- 6/20/2025
Lights Out is an American old-time radio program devoted mostly to horror and the supernatural.
Created by Wyllis Cooper and then eventually taken over by Arch Oboler, versions of Lights Out aired on different networks, at various times, from January 3, 1934 to the summer of 1947 and the series eventually made the transition to television. Lights Out was one of the earliest radio horror programs, predating Suspense and Inner Sanctum, and was the first to gain a large following.
Created by Wyllis Cooper and then eventually taken over by Arch Oboler, versions of Lights Out aired on different networks, at various times, from January 3, 1934 to the summer of 1947 and the series eventually made the transition to television. Lights Out was one of the earliest radio horror programs, predating Suspense and Inner Sanctum, and was the first to gain a large following.
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00:00Ironized Yeast presents...
00:03Lights out, everybody.
00:11It is later than you think.
00:23This is Arch Obler bringing you another in our series of stories of the unusual.
00:34And once again, we caution you.
00:35These lights out stories are definitely not for the timid soul.
00:39So we tell you calmly and very sincerely,
00:42if you frighten easily, turn off your radio now.
00:46But if you're fascinated by the mysterious, the fantastic, the unearthly,
00:51then anticipate chills in our story of poltergeist.
01:02Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.
01:07Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.
01:11Hey, that was swell. Now let's go to town.
01:14St. Louis woman with her diamond ring
01:20Kicking that man around.
01:23No, stop that, Kay.
01:24What's the matter? Am I scaring the horse?
01:26Oh, it seems like a sacrilege singing a song like that out here.
01:31This beautiful, clean snow and blue sky.
01:34Well, what's wrong with a hot song to keep us warm?
01:37If you think the St. Louis blues is going to dirty up the snow,
01:40you ought to hear Frankie and Johnny the way I sing it.
01:43Oh, stop it, Kay. You're not funny at all.
01:46Why can't you enjoy the fresh air without that cabaret sort of thing?
01:50Oh, just an old-fashioned gal, eh, Florence?
01:54How about you, Edna? Don't you like my songs either?
01:57You haven't said anything for the last five minutes.
01:59Well, I haven't been listening to you to tell the truth.
02:03I love to watch the snow sort of flow along under the sleigh.
02:06When you say that, gal, smile.
02:09Gosh, did you ever see more snow in your life?
02:11The man at the hotel said it'd been snowing on and off up here for two weeks.
02:15I think coming out here to the country's the best thing we three have done
02:18since we started rooming together.
02:20Harking in the snow's terribly healthy.
02:22Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of.
02:23The healthier I get, the worse I feel.
02:27Crazy idiot.
02:28She does say the funniest things, doesn't she?
02:30I always say that Kay ought to...
02:32Whoa!
02:34Hallelujah, we're here.
02:35Is this as far as we go, driver?
02:37That's right, miss.
02:38Can't go no further down this road to counter the drift.
02:41Oh, my goodness.
02:43The drifts are too deep for a horse.
02:44How can we walk through them?
02:45I second the motion.
02:47Well, you young ladies don't have to worry none
02:49so long as you keep going down the valley over there.
02:52Snow ain't piled up that way all the way to Margenkin.
02:55Oh, well, that's marvelous.
02:57Come on, girls.
02:58Let's get started.
02:59So long.
03:00Take care of yourselves, girls.
03:02Come on, Edna.
03:03Goodbye, Mr. Michael.
03:05Listen to the snow talking at us.
03:09It's very dry snow.
03:11Our feet rub particles of it together
03:13and the friction makes a sound.
03:15It's kind of scary, isn't it?
03:17Why?
03:18Well, I don't know.
03:19It's just as if the snow was sort of trying to talk to us.
03:23I mean, as if it was angry at our trespassing.
03:25Hey, don't tell me we're trespassing.
03:28I don't want any country squire taking any pot shots
03:30at my constitutional amendment with rock salt.
03:34No, thank you.
03:35Oh, don't talk nonsense, Kay.
03:36We're not trespassing.
03:38Why, this path through the valley here over to Mrs. Jenkins' house
03:40is the favorite hike of everyone who comes up this way during the winter.
03:44What's Mrs. Jenkins got anyway that makes people walk their feet off?
