February 8, 2004 - 740520 - Crack In The Wall

[vgarci]

This week's program is presented for your review by ChicagoMilam (Matt).

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)

[Steve]

This is one of my all-time favorites. A nice twist on "The Monkey's Paw". It's a very eerie play, and Celeste Holm is always great. She is one of my top favorite RMT actresses, although she didn't do very many episodes. She was a real old-time pro. Amazing voice.


Steve

[UNTIL NEXT TIME]

Hmmm. I find myself wanting to split this story. One portion contains the observation that we have a fairly spooky episode. The other portion involves the interpretation of this tale. The combination, methinks, gives a good tale. It is spooky, particularly the howling, yearning pleas from the dead daughter. The recently departed Bob Dryden, as Helper, consistently plays impish devil types with effectiveness. He could sound old, middle aged or devilish most effectively. The crack that mysteriously won’t mend is intriguing. This reminds me: there is an excellent Inner Sanctum, with Boris Karloff, “The Wailing Wall”. It is a masterpiece and if anyone would like a copy let me know and I’d be happy to send it. Back to the story: The wailing is effective.
What really is interesting here is what is not said, or demonstrated. The story requires much interpretation. We can take it, that the existence of the “sounds” of the daughter and Helper are real. We can also conclude that Nora and Paul are not “cracked” themselves. The wall nicely represents a couple of things: a crack in Nora’s heart that cannot be filled, and also a split in her religious faith. With these in mind, we see that the “devil” moves in to take advantage of Nora’s yearning for her daughter. Most interesting, and unusual, (though not so unusual for the great CBSRMT) concerns a conclusion that results in the devil winning. We must assume he claims Nora’s soul. Helper told her she could have her daughter back—at a price. Here, as in “The Monkey’s Paw”, a grieving mother wants her dead offspring back and then uses up her last wish to send the offspring back. Why? Because the offspring is pretty much an animated corpse. So, is Nora doomed? Was her daughter caught in the devil’s clutches here, or was he luring the mother with sound effects? In other words, if he had the daughter caught and tormented, why is she not in Heaven? Many questions. It is also interesting to note the wall sealing up after this is over. Ahhh…it sucked up a soul. Or is it closed because Nora wanted her daughter to remain dead? Thus its symbolism transforms. I’m looking forward to hearing some comments on this.

I would also like to ask a question of the reviewers in general. When we review these episodes I hope all think it is appropriate to criticize as well as praise. My question is this: do you reviewers agree that an episode should get an honest review? If an episode screams “slam me”, then slam it! I think it is a part of the fun. I have wondered about this in the past….Until Next Time

[vgarci]

I can't say this is one of my absolute favorite programs but I'm giving it a 4/5 because I had listened to it previously and it defintely stuck with me. When listening to it a second time, I realized it had made a big impression on me. As a kid, I was always terrified of anything related to the devil so I probably wouldn't have made it through this program. The sound effects are among the creepiest I've heard and the wailing girl sends a shiver up my spine.

[dnagle]

This was a real good show, I didn't have an idea how it would end until the end. The contemporary nature and the grimness of the story sets a show like this apart from more traditional gothic horror (like the Conan Doyle shows on RMT), which can sometimes have a quaintness. I didn't give it the highest ranking because I wasn't completely convinced by the motivations of the mother ... seemed to decide to make a pact with the devil abruptly. But the ending made it complete for me and was pretty intense. Was Robert Dryden the Helper? He has a unique voice and can cast it many different ways. Also found myself wondering about the particular circumstances of the daughter's death, I suppose it didn't affect the story line but might have brought her into more focus. All in all a very good SOTW. Hopefully I can start keeping up with these again ...!

[Fizzlestix]

This, to me, is what the Mystery Theater is all about. Though it may arguably not be the best episode of the whole, it is without a doubt among the creepiest tales I've come across. I listened to it very late last night, as I usually do (one of the two headphone "buds" in my ear as I listen with my other ear to the pillow). Almost from the start of the show I was creeped out. Pretty much from the mention of the dead daughter. I knew it was going to be one of "those" episodes.

The tale is quite Poe-like, and reminds me of several stories I've read over the years. There's one in particular, I think called The Monkey Paw or something, in which the son returns from the dead after a devastating industrial accident.

Things I disliked about this episode: At the beginning, the husband consoling his wife with religious clichés and calmly trying to find the spiritual side of their daughter's death - if someone said that stuff to me while I were grieving, I'm sure I'd consider socking them in the nose.

Also, the story took a lot of time going back and forth between believing and not believing, doctors and priests, and such. And the "Helper" seemed almost an unnecessary instrument, but did add that little bit of creep-factor to make him a useful tool, in part. It seemed to me that there was just too much going on and not enough getting to the point. I often wonder why characters in these stories don't just vacate at the first indication of something "odd" going on. Eddie Murphy has a whole bit devoted to this behavior.

