is more than just a playmate. Based on the Rosemary Timperley story, 'Harry' (1955) and referred to in other radio programs as 'Harry, Such an Ordinary Name'. | ||||
| 8 | "A Beautiful Viper" | Mary Elizabeth Braddon | December 20, 1968 | |
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A duel of honour pits two cousins against one another. Based on the Mary Elizabeth Braddon story, 'Eveline's Visitant' (1862) and referred to in other radio programs as 'The Mark of Shame' (on the program, The Hall of Fantasy). | ||||
| 9 | "Smee" | A. M. Burrage | December 27, 1968 | |
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Friends at a party decide to play the game, 'smee'. However, there appears to be an uninvited extra player. Based on the A.M. Burrage story, 'Smee' (1929). | ||||
| 10 | "Short Circuit" | Charles Eric Maine | January 3, 1969 | |
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A wealthy man has a technologically advanced house built for him to keep others out but the results prove to be tragic. Based on the Charles Eric Maine story, 'Short Circuit' (1966). | ||||
| 11 | "No-Name Baby" | Ray Bradbury | January 10, 1969 | |
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A mother is convinced that her new born baby is trying to kill her. She hears him moving about the house and yet when she looks for him, he is located nestled in his crib. Based on the Ray Bradbury story, 'The Small Assassin' (1962). | ||||
| 12 | "The Honeymooners [aka The Honeymoon]" | Ronald Duncan | January 17, 1969 | |
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Two soldiers, while on furlough, befriend each other on a train they are both riding. One of the soldiers, during the train ride, is off to marry a woman and the three ultimately spend the honeymoon together. Based on the Ronald Duncan story, 'Consanguinity' (1965) and referred to in other radio programs as 'The Honeymoon' or 'Consanguinity'. | ||||
| 13 | "Lanceford House [aka The Green Vase]" | Dennis Roidt | January 24, 1969 | |
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A writer looking for solitude finds it in an old house. While there, he comes across a note advising him not to move a green vase that is located in the house. The author adheres to this instruction. However, the writer's visiting friend is made aware of the note, and he, unlike the writer, is a skeptic. Things go badly thereafter. Based on the Dennis Roidt story, 'The Green Vase' (1962). | ||||
| 14 | "A Night In The Waxworks" | A.M. Burrage | January 31, 1969 | |
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An aspiring journalist sees an opportunity to be published by writing an account of his night at the Marriner's Waxworks that hosts several deceased murderers. Or are they all dead? Based on the A.M. Burrage story, 'A Night in the Murder's Den' (1931) and referred to in other radio programs as 'A Night in the Murder's Den', 'Waxworks' and 'The Waxworks' (on other radio program including The Price of Fear, Sleep No More and Suspense). | ||||
| 17 | "Insect Man [aka Insects]" | Ray Bradbury | February 21, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 18 | "All At Sea" | F. Marion Crawford | February 28, 1969 | |
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Also referred to as "The Thing in Cabin 105" or "Upper Berth". One of the ship's berths has a returning "visitor" who is not simply occupying the room but terrorizing the room's occupant. | ||||
| 19 | "Eloise's Whereabouts [aka 40th Birthday]" | Michael McCabe | March 7, 1969 | |
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A man who has an impending 40th birthday is threatened by his wife's youth and wealth. He decides to make a few minor changes to his life with devastating results. Based on the Michael McCabe adaptation, 'Eloise's Whereabouts' (1969) and referred to in other programs as '40th Birthday', 'The Room' and as 'Three O'Clock' (Sleep No More and Suspense). | ||||
| 20 | "The Dream" | Basil Cooper | March 14, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 21 | "The House Was A Sphinx" | Henry Slesar | March 21, 1969 | |
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David Snowden is penniless manipulator who sees an opportunity to take advantage of a young heiress. After cleverly plotting her death as an apparent suicide, he is left a large run-down mansion with a mysterious fourth floor locked door. Based on the Henry Slesar story, 'The Right Kind of House' (1957) and referred to in other radio and television programs as 'Behind the Locked Door' (as a teleplay on the program, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour in 1964 and on the radio program, CBS Radio Mystery Theater in 1974 as 'The Locked Room'). | ||||
| 22 | "The Train" | Charles Dickens | March 28, 1969 | |
