 Welcome, Weirdos, I'm Darren Marlar and this is Retro Radio Sunday on Weird Darkness. Each week I bring you a show from the golden age of radio, but still in the genre of Weird Darkness. I'll have stories of the macabre and horror, mysteries and crime, and even some dark science fiction. If you're new here, welcome to the show and be sure to subscribe or follow the podcast so you don't miss future episodes. And if you're already a member of this Weirdo family, please take a moment and invite someone else to listen in with you. Spreading the word about the show helps it to grow. If you're here because you're already a fan of nostalgic audio and print, you'll want to email WeirdDarkness at RadioArchives.com. When you do that, you'll get an instant reply with links to download full-length pulp audio books, pulp e-books and old-time radio shows for free. That's WeirdDarkness at RadioArchives.com. Coming up, it's an episode from Lights Out with a story called Uninhabited. Lights Out is an American old-time radio program devoted mostly to horror and the supernatural, so of course it fits right in with Weird Darkness. Created by Willis Cooper and then eventually taken over by Arch Obler, 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. Both hits in their own right. In the fall of 1933, NBC writer Willis Cooper conceived the idea of a midnight mystery serial to catch the attention of the listeners at the witching hour. The idea was to offer listeners a dramatic program late at night at a time when the competition was mostly airing music. At some point, the serial concept was dropped in favor of an anthology format emphasizing crime thrillers and the supernatural, with a different story in each episode. From December 22, 1937, here is Lights Out with an episode called Uninhabited. Now bolt your doors, lock your windows, turn off your lights, and come with me into the Weird Darkness. Lights Out, everybody. This is a tale they tell of another Christmas, a Christmas 19 years ago. The Great War was over. War weary soldiers and officers were at last being allowed to rest. To enjoy such recreation as soldiers might find. Leave areas were established in various parts of France, and at intervals, individuals were sent from the stations of their organizations to these areas, there to rest and refresh themselves for a brief period. The story properly begins on Christmas night, 1918, 19 years ago. A leave train was just coming to a halt in the station at Biafranche. We want to show you this compartment, sir. There is only one here. It's in French. It's the first class, sir. Thank you, sir. This is the place of mine. Here you are, mate. Thank you, thank you, Mr. Langley, thank you. I'm not an English, you know, Jeff. Australian, antique. Complete? Ah, oui, oui, oui. Vous êtes Australian, is pas? Right, oh. And Merry Christmas, old Jeff. It's quite well, Mr. L'Australien. Excuse-moi, Monsieur, but I, she will play. I would like to, ah, ah, ah, vénérici. Oh, blast it. I can't talk the runny language. It is not necessary to speak the blasted language, Monsieur, since I speak yours, after a passion. Oh, thank you, old Jeff. The station master told me he wouldn't mind if I stowed myself in here with you. I hope. I should be very glad indeed of your company. I am Captain Ismae Rocheforte de Guisecois, at the 212 Regiment Artillery, G.P.A. I'm Lieutenant Horace Bellentine of the Australian Lightball, sir. You are welcome, Monsieur. May I help you with your baggage? I'll have it stowed and have top. Thank you. Ah, there. Oh, going on a leave, Captain? Oui, I am not sure where yet, but C'est la guerre. One never knows where it goes in this world. That's right, Zigger. Oh, jolly good of you to share your compartment, old Jeff. I am only too glad. It has been rather a lonely journey so far. I am delighted of someone to talk to. First class compartments are not too easy to copper either. Ah, a bit crochetless, isn't it? Not too bad indeed. Eh, you pardon me, I know, but I am a bit curious to know how an Australian officer should find his way to Via France. Ah, I don't quite know myself, Captain Guisecois, is it? Ah, yes. And your name is Bellentine? Right. I must remember. Well, I was at the lipoly in the infantry with the Exocook, the third officer division, you know. Got a bit of a crack in the head, and the first thing I knew, I found myself in the transferedest town, Major, a village a few miles east of here. Nothing but Americans in it. Ah, the Americans. Ah, they are good soldiers, eh? They're thinkin'. And now you find yourself bound for leave on Christmas