"Why is it when white folks enter a house and hear a scarily echoing voice telling them to "Get out!" they stay anyway? When black folks hear that same big bad voice, they say, "Too bad we can't stay, baby!"
~ Eddie Murphy

The show makes me wonder how I might have handled the situation. My intelligence would tell me this is all wrong, but like the mother, my heart would be swept away with grief for my child and wish by any means to have her back. What a ghastly predicament!

I gave this episode a 3.8/5 based on the originality of the tale. It was really well performed and produced, but as I said, I've heard it before.

Thank you for choosing such a wonderful selection and for keeping me creeped out from Sunday evening until Monday afternoon!! :wink:

best wishes to all,

Fizz

[Texas]

A few thoughts on this one:

- I first heard this last year very shortly after the extremely tragic nightclub fire in Providence, RI. The plotline was very sobering after hearing (and seeing the video of) the events there.

- Brian and/or Lagavulin reminded me of the name of that short story this borrows from "The monkey's paw". (There are a couple of other RMTs that use this concept...I think the downbeat "The wishing stone" is one of them). I find myself sometimes thinking "Just wish your loved one back the way they were BEFORE their tragedy! JUST WISH THEM BACK TO BEING THE WAY THEY WERE!" However, remembering the times I've not thought clearly in stressful events, I can fully understand how this could happen.

However, this was the thing that stuck with me the most, occuring around the 22:00 mark. It's where Mr. Sandefort speaks with his minister, Dr. Fowler (note how the former doesn't call him "Pastor" or "Reverend"):

[quote:46281354aa]

DR. FOWLER: "My good man, in this enlightened age when we speak of 'Satan' it is usually, uh, well...what I mean to say is we think of The devil as the embodiment of all evil but not as an actually being."

MR. SANDEFORT: "I see...well, Dr. Fowler, if you can't help us we may have to go to someone who can. There are groups where they believe in The devil..."

DR. FOWLER: "Mr. Sandefort, uh...Paul. Please understand. I cannot believe in The devil as being other than an abstract name for evil."

MR. SANDEFORT: "If I can show him to you, will you believe me then? I saw him. I have seen The devil and The devil's work and I am frightened to death."

[/quote:46281354aa]

Ladies and gentlemen...without getting into "politics and religion" this is another reason why the RMT was so unique. Those few sentences are a concentrate of a theological argument that I have read exists between post-modern, liberal theologians and more fundementalist, evangelical conservative ones, and the playwright has woven them into the story very well.

And, more interestingly, the way this is written we know exactly where the story (if not the author) stands.

Excellent choice...BTW, UNTIL_NEXT_TIME, marvelous analysis, as always.

[dnagle]

Fizz,
Have you listened to Hickory Dickory Doom (790226) yet?
If not, you should.

[UNTIL NEXT TIME]

Texas- You are right. There is nothing abstract about the evil in this story. Our "friend", Helper, tells it like it is immediately with his introduction. The characters, except Nora, resist this to the end. If she didn't believe, would that have prevented her from making a deal? Would she thus be saved? Talk about an abstract thought!...Until Next Time...ps, thank you for the compliment.

[Fizzlestix]

[quote:21807d6546="UNTIL NEXT TIME"]
I would also like to ask a question of the reviewers in general. When we review these episodes I hope all think it is appropriate to criticize as well as praise. My question is this: do you reviewers agree that an episode should get an honest review? If an episode screams “slam me”, then slam it! I think it is a part of the fun. I have wondered about this in the past….Until Next Time[/quote:21807d6546]

Hi UNT. I'm happy that, after posting my thoughts of the show and then going back to read your critique, we both found a similarity in the Monkey's Paw tale. As usual, a very nice commentary from you.

As for your question regarding "slams," you may want to visit the CBSRMT Bombs thread in the Discussions forum. I've come across a few episodes that I've either struggled through til the end or have just skipped after hearing the first ten minutes of. Here's one thread in particular that got under my skin: scroll down to read my thoughts on Stephanie's Room

http://www.cbsrmt.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=586&highlight=stephanies+room

[brian1984_2001]

I gave this one a 4. Nice selection.

Dryden is marvelous in his role. The guy plays the hick sheriff so well in so many other episodes, it's incredible his range lets him go to the evil disciple of Satan.

If you're a parent, then you can almost imagine those parents' suffering and how badly they must want to communicate with their daughter again. The script brings that anguish to the forefront well.

Celeste Holm is also marvelous. She graduated to broadway and apparently never looked back. A play she starred in is advertised frequently on some of the WOR tapes.