03:47Oh, wait till you taste her cooking.
03:49Eat.
03:50Oh, boy, let's go.
03:52It's awfully quiet out here, isn't it?
03:54Oh, that's the glory of it.
03:56I've had the roar of the subway in my ears so long.
04:01Oh, Kay, don't walk so fast.
04:02Come on, look what I found.
04:04Oh, come on, Edna.
04:05Oh, please.
04:06Let me take your arm.
04:07I'm getting out of breath.
04:08Well, take it easy.
04:09There's no hurry.
04:09Well, what is it, Kay?
04:13Look, through the circle of trees here.
04:15Look what I discovered.
04:17Well, isn't that interesting?
04:20It's a sort of a natural amphitheater.
04:22Sure.
04:23Say, who was this guy, Daniel Boone?
04:26What's an amphitheater?
04:28Well, that means an oval, circling place with rising tiers of seats.
04:31It's, you know, like that place we went to for the horse show.
04:34Oh.
04:35Back in the times of the Greeks, they had outdoor theaters.
04:37Listen to the professors.
04:38They made use of places just like this, where the ground sloped up and made a sort of a
04:42natural arena or stage below.
04:45Theater.
04:45That's an idea.
04:46Sit down, gals, and I'll give you a special performance of the Kay Follies.
04:50It's awful snowy here, isn't it?
04:52I'll trample it down with my spring dance.
04:55Well, come sweet spring.
04:56Isn't she a nut dancing in the snow?
04:59If I had that girl's energy.
05:01She's really graceful, isn't she?
05:03I'll bet if she went on the stage.
05:05Ow!
05:05Kay.
05:06She fell.
05:07Kay.
05:07Kay, did you hurt yourself?
05:09Oh, did I land on my dignity.
05:12Here, give me a hand.
05:13Here, I'll help you.
05:15There you are.
05:15Oh, did I take a flop?
05:18Did you hurt yourself badly?
05:19Oh, Liv.
05:20What in the world did I trip over?
05:22Oh, no wonder.
05:24Look at that rock under the snow.
05:26No wonder I did a nosedive.
05:28Oh, gee.
05:28My goodness.
05:29There are rocks like that all over.
05:31Oh.
05:31A person could break their neck if they...
05:32Girls.
05:33What's the matter?
05:34What is it?
05:35Kay, the rock you tripped over.
05:37It...
05:38It's not a rock.
05:39What are you talking about?
05:40Of course it's a rock.
05:41Well, yes, but it's something...
05:43Something more than that.
05:45It's a tombstone.
05:46Oh!
05:47Tombstone.
05:49Oh, no.
05:49It can't be.
05:50Look for yourself.
05:52It says,
05:53Here lies buried the remains of one who, restless in life...
05:57Stop.
05:58Don't read anymore.
05:59Stop.
05:59And...
06:00And all these other stones laying flat on the ground.
06:03They're tombstones, too?
06:04Yes.
06:05Whew.
06:06What a place to pick to dance.
06:08Oh!
06:08What's the matter, Edna?
06:09What did you scream for?
06:11Kay, you...
06:12You danced on the grave.
06:14What?
06:15You danced on the grave.
06:16I saw you.
06:17I saw you do it.
06:18You danced on the grave.
06:19Okay.
06:20Edna, stop it.
06:21Stop it.
06:22What's come into her?
06:23Edna, stop acting like that.
06:23Edna, stop for heaven's sake.
06:25Control yourself.
06:26Okay.
06:26Kay, I'm so sorry for you.
06:29You danced on the grave.
06:30For heaven's sake, stop talking like that.
06:32Sure I danced on the grave.
06:33Well, yes, of course she did.
06:34It was perfectly accidental.
06:35And what if it wasn't?
06:36What of it?
06:38The poltergeist.
06:39The what?
06:40Edna Hanson, what are you talking about?
06:43What's that word you just used?
06:45Poltergeist.
06:46Okay, what have you done?
06:48You superstitious little fool.
06:50If you don't stop talking that way, I'm going to slap your face.
06:52What's the matter with you?
06:53I didn't do anything.
06:54You walked on the grave.
06:55You danced on the grave.
06:56Edna, be sensible.
