“THE POLITICS OF THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE” and More Creepy True Tales! #WeirdDarkness

IN THIS EPISODE: It’s #ThrillerThursday, and in this episode I have a story from award-winning writer Karen Russell entitled, “The Graveless Doll of Eric Mutis” from her book, “Vampires In The Lemon Grove.” SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE… “The Graveless Doll of Eric Mutis” by Karen Russell from the book ‘Vampires In The Lemon Grove’: https://amzn.to/3ydR4kn Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library. = = = = = (Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.) = = = = = "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46 = = = = = WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, Weird Darkness. = = = = = Originally aired: May 09, 2024

IN THIS EPISODE: It’s Thriller Thursday – and this week I’m bringing you three tales of fiction. I’ll share a short story that has been described as "one of the most famous and frequently anthologized stories in American literature" – it’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by the legendary Ambrose Bierce, from 1890. I have a classic creepypasta from 2016 that many people mistakenly believe is a true story because it is so well written. It’s “The Strange Case of Edmonson Kentucky” by Joe Terrell. But first, it’s a short story of fiction as told by one of the hardest-working writers I know, as she is always posting new stories on Facebook: Christina Skelton. It’s a story from April 2020 titled simply, “The Ghost Bus”. YOUTUBE TIME STAMPS… 00:00.00.000 = Introduction/Show Open 00:02:08.463 = “The Ghost Bus” by Christina Skelton 00:12:56.446 = “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce 00:37:19.785 = “The Strange Case of Edmonson, Kentucky” by Joe Terrell SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE… “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/uu4acekx “The Ghost Bus” by Christina Skelton: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/phupb8p4 “The Strange Case of Edmonson, Kentucky” by Joe Terrell: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/sdtru243 Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library. = = = = = (Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.) = = = = = "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46 = = = = = WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, Weird Darkness. = = = = = Originally aired: March, 2021 CUSTOM WEBPAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/an-occurrence-at-owl-creek-bridge-by-ambrose-bierce/

Get full-length pulp audiobooks, pulp eBooks, and old-time radio shows ABSOLUTELY FREE FOR IMMEDIATE DOWNLOAD by emailing WeirdDarkness@RadioArchives.com! A creaking door and a chorus of haunting organ music. No radio show opening is more memorable for many fans than the one heard on Inner Sanctum Mysteries. This disturbing simple salvo led people into thirty minutes of suspense and horror sprinkled with puns from a creepy host, all of which can now be heard again in sparkling audio quality from Radio Archives. Inner Sanctum Mysteries was the brainchild of producer Himan Brown, inspired by the unsettling creaking door in the basement of a studio where he once worked. Brown took that inspiration and built around it a formula that lived on beyond the show itself. Listeners tuned in every week to hear that door open and be welcomed by the sinister, yet often humorous host to join him in a chair near the fire inside the Inner Sanctum for a story sure to chill them to the bone. Stories on Inner Sanctum Mysteries originally included both classic and original tales, the new stories taking center stage as the show continued. With writers like pulp scribes Emile Tepperman and Robert Newman, as well as Robert Sloan, Milton Lewis, and others, it is little surprise that Inner Sanctum is still beloved by fans today. Utilizing numerous clichés and literary devices, Inner Sanctum Mysteries carried listeners into the heart of horror, a liberal dose of camp often thrown in. Using voices ranging from star Boris Karloff to a veteran crew of New York radio actors, Inner Sanctum set the standard for horror programs both on radio and even inspired decades of horror hosts on television. Inner Sanctum Mysteries features some of the best of fright, terror, and fantastic storytelling old time radio has to offer! YOUTUBE TIME STAMPS... 00:00:00.000 = INTRODUCTION 00:01:54.794 = Next Time I Live (August 30, 1948) 00:27:29.411 = Death Rides a Riptide (September 06, 1948) 00:52:21.294 = Hangman’s Island (September 20, 1948) 01:16:43.133 = Murder By Prophecy (September 27, 1948) 01:41:32.277 = Death Of A Doll (October 18, 1948) 02:06:33.436 = Front Page Murder (November 08, 1948) 02:32:15.147 = Death Watch In Boston (November 15, 1948) 02:58:41.103 = Cause Of Death (December 06, 1948) 03:22:55.957 = Murder Faces East (December 13, 1948) 03:46:22.015 = Between Two Worlds (December 20, 1948) 04:10:22.335 = Fearful Voyage (January 03, 1949) 04:35:42.567 = Murder Comes To Life (January 10, 1949) SOURCES AND ESSENTIAL WEB LINKS… This episode is sponsored by http://RadioArchives.com Weird Darkness Retro Radio theme by Storyblocks. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46 Find out how to escape eternal darkness at https://weirddarkness.com/eternaldarkness WeirdDarkness® - is a registered trademark. Copyright, Weird Darkness, 2024. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = CUSTOM WEBPAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/innersanctum-marathon-011

