Claude Hulbert & Arnold Ridley - The Ghost Train play (1951)

This special production of Arnold Ridley's stage play The Ghost Train was produced in 1951 especially for Decca to release on LP (LK4040). The cast includes Ridley himself as Saul Hodkin, the Station Master, the part he played in original stage productions of the play. Claude Hulbert is the main star here, as Teddy Deakin and comedy character actor Campbell Singer plays the minor part of John Sterling, as well as adapting and directing this version of the play for Decca. An interesting rarity with a top cast!

[@mickeythompson9537]

Thank you for this lovely rarity!

[@peakhill2869]

My father had this record and I used to listen to it as a kid. I have been trying to find this version of the ghost train for a long time . Thanks for posting

[@chrisevans4006]

Brilliant thanks for sharing this gem

[@potrix_ceramix]

I have been looking for this for years - thank you for uploading. I remember listening to this as a child in South Africa before the days of television with my family - it still gives me goosebumps when I hear it. I will be playing this for my children soon. Thank you.

[@elleaitch3203]

I got goosebumps! What a atmospheric production for an LP. Thank you for sharing.

[@VintageBritishComedy]

My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it. It's a lovely piece.

[@eliotreader8220]

@@VintageBritishComedy i didn't realise the ghost train story was set in Cornwall

[@eliotreader8220]

@@VintageBritishComedy I think I like this version better than what happened in the film of the same name. in this they send the Ghost train on to a siding rather than sending it off the tracks

[@alphonso391]

Delightful

[@tolkny]

Thanks for posting - I thought there was a bit missing after about 23 minutes but I think it is when the first side of the record finished - it picks up again after about 4 minutes and the text does seem to continue from where it stopped before the gap. Fascinating production - worth putting up with the scratchy sound for the history of it.

[@VintageBritishComedy]

Andrew S Hatton Yes, it's the change of sides. I did this some time ago when I had rubbish recording equipment and little clean-up knowledge so I might have a go at re-recording it from the LP at some point.

[@zakofrx]

@@VintageBritishComedy any plan to still re record?

[@filmbuff-ru4xt]

It's tempting to compare this radio production with the Arthur Askey film but they are both vastly different.

[@Mankymeg]

Askey was the completely wrong actor for the part in the film

[@eliotreader8220]

especially with what happened to the ghost train

[@annharrison4774]

I'm in Amateur Dramatics and our society are currently rehearsing this play, but they have had to change one of the characters to a woman as there a shortage of men, (which is my character). From Oscar Price to Henrietta Price. And it is hilarious!

[@chriscoughlan5221]

45mins, still waiting for something scary

[@VintageBritishComedy]

Who said ghost stories have to be horror stories?... 🤷‍♂️

[@mickeythompson9537]

We get that you don't enjoy a 1951 recording that the grown-ups are listening to, but why do you have to wave your boredom around like a stupid teenager.

[@chriscoughlan5221]

Whatever

[@chriscoughlan5221]

scary? irritating, yes

[@chriscoughlan5221]

yawn