06:58We all walked on graves.
06:59But it was purely accidental.
07:00Yeah.
07:01We had no intention of desecrating them.
07:03It doesn't matter, I tell you.
07:04It doesn't matter.
07:05The poltergeist will come.
07:06I know he will.
07:07Oh, what's the use?
07:08She's crazy.
07:09Edna, what are you talking about?
07:10What's the poltergeist?
07:12What are you so frightened about?
07:13My father, he told me, if you walk on a grave, if you dance on a grave, the poltergeist.
07:20Poltergeist what?
07:20What is a poltergeist?
07:21An evil spirit.
07:23It comes out of the grave.
07:24It kills.
07:24It destroys.
07:25It'll kill us.
07:26It'll kill us all.
07:27Stop it.
07:28It throws things out of me.
07:29Oh, please.
07:30Lay off that way.
07:31Edna, Edna.
07:32But it won't get me.
07:34Edna, come back here.
07:35She's gone insane.
07:36I'll get her.
07:36Edna.
07:37Kay, catch her.
07:37Edna.
07:38Edna, don't run away.
07:39Nothing will hurt you.
07:40Nothing.
07:41Oh, Edna, look out.
07:43Kay.
07:44Kay, what happened?
07:45That stone.
07:47It hid Edna.
07:48Edna.
07:49Edna, open your eyes.
07:50Blood.
07:51Blood all over her face.
07:53Kay, who threw that stone?
07:54Who threw it?
07:56I don't know.
07:59It came from the graveyard.
08:07Now, girls, take it easy.
08:17Take it easy.
08:18Oh, doctor, she won't die.
08:21Tell me she won't die.
08:22No, no, of course not.
08:24And you're sure that her skull isn't fractured?
08:26Oh, absolutely not.
08:28Maybe a little concussion, that's all.
08:30Well, it's almost five.
08:33Our train.
08:34Can we get someone to help us carry her down to the station
08:36so we can get her on board?
08:38Board?
08:39I'm telling you, that little friend of yours
08:41shouldn't be moved out of bed for a week.
08:43If you do, well, it might be just too bad.
08:46Oh, Flo, what'll we do?
08:49You go home, Kay.
08:51I'll stay with her.
08:52Oh, no, you won't.
08:53I'm not leaving you here alone in this godforsaken place.
08:56If you stay, I stay too.
08:58Kay, please be sensible.
08:59Why should we all lose our jobs when you can...
09:01If you'll excuse me, you ladies, I've got to be on my way.
09:04Oh, yes, of course, doctor.
09:05Is there anything more you can do for Edna, doctor?
09:08Any medicine or something?
09:09Nope, I've done all I can do.
09:11She's sleeping comfortable now.
09:14Uh, miss?
09:15Yes, doctor?
09:16The constable's sick too, you know,
09:18and he's sort of depending on me to keep things straight.
09:22Now, just how did you say that little friend of yours got hurt?
09:26Well, it was just the way we explained, doctor.
09:29That rock came flying and...
09:30Yes, yes, I know, but who threw the rock?
09:34We...
09:35We don't know.
09:36What?
09:37That's true, doctor.
09:38We don't know.
09:39But somebody threw it.
09:41You can't change facts.
09:42Somebody threw the rock that cracked her head.
09:44For heaven's sakes, old man, you don't think we did it?
09:46No, miss, I didn't.
09:47You can't get excited.
09:48Doctor, you've got to believe us.
09:51It happened just the way we said.
09:53All at once, that rock came flying through the air
09:55from the direction of the graveyard.
09:57It struck Edna, and we just didn't see who threw it.
10:01All right, if that's your story,
10:03well, you'd better stay in your rooms here.
10:05I mean, you'd better not be leaving
10:06until the constable's on his feet
10:08and has a chance to talk with you.
10:09I'll be back in a few hours and see how the girl is.
10:17He doesn't believe us.
10:18What difference does it make?
10:20We know what we saw.
10:22But what did we see?
10:24She was running.
10:25She fell.
10:28Kay.
10:29Well?
10:31Let's not fool ourselves.
10:33There was no one there to throw that rock.
10:35There must have been.
10:37But there wasn't.
10:38Stop saying that!
