The Horror at Chilton Castle by Joseph Payne Brennan

Joseph Payne Brennan (1918-1990) was an American writer renowned for his contributions to horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, he nurtured his passion for writing from a young age and later pursued his love for literature at Yale University. Brennan's career as a librarian and researcher allowed him to immerse himself in the world of storytelling. In the 1950s and 1960s, he made a significant impact in the speculative fiction realm with his supernatural and psychologically gripping tales.
Brennan was a prolific writer, known for his association with the Cthulhu Mythos, a shared universe created by H.P. Lovecraft and others. His works, such as "The Slime," "Levitation," and "The Feaster from Afar," showcased his mastery of eerie atmospheres and profound understanding of the human psyche. As an editor, he co-founded the influential magazine "Macabre" and also pursued his talents in poetry. Even after his passing in 1990, Joseph Payne Brennan's legacy endures, as his vivid storytelling and terrifying narratives continue to captivate and inspire fans of horror and fantasy literature.
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[@rayswoop4947]

Two minutes in and excited because I love a classic style, traditional yarn that involves a castle in the U.K. A visitor, and horror creeping about 😊 I never tire of these 😊

[@ClassicGhost]

you can’t beat a haunted castle

[@cnkclark]

OH MY GOD AT LONG LAST! THANK YOU! I have searched for literal decades to find this story again after reading it as a child! I could never remember the name or enough details to find it.

[@ClassicGhost]

Ha ha! I have stories like that. There’s one about a village covers in snow and a mysterious clock. Can’t for the life of me remember the name of the author or the title but

[@cnkclark]

@@ClassicGhost I wish you luck in finding it, and if you do I hope you might grace us with a reading!

[@rebeccawoolfolk5377]

I do listen to you on the radio. Kind of. I have a sort of retro-looking radio next to my bed. It has the old Studebaker logo on it. It also has Bluetooth. So your voice comes out of my radio.

[@Story-Voracious66]

How very fitting. 📻

[@justinparkerthewildwolf6394]

Radio goo goo Radio Ga Ga Radio what's new Someone still loves you

[@QuranLion]

Likewise 🎩

[@user-db2fb1db1m]

Studebaker made some excellent rides , the - I believe it’s the 55 pick-up truck was definitely unique- Packard / Hudson I think absorbed them all under banner of AMC which used most of the mechanical components for almost 2 more decades, finally killed by emissions and so called safety regulations, however, I suspect CFR trilateral commission and insurance lobbies collaborated with banking / loans for more profits elsewhere and used excuses and UAW to make any independent production from their own portfolios and ideological agenda impossible to achieve. Brooks Shields first movie appearance featured a Studebaker . Reliable and efficient enough almost a kingdom among itself , Studebaker rode the wake of ww2 until finally becoming a casualty of the same morganthol plan.

[@user-db2fb1db1m]

@@justinparkerthewildwolf6394 Bumper sticker I seen on a Studebaker 30 years ago Smile , Jesus loves you Everyone else thinks your an asshole

[@lesliemccann628]

This plot has so much in common with a novel by Margery Allingham called Look to the Lady. I really enjoyed listening to this podcast. Deliciously atmospheric!!

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

I came across a book called Tom's Midnight Garden (1958) by British author Philippa Pearce which sounds like it might be the one about the mysterious clock and a winter garden. I'm surprised that I never heard of this book before. Thanks for the video, Tony. As always, so well done.

[@ClassicGhost]

I know that. it isn’t the one but thank you for racking your brain 🧠

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

@@ClassicGhost 👍 I thought you probably knew it.

[@katmartindale8049]

I enjoy listening to your readings of ghost and horror stories as I work. Your voice is perfect for the genre. The stories are ones that are lesser known ones but that makes them delightful surprises. This one was an especially good tale of horror.

[@djkelleher3557]

This evening sorted!! Love the Irish element! Great pronunciation 👏👏👏❤

[@marylyn66]

After netflix butchered Daphne Du Maurier's "Rebecca" I wasn't prepared to suffer through their version of The Fall of the House of Usher. I agree fully with our affable narrator. This reading of the The Horror of Chilton Castle gifted this humble listener with intriguing spine-tingling suspense. I can't wait to listen to more.

