Classic Radio Mystery · solgoodmedia.com

Quiet Please - Calling All Souls

February 13, 2026·29 min·2 clips

Lewis begs the ghosts of Harris and Etta to name their murderer before he's executed for their deaths.

This episode of the classic radio series "Quiet, Please" is a supernatural mystery titled "Calling All Souls," written and directed by Willis Cooper. The story is narrated by Ernest Chappell and features Kermit Murdock as Delbert, with Ralph Schooman and Mary Patton playing the murder victims, Harris and Etta. The plot centers on a man named Louis, who is imprisoned in the Iowa State Prison at Fort Madison and facing execution for a double murder he insists he did not commit. On the night before his hanging, which coincides with All Souls' Night, Louis attempts to contact the spirits of the victims to prove his innocence. His lawyer, Delbert, has visited him and stated that only the dead victims could provide the new evidence needed for a stay of execution. Louis describes his cell, playing solitaire to distract himself, and recounts the damning physical evidence like his fingerprints and blood on his suit that convicted him. He explains his original story of finding the bodies and foolishly searching the desk for money he was owed. In a desperate metaphysical journey, Louis's soul leaves his body to walk among the dead, including his own deceased son, Tommy, and old friends. He encounters the spirits of Harris and Etta, who confirm his innocence and reveal clues like hidden bill serial numbers and a torn coat thread as evidence. The spirits, however, refuse to directly name the real murderer, stating that living men should not know such secrets. They warn Louis that his soul has left his body prematurely and he must return before morning or face dire consequences. A pivotal moment occurs when the spirits reveal they are not seeking vengeance but are instead on a mission to confront their killer themselves. Louis is ultimately compelled to accompany the spirits to witness this confrontation, flying over sleeping landscapes with a multitude of souls. They visit the bedroom of the real murderer, whom Louis is forced to observe. The killer is awakened and confronted by the apparitions of Harris and Etta, leading to a tense and emotional confession. The tone is atmospheric, suspenseful, and deeply psychological, blending a crime drama with eerie supernatural elements. The style is a first-person narrative monologue, rich with descriptive soundscapes and haunting, introspective dialogue. Listeners who enjoy old-time radio dramas, ghost stories, and morally complex mysteries would love this episode. Those who prefer straightforward, modern narratives without supernatural themes might choose to skip it.

As heard by us

A prison-bound ghost story where the dead crowd around guilt and keep it talking.

Quiet, Please takes a simple setup and makes it feel heavy: a condemned man in a prison cell, the dead pressing in, guilt turning the room into a crowd.

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Why you'd press play

Press play when you want a prison-set ghost story about an innocent man pleading for proof from the dead.

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