10:40Aren't you brave enough to face facts?
10:43There wasn't any place for anyone to hide.
10:46I saw that stone.
10:48It seemed to come down out of the air.
10:51So slowly.
10:52Florence, if you don't stop talking like that...
10:54I remember what...
10:56what Edna said.
10:57It throws things.
10:59Stop looking at me like that.
11:01You're giving me the jitters.
11:02She said the poltergeist throws things.
11:06Spirit of evil.
11:07Florence, Rob, have you gone crazy too?
11:09Why should we laugh at things like that?
11:11What right have we got to laugh?
11:13How do we know there aren't powers we can't see or understand?
11:17Powers of evil that revenge and insult just like an evil man?
11:21Kay, how do we know?
11:23What are you talking like that for?
11:25What are you trying to scare me for?
11:27You...
11:27You're supposed to be the most intelligent one of us all.
11:30You with your college degrees.
11:32Sure, sure, I danced on the grave.
11:34But the dead are dead and they can't revenge a thing.
11:37I'm not afraid.
11:38I'm not afraid of anything.
11:40I tell you, it's not...
11:41What?
11:41Miss Edna.
11:42Come on.
11:42Edna, we're coming to you.
11:44Don't be afraid.
11:45We're coming.
11:46Open the door, Florence.
11:47It's not locked.
11:48Doug, it won't be...
11:48Here, let me...
11:50Edna!
11:50What is it?
11:51What?
11:52Ah!
11:55Edna, what's...
11:57Oh!
11:59On your head!
12:01Oh!
12:04Oh!
12:05Oh!
12:06Oh!
12:07Oh!
12:07Oh!
12:07Oh!
12:07Oh!
12:07Oh!
12:08Oh!
12:08Oh!
12:14Hey, what's going on here?
12:16I run a decent place and I don't want you...
12:18Oh!
12:20Oh!
12:24The...
12:25Girl on the bed...
12:30Her head...
12:33It's crushed flat in by a rock.
12:38God in heaven!
12:41It's not a rock.
12:43It's a tombstone.
12:44Oh!
12:50Oh!
12:52Oh!
12:52Oh!
12:54Oh!
12:55Oh!
12:57Oh!
12:58Oh!
12:59Oh!
13:01I...
13:02I wish I could cry...
13:04But I haven't got any more tears.
13:07Oh, Edna!
13:10Oh!
13:11Edna!
13:12Oh!
13:12Florence, darling, please!
13:14You'll kill yourself if you keep on like that.
13:17Oh, if this horrible night would only end.
13:21It was my fault.
13:23Mine.
13:24I was the one who got her out here.
13:27She didn't want to go.
13:29She hates the country.
13:32But I made her come.
13:34I made her.
13:36No.
13:37No, you're not the one to blame.
13:40I am.
13:41I danced on the grave.
13:44But she was so good.
13:46So sweet.
13:48Oh, why does it have to be Edna?
13:52Why?
13:54You're right.
13:56It wasn't right for it to be her, was it?
13:58Oh, no.
13:59I did it, not her.
14:01I did it.
14:03I danced on the grave.
14:06I danced on the grave.
14:07I danced on the grave.
14:11You can't deny what you see with your own eyes.
14:14But I tell you, Doc, nobody could have carried that tombstone up the steps without me seeing him, could they?
14:19But there it is, ain't it?
14:21Yeah.
14:23There it is.
14:24Either somebody's playing a terrible joke or...
14:29You don't have to say it, Doc.
14:32I know.
14:33It's just the trouble.
14:34You don't know, and I don't know, and nobody knows.
14:37Yeah.
14:38And...
14:39And that tombstone.
14:41Well, what about the tombstone?
14:43I...
14:43I ain't quite sure, but...
14:46That's a tombstone out of the old burying grounds up at the bend.
14:50You're crazy.
14:50No, I ain't either.
14:52Well, that place is a good three miles from here.
14:54Yeah.
14:55I know.
14:56Who could have carted a heavy stone like that for three miles?
15:00Yeah.
15:01Who?
15:02Stop looking like that, you flappy-eared old fool.
15:04Human hands carried that stone in here and killed that girl?
15:10Sure.
15:11Yeah, the constable will find out who did it the minute he's on his feet again.
