Lives Of Harry Lime - The Hand of Glory

·28 min·2 clips

Harry finds a book describing how to use a murdered stranger's hand in a witchcraft ritual for gold.

This episode follows the roguish Harry Lime as he seeks refuge in a quiet English village after a mysterious gold-related incident. Orson Welles stars as Harry Lime, the charming antihero originally created for the film *The Third Man*. He narrates his encounter with a young woman named Helen Coon during his convalescence. Helen invites Harry to recuperate at her home, which she shares with her eccentric uncles, the twin scientists Gregory and John. The landlord at the local pub cryptically warns Harry that folks around the village are not lucky. The uncles are obsessively dedicated to alchemy, seeking the secret to transmuting base metals into gold to end global strife. Harry learns they have built a private laboratory where they spend all their time, forbidding anyone else from entering. During a secret nighttime visit to the lab, Harry discovers ancient books detailing dark rituals, including one requiring "the hand of a murdered stranger." The uncles later take in a homeless tramp, and Harry overhears them plotting to have two strangers under their roof for a sinister purpose. Harry realizes the twins have moved beyond alchemy into witchcraft and plan to murder both him and the tramp. He and Helen conspire to escape the next day, but the uncles discover his planned departure. A violent confrontation ensues between the brothers, with each accusing the other of betrayal regarding Harry. The episode implies one uncle is killed, and the tramp is found hanged in the attic. Helen subsequently reveals that her uncle Gregory’s will has been changed, leaving his entire fortune to her. Harry admits the elaborate business empire he described to her was entirely fabricated. The tone is a suspenseful and atmospheric noir, blending mystery with gothic horror elements. Welles delivers the narration in his signature dramatic and conversational style, full of ironic wit. Listeners who enjoy classic radio suspense, gothic tales, and Orson Welles' charismatic storytelling will love this episode. Those preferring straightforward narratives without supernatural implications might find it less engaging.

As heard by us

Welles leads a gold-obsessed village mystery with alchemy, witchcraft, and lean old-radio suspense.

Orson Welles fronts this vintage mystery as Harry Lyme, a shabby drifter with an arm in a sling, trying to keep a low profile in a quiet English village after being struck by a piece of gold.

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Press play if you want Orson Welles in a sleepy English village where gold, alchemy, and witchcraft turn ordinary talk dangerous.

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