A BBC WORLD SERVICE, series of twenty-six episodes, broadcast from 1980-84. It included both classic and original ghost stories in a 30 minute format. They were dramatized by Derek Hoddinott and directed by him, unless otherwise noted.
Little Girl Lost
With the recent death of her second husband, Mrs. Grove now stays with her son from her first marriage, Herbert, and his wife, Sally. Sally and Herbert think she has gone mad as she continually talks to her late second husband, John, so they've called in a doctor to take a look at her. But Janet, Herbert and Sally's daughter, believes that Mrs. Grove can talk to her late husband and wants to be able to hear his voice, too. Sally feels she is losing control over her daughter as she gets closer with Mrs. Grove and begs her husband to stop it.
Cast
Jenny Lyndon as 'Sally Lake'John Carson as 'Herbert Lake'Ruth Dunning as 'Mrs. Grove'Bernadette Windsor as 'Janet Lake'Adrian Eagan as 'Doctor Raven / John Grove'
Writen by
Rosemary Timperley
What Was It
July 1854: Harry arrives at No. 28 Twenty-sixth Street in New York City. The house was built years earlier by a prominent merchant who later caused a massive bank fraud scandal, fled to Europe, and died soon after. Once news of his death reached America, rumours quickly spread that the house was haunted.
Cast
Peter Marinker as 'Harry Crown'Blane Fairman as 'Doctor Stephen Hammond'Helen Horton as 'Mrs. Moffatt'
Writen by
Fitz-James O'Brien
The Family
As solicitor David Eccleston arrives at his client's (Mr. Watson) lodgings, he is met by a Detective Sergeant who gives him a letter from Watson that he feels he should read before he sees him. The letter is about something peculiar that has happened to him. It concerns a young women by the name of Carol Temple that he met late one night around 1:00 a.m. in front of the boarding house where he lived.
Cast
George Cole as 'Mr.Watson'Janet Maw as 'Carol Temple'Peter Baldwin as 'Detective Sergeant Forester'John Church as 'David Eccleston'Elizabeth Ryder as 'The Nurse'Jane Thompson as 'The Reception'The Policeman as 'Graham Faulkner'
Writen by
John Elliot
Walk on Water
Young Rachel finds her whole life blighted by one encounter. A salutary lesson about talking to strangers, as a young girl finds her whole life blighted by one encounter. Stars Anna Cooper as Rachel, Ursula Howells as Mother, Jack May as Father, David Ashford as Peter and Brian Hewlett as the Man. With Brian Haines, Trevor Cooper and Leonard Fenton.
Cast
Writen by
Rosemary Timperley
The Dream Woman
Isaac lives in constant fear of a knife-wielding female. But is she of this Earth, or from beyond the grave? Stars Charles Kay.
Cast
Writen by
Rosemary Timperley
The Decoy
Adapted by Derek Hoddinott from Algernon Blackwood's short story. 'The Decoy' was first published in an anthology entitled: The Wolves of God, and Other Fey Stories, 1921.
Cast
Writen by
Rosemary Timperley
Listen to the Silence
Mary must face her fears. Can she refuse the offer made by a strange voice claiming to be her grandfather? Stars Gwen Watford.
Cast
Writen by
Rosemary Timperley
The Inexperienced Ghost
A man encounters a troubled spirit. But could this meeting lead to tragedy? Adapted by Patricia Mays from H. G. Wells' story.
Cast
Donald Houston Christopher Guard
Writen by
H. G. Wells
Christina
Miss Chaucer tells Dr. Richard she’s deeply depressed after a friend’s death, financial losses, and feeling completely alone. Writing no longer brings her joy. He advises her to leave London and start fresh somewhere new. She moves to a village, meets Mrs. Crozier, and encounters Christina—the ghost of a child connected to the house—but the reason for the haunting remains a mystery.