15:14You wait and see.
15:15No, he won't, Doc.
15:16You're smarter than me and all that, but...
15:19Oh, this time you're wrong.
15:20There ain't nobody that takes in breath and leaves out breath like you and me,
15:25and the constable's gonna find out who killed that girl.
15:28You know that, Doc.
15:29Oh, stop talking.
15:30I wish the constable was here and this night was over.
15:35It's been a terrible night.
15:36Terrible.
15:44Terrible clock.
15:46Ticking.
15:48Ticking.
15:49Yeah, I know.
15:51I've been sitting here listening to it.
15:54I can't stand it anymore.
15:56I'll stop it.
15:57Why bother with it?
16:00Come on to bed, Kay.
16:02Please.
16:03There's no use sitting there.
16:06It won't help her.
16:07Yeah.
16:09Nothing can help her.
16:11But maybe I can help you.
16:14Me?
16:15It was my fault.
16:17Mine.
16:18I was the reason it happened.
16:20It killed her, and it'll kill you and me, too, unless I stop.
16:23No, don't say that.
16:25It's true.
16:27But why should you be hurt?
16:29I'm to blame, not you.
16:31Listen, Flo.
16:33I'll go out there.
16:34There?
16:35Out there to the graveyard.
16:37What?
16:37I'll talk to her.
16:38Kay.
16:39I'll tell her I didn't mean to do it.
16:40No.
16:40But I didn't know where I was dancing.
16:42Maybe somehow it'll hear.
16:44Listen to me.
16:45And then it won't hurt you.
16:46Oh, no, no.
16:47I won't let you go out there.
16:48It'll kill you.
16:49But, Florence.
16:49It'll kill you, too.
16:50But, Florence.
16:50No, no, I'll hold you.
16:51You can't go.
16:52You can't.
16:53All right.
16:56Come on to bed, Kay.
16:58Please.
16:59In the morning, in the morning, things will be different.
17:02But it won't.
17:03Nothing will hurt us.
17:04And then they're right outside the door.
17:05They won't let anything get at us.
17:08Oh, please, Kay.
17:09Please come to bed.
17:11Yeah.
17:12We'll...
17:13We'll pray.
17:15Pray?
17:17I...
17:17I don't exactly know how.
17:21Just say anything.
17:22Anything.
17:23Like this.
17:25Now I lay me down to sleep.
17:27I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
17:30If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.
17:35Now you.
17:36If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.
17:58Kay?
18:00Kay, are you asleep?
18:02I can't sleep anymore.
18:04Kay, tomorrow, I mean, when it gets light and everything, do you think people will believe
18:10us?
18:12Do you think so, Kay?
18:14I'm not quite sure what happened.
18:17I always used to be so sure about things.
18:21And now I...
18:22Kay?
18:25Kay, where are you?
18:27Kay, where...
18:30The window.
18:32She went out the window.
18:33She's gone out there.
18:38To the graveyard.
18:40To talk...
18:41To it.
18:43Okay, why don't you go?
18:44Why don't you go?
18:47I'll go out there, too.
18:49Or she'll be so frightened out there alone.
18:52I'll go, too.
18:54I'll go, too.
18:54Oh, so cold.
19:02My hands.
19:04Snow so sharp.
19:06Cutting my legs.
19:08Oh, why did you go out there, Kay?
19:11Why did you?
19:12I've got to find you.
19:14The wind.
19:19Oh, why doesn't the wind stop?
19:22Blow, blow, thou winter wind.
19:26Thou art not so unkind.
19:27Oh, I've got to find you, Kay.
19:37I've got to find you.
19:40It's snowing.
19:42I love snow.
19:44Edna didn't like snow.
19:47Where are you, Kay?
19:48Where are you?
19:49I've lost my way.
19:53I've lost the road.
19:55Where are you, Kay?
19:57Kay, where are you?
20:01Oh, Kay.
20:04I heard you, Kay.
20:06I heard you.
20:08I'm coming to you, Kay.
20:09We'll talk to it.
20:10We'll talk to it together.
20:12We'll tell that we didn't mean any harm, won't we, Kay?
20:14Won't we?
20:16Poor Edna.
