Living Fiction

The Canterville Ghost

English · Gothic Fiction, Fantasy, Humor

Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost brings a playful supernatural tale to radio. When an American family moves into an English country house, they encounter the ghost of Sir Simon, who has haunted the estate for centuries. The family’s practical, unflappable response turns the usual haunted-house story on its head.

In this dramatized adaptation, the story’s eerie encounters and comic misunderstandings unfold through dialogue and sound, balancing ghostly atmosphere with Wilde’s wit. Sir Simon’s attempts to frighten his new residents meet with unexpected resistance, while the family’s daughter, Virginia, offers a more compassionate perspective on the lonely spirit.

The result is a lighthearted blend of mystery, comedy, and sentiment. Its contrast between old-world superstition and modern American confidence gives the haunting its charm, while the story’s warmth makes it as much about kindness and redemption as about a ghost in a grand old house.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.