night. Right, oh, and jolly dead of it. Where are you going, you know? Report to the RTO, it's either Bain, that's all I know. You have the same difficulties in your army, I see. One never knows where one goes. You are a long way from home, my friend. Bloody long way. Half way round the world, you know. And you have come to fight for France. Ah, salut, you, Micheal. Ah, it's been fun. Oui. And now it is over. And our young men lie dead under the stars out there. Ah, we lost a few, too. Our young men, Micheal. French, British, Australian, American. Not to mention a few German chappies. Quite. One cannot make the omelette without breaking the eggs. A bloody lot of good eggs. And guess what? Ah, we should have lost a try at the start. That is always a mystery. Ah, they control these trains. Particularly when one wishes to go somewhere in New York. Oh, American chap out there. Looking for the price, I thought. Perhaps we could invite him in here if you do not mind. Why not? It's all right with you. Ah, he's a comrade and there is little room on the train. Righto. Oh, yes. Yes, sir. This is why, yes. He comes? But what we think about? The blighter is black and an officer, too. So? I have heard that the Americans have two divisions of Negroes and they have many officers who are, as the Americans say, colored also. But I have never seen one. You don't mind if I ask him? My dear Valentine, why should one mind? Is he not a man, an ally, an officer? Do we dislike one another because I am French in New Australia? Good chance. Do we have lots of blacks in our units? What difference? What differences make what color the blighter skin is? Oh, yes. A room here. Do you mind awfully, Lieutenant? Not much room anywhere else, old chap. Come in, come in. We have room for one. Oh, thank you. I was afraid I was going to be left behind. My name's Valentine. Lieutenant of Striling Righto. I'm Captain Melbourne, 370th American infantry. Delighted, Captain. And this is Captain... I am Captain Ismael Oxford, the Guest Club of the French artillery, Captain. Welcome. Gentlemen, thank you. Give me your musette. I'll shove it up in the rack. Oh, thank you, Lieutenant. It feels good to get that thing off my shoulder. Sit down, Captain Melbourne. Thank you. I've been standing around there all day long and one foot and then the other waiting. Finally, when the train did pull in, but I was still going to stand there, it's good here to take me in. You're an Australian, eh, Lieutenant? Righto, from Adelaide. Yes, thank you, then. Where are you from, Captain Melbourne? I'm from Chicago. And you, Captain Desquande? My home is in Bayonne, as one might infer from my name. Your name, Captain? Desquande. Bayonne is in Descony, you see. Oh, I see. It's odd, isn't it? Here we are, three of us in one railway coach, found for some way. All over the world, we've done Christmas night in France. We don't even know where we're going, do you? Well, I am the slightest idea. We bury it, that's all I know. Well, may as well have a spot at Christmas, Chair, eh? A bottle of rather good wine in my museum. Then it's over. Not to be outdone in this matter, mes amis. I also have a bottle of Lacrimé Christi. Teens of Christ. A very precious wine in these days, mes amis. I do not remember how I came by it, but suffice it to say I have it. Ah, we are about to leave. Ah, we are about to start, eh? We are about to start, eh? Christmas. We steal Christmas, despite the fact that most of them all want to get out of the town and go somewhere. Whereas Christmas, I was down in Texas. Keep walking. I was in the hospital at Marseille. And I, mes amis, had dinner with the German General. German General? Captured on Christmas Eve. Yes, then, will you drink with me? If you will drink with me. And with me. Well, then, do Christmas, eh? Yeah, do Christmas. You know, my musettes are bloody for the junk of all sorts. I was afraid I might have lost the bottle. Souvenirs, eh? Silly toys and things that I picked up. Give me some kid somewhere. Lord knows I have few enough. I have gifts too in my musette. There is no one left that might be built to give them to, but it is his sentiment. Sentiment for Christmas. I suppose we all do that. Mine's packed with odds and ends. I didn't know if I'd ever get back to the loud foot after this leave, so I got some souvenirs together. Now they drink, mes amis? Oh, not now. Thanks, Captain. I'll wait a while. Yeah, I think I shall, too. Quite. Uh, this is a beautiful night, eh? Yeah, clear. Well, the war was still on. I'd expect to hear someone shout lights out, jerries up. The bombs