20:17We can't help her, Kay.
20:19We can't help Edna.
20:20But I'm coming to help you, Kay.
20:22I'm coming.
20:23I'm coming.
20:24I'm coming.
20:26Yes, I hear you.
20:32I hear you.
20:33I'm coming, darling.
20:34I'm coming to help.
20:35I'm coming to help you.
20:37I'm coming.
20:38I'm coming.
20:39I hear you.
20:40I hear you calling my name.
20:42I hear you.
20:44Yes.
20:44Yes, I hear you.
20:53I hear you.
20:55Where are you?
20:57Where are you?
20:58This way.
21:01No.
21:02No.
21:03This way, Hooper.
21:18They must have come this way.
21:20Climbing out the window like that in the middle of the night.
21:24They must have gone crazy, the both of them.
21:26Let's not worry about that now.
21:28We've got to find them.
21:30Here, give me that lantern.
21:31What is it, Doc?
21:31What have you found?
21:32A shoe.
21:33One of the girl's shoes.
21:35My gosh.
21:36Stuck in the snow.
21:37We're going the right way.
21:38Come on.
21:38Move fast.
21:39We've got to get to them.
21:41Doc.
21:42Look at this.
21:43What is it?
21:43Over there.
21:45Ain't these footprints?
21:46Yes.
21:48Yes.
21:49Yes, that's right.
21:50Footprints.
21:52Hello.
21:54Up ahead.
21:57Hello.
21:57Doc, we're...
22:01We're getting pretty close to the old burying grounds.
22:05Well?
22:06Maybe.
22:07Oh, look here, Doc.
22:09Let's not be fools.
22:11Let's wait till morning.
22:12What?
22:13Let those frightened girls freeze to death?
22:16Get along.
22:17But, Doc, I...
22:18You come with me or the whole town will know what a yellow-livered no-good yard.
22:22All right.
22:24All right.
22:25You don't have to get so sore, Doc.
22:28Hello.
22:31Hello.
22:35Anybody up there?
22:38Hello.
22:40Doc.
22:42Doc, look.
22:43What?
22:43There they are.
22:45Up ahead.
22:46Glory be, they're alive.
22:49The both of them.
22:50Come on.
22:50Doc.
22:51Doc.
22:52Look at them.
22:54That's the burying ground up there.
22:56And they're dancing.
22:57Dancing on the graves.
22:59But they must be out of their heads.
23:02Come on.
23:02We've got to stop.
23:06Doc.
23:08Doc, wait for me.
23:10Oh, Doc, it's...
23:14It's Doc again.
23:18Where are they, Doc?
23:21Where are the girls?
23:23Have they...
23:24Have they stopped dancing?
23:27Yes.
23:28They've stopped dancing.
23:31Did...
23:32Did they ever dance?
23:35What are you talking about, Doc?
23:37We saw them.
23:39We saw them dancing in this place with our own eyes.
23:43Did we?
23:45The moonlight.
23:47Here it comes again.
23:49See with your eyes again.
23:51Oh!
23:54Oh, no.
23:56Oh.
24:00Both of the girls froze stiff to the ground.
24:04Each with their head crushed by a tombstone.
24:12Mr. Obler, would you mind telling us, me, whether there actually are such things as poltergeists?
24:37All I can tell you is this.
24:40There are authenticated records in existence that, in the city of London, on the 27th day of April, 1872,
24:48from 4 in the afternoon on a Thursday until half past 11 at night,
24:52a certain room in a certain house was deluged by stones thrown from no apparent source.
24:58The London police surrounded the house, but they found no trace of whoever or whatever was throwing those stones with a murderous violence.
25:07I, uh, I see.
25:09So much for poltergeist.
25:12But what about next week?
25:13Well, anything can happen, but, uh, specifically next week,
25:17Mungara.
25:18A strange title and a strange story.
25:21The power of suggestion.
25:22The dictators have shown us to what evil purposes that power can be used.
25:27Well, next week, a man who, uh,
25:29but that, as usual, is next week.
25:32Yes.
25:33Lights Out, written and directed by Arch Obler, will come to you again next Tuesday at the same time.
25:38Be sure to listen for the amazing story of Mungara.
25:43It is later than you think.
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