THE BIRTHRIGHT

[SHORT-STORY]

Short story by Hilda Hughes, dramatized for Felix Felton’sMacabreseries on the BBC.

“The mood changes from the sentimental in the first story to humour (in Saki), and to sheer

terror in the third.”

[BBC Title Cards] “Martin is a clairvoyant. Father strongly disapproves—dies leaving everything

to other son Michael. Martin tells story of nightmare in which father has told him to look in family

Bible—a will is found bequeathing equally to Michael and Martin. Martin dies after nightmare in

which the ghost of his father accuses him of forgery.”

PERSONNEL:

Eric Anderson (narrator), Felix Felton (producer).

CAST:

Ruth Anderson, Charles Mason, Lewis Shaw, Norman Shelley.

[CHRONOLOGY]

MACABRE (NATIONAL PROGRAMME, LONDON—BBC)

[Saturday—10:00-10:45 PM]

February 9, 1935“Mansions” / “The Open Window” / “The Birthright

[“…three uncanny stories overheard at the fireside… The third story is

said to be terrifying, grim and sinister…”]

MACABRE (REGIONAL PROGRAMME, LONDON)
[Saturday—8:35-9:20 PM]

October 26, 1935“Mansions” / “The Open Window” / “The Birthright