M.R. James - A Warning to the Curious read by Michael Hordern

[@jerribee1]

A wonderful telling of this M.R.James ghost story, marred only by the number of intrusive ads that had to be skipped.

[@matiasdelgado7011]

I read the story in anthology called The Mammoth Book of Zombies, and I fallen in love with M R James tales abouth vengeful corpses. I see this "avenging zombies" much interesting than the anthropofagus corpses from Night of the Living Dead.

[@T11639]

The crassness of the adverts is so jarring. A wonderfully erudite tale interrupted by ghastly vulgarity.

[@honeyflower7754]

Michael Hordern has an amazing voice and is an excellent narrator! Always a pleasure to listen to. Thank you!🙏 😊

[@davidandrews8963]

LOVE THIS MANS VOICE ALSO DID PADDINGTON BEAR I KNOW ALDEBURGH REALLY WELL IN FACT SUFFOLK COAST WAS MY PLAYGROUND IN 70S EARLY 80S ME AND MY LATE DAD WENT SEA FISHING A LOT BEAUTIFUL COAST IM ON NORTH NORFOLK COAST NOW CROMER SUFFOLK MUCH NICER THOUGH SORRY FOR CAPS BUSTED GLASSES GETTING SOME NEW ONES ASAP ❤️😎🤓

[@MrButterscotch1]

Frankly puzzled why people would give this a thumbs down. A fantastic story that is wonderfully well told.

[@spencerhardy8667]

The kind of people who deface the statue of Winston and the Cenotaph.

[@johncarlisle621]

Michael hordern was a fantastic actor. His acting in whistle and I'll come to you my lad was brilliant

[@MrButterscotch1]

@@Anonymous-ib8so 🤣🤣 it's hardly a documentary is it?

[@mikelheron20]

@@Anonymous-ib8so I lived in that part of the world and I can assure you the accents are absolutely fine.

[@mikelheron20]

@@spencerhardy8667 One short sentence but it speaks volumes about you ... Nothing good!

[@rickykilby4672]

I love the way James uses very descriptive passages about location.They are almost always rural/seaside locations that add considerably to the atmosphere of the stories,conveying a sense of solitude and desolation.

[@andrewmurray5542]

And often bleak and eerie

[@susanbeesley8299]

Poor Paxton x beautifully read by Michael Hordern x

[@johnappleby405]

Great story well read by the late great Michael Hordern

[@andrewlane4766]

The voice of Paddington Bear, the voice of Gandalf and THE voice for M.R.James - we were very lucky to have Sir Michael...

[@DrDespicable]

A truly gifted artist, in *any* medium! Films, TV, radio - supremely talented!

[@paulgoddard]

I really enjoy the original 60s adaptation of Whistle and I come that BBC did staring Michael Hordern.

Look at this. You are taking the trouble to be so kind as to read & like everyone's comments. That's really nice of you. Not everyone, not every KZbinr does this. Thanks. Take care of yourself.😘

[@T11639]

But most importantly..... the voice of Mr Badger. We were very lucky indeed!

[@chazbrennan9632]

A sad, sad story. You really feel James's sorrow for all the young men killed in the Great War. Two crowns lost and the guardians all dead.

[@wmnoffaith1]

Yes, As a segue I remember reading that when fighting became very intense and it looked as if Britain might fall, the MacLeod of MacLeod offered to wave the fairy flag to summon help. Legend has it that the fairy flag, still located on the Isle of Skye, in the possession of the Laird, has one more wave left, and can be waved in dire need. Whether the se crowns are real, I don't know, but I know the flag is. It wouldn't surprise me if the MacLeods waved the flag to turn the tide and didn't tell anyone. I know that many soldiers claim also to have seen St. George come to their rescue against the Germans when several British soldiers, outnumbered, called out and prayed to St. George to intercede. Who can say that these things are purely fiction? If I had the fairy flag I would've waved it, and I would never have touched the crown either. :)

[@paulgoddard]

Yes you really do feel James' sadness.

[@carlhiley2491]

Listening to this during lockdown on the patio with a beer .one of my favourite authors the reader's not bad either.

[@shakeybill82]

Reader's not bad? I should think is isn't either! It's Michael Hordern, one of the best actors of stage and screen!

[@paulgoddard]

Michael Hordern is amazing. He always delivers and whether it's these stories, seeing him in Shakespeare or reading Paddington Bear. I love all ghost stories but you can't beat M.R. James.

[@wmnoffaith1]

I think the reader is outstanding. His portrayal of the old man's accent in the story's beginning is so realistic that sometimes you forget that this is just one person narrating; it really is more like standing there listening to a conversation. His accents are exceptional, as was his acting. His portrayal of the main character in Oh Whistle and I'll Come to you is one of the best bits of character acting I've ever seen. I know everyone has his own preferences, but to say he's "not bad" makes him sound as if he is in the Librivox volunteer category; but to each his own idea of what constitutes greatness. I guess to some people, he's just "not bad".

[@jackiewhite4204]

@@shakeybill82 hear, hear!

[@kristinastinson6335]

It is my ambition to reserve a sitting room in a hotel but they don't do them anymore (sigh) just bars and lounges today.... wonderful story read by a superb narrator master

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Claridges ?

[@paulgoddard]

There may be a few hotels left where you can reserve a sitting room. I know my NLP trainer booked a sitting room in a Malvern hotel for our training. This was in 2006.

[@kristinastinson6335]

@@paulgoddard I suppose if I really went all out for some research, there might be the odd survivors tuck away - 'till then I needs must hope ....