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A man describes his account of his meeting with a train signal-man and the strange tale imparted to him. Based on the Charles Dickens' story, 'The Signal-Man' (1866) and referred to in other radio programs as 'The Signal-Man' and 'Hello, Below There'. | ||||
| 23 | "The Evil Face [aka Let Me See Your Face]" | A. M. Burrage | April 11, 1969 | |
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A mysterious woman keeps making appearances in a small French hotel. An inquisitive guest tries to make contact with her, despite being repeatedly discouraged by staff at the hotel that know her tragic history. Based on the A.M. Burrage story, 'One Who Saw' (1931) and referred to in other radio programs as 'Let Me See Your Face'. | ||||
| 24 | "A True Ghost Story" | Fielden Hughes | April 18, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 25 | "The Wedding" | E. Nesbit | April 25, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 26 | "Yarrow" | Sir Charles Lloyd Birkin | May 2, 1969 | |
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A young woman is raped and murder by the family chauffeur, George Yarrow, who gets away with it because of the lack of evidence. However, the family hires back Yarrow and with very horrific consequences. Based on the Charles Lloyd (later, Sir Charles Lloyd Birkin) story, 'An Eye for an Eye (1932) and referred to in the Beyond Midnight radio series as 'Yarrow'. | ||||
| 27 | "Hobart [aka A Man Called Hobard]" | Elizabeth Bowen | May 9, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 28 | "Little Happenthatch" | Collin Brooks | May 23, 1969 | |
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Based on a short story by Collin Brooks titled 'Mrs. Smith.' | ||||
| 29 | "Borneo" | Oscar Cook | May 30, 1969 | |
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Two plantation owners become successful in Borneo until one leaves to get married and returns with his new bride. This development strains the friendship when the single partner engages in an affair with his partner's new spouse and when discovered, the vengeful plantation owner seeks a chilling revenge scheme on both his business partner and wife. Based on the Oscar Cook story, 'The Caterpillar' (1931) and referred to in the teleplay, Night Gallery, as 'The Caterpillar' (aired March 1st, 1972) while other radio programs have referred to it as 'Something on His Mind' and 'Boomerang'. | ||||
| 30 | "The Yellow Room [aka The Red Room / The Room]" | H.G. Wells | June 6, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 31 | "Arsenic" | Michael McCabe | June 13, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 32 | "Sir Dominic's Bargain [aka The Man Who Lost His Soul]" | Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu | June 20, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 33 | "The House [aka The Visits]" | Henry James | June 27, 1969 | |
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A student of divinity comes across a locked, abandoned house and witnesses an old man entering and exiting the house with a key. Intrigued, the young student takes it upon himself to watch the house and the old man. Based on the Henry James story, 'The Ghostly Rental' (1876) and referred to in other radio programs as 'The Visits'. | ||||
| 34 | "Sammy" | Michael McCabe | July 4, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 35 | "Vulture People [aka A Smile To Drive You Mad]" | Mary Elizabeth Counselman | July 11, 1969 | |
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In the Amazon, an injured expeditionary leader becomes jealous of his wife who seems taken with the charismatic Brazilian guide. While he waits for help, he has other intentions in order to get revenge on his wife who he sees as being unfaithful. Based on the Mary Elizabeth Counselman story, 'The Smiling Face' (1950) and also erroneously referred to in other radio programs as 'A Smile to Drive You Mad' and erroneously as 'The Paul Henry Expedition'. | ||||
| 36 | "The Jokester" | Robert A. Arthur | July 18, 1969 | |
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A mean-spirited jokester goes too far with one of his jests when he preys upon a seemingly simple night watchman. | ||||
| 37 | "Under The Hull Tree [aka Under The Hau Tree]" | Katherine Yates | July 25, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 38 | "The Crystal Ball" | Sir Charles Lloyd Birkin | August 1, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 39 | "Mrs. Taber's Killer" | Michael McCabe | August 8, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 40 | "Fellini The Great [aka The Great Fellini]" | Henry Slesar | August 15, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 41 | "The Happy Return" | William Hope Hodgson | August 22, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 42 | "Take Your Partners" | Ronald Blythe | August 29, 1969 | |