[@allysonlewis1576]

Really excellent tale. I thought it was a trap for the unsuspecting man who had the diluted blood in his veins. I thought he was going to be trapped with the fiendish ghoul . But no he got away across the sea. I don’t blame him either. Brilliant story. Thank you.

[@billhuitson5208]

Until a rich American falls in love with the castle and has it shipped complete, brick by brick - including the still sealed room -back to his estate in Massachusetts, the horror continues 🙀

[@kathleenwagner7444]

I thought it would turn out that the supposed factor was really the next heir and wanted an eyewitness who could swear that he hadn't laid violent hands on the thirteenth earl. But I read as many mystery stories as I do ghost stories. By all means delete my remarks if they give too much away. I quite understand.

[@michaelgreaves2375]

I wasn't going to listen to this one right now. I was going to save it for later... but I had no choice! The narration compelled me to listen to the whole thing!

[@rebeccahauser2649]

Now this is what you call a good horror story. Loved it.

[@alexanderaugust7834]

Amazing narration. Totally agree regarding the House of Usher Netflix series. The way the characters talk to one another is infantile, and the casting of the family is so “diverse” that it becomes fantastical.

[@Eudorus314]

Randomly found your channel today and was not disappointed!

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad to have you here

[@PippaAT]

You, Simon and Jasper really are the best narrators on you-tube, and, crazy as it seems, I think of you as friends. I'm not a creepy stalker lady, I promise. x

[@blaqueheart8963]

I have to agree with the disdain for the recent trend of taking the titles of well established stories and re-writing them into something less compelling and coherent. Regardless, I have just discovered you, to my delight, and I am now hooked. Keep up the wonderful work please.

[@manuelluisnavarro7701]

Beautifully narrated, sir!

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank you kindly!

[@sheilakirby5616]

I'VE ONLY RECENTLY FOUND YOUR CHANNEL AND LISTENED TO A FEW STORIES LAST NIGHT AND BECAME ABSOLUTELY FASCINATED WITH THE STORIES AND YOUR STYLE *** AND FOR THIS MY FRIEND YOU HAVE BEEN AWARDED WITH A NEW SUBSCRIBER ❣️❣️❣️ MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT MY FRIEND ❣️❣️❣️ KEEP THE STORIES COMING AND I WILL SURELY BE HERE TO LISTEN WITH THE MIND OF MY YOUTH AND IN THE BODY OF AN OLD WOMAN *** SHIVERING WHILE AWAITING AND FEARING THE END 🥺

[@ClassicGhost]

Welcome aboard! Thank you very much for being here.

[@martiwilliams4592]

Masterful vivid, gripping narration, as always, Tony. Love the "ramblings" Gothic as it should be with writers that can write!!!!!Thank you!!!

[@sonnetlikely]

What a great tale!! Thanks so much!

[@catherine4092]

I just found your station. Wonderful narration. I listen until i fall asleep, wake up, continue to listen. I start new the next day, lol Thank you super much (tysm) for the reading. Night everyone. 💛 Catherine from Tucson AZ 12/13/23

[@ClassicGhost]

Thanks for listening

[@DenWell-SeedsOfChaos]

I liked it, 10 out of 10 would listen again. And I will.

[@ropeburnsrussell]

I'm a new haven native. I've never heard of him but I'll find more by him now.

[@kathleenwagner7444]

I must see what I can find in alumni records about him. I wonder if he was connected with Sterling Library.

[@kathleenwagner7444]

Now I read that he not only was affiliated with Sterling Library but he was there when my husband and I were undergraduates!

[@lissanne9769]

Thank you so much, Tony Walker for narrating this exciting scary story. Each word spoken was an anticipated, OMG, what's next? Well, that was frightening enough. Unusual and unique story.

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mariameere5807]

Beautiful Tony! Thank you so much for the amazing entertainment! We love you ❤❤❤

[@barbarascott3231]

Thank you, once again perfect end to a stressful day❤

[@lyndabrennan4560]

Sounds great, can't wait for bedtime, thanks Tony 💙 💛

[@libertycowboy2495]

Excellent! Deeply dark and disturbing. ❤

[@johndrake3472]

Good one, first time I've listened to this writer - won't be the last if he has other works.

[@dwellerofthedark]

Beyond excited to see your voice doing this one Master of the Macabre!