IN THIS EPISODE: Described as childlike beings with eerie coal black eyes, no iris or pupils, and pale, white skin, a scourge of mysterious black-eyed children have been reported all over the world. There are hundreds of reports of black-eyed children, often seen in groups of two or more, who ask for permission to enter the person’s home or vehicle. Witnesses often report an overwhelming feeling of dread and despair in their presence. What the black-eyed children seek is not known… nor is it known exactly what they are. (Invasion Of The Black Eyed Kids) *** In October of 1943, a U.S. Navy destroyer was supposedly turned invisible and teleported from Philadelphia to Norfolk. But did it really happen? (The Truth Behind The Philadelphia Experiment) *** The Witchcraft Act of 1735 ended the gruesome practice of burning witches at the stake, making it illegal to accuse anyone of having magical powers. Yet in 1944, Helen Duncan was convicted under this very law for fraudulent spiritual activities. Despite her claims of contacting spirits through ectoplasm and even revealing classified naval secrets, she was sentenced to prison. Her trial was one of the last times the Witchcraft Act was used before being replaced in 1951, but her supporters continue to campaign for her pardon. (Britain’s Last Witch) *** Once a powerful festival, Dies Sanguinis, or "Day of Blood," honored the Roman goddess of war, Bellona, with animal sacrifices and martial rituals. The festival showcased Rome's military strength and dedication to victory. Although the rise of Christianity and the fall of the Roman Empire eventually ended the festival, its legacy still sheds light on the fascinating nature of ancient Roman culture. (Rome’s Day of the Bloody Sacrifice) *** The Dardeen family was found brutally murdered in their home near Ina, Illinois, leaving residents and investigators stumped. Yet even after a confession by Tommy Lynn Sells, the truth is still a mystery. (Demise of the Dardeen Family) YOUTUBE TIME STAMPS… 00:00.00.000 = Introduction 00:03:50.930 = Show Open 00:07:24.193 = Invasion of the Black Eyed Kids (Part 1) 00:16:25.361 = Invasion of the Black Eyed Kids (Part 2) 00:56:44.662 = The Truth Behind The Philadelphia Experiment 01:02:19.882 = Britain’s Last Witch 01:10:48.357 = Rome’s Day of Bloody Sacrifice 01:14:22.154 = Show Close SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE… BOOK: “The Black-Eyed Kids” by G. Michael Vasey, https://amzn.to/3Tniri9 BOOK: “The Chilling True Terror of the Black Eyed Kids Monster Compilation” by G. Michael Vasey, https://amzn.to/3R8eTi7 BOOK: “The Case For The UFO” by M.K. Jessup: https://amzn.to/3JRDwxz MORE BEK EPISODES: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/8kn9fpe9, https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2tcs3p3n,https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2tcs3p3n, https://weirddarkness.com/let-us-in/ “Invasion Of The Black-Eyed Kids” sources: Anomalien, https://bit.ly/3WszSln, https://bit.ly/3WtCGhV,https://bit.ly/3Ww4ySw,

IN THIS EPISODE: In 1945, “Flight 19” vanished in the Atlantic off the coast of Florida – and the mystery of what happened still terrifies aviators to this day. (The Mysterious Disappearance of Flight 19) *** Without any detectable history, how Septic Tank Sam wound up dead in Tofield, Canada, is a mystery. Till this day, the case has never been solved and Sam has never been identified. (Septic Tank Sam) *** The Cherokee recall a white-skinned race that lived on their lands before they arrived. This group of very unusual beings were known as the Moon-Eyed people. (Moon-Eyed People of the Cherokee) *** A mother discovers she has missed a call… from her dead son. (Call From a Ghost) *** Would you dare to drive the haunted Devon highway? (Where Hairy Hands Grab At Your Steering Wheel) *** What would you do if you moved into a serial killer’s home and couldn’t break your lease once you found out? (House of Horrors) *** On April 3, 1882, outlaw Jesse James was shot to death in St. Joseph, Missouri – or was he? (The Man Who Would Be Jesse James) *** A young girl’s quiet night of reading in bed is turned upside down when she is attacked by an unseen phantom! (The Summer I Didn’t Sleep) *** A convicted killer is hung on the gallows… twice. (A Moment of Agony) YOUTUBE TIME STAMPS… 00:00.00.000 = Introduction 00:00:58.559 = Show Open 00:03:41.320 = The Mysterious Disappearance of Flight 19 00:12:48.801 = Septic Tank Sam 00:20:59.815 = House of Horrors 00:24:19.304 = The Summer I Didn’t Sleep 00:29:21.525 = Moon-Eyed People Of The Cherokee 00:33:08.924 = Call From A Ghost 00:35:20.299 = A Moment of Agony 00:43:16.091 = Where Hairy Hands Grab At Your Steering Wheel 00:52:12.428 = The Man Who Would Be Jesse James 01:09:52.258 = Show Outro SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE… “Moon-Eyed People of the Cherokee” by Ellen Lloyd for AncientPages.com: http://bit.ly/2VcDc5H “Call From a Ghost”: (unknown author, link no longer exists) “Septic Tank Sam” by Les Hewitt for HistoricMysteries.com: http://bit.ly/2ZYmqpJ “Where Hairy Hands Grab At Your Steering Wheel” by Guy Henderson for DevonLive.com: http://bit.ly/2LqghiH “The Mysterious Disappearance of Flight 19” by Evan Andrews for History.com: http://bit.ly/2Lqgtyr “House of Horrors” by Jessica Ferri for TheLineUp.com: http://bit.ly/2ZYoi1u “The Man Who Would Be Jesse James” by Troy Taylor for AmericanHauntingsInk.com: http://bit.ly/2DP4Rii “The Summer I Didn’t Sleep” from YourGhostStories.com: http://bit.ly/2GUVkaa “A Moment of Agony” by Robert Wilhelm for MurderByGaslight.com: http://bit.ly/2JiF3ie Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library. = = = = = (Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.) = = = = = "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46 = = = = = WeirdDarkness® is a registered...