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A young man recalls his meeting and dancing with a young, beautiful woman only to discover that not everything is as it seems. Based on the Ronald Blythe story, 'Take Your Partners' (1955). | ||||
| 43 | "The Werewolf" | Geoffrey Household | September 5, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 44 | "Radiation" | Michael McCabe | September 19, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 45 | "Turning To Marble" | Robert W. Chambers | September 26, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 46 | "A Man's Worth" | Henry Slesar | October 3, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 47 | "Something Haunts This House" | Michael McCabe | October 10, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 48 | "White Revised" | Michael McCabe | October 17, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 49 | "Storybook Man" | Michael McCabe | October 24, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 50 | "Uninvited Face" | Michael Asquith | October 31, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 51 | "The Cigarette Case" | Michael McCabe | November 7, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 52 | "Mexican Mario" | Michael McCabe | November 14, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 53 | "The Voice" | Michael McCabe | November 21, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 54 | "Rendezvous" | Michael McCabe | November 28, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 55 | "Watches By The Dead" | Michael McCabe | December 5, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 56 | "The Manor House" | Michael McCabe | December 12, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 57 | "A Time For Thunder [aka Cliffs of Bembridge]" | Michael McCabe | December 19, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 58 | "The Door In The Wall" | Michael McCabe | December 26, 1969 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 59 | "Sarah" | Michael McCabe | January 2, 1970 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 60 | "Rupert Orange [aka What Happened To Rupert Orange]" | Vincent O'Sullivan | January 9, 1970 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 61 | "The Thirteenth Elephant" | Michael McCabe | January 16, 1970 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 62 | "The Bonanza" | Michael McCabe | January 23, 1970 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 63 | "The Visitors" | Michael McCabe | February 3, 1970 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 64 | "The 56 G's" | Robert Bloch | February 20, 1970 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 65 | "The Picture" | Michael McCabe | February 27, 1970 | |
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A couple living and working in Africa experience a nightly "visitor" roaming among their trash bins. Becoming increasingly frustrated by being woke up on a frequent basis, the two devise a plan to take a picture in hopes of finding a solution to ridding themselves of the "visitor". However, the "visitor" is something more than what they bargained for. | ||||
| 66 | "Impala" | Michael McCabe | March 6, 1970 | |
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Description of the episode and starring. Based on the Michael McCabe adaptation, Impala (1970) and referred to in other radio programs as Nyala, The Thirteenth Elephant and Mkara (on the program, Nightfall). | ||||
| 67 | "The Incomplete Corpse" | Michael McCabe | March 13, 1970 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 68 | "The Marble Knights [aka Arthur's Return]" | Michael McCabe | March 20, 1970 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 69 | "Mr. McGraw And His Victim [aka McGraw Shoots Stoney]" | Davis Grubb | April 10, 1970 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 70 | "An Evil Memory Of Julia Wright" | Michael McCabe | April 17, 1970 | |
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Description of the episode and starring | ||||
| 71 | "The Speciality Of The House" | Stanley Ellin | April 24, 1970 | |
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An exclusive resurant serves exotic meal. One man eager to see the kitchen finds out what's really on the menu. | ||||
References
[edit]- ^ /index.php?title=Beyond_Midnight "Relic Radio". Relic Radio: Old Time Radio Show Info.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help)[permanent dead link]
External links
[edit]- Radio Horror Hosts
- OTR Plot Spot: Beyond Midnight - plot summaries and reviews.