Return to the Old Dark House, Again.











Poster for Return to the Old Dark House, Again, 1936. 
NightCafe / Met(a)Wurst, 2023






 

"Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, I am not Samuel Beckett." 

 

"Neither am I Boris Karloff."

 

 







Cluedo, 1949









The long rumoured collaboration between Samuel Beckett and Boris Karloff on their scripts for A Return to The Old Dark House, Again (circa. 1936 - 49) are a fascinating blend of styles. Beckett, known for his avant-garde approach to theatre and literature, brings his unique style to the gothic romance genre in the unlikely form of a radio sitcom. His minimalist dialogue and use of absurdist elements create a haunting and unsettling atmosphere. 


Beckett's influence is evident in the way he subverts traditional tropes of the genre. Instead of relying on melodrama and cheap thrills, he creates a sense of tension through the use of understated language and sparse description. His characters are often caught in a state of existential crisis, struggling to make sense of their surroundings and their place in the world. This introspective approach adds depth to the story and elevates it beyond the usual trappings of the genre.










Samuel Beckett, Watt. 1953






ASMR | Vintage Cluedo Board Game - 1949 Replica & Playing Cards 
(Whispered) Show & Tell!,
 Library Of Whispers, YouTube 2020.







Boris Karloff,  Butter-Nut Coffee. 1966






Blueprints for 3-Dimensional Cluedo, 1950
NightCafe / Met(a)Wurst, 2023



















Back to the Old Dark House, Again.




In a dimly lit room, Samuel Beckett and Boris Karloff sit across from each other, an antique Cluedo board between them. Beckett, with his characteristic stoicism, glances at the board, contemplating his moves. Karloff, on the other hand, is animated, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.




Beckett: (placing a piece on the board) Colonel Mustard in the library.  

 

Karloff: (scribbling notes) Excellent choice, Sam. Now, why do you think the Colonel would be in the library? 

 

Beckett: (pauses) Perhaps seeking solace among the books.










Karloff: (smirking) Solace, you say? Intriguing. Now, let's play it out. The library, a locked room of the mind, a labyrinth of words where the characters are confined by the architecture of dreams.



Beckett's brow furrows slightly, as if wrestling with the concept. Karloff seizes the opportunity to elaborate on the scene.





Karloff: (leaning in) 

Picture it, Sam. Colonel Mustard, haunted by the echoes of his past, surrounded by dusty tomes. Shadows dance on the walls, and the air is thick with suspense. He reaches for a book, and suddenly, a hidden door creaks open.




Beckett remains silent, absorbing the theatricality of Karloff's description. After a moment, he lifts an eyebrow, perhaps acknowledging the intriguing nature of the scenario.

Beckett: (in his measured tone) Professor Plum in the conservatory.








Karloff grins, eager to put his own spin on Beckett's choice.

Karloff: (dramatically) Ah, the conservatory! A realm of tangled emotions, where the plants breathe secrets and the air is heavy with passion. Professor Plum, lost in thought, contemplates the locked nature of existence amidst the verdant foliage.









Beckett observes Karloff's performance with a subtle nod, appreciating the actor's ability to weave elaborate tales. The game becomes a symbiotic exchange of ideas and creativity.


Beckett: (dryly) Miss Scarlett in the ballroom.


 




Samuel Beckett and Boris Karloff work on the script for The Old Dark House together, a gothic romance and locked room mystery. 
NightCafe / Met(a)wurst. 2023





Karloff: (excitedly) Ah, the ballroom! A dance of shadows and illusions, where Miss Scarlett moves through the steps of life, each one leading to a locked mystery. The waltz of fate, Sam, the waltz of fate.


 



Beckett offers a faint smile, acknowledging the dramatic flair in Karloff's interpretation. The game continues.










Samuel Beckett, Prix Italia acceptance speech (1959).
















The result of the collaboration between Beckett and Karloff is a script that is both chilling and thought-provoking. Return to the Old Dark House, Again is a gothic romance and locked room mystery that transcends its genre, offering a unique and unforgettable experience for audiences. The influence of Beckett is felt throughout the script, as he brings his signature style to a new and unexpected setting. The result is a masterpiece both haunting and unforgettable.

























Set: Return to The Old Dark House, Again. 
NightCafe / Met(a)Wurst, 2023.

















Boris Karloff recites The Crooked House, 1958













Return to the Old Dark House, Again, as written by Samuel Beckett and starring Boris Karloff, is a gothic romance and locked room mystery that follows a group of strangers who seek shelter in a remote and eerie mansion during a stormy night. As the night wears on, they begin to unravel the secrets of the mansion and its eccentric inhabitants, discovering a world of darkness and despair lurking behind its walls.




At the heart of the story is a mysterious figure known only as "The Master," played by Karloff, who holds the key to the secrets of the mansion. The strangers are drawn to him, even as they fear him, and they begin to uncover the twisted history of the house and its inhabitants. As tensions rise and the storm rages on outside, they find themselves trapped in a web of deceit and madness that threatens to consume them all.








Throughout the story, Beckett's signature style is evident in the sparse dialogue and haunting atmosphere. The characters are haunted by their own pasts and their uncertain futures, adding a sense of existential dread to the already tense situation. As the night wears on and the mystery deepens, the true nature of the mansion and its inhabitants is slowly revealed, culminating in a chilling finale that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.













Let us then return to the Old Dark House.


[Interior of The Old Dark House. Strangers are gathered in the grand hall, nervously eyeing each other and their surroundings. The Master, played by Boris Karloff, enters the room. The strangers tense up, unsure of what to expect].
  



The Master: Good evening, my dear guests. I trust you are finding your accommodations satisfactory?

Stranger 1: We're just happy to be out of the storm.

 


 

The Master: Yes, the storm. It can be quite ferocious up here in the mountains, can't it? But fear not, you are safe within these walls.

Stranger 2: Can you tell us anything about this place? It seems...unusual.

 



The Master: Unusual? Yes, I suppose it is. This house has been in my family for generations, you know. We've had our fair share of tragedies and scandals over the years, but we do our best to keep it all under wraps.


 

 

Stranger 3: What kind of ... tragedies?

The Master: Oh, the usual. Madness, suicide, murder...you know how it goes. But let us not dwell on such unpleasantness. Allow me to show you to your rooms, and we can continue this conversation over dinner

 




[The Master leads the strangers up the staircase, his figure looming ominously in the dim light of the hallway].







All that survives of the The Old Dark House
NightCafe / ChatGPT 3/ RunwayML  Met(a)Wurst, 2023









Further Reading:




Sam Moore. Certified Forgotten, 2020.

Katherine Bowers. Hypotheses, 2015.