landed our laps. I hope we are done with that, missus. Amen. No moon, though. Yeah, but look at them stars. Oh, see that one over there? You might imagine it to be the star of Bethlehem. Very bright, isn't it? Oh, yeah. Nearly 2,000 years ago. I wonder if that same star still shines upon the earth. If it does, we wouldn't know it. Not us. We wouldn't know the stars and deny the name of the man that was born under it. Religious chap? No, not at all, Lieutenant. Long way from it. Not religious chap, either. But you say some jolly times as a kid at Christmas time, though. Church things and all that. Candles, what that? Well, it's not religious. Say, when one sees the star shining down on him. Our earth changes, but the everlasting stars change now. It'd be funny if it is, wouldn't it? I won't say. But, uh, journey is long, gentlemen. If you wish to sleep. You sleepy captain. That little drink of wine has affected me, I fear. I cannot keep my eyes open. I'm a little tired myself. 10 round all day in that station. There was no place to sit out. I can always sleep myself. I propose then that we do sleep for a little while, my friend. We were talking to sleep. It made me sleepy. I'm all for it. Shall I turn down the lights? If you will, miss you. Ah. Pleasant dreams. Merry Christmas. And Merry Christmas to you both, gentlemen. And to you, Lieutenant Valentine. Captain Cascoff. Youngest star shall watch over us. Nespain? Well, it's shown on better. Good night. Are you asleep? I'm not. All right. Almost, though, I must say. I... I was thinking. It seems that I have met you both before. Somewhere. That's really odd. Why, my friend? I was thinking the same thing. I was too. But it couldn't be. One from France, one from Australia, one from America. We... It is... Good night, my friends. Good night. We have journeyed far and the sign about its promise to us is not yet. Please, Balthasar. We have not yet come to the end of our journey. Behold, Nalkia, a quiet nut out. Cansternut study his patience to be likened to him. Yet thou art tired, Nalkia. I... I am tired and weary. Yet must we go on. No man knoweth what the end of his far journeying shall bring him. Thus thou see, Balthasar. Thou must needs have faith. I have faith, friend Gaspar. That my burden upon my shoulders cruel heavy and I would fame rest. I have faith, though, Balthasar. I have faith, I conjure thee. I lead on, Nalk Gaspar. With thou thou goest, there will I follow thee. And also I, Gaspar. For I know that thou art inspired of God. That his hand hath lead thee. Yet not even I know what miracle he will do before our eyes. No matter. We will follow and thy road lead to death. Now, which road takeest thou? That to the right hand or to the left? I know not. With thou not call upon God, Gaspar. I... kneel down, brethren. O Lord, Father God, lead us thy servants in the way thou did set up for us. For know, Lord, Father God, that we are poor. And our eyes know not the right. And we would follow the way that thou wilt have us follow. Therefore we pray the humble aid, dear Father. A miracle. A miracle? But say is thou, Balthasar. Behold, Gaspar. A sign from the Lord, Father God. There is no sign. Behold! A sign. A star's a sign. O Lord God, we thank thee. The way is before us. We follow thy will. Behold, Gaspar. The star's shyness has gone the pathway to the left. Forward. Forward, brethren. For the end of our far journeying is at hand. Sertes, this is a sign from God. Behold, Gaspar. Beyond the hill, the lights of a village. Just so. Now we are come to our destination indeed. Friends haste. What town is that, O Gaspar? No, I know not. Save that it be the end of our long journey. Oh, travelers! Have you seen the star? Who calls? Who art thou? It is a shepherd. See the plaques of sheep beyond the road? Is thou the star, travelers? Knowest thou its meaning? Aye, we have seen it, O shepherd. Yet we know not its meaning. We say that a miracle of the Lord, Father God, is nigh unto us. And the blackness of the sky, it's flying into blaze, travelers. Does thou think it portends the end of earth? Nay, friend. Not the end of earth. Say, rather, it's beginning. What says thou? Behold, shepherd, the mantle of the Lord is upon him. You speak as a miracle. Aye. And a miracle will come to pass. And with friend's haste for this night will hear the voices of angels chanting and the sound of many great wings. Peace on earth. Peace. Goodwill to men. Glory to God in the highest. Verily, you speak as men that understand the workings of the will of God. Say now, shepherd, how is Yonder village named? Surely, if