[@paulgoddard]

@@kristinastinson6335 If I come across one in a lovely seaside town I will let you know 🙂

[@kristinastinson6335]

@@paulgoddard Thank ye kindly sir :)

[@markoutram7589]

I personally LOVE Christopher Lee's rendition of this on BBC"'s 'Ghost Stories For Christmas' series but I'd say THIS is an extremely close second, proving what a truly mesmeric story this is, especially in its 'believe-ability'. Many thanks for posting.

[@tabongaproductions]

no diggin ere! classic ghost story, love this and Whistle and I'll Come to You. Thanks for the upload

[@paulgoddard]

Thank you 🙂

[@5wanderers8]

Wonderful. Lovely way to end the evening. Many thanks for these.

[@paulgoddard]

You're welcome

[@mikestanmore2614]

Michael Hordern will always be the voice of Gandalf to me. This was excellent, thankyou.

[@paulgoddard]

Mike Stanmore Thank you for your positive comment. I haven't heard the radio play of Lord of the Rings. However after reading your post I will listen very soon ☺

[@mikestanmore2614]

Paul Goddard it's the BBC version. I hope you enjoy it.

[@11lillith]

For me too.......wonderful voice.......the BBC adaptation included many fantastic actors!

[@gerry5134]

For me his voice makes me think of Paddington lol

[@chazbrennan9632]

YES. The deinitive adaptation. Even now, with the films in the bag, it's still my-go to for the best Gandalf, the best Frodo, the best Sam and the best Smeagol.

[@patricaomas8750]

Micheal Horden is so good.

[@mikefischbein3230]

I love this reading.

[@Nyctophora]

Thank you! I do love some M R James.

[@dmmchugh3714]

One of my favorite M.R. James stories. "Rats" and "Lost Hearts" are also scary with unforgettable mental imagery.

[@catherinedoyle1194]

A lovely way to end a summer's evening, before you turn in for the evening.

[@MrButterscotch1]

Agreed! Though in my case a Winter's evening, as the children are asleep and a fresh glass is charged. The story of the found crown has left a chill in the air. Perhaps a light will be left on to cast a reassuring glow after all...

[@terencecorr8439]

Excellent, man, that's it. ✌️💚

[@bentavener254]

‘That wasn’t my coat ...’ Classic.

[@chazbrennan9632]

If you've never heard Hordern doing 'You Cannot Pass' as Gandalf at the bridge of Khazad Dum, do so immediately. Unbelievably spine-chilling: so desperate and tired and proud. The whole sequence from the chamber of Mazabul to the fall is incredible.

[@czypauly07]

I would love to hear this, but all recordings have been expunged from the public domain - apparently Peter Jackson hasn't made enough money. I wonder if the books will be next.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

It's actually the Tolkien family who have an army of lawyers permanently on look out for breach of copyright. They are VERY litigious !! Their earnings from their great grandfathers books total millions of dollars but that's not enough apparently ?

[@horrorfanandy4647]

@@2msvalkyrie529Yes I was just about to say as much. I’m sure Jackson would be delighted to have them available himself, but the Tolkien family seem a rather needlessly overprotective bunch. Overprotective of money that is.

[@hooch304]

Great stuff.

[@mrblaxto]

To cheerful of a reading for a ghost story for my taste.

[@ElvishJumpSuit]

The B E A R ! 3:33 Brings back memories. Come on, who noticed it?

[@willhuey4891]

the lost crown a ghost hunting adventure.

[@gerry5134]

That story would put you off digging sand castles wouldn't it !? 😱

[@paulgoddard]

Yes indeed 😄

[@boxfox2945]

One of tbe better, of these stories' 🕯

[@andrewmurray5542]

Spoiler alert... I was hoping that Agar might accept Paxton putting the crown back, but it seems he wasn't at all happy with that. Perhaps he could have just haunted Paxton for a few months then popped back to the mound to continue guarding the crown. Ghosts can be very fickle, it seems.

[@bobp3390]

At the very end of THE LONGSHIPS the hero is asked what his next mission might be. He replies that he's heard of 3 holy crowns in England.

[@andrewward8692]

I spent a week in that building in February 2019. I massively recommend it.

[@paulgoddard]

I must try it sometime 🙂

[@iananderson3799]

I always felt, if Ager was doing his job properly, he should have taken care of all three men.

[@horrorfanandy4647]

True, but they swore not to tell anyone and never actually touched it themselves. Ager isn’t a fair guardian persay, but he’s bound by a seeming code of conduct, touch the crown yourself and it’s game over for you, but your friends had nothing to do with it, so they have nothing to do with me. So long as they keep their mouths shut. The short film adaptation Ager is not so forgiving, for it seems that Dr Black may suffer a similar fate to Paxton when the guard opens the door of the train carriage, thinking someone was about it get in it… a chilling antagonist whether on page or screen, truly frightening!

[@NancyDrewe]

This is the saddest story in this book.

[@admiralcraddock464]

Adverts, Adverts Adverts. Just as I'm getting into this tale, a sodding advert cuts telling me how to heat my home for zero cost.

[@paulgoddard]

@admiralcraddock464 I know how you feel. KZbin put them in all videos now. I don't monetise my videos and I don't get a penny from any of my videos.

[@admiralcraddock464]

​@paulgoddard thanks for taking the time to upload them. I sure these pointless adverts are KZbin's nefarious way of making us buy KZbin Premium.

[@GaryThatsgary]

Here be adverts

[@robertmiller5258]

Seaburgh must be Aldeburgh

[@stephenjones7040]

Other readings say it's April 1920

[@lundondadony2618]

This british story is better

[@benwinter2420]

Roman tiles not

[@angelaclark4132]

B