August 10, 2003 - 780428 - The House On Chimneypot Lane

[vgarci]

This week's program is presented for your review by Kurt (Texas).

For those who do not have the program, you can download it (with or without a Streamload account) at: www.streamload.com/vgarci (http://www.streamload.com/vgarci)

[Texas]

Ladies and gentlemen,

I think I'll just say what this program is and what it isn't:

- I isn't a 1 1/2 hour movie, but it almost feels that way in a good sense. Ya'll remember how some RMT episodes just felt like they needed more time (like a whole second episode smile.gif ) to adequately develop and be told?

Maybe the writers like Brian_1984 and Lagavulin will disagree, but when I first heard this episode earlier this year at the end I felt as if I'd been in a theatre...this writer and the production team did one of the best works of script [i:66c4669ab0]timing[/i:66c4669ab0] I've ever heard on the RMT, but that's JMO.

- It isn't, unfortunately due to today's political correctness, something that I'd expect to hear recreated today, and that's a shame.

- It isn't your typical "haunted house" story.

- It isn't "Picture of Dorian Gray", rather, it's the concept on steroids.

- It [i:66c4669ab0]isn't[/i:66c4669ab0] (mercifully) "Appointment in Uganda".

- It IS a program that "Ethelmertz" once said on these forums she'd like to hear. M'lady, hope you can get that wish fulfilled this week.

Enjoy.

[brian1984_2001]

I agree that this script crammed a lot of action into a 42 minutes.

I gave it a four. I like everything about it -- especially the high level of action and tension. However, I failed to get (maybe I missed it) the connection between the picture, the house, and the previous residents.

All in all, an excellent selection. I know this episode enjoys a great deal of popularity and deservedly so.

[hamlet2003]

Kurt, Good episode. I enjoyed listening to it. I had never heard this one before and it definitely kept my attention. It's interesting how listening to these episodes always draws connections for me to other related programs in the genre. Much of this show reminded me of an older episode of the "Suspense" radio series called "The House in Cypress Canyon" where a couple buys a strange (and I do mean "strange") home. It also reminded me of the Ray Bradbury story "The Veldt" where a family has a "holodeck" type room in which the children conjure up images of Africa with real lions that have the parents over for "lunch" (if you get my meaning.) I do admit though that I was also puzzled as to the link between the previous residents wanting to get rid of the house and what happened to the new owners.

[Texas]

You know what's funny, guys, is that I've come around to Brian_1984's way of thinking. He once said, in response to me on something I didn't notice resolved in another RMT, that often mystery programs like this are enhanced by certain elements that are [i:891324f059]never[/i:891324f059] resolved.

I took that to heart, and frankly (and a little surprisingly) that concept works for me in the stories of the previous owners. We don't know what happened to them, but we DO clearly hear what happens here, and to me that's enough of a connection. (I also liked Teri Keane's brief incarnation as the "Mrs. Green" realtor...she relates the stories of the previous occupants in a simple dialogue which sounded very realistic to me. I've really come to like her work.)

[CBSRMTFAN]

Thanks Texas for and Brian clarifying something for me... I liked this episode but like several others was bothered by its loose ends. However, after reading your comments, I think you may be onto something when you say, "often mystery programs like this are enhanced by certain elements that are never resolved."

I wonder if that is the difference between TV and radio? Or maybe I've become too accustomed to nice clean endings because of television? Any thoughts on this?

Anyway, I really liked the depth of this episode and the quality of the acting. Like others said, it seems like they packed a whole lot into just 42 minutes and left a lot for the imagination. Great recommendation.

[bva18]

I really did like this episode. Of course I am easily entertained. I listened to it late last night, and as tired as I was, I couldn't go to sleep until it was over. Thanks for that choice.

[Ethelmertz]

Although this show is very different than I thought it would be I liked it a lot. It was a fast moving and very full show. Some ends were left loose but I guess that is part of the mystery. I like listening to shows like this one because they hold your attention well. I'm glad to have finally listened to it. Thanks Kurt. It was a fun one.

Ethelmertz

[dnagle]

Am I late in getting in my two cents. I listened to this show about a month ago so maybe wasn't as keen to listen to it right away as I am with the ones I haven't heard. But I remember hearing this show in the original broadcast and liked it then and still think it is one of my favorites after listening to it recently. The sounds which begin to emanate in the room are different from the usual creaking doors, footsteps and moaning voices etc. and I think that makes this show intriguing. Thanks Texas for another good show of the week and everyone keep them coming.

[Lagavulin]

Suspension of disbelief is critical when indulging in sci-fi / mystery / horror / suspense stories. This discussion reminds me of The Blair Witch Project - hearing mixed reviews of it i took the advise of a friend who said, "when you watch, just pretend you are sitting at a friend's place watching their home movie."

The same can be said of many of these episodes... just pretend you are listening to a story told by a close friend who you trust and believe.

The sound effects and dialogue created rich visual imagery in my mind with this episode.