you know what shall come to pass how is it you know not the name of the town? They have come from far land, shepherd. Aye. What matters it if we know not such trifles is the name of a little hidden village when we know of a miracle to be wrought in the name of Almighty God? Aye, it is so. What miracle shall come to pass? It is hidden from our kennel, shepherd. Yet it shall come to pass. Fear not. Aye. And such a miracle shall set all the world to singing praises lifting up their voices into the heavens, crying in a loud voice, mighty, mighty as the Lord God of hosts. He be not of Israel? Nay. I am from the land of the Greeks. And these my companions be also from far lands. Melchior from Ethiopia, Balthazar a wise man of Egypt, a soothsayer unto the king. He have come far. Aye, so. Since many days our feet have trod the pathways of hidden, unknown places. Yet always have we set our faces unto the east, obeying the bidding of a voice unheard, the guidance of a hand unfelt. And you go now unto the town? Thou hast not told us its name, shepherd. Sartis, all men know that yon the town is called the town's the house of bread, even Bethlehem. Aye, even I am of Bethlehem. Where was born a thousand years ago? David, son of Jesse, was king of Israel. Tis well. For now I speak with the tongue of the Lord, the wisdom we have put into my mouth. Behold, yon the Bethlehem whence came David king of Israel. Now this night shall be born in Bethlehem, that Messiah, that very son of God which the ancient prophets have foretold. And this is the miracle that shall come to pass. For he shall be born of a virgin immaculate, and his name shall be Jesus, called Christ, O Thou Lord, Godfather. I give thanks unto thee that Thou hast appointed me and my companions that we shall be witnesses before all the world that the son of God is born. Haste, my friends, we must on for the miracle is at hand. The spirit of God is upon us. Oh holy man, may I not go with thee. Seeing thou knowest not the village and I with my brother in was born. Thou mayest come with us but haste, friends, haste. Behold the star, how it seemeth to beckon us on. Flow it comeeth down from the heavens and standeth above the rooftop to the town. I praise God. Praise God. Sling thy breath and some my shoulders, friends, haste, haste. I marvel also that there should be lights abroad in the town. The hour is passing late, yet there is a light in every house. So chance the men of Bethlehem rejoice that the Messiah is born. Nay, not so. For he is hidden from men and they of Bethlehem know him not. Then what? The lights in memory of the Maccabee and many remain. Also are there others in the town who have come to deal with the men of Herod, the tetrarch of Galilee, even the tax collectors and thus is the city full, even all the inns. Thou know where we should find him, old Gaspar. Better be revealed unto thee. All in good time, my friend. We follow the star. For chance he shall be born in a family of high repute. Aye, it is not fitting that the son of God shall come from an humble home. The will of God shall be done. The child Jesus be born in the wide fields under the star, my friends. Haste. Behold, he be the world's the bestly him or wise man. Yonder lies the gift. For chance the soldiers of the tetrarch may refuse his admission into the city, Gaspar. Nay, they are gone away, Melchure. Aye, they all lie in the inns and public houses and carousers of the people of the town. Gaspar, art thou sure indeed that we should find him in Bethlehem? Just doubt the word of God, Belfazar. On. On. Now, whether do we go, oh Lord Gaspar. Nay, may not, Lord Shepherd. For we are all humble men in the sight of God. Praise God. Praise God. Behold how the rays of the star shine down upon a certain street. It is the way, friends. Follow. Lord, one comes, Gaspar. In haste. Aye, what so perchance he knoweth. Well, thou men, with a ghost thou. Who art thou? Stand aside, that I may pass. Who art thou? Know that I am a citizen, even as thou art. Indeed thou art a citizen and not a strolling player or hawker of false jewels. Oh, speakest thou thus to me, who am the great physician? No man that I am, Belfas, for leech, the lurid, the clever, skilled in cupping and the art of the curgid, the saver of life, the bringer of babes into the world that... That tongue-clack is like... Say, is thou our cururgent no man of Bethlehem? Aye, I am that. I am Belfas, wrestler with the angel of death, sometimes physician and the great antipath himself. I am... Behold, I pray thee. Hast thou attended woman this night that was brought of child? And how