[@reginawalsh9842]

I realize this story came out 4 months ago but better late than never 😊 Wonderful story. You definitely have talent for telling stories. Really appreciate your work. Thank you 🎉 I agree with you 100% 💯, writers today don’t compare to the past writers. Why fix it if it’s not broken. Again thank you your work is amazing 🤩

[@ClassicGhost]

Thanks for listening

[@AmandaLee-in2yl]

Thank you Tony for all your hard work

[@iainwelch]

Completely marvellous narration!!

[@jayfox28]

I never realized how many of these stories all use, "and yet", and I love how you make just those 2 words take on such emphasis!

[@ClassicGhost]

And yet, I am very pleased by your comment.

[@pboddy2920]

One of the most genuinely horrific horror stories I've encountered in the last few years, and brilliantly read here in the same style as the writing - calm & matter-of-fact. Yes it's somewhat OTT Gothic in its subject and themes, but I love all that anyway, and Brennan handles his subject so well it never lapses into parody. Mark Gatiss should be using this for his next GSFC! I think it could adapt really well to the screen. Thankyou so much for posting this 😱😀😱

[@ClassicGhost]

If you know Mark, remind him we're here.

[@lesleykaygosson315]

That was fantastic ! ❤ Thank You For Sharing This With Us. You are incredible.❤

[@Aliese11]

Excellent reading. I love your voice.

[@LDTodd]

Love your narrations, thank you

[@MachineSpirit101]

Absolutely brilliant reading. Chilling.

[@BrandyWine658]

Wow! I just found you and this was perfect! You're a natural. Outstanding job! New subscriber.

[@ClassicGhost]

Thanks for the sub. I appreciate you being here.

[@PippaAT]

Wow Tony, that was a shocker!

[@stevecausey545]

This is one of my favorite scary stories, excellent work!

[@pameversole5886]

Sir, I would listen to you read the yellow pages! 😊 But I do so love the earlier horror stories. Thank you!❤

[@susanotway7875]

Very creepy! Another good one Tony. Thanks.

[@joanieann6179]

That one was particularly gruesome! 😮😮 Lots of fun to listen to. Thank you Tony! ❤

[@Nanosuit37]

Excellent narration and story. Very good. Thank you.

[@nalunoa]

Utterly brilliant! And oh my, but you were on it, off the map and moving quickly on that epilogue. Love. It!!! You finally said one thing, however, that I soundly disagree with you on (took you long enough 😂): I am one of the ones who loves tge Occult Detectives. There; I said it. Anyway, spectacular episode from soup to nuts. Once again, many thanks for all your fine work and ramblings, sir!

[@roxanavasilakis9435]

Thanks dear Tony 🌷

[@applewagon253]

10/10! A classic done well! Also, you’re preaching to the choir on cinema writers these days. In listening to the drama surrounding the strike, the reports miss the fact that… they all seem to be quite bad at their job these days. Banshees of Inisherin was the only movie I’ve enjoyed in 4 or 5 years…

[@debbieanderson9270]

LOVED THIS! And I listened to the whole song after! 10+++++❣️

[@lindaloe]

😢Amazingly 😨 😮Scary!! Thanks, Happy Halloween 🎃 🤪!!

[@angelaroberts2803]

Lovely stories for Halloween 🎃.Well read.Tony.Thank you.

[@kathleenwagner7444]

The ending surprised me. I had anticipated quite a different denouement.

[@Jason-ng2vf]

Wonderful tale!

[@seanmurphy6480]

NICE ONE MISTER THANKS ❤

[@ginabeena6757]

That was super creepy!! 😬 Thank you! ❤️

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jaceek2030]

Oh Mr. Walker, absolutely loved this one! Gothic, haunted, spectral, spooky..tales are my absolute faves. I thought I was the only 1 who took issue with Netflix's 'Fall of the House Usher'. I've started it 3 times and am loathe to get past episode 3. Netflix's 'The Haunting of Hill House' set a precedent that hasn't been equaled as of yet..of course this is only mho. Thank you for sharing this gem and your talents.

[@BF-up5xw]

Nice reading, thank you! You might not like the Netflix Fall of the House of Usher, but it is more of a personal work than you might have thought. Mike Flanagan does very loose adaptations, but turns them into something personal to him. It may seem an odd way of working, but it is an approach he's taken a few times. Keep going, you're doing wonderful work!

