'The Midnight House'

A BBC radio play that owes a lot - i.e. the central idea and much of the imagery - to M.R. James' 'The Mezzotint'. I think the wartime setting is well-handled and it's nice to hear Caroline John (who played Doctor Who companion Liz Shaw) in a leading role.
If you like supernatural fiction, you might like:
suptales.blogspot.co.uk/

[@ragwortrattle8798]

I'm 9 years late, but this has been brilliant. I've loved listening. Better late than never. 😊

[@valdemarsquelch]

Thanks to everyone for their comments, they are much appreciated.

[@jayfults6610]

Thank you 🙏

[@allisonschempf2230]

Thanks for uploading this delightfully mysterious and creepy story! It's a treat everytime I come across a good audio play. Who needs TV when this sort of entertainment exists? More please!!!

[@josephinethorns7680]

Thank you for uploading this story. More relaxing than reading a book. I can see why audio books are so popular.

[@blixten2928]

This is much more than a mere re-telling or elaboration of James' The Mezzotint. It's a very creative and interesting development of the theme. Very spooky. And FUN personalities - Collins is such a boor, and Mrs. Whatsiz so scattered! Lotsa fun. THANKS!!

[@valdemarsquelch]

Glad you like it. You're quite right, it goes beyond MRJ's story to make a compelling drama with a sound setting and believable characters.

[@FIONA21ful]

Good to hear this again...M.R James is a genius and I love to see and hear his stories dramatised. This being my second time to listen to this , I still found it wonderfully entertaining., its so well done. Thank you .

[@TheTeacher1020]

I love good videos...but these radio broadcasts often create greater thrills and chills. More room for the imagination!

[@wcstevens7]

TheTeacher1020 ..Yes, you have to use your imagination..Good exercise for the brain.

[@musicjetstream2476]

you should listen to "bad memories" by radio 4 much scarier and more terrifying than this! you can find it on youtube by searching it up.

[@zainabe9503]

"Imagination"... maybe that's why I enjoy reading books more than watching movies. PS.: the more advanced technology gets, apparently the less room for imagination is allowed.

[@Germatti13489]

So true!

[@filmnoir50]

This was a really entertaining, creepy story, and very well done. M.R. James was a real genius, and I love his stories. The wartime setting works well here, and the cast is terrific. Thanks so much for this!

[@edwardmalc1473]

Maybe the best adaptation of an M.R. James' short story I've heard, so far. My imagination went into overdrive..... Strangely the play has only been broadcast by the BBC three times since 2007!

[@DrLizShawOBE2]

Thank you for uploading this on KZbin. It's been a decade since it was broadcast now. RIP Carry John! :(

[@jillfisher8853]

Oh my word. I think I prefer this treatment to the original...and I'm a huge fan of MRJ. Thanks so much for uploading this - I love your channel!

[@quinbenson]

Kenneth Clark survived the role of Director during WWII, even if Dr Collins, here, didn't. The art repository in the slate quarry at Manod Mawr was completely real and a Google search should show pictures. The Department of the Environment were unwilling to give up occupation of the site and the owner only regained control in the 1980s after a long court case. I've repeatedly enjoyed this version of the M R James original, which finishes with far less menace, so it's good to stumble across it again 👍😎

[@arianamcveigh4914]

Excellent writing and acting - the unusual setting etc. avoided all clichés and gave us a really interesting story. Thank you!

[@MartysWhiteSuit]

I heard this a good few years ago, but it still creeps me out.

[@carminum]

This might well be the most scariest radio play ever made.

[@deniseroper9030]

absolutely loved it. 2nd time listening and its just as good. bit spooky so perhaps not before bedtime. thank you for the download. more please

[@KayWoods64]

I really enjoyed that. Thank you for uploading.

[@granny13ad33]

Absolutely captivating! M.R. James is the Master! OTR is better than TV. It's becomes the theater of the mind where lurks the most powerful fears and horrors of many lives in history. I thank you for making available. In fact, TV is lowest of all. Books do a good run in the race of time well spent.

[@wmnoffaith1]

Totally agree! A book can do so much in the way of foreshadowing events, describing the atmosphere, and painting a picture. In a tv show, you never know what anyone is thinking or past events that may have led to the plot. Especially movies now, that just trade in blood, violence and jump scares. I wouldn't take a radio story or supernatural fiction any day.

[@robfictionwriter3310]

Tank you very much for uploading.

[@wilde4445]

Very good, thank you!!!

[@kimbykimbers3750]

Superb! Thank You 🌹

[@Theswerethebestthebest]

it's just a shame there was not a continuation to this story. they should have wrote more about the story

[@pjb3150]

Excellent

[@pattersonparkin5262]

Oh god this was so good

[@feralbluee]

weird story - scary - engrossing and very well done - thanks :}

[@davidaroberts3175]

Sounds like John Lydon

[@scottkocher856]

Very spooky .

[@wilde4445]

So glad to have found you.

[@whousay4672]

👍

[@Germatti13489]

All the men are so so grouchy toward the woman! But anyway this reminds me of the book "Rose Madder".

[@chrisparker5796]

First.?

[@Dawghome]

I used to like science fiction growing up, now I hate it so thanks for the head up, I won't be listening!👍

[@louisbrugnoni1291]

Dawg Home Not sci fi. Supernatural

[@Dawghome]

@@louisbrugnoni1291 ok might be worth checking out then, plus others preferred this rendition than prior, if it really is scary tho, oh, who cares, thanks for clarifying.👍

[@dew2912]

The Mezzotint? 😒 Shameless overacting...