did thou know that, stranger? Will thou say I or nay? Aye, I have done so. And look ye now. This night have I come upon a miracle, a very marvel, the prodigy of nature, never before in all my time have I... What is this type of talking and speak, leech? And who are thou thus to speak of the marvel that thou hath witnessed, man? Behold, not two hours have passed since one came post haste, crying before my door, Oh, Belfas, oh, most noble surgeon, oh, saver of life, come down and haste. And I, setting down the goblet of fat possetware from I did drink, from open the window had looked down. To thy story, leech, to thy story. Behold, cryeth the man in the street, behold Belfas, a woman hath neither thee in the stable, nigh unto the inn of the do-oxen. In the stable? I am a man of charity and always ready to answer the call when sickness stalketh abroad. In the plague that came upon Beth for him nine years ago. Eyes out always ready when thou dost smell the smell of gold, leech. Say on and quickly. If thou wilt but be still and let me. I spoke of the marvel. Say on, say on. I came in haste as he'll become a man of my age and girth, and yet I am charitable. I say, and behold, in yonder's table was a woman couched in the straw of a manger, brought to bed of a child. Surely women have been brought to bed of a child in stables before, correction? I so. But mark me well now. This woman was a virgin. I swear it by the whole intellectory. By my father's beard I swear it. Verily was it child born unto her and she a virgin. Thou hast drunk too much of thy sack-posit neighbor, thou a physician. I swear like. Thou said enough leech. Verily hast thou stood before a miracle this night. A miracle? It's true for that he prodigy. Where lieth the woman thou didst attend? In yonder's table. The man did say that they'd come from Nazareth in Galilee to give his testimony unto the tax collectors. And though they beseeched the innkeepers, yet would none of them give them room saving only this one who having pity upon a woman with child did say unto them that they might find dead amongst the kind in his stable and did charge them not. May all the blessings of God be on this innkeeper that he hath offered shelter this night unto the son of God. A what says an on thee physician that thou didst lend thy hand unto her who is the very mother of him who shall be the savior of the world. Verily, I know not who thou art, old man, that I perceive that thou hast the gift of prophecy. If I have served, then I am grand, for I took naught from them and the babe did look upon me with a look that I shall never forget though I live to be the last on the earth. Now I crave thy blessing. That thou dost speak sooth. I am most blessed among men. Verily, shall thou stand at the right hand of him who hath come to the earth physician. Thine was the hand that first touched him. Verily art thou blessed. I thank thee for thy grace, friend. Go now inside this table. I go to the temple to render thanks unto God. For verily, I believe thee. My friends, it is the end of our long journey before us. Come with me. I pray each of you. Come and fall down and worship the infant Jesus, son of God which shall be called Christ. Praise unto him. Praise unto the son of God. I will not do it. I am not worthy. May, shepherd, there be none of us worthy to touch his hand. Yet there be none too humble to do him reverence. The little shadows fall upon us. The star paleth before his glory. May, behold in the sky a sign. A sign of Father Lord God. A sign of the shape of a man crucified on a cross. I'll turn to Archie. What's that? I was dreaming, I guess. Well, where are we? It was a dream. But I saw you too. You saw us? It's hard to remember, but I... Did you dream of free men? Yes. I... I did too. Well, Father? It's klar. And Melvin? And Valentine? Good heavens. Look, look at our shoes. What? Where did you... Stable. And that smell of... Gentlemen, I have been in the East. I know what that smell is. It is myrrh and fright you since. Actually, Retin For Radio comes to you each Wednesday at the same time from our Chicago studios. This is the National Broadcasting Company. If you want to hear even more, drop an email to WeirdDarkness at RadioArchives.com and get an instant reply with links to download full-length pulp audiobooks, pulp ebooks and old-time radio shows absolutely free. That's WeirdDarkness at RadioArchives.com. Weird Darkness is a production and trademark of Marlar House Productions. Copyright, Weird Darkness 2023. I'm Darren Marlar and I'll see you next week for Weird Darkness's Retro Radio Sunday.