[@scoutrifle6827]

You find the best stories (I still prefer your own) and read them impeccably well.

[@randyhebbebusche3644]

Really enjoyed the video. You have a great voice for it.

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Great story and narration! I really enjoyed this one. I am listening to it for a second time because I liked it so well. This is a great horror story. The picture of the castle is amazing! Thanks!

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad you liked it, Don

[@donaldmccleary9015]

​@ClassicGhost it is great! I agree with you about the new "Fall of the House of Usher". The family in the book has few similarities to the family in the show. If one keeps the title they must remain true to the script....or be placed on the rack!

[@roxyabrooks864]

I have spent Christmas week listening to your stories between cooking, cleaning and family activities, and it has enriched my holiday experience immensely ✨ How nice it will be to continue this 'fun and frights' throughout the long and cold Winter. Thank you, Mr. Walker 🌠

[@ClassicGhost]

More winter to come too

[@roxyabrooks864]

@@ClassicGhost ...and I'm looking forward to it! 🥂 Cheers!

[@veradennis7502]

Excellent story, btw - I totally agreed with your comments about doing Gothic properly :)

[@wingedeathnoisewave]

LOVED this one!

[@layali1]

Beautifully chilling 😀

[@AnnyMacToo]

Awesome story!!

[@DonnaGisellaTranchel]

💙💙💙💙💙 Love Your Voice! Simply Perfect!!!

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank you so much!!

[@jenniferlevine5406]

You're very funny tonight! Great story - proper gothic. Loved it! Great chat. as usual and interesting to hear the bio. Thanks for the wonderful entertainment!

[@ClassicGhost]

I just recorded this week's and I was very dull. Honestly. I thought I was. You shall be the judge.

[@NDH]

I love love love your channel!

[@ClassicGhost]

i’m very happy that you do

[@ellenmendoza7246]

Great story

[@possumaintdead]

I buy so much from Etsy. I had no idea the postage was so much from the UK. I’m in the USA. Usually the postage they list is nothing like as much. I already have a number of your books. Love them!

[@ClassicGhost]

It’s the weight / My postcard merch is fine

[@linnmatthews8615]

Chat all you want, I love your after story, stories. I liked this story quite a lot. Thank you.

[@joosepaivio7005]

Kiitos!

[@fweepthegod-pu5nc]

Another great (narration of a) story❤❤❤ and I too loved the setting of the two’blokes’ in front of the hearth drinking aged whiskey… unfortunately, in my opinion, Netflix (or the writers) didn’t do the story justice and the show didn’t keep my attention for very long after that scene… anywho, another intriguing commentary! I’ve been a subscriber but now I’m a fan 😊

[@ClassicGhost]

That's a great leap forward! (not intending to invoke Mao by the way)

[@thurayya8905]

The trouble with Hollywood productions are Hollywood producers. These are the money people. They usually aren't creative (except with accounting) and they need to placate all the investors. That is what they are worried about with little thought to literacy or how it reads. The movies are usually shown in preselected theaters in the Los Angeles area before release and the audience fills out a survey. Sometimes the movie is reedited, depending on the results. They rely on whatever tropes they think made something popular at the box office before and use them again. It pains me that so many people read so little.

[@aimlesswanderer4786]

Wow! That was amazing! Subscribed! 😊

[@ClassicGhost]

Thanks for subbing!

[@susanmercurio1060]

I thought that Brennan would have left us with a blank image of whatever was in the forbidden chamber, but he described the details in horrible word pictures. Usually no-description leaves us with our imaginations to conjur up the details for ourselves.

[@edf777]

😊❤thank you sir

[@earthcat]

I really enjoyed that 🌺

[@mardinegouws4335]

Very awesome

[@michelstrogoff99]

Your're right. It s all there. Nicely read. Thank you

[@francesrees4334]

First time listening very good and interesting

[@ClassicGhost]

Great!

[@LadyEng]

I loved the story and I loved your comment on Netflix Usher. Why did they make it so bright and colourful? Some of the characters were ridiculously cartoonish. I liked the idea of mashing all the characters into a single family but they were all idiots. Shame. Regards from you Argentine fan (Am I the only one here?) I loved all your ramblings here (hilarious). Happy Halloween. It is not normally celebrated in Argentina but I do because I have a language school and it is MY favourite holiday so we make it an all week celebration.

