Gruselkabinett 88. The Monkey's Paw

In a storm-tossed night the White family sitting together at the fire in her own home. Sergeant Major Morris, an old friend of the family father has announced to visit, but instead to reminisce reported that a mysterious monkey paw that its owner three wishes fulfilled but at a terrible cost. Despite all the warnings decides James to use the paw ...

The Monkey's Paw is 47 minutes running time, the shortest story that was set to music for the horrors of Titania media, but quite a lot of time is left here in the initial scene. The cozy scene at the fireplace spreads a pleasant atmosphere and also provides the characters and their relationship to each other before in detail. Only with the visit of Morris come first, creepy moments in the plot, the legend of the monkey paw is introduced and fascinates not only the White family, but also fast the handset. Gloomy announcements and a looming threat hovering over the action from now who would otherwise dare scenery is severely disrupted. Particularly the concerns of Mother Maggie reinforce this impression still clearly. Of course, that was not to be expected of the monkeys paw but a desire notified and the resulting events are very well told and spread a wonderfully dark and tragic atmosphere. The end is executed skillfully and leaves completely open how the family with the tragic events is done, as her future changed by the events. At first one would somewhat faster can advance the plot, but here a strong episode of horror Cabinet has arisen that can convince precisely because of their brevity.

A mere six speakers can be heard in this radio play, which was reduced in the choice of the venue to the essentials. Harald Dietl speaks the father James with a very strong voice that can represent the emotions of the man very skillfully. His son Herbert is spoken by Max fields whose carefree and inquisitive nature fits very well to the character and can underline this. Regina Lemnitz can be heard as a mother Maggie from her softer side, but sometimes acts a bit too pale for their sonorous and powerful voice. Other speakers include Hasso anger, Erich Ludwig and Johannes Steck.

The action is supported again in a very evocative way of the built-in music. Be it the homely atmosphere that is created in the initial scenes, or the dramatic effect of subsequent events, everything is tightly wrapped and enclosed in a matching tone dress. The integration of different sounds and especially the loud thunder can convince.

Of course, the eerie monkey paw has found its place on the cover that was dried up, almost black hand is on a small table on which a picture frame is with a photograph of the family and a lamp court found that spreads soft light. The pleasant atmosphere is clearly disturbed by the paw, giving you much of the mood of the radio play.

Conclusion: The previous shortest radio play of the series shines with its cozy at first, later eerie and creepy mood. That calamity threatening is soon clear yet how evolved everything has some twists. Knapp told precisely why so gripping.