[Fizzlestix]

[quote:45cff330fe="dnagle"]Fizz,
Have you listened to Hickory Dickory Doom (790226) yet?
If not, you should.[/quote:45cff330fe]

Hi dnagle! In fact, I recently listened to this one and again, it pretty much creeped me out as well. It was a bit o'er the top for my taste, and at moments I actually cracked a smile, but it definitely got the adrenaline pumping! Funny you mentioned it, because as I listened to The Crack In the Wall, I made a mental comparison between the Helper and the "strange man" from Hickory Dickory Doom! Now that's creepy, eh? :wink:

[UNTIL NEXT TIME]

I made a mental comparison between the Helper and the "strange man" from Hickory Dickory Doom! Now that's creepy, eh?
The above is a quote- despite Brians fine efforts, I can not master the quote mechanism.

Yes, and Robert Dryden was really good in Hickory Dickory Doom as that weird man. "I must seeee the CLOCK", with a twisted contortion to his voice that I have so far only heard in this episode.

[UNTIL NEXT TIME]

Fizzlestix wrote: As for your question regarding "slams," you may want to visit the CBSRMT Bombs thread in the Discussions forum

Fizzlestix: I was wondering if all who review the shows here understand it is appropriate to discuss the show as a whole, strong and weak points, as it effects the individual listener. It is not a slam of the person who chooses the show to be critical of aspects of a given show. A review in the true sense involves taking it apart to look at the bones (structure). I don't mean to infer to anyone how to review a show. I am wondering if there is reservation with some members to be critical. It's a sense I get. To better understand if this sense is accurate, I figured the best way to find out is to ask! Hope this is clear. I love to read reviews here, almost as much as listening to the shows. This site is so valuable in that we can express our ideas about what is important to us all- the CBSRMT.....Until Next Time

[brian1984_2001]

I just dare someone to post "Appointment in Uganda" as a show of the week. I'll give you all the slams you want.

[UNTIL NEXT TIME]

Ohh that's good! :lol: Oh my. I remember that one. Until Next Time.

[wtmsr]

I liked this one.

[walterk9,II]

I just got home.
It was raining pretty steadily during my hour-long commute. I'd already listened to NPR at work, so I decided to play "The Crack in the Wall" in my car as I crept along through the fog and rain at 35 mph.

That's one spooky episode!!!

Lemme show you what I'm talking about:

If you've got it handy, cue up the show on your player, and fast-forward to the 12:55 mark (12 minutes, 55 seconds into the track).

Hit "Play".

Wait a few seconds....

[i:08dc707cc3]Creepy[/i:08dc707cc3] voice, aint it?

See what I mean? Imagine hearing that driving alone at night in the rain! I nearly ran off the road!!!

Mr. Helper's voice kinda got to me, too.

And even though I knew that eventually the story would turn into "The Monkey's Paw", it was still awfully doggone spooky when Ruth's dad described her condition.

Whew! I'm ready for another creepy one like this! It's supposed to rain again this weekend, and that commute won't be any shorter. Any suggestions?

[vgarci]

Walter,
Gotta' smile! I remember being absolutely spooked by CBSRMT as a kid on countless occassions ... your creepy commute reminds me of a lot of those times.

[scarlson33]

I liked this episode but do wish there were more to it somehow. I wish the mother were thinking when she made her second wish--wish for the girl to healthy and alive of course!
As an other worldly story, I think this one works. It is odd to have that man in the basement but it is also odd to have him give the mother 2 wishes.
On a totally different level though, I love this episode. It is one of the few I remember listening to as a child with my mom. I was FREAKED out and mom had to calm me down. That alone makes this a great episode--it touched me as if it were real. Of course I was a little kid at the time so it makes sense I would be freaked out. However, the memory of this episode over rides any bones I have to pick with it.

Sonya

[Kizer Sosay]

I was startled to see this episode jump to the top of the list with a recent review, because I had just listened to it twice over the weekend. I was going to check to see if it had already been a SOTW because I was going to recommend it.

I don't know how many SOTW reviews I've voted on, but this is the first one I am giving a 5. Maybe I'm getting soft, or the mood was right. It was late at night, couldn't sleep, laying in the dark with no distractions, and this show was awesome. I listened two nights in a row. The screaming of a burned child from the grave, eerie sound effects, dark imagery, the weird preacher, and Celeste Holme was tremendous. The actor that played the husband creeped me out with his voice even though he wasn't evil. I do wonder why he told his wife to send the child back with the last wish instead of healing her, but I guess that is where she belonged. Be careful what you wish for...

Totally creepy, the kind that sends kids screaming into their parents bedroom even though they are supposed to be asleep instead of listening to the radio! :D