Voodoo: The Mercury Theatre on the Air (August 31, 1951)

“Voodoo” is an episode of The Mercury Theatre on the Air, the old-time radio show, first broadcast August 31, 1951. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Harry Lime, a smooth and broke American expatriate, is stranded on Haiti after a failed revolution leaves him short of funds. He reunites with Donna, an old flame, and meets Sam Talkin, a talkative tourist from Toledo eager to buy island souvenirs. Lime offers to find Sam a rare relic, the scepter of the revolutionary leader Christophe, and turns to his friends Fancy and Gregri, who hold the scepter as a tribal secret. Their loyalty is tested as the island's voodoo customs and the lure of money pull the characters in different directions.

Haiti, a Caribbean island with a cafe, a hotel, and jungle ceremonies

Characters: Harry Lime, Donna, Sam Talkin, Georges, Fancy, Gregri, Miss Yari

Listen for: Harry Lime's narration and his dealings with Sam Talkin over the scepter of Christophe

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.