June 2, 2008 - 751016 - Stay Out of Dutchman's Woods

[wadenjulie]

This week's CBSRMT Show of the Week is presented
by forum member wadenjulie:

751016 Stay Out of Dutchman's Woods 24kbps (http://rapidshare.com/files/119687036/75-10-16_Stay_Out_Of_Dutchman_s_Woods.mp3) (8MB)

written by Fielden Farrington; starring Paul Hecht,
Jada Rowland, Mary Jane Higby, Santos Ortega, Joan
Loring .

Encode quality: Good.
Episode #363
Commercials and News: No
Station: Unknown
Preview: No

Click link above to download mp3 .
Link may expire in 45 days due to storage limitations.

[Morton Miller]

This is a fun show all around. Strange, I thought the title was familiar and that I had heard it before, but actually it was new to me.

A goofy kind of story that has a little bit of something for everybody. A young couple in love and supportive of each other, the worldly-wise older couple who warn of dangers and help rescue the young-uns, a creepy seductive ghost, a magical tailisman that comes into play . . . the final "screechs" are really quite chilling!

And the ghost is really rather scarey and cool, which makes her persona all the more interesting. Perhaps not a classic RMT, but if this show is an example of their "weaker" offerings, then it's easy to see why the RMT ran for so many years. Another fine choice for SOTW!

Morton

[Confusacat]

The title of this episode is one of the best chatch phrases ever for cbsrmt fans. If anyone asks you for some advice you no longer have to say "Look both ways before crossing the street."

[Mike Hobart]

Enjoyed listening to this one. I started off just listening to the first couple of minutes, but I couldn't tear myself away and sat there till the end credits.

Long before the Blair Witch, there were creepy things going on out in the woods, it seems. A good example of how much more atmospheric these sorts of stories are on radio where you don't have to worry about making trees look menacing on camera.

And the writer had the good sense not to go with one of those irritating twist endings ("She's dead" "No I'm not" "Yes you are" "No I'm not".....)

[Midnight]

I remember taping this one off the radio when I was 13. It was a stormy winter night (12/19/80) which really added to the atmosphere of the story.

This episode is a fine example of how radio shows have a distinct edge over T.V. and movies--a few sound effects, some well delivered lines by talented actors and viola!-- instant gothic horror. This one has all the elements for it-- young love and an older, more mature love (The innkeepers) and an alluring, seductive "succubus" (Joan Lorring-- one of RMT's best resident "witches" --really the first--with her apperance in just the 7th broadcast as an actual witch in "I Warn You Three Times").

The ending with the horrified screams is just perfect!

Speaking of "The Blair Witch Project" -- I've always enjoyed that movie, especially 'cause it borrows one of the most important-- if not THE most important -- element of radio-- all the terror is left completely to the "Theater of the Mind". All the supernatural aspects are created by the viewer's imagination. I thought it was a clever film-- if for no other reason than that. More horror films should take a cue from it.

Until Next Time..................

[Frozen Ink]

Brian,

You are exactly right with leaving the terror to the mind. And it is exactly why I love these shows so much (especially at night). I recently saw the Strangers and can tell you the best part of the movie was the times they scared you without showing anything or minimal, such as the figure standing in the shadows just watching Liv Tyler (reminded me of Hitchcock). Also as soon as the gore entered the movie (there wasn't much), I immediately thought that is what's wrong with "horror" today.
One of the best parts of the Blair Witch, I thought, was when they thought they heard a baby and you could faintly hear some crying. That stirs up all kinds of images and keeps stirring them up even after you are home safe in your bed. If you want blood and gore just watch the medical channel on cable. If you want great terror, keep listening to OTR.
-Mark

[CardsFan]

My favorite witch episode is "I Warn You Three Times"; this show may rank second.

The enigmatic warning issued by the husband, without specifics, reminds me of "An American Werewolf in London". In the film, the Americans visit an inn and receive weird looks; after they leave, the men are sent out to find the boys who, of course, end up getting attacked by a werewolf. In this SOTW, the wife takes the husband to task for "letting" the couple enter the woods.

The maze in "The Shining" also came to mind when the couple became lost in the woods.

The shrieks at the end of the show rank as a great RMT moment. The actor portraying the witch has (had) a great voice with a seductive quality that was perfect for this character (as well as ...Three Times).

Once again I am amazed by the number of quality shows RMT produced. There are literally hundreds of solid, entertaining shows, in addition to the classics (such as "Carmilla"). In retrospect, I am surprised there were not more clunkers.

As we have discussed before, there were a number of RMTs that featured witches. Other than murder mysteries, it may have been the most popular theme for RMTs, except possibly for space aliens. It would be interesting to see a table breaking down plots by type for RMT. I only wish there had been more vampire/werewolf related stories.

[Ross]

Yes, this was a good one. Hadn't heard it before. Kept me guessing until the end!

- Ross