[@alanbbrady8196]

This story was first published as part of a Marks & Spencer Classic Horror collection around 1979.

[@ClassicGhost]

I have those books.

[@Story-Voracious66]

One of the unexpected dangers of geniology; one never knows to whom one could be related. Thanks Tony. Great, gothic stuff! 👺👸🏻🎃

[@ClassicGhost]

Next one's Cthulhoid

[@Story-Voracious66]

We have a personalised number plate, *CTHULU*. 😎

[@ClassicGhost]

Oh blimey

[@sunflowerhelen9933]

This was well done as usual, thanks so much. What's funny is because of your lovely accent I understood fettered to be "fetid", which added a sense of a dreadful odor emanating from the red-eyed horror. Delightful!

[@ClassicGhost]

that’s because we no longer pronounce our r in standard English in England. I must roll them more :)

[@evelanpatton]

Oh yes, 🏰 a castle, 🏯🎑 an Inn, ⚠️📂🗄️ a legend, & 🖤📜🖋️ a story!

[@marcpennington8455]

Holy shit that’s a good one!

[@soniadennis7801]

Your dribble just woke me up thanks!

[@ClassicGhost]

lol. that sounds horrible

[@deirdrestorm]

I put this on to listen to while drawing, and I had to stop drawing and just listen! Brilliant story, wonderful narration. I wonder if Mr. Brennan knew of Leap Castle, in County Offaly. It is haunted by an "elemental" known as "it," the very sight of which can drive a person mad. The castle also has an oubliette, a sort of inescapable dungeon, bu over the dining hall so that the prisoners would hear the sounds of feasting below as they starved to death.

[@ClassicGhost]

Great legends! I think he must have been influenced by something like that

[@evelanpatton]

Written by who? When? Or…is this a legend of an actual castle in a location- a sorted destination with destiny?

[@deirdrestorm]

@@evelanpatton It is a real castle in County Offaly, Ireland. It had a bloody history. The elemental and the oubliette are actual local folklore about it. There is a documentary about it on KZbin. Tomorrow I’ll try to find it for you.

[@deirdrestorm]

Here you go: you 'll love this one. There are so many videos about Leap Castle! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rl7CdoeKiNCAgrMsi=ys2o47-gIncqp8d9

[@susanmercurio1060]

I felt the same way about the movie The Lord of the Rings: who were the producers to think that they could write the book better than Tolkien?

[@stephanietaylor142]

I refuse to buy anything from Amazon. I'd rather pay your insane shipping. Love your stuff ❤

[@TalkingAboutGames]

It's clear that Joseph Payne Brennan "borrowed" a great part of this story from one of the Glamis castle legends; check out "The Ghosts of Glamis Caslte: A Royal Haunting", and you will immediately identify the similarities.

[@lisap.1826]

Dear lord that was creepy 😱.

[@joeylee405]

Go hard!

[@stumerac]

Excellent reading, excellent story, and i love the afterparty. I never heard of you or this author until now. Thank you!

[@grimlund]

This story must have been inspired by Glamis castle in Scotland. The horror of Glamis.

[@shawnwales696]

FYI, in the context of this story, a "faggot" refers to a bundle of sticks (of which we can assume the torch is made of. But in this context, "faggot" is not intended to be derogatory.

[@catherine4092]

Indeed, the English verbiage is different when it comes to slangs. I also heard they are cigarettes., sticks somewhat

[@ClassicGhost]

I guess the word we use for cigarettes "Gis a fag, mate?" is short for faggot which was a small stick used to light fires. Also, it is a horrid meat and gravy thing made of offal that people in the Midlands and Wales enjoy.

[@sandrabrown-gregory6587]

Great story and storytelling. As a lover of Marvel movies I have to disagree with your opinion of them. After all, they are based on comic books. Comics aren't expected to be on the same level as the classics. It's fun, fantasy, and a celebration of the impossible. Lighten up. I do love listening to you. 😢

[@Msfeathers7]

Hollywood "They just can't write"....Perfect!

[@Einnoc-cp8ml]

🎉2024! Jan 01 11:08 am a newbie here and right away subscribed!! Im hooked.😅

[@ClassicGhost]

+@Einnoc-cp8ml welcome :)

[@ztgglis]

Fabulous. CHIRP Audio is spelled with only one ‘r’.