Cast
Writen by
Daphne Castell
The Late Departure
Peter Harrington, a 43-year-old overweight, chain-smoking workaholic with high blood pressure, is constantly warned that his unhealthy lifestyle will kill him. One night, after rushing to catch the 11:00 p.m. train home, he notices it never departs. As time drifts on, the passengers and railway staff behave strangely, unconcerned by the delay. He begins to wonder: where is this train really headed — and will he ever make it home?
Cast
Writen by
Glen Chandler
Esmeralda
Felix might finally be free of his wife, but who is the mysterious woman claiming to be his daughter? Starring George Baker
Cast
George Baker
Writen by
Glen Chandler
A Pair of Hands
Audio comming soon...
A gentle ghost story about Margaret, a seven-year-old girl who died of diphtheria. Her small hands quietly appear in Miss Poulton’s rented house, cleaning and caring for everything to keep it safe from illness. Far from frightening, she is a kind and comforting presence who softly looks after the home and its occupant.
Cast
Writen by
Arthur Quiller-Couch
Keeping His Promise
Audio comming soon...
While studying late, Jack Marriott—a fourth-year student at Edinburgh University—feels a sudden chill before an old friend, Ambrose Field, appears in a desperate state. After helping him, Marriott realises something is deeply wrong, and a long-forgotten promise returns to haunt him in a very literal way.
Cast
Writen by
Algernon Blackwood
Which One
Audio comming soon...
A fire warden team are put to the toughest test during a 1940 bombing raid. Will they all survive? Stars Reginald Marsh.
Cast
Writen by
Ronald Chetwynd-Hayes
The Judge's House
Audio comming soon...
Malcolm Malcolmson discovers the truth of the 'absurd prejudices' which have accrued around an empty property.
Cast
Nigel Havers as 'Malcolmson'Nancy Nevinson as 'Mrs Dempster'Jane Thompson as 'Mrs Witham'David TimsonAlexander John
Writen by
Bram Stoker
The Emissary
Audio comming soon...
Young Marion is unwell, but her pet dog keeps her in touch with the outside world. And beyond. Stars Jennie Linden
Cast
Jennie Linden
Writen by
Ray Bradbury
Legal Rites
Audio comming soon...
Adapted by Patricia Mays from Isaac Asimov & James Maccreag's short story. Starring Ed Bishop and directed by Derek Hoddinott
Cast
Writers
Isaac Asimov
James Maccreag
Mists of Memory
Audio comming soon...
Young cellist Janet meets a confused old man. He wonders if 'music is where I live'. And he seems familiar. Stars Helen Worth.
Cast
Helen Worth
Writen by
Rosemary Timperley
The Lamp
Audio comming soon...
A sickly young boy settles into a new address, but his ghostly playmate has other ideas. Stars Judy Cornwell and Timothy Bateson.
Cast
Judy CornwellTimothy Bateson
Writen by
Agatha Christie
Channel Crossing
Audio comming soon...
Can a family holiday overcome all the issues that divide a bickering family? Stars Peter Sallis and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
Cast
Peter SallisNicholas Lyndhurst
Writen by
Rosemary Timperley
The Liberated Tiger
Audio comming soon...
Roland is dying. But could he possibly be haunting his wife while he is still alive? Stars Rosemary Leach and Leslie Sands.
Cast
Rosemary LeachLeslie Sands
Writen by
Ronald Chetwynd-Hayes
The Dead Man of Varley Grange
Audio comming soon...
Jack is set for a good time at a friend's new property, but why do strange rumors persist about the house? Stars George Baker.
Cast
George Baker
To Kill A Ghost
Audio comming soon...
Cast
Writen by
Elizabeth S. Holding
The Grey Ones
Audio comming soon...
A patient fears evil is at work in the shape of a sinister conspiracy. Will his psychiatrist be able to help? Stars Tony Britton.
Cast
Tony Britton
Writen by
J.B. Priestley
Only Child
Audio comming soon...
Cast
Writen by
Francis Stephens
The Firmin Child
Audio comming soon...
Keeping His Promise by Algernon Blackwood, Two schoolfriends take a blood oath. Will they keep to it?