"The Screaming Skull" is a short story by American author, Francis Marion Crawford, first published in the magazine, Collier’s, in 1908. The story, told in first-person, tells of a curious, haunted skull, and of the teller’s possible link to it. Chapters: 0:00:15 - Introduction 0:00:53 - Part 1 0:35:13 - Part 2 1:11:20 - Further Listening Bandcamp link: horrorbabble.bandcamp.com/album/the-screaming-skull Narrated by Ian Gordon for HorrorBabble Music and production by Ian Gordon & Jennifer Gill Image used with the permission of mgkellermeyer (mgkellermeyer.deviantart.com) Don't forget to check out Oldstyle Tales Press, too: www.oldstyletales.com Support us on Bandcamp or Patreon: horrorbabble.bandcamp.com www.patreon.com/horrorbabble HorrorBabble MERCH: teespring.com/stores/horrorbabble-merch Search HORRORBABBLE to find us on: AUDIBLE / ITUNES / SPOTIFY Home: www.horrorbabble.com Rue Morgue: www.rue-morgue.com Social Media: facebook.com/HorrorBabble instagram.com/horrorbabble twitter.com/HorrorBabble
A beautiful reading of a truly classic, wonderfully well-written tale. And the music. This is a TRUE gem. Thank you so much, a true contribution to literature, culture, acting and audio!
I am 78 and 65 years ago my cousin read this story aloud to me. I was on holiday at my aunt's house and cousin Michael shared his room with me. Michael would have been about 20 and very much into ghost stories, He read this story so well that it has stuck in my mind ever since. Hearing it again tonight, I remembered it almost word for word. What a well crafted tale and so brilliantly narrated by Ian Gordon. Thank you.
I first heard this from my then best friend who was 2 years older and the most exotic girl I'd ever seen. I thought she looked like a gypsy and I wanted to be just like her, hating my bland, corn fed, almost pretty but way too tall and gawky. I was 11 and she was 13 and so mature and sophisticated I believed every word. Sge hadn't Ian's talent but she did tell it in the first person as though shed had a cousin who's mother told it on down the line. This is my third or fourth listening, of many more to come, I'm sure. Wonderful wonderful wonderful stuff. 😯
I can't help it, this is your absolute MASTERPIECE. The one that should get you awards. What happens when you get your teeth into a very good writer, a characterisation worth developing, and a fairly long story. Just lovely, the definitive version!!
Yet another outstanding narration from an truly outstanding narrator.I've read this before and quite liked it,but to hear it narrated from one who has a true passion for strange fiction and all writing genre's in general was an delightfull treat! Continue the great work and I look forward to what you have in store for the future.
I have heard this story perhaps 15 years ago when I was a kid and forgotten about it since. It was in my native language and it had soundeffects for wind and the skull screech. I remember it was one of the most horrifying stories I ever heard. Thanks for reminding me of it.
I have finally found something on the internet that I cannot live without. After a long day at work seeing the horrors of the real world I can find a calming force in the voice of Ian sharing the horrors of fantasy. Thank You.
Enjoy a rest, not feeling well🤒 so I am relaxing 😌 by catching up with the previous stories. Thank everyone for all your hard work. Best way to recover is listening to horror, until I found this channel I would never have known the delight of horror from yesteryear...
Thank you, Ian. I first heard this story read by a gentleman by the name of Algy Pug and enjoyed his rendition very much After discovering Horrorbabble I wondered how you would sound reading it as yours and Mr. Pugs narrative styles differ considerably. Bravo, A very fine job as always.
that was weird - i thought he was a bit nuts and it made me feel i wanted out of that house, but had to stay to listen to whole story. i don't think i ever want to see a skull again - holy cow! you really are good at this stuff, Ian - thanks 💀
You've done a excellent job of narration on this one! The inflection of your voice is perfect, it's almost as if this was written specifically for you to narrate. I am a bit critical of narration, whether it be audiobooks or other channels here on YT. Some are just horrible, but I really enjoy yours .. maybe a tad too much! :)
Enjoyed the story very much. Excellent reading, very entertaining 😊👍 He shouldn't have kept talking about Mrs Pratt it only makes her ears burn! Err...I mean ear ! 😊😊
I did a version of this on my channel, but gave you guys a shout-out in the description -- I really enjoyed listening to your version on headphones. Cheers, wsj
The screaming skull is at present residing at Burton Agnes Hall near Bridlington Yorkshire and I think is the skull of a female resident of that house.
Fantasmagoric! Read this before as many of your selections but you just seem to “be” the character no matter what the yarn You are truly Dickens as it is reported he did the same in his readings in public Oh…and you scare the shite out of me😱
This story is based on a real life ghost story. There is a real Bettiscombe Manor and it does indeed have a skull that allegedly screams if removed from it's cupboard 💀
bitty tea bor beebles boy to shore, boy ? I think the narrator in this story is losing their mind. Hear me out: screaming skull, talking gobbledygook, drinking too much, living alone....
Not to be confused with the exquisitely bad movie from the late 50s of the same title - complete with visible strings, plastic skull and crummy acting.
"The Screaming Skull" is a short story by American author, Francis Marion Crawford, first published in the magazine, Collier’s, in 1908. The story, told in first-person, tells of a curious, haunted skull, and of the teller’s possible link to it.
Chapters:
0:00:15 - Introduction
0:00:53 - Part 1
0:35:13 - Part 2
1:11:20 - Further Listening
Bandcamp link: horrorbabble.bandcamp.com/album/the-screaming-skull
Narrated by Ian Gordon for HorrorBabble
Music and production by Ian Gordon & Jennifer Gill
Image used with the permission of mgkellermeyer (mgkellermeyer.deviantart.com)
Don't forget to check out Oldstyle Tales Press, too: www.oldstyletales.com
Support us on Bandcamp or Patreon:
horrorbabble.bandcamp.com
www.patreon.com/horrorbabble
HorrorBabble MERCH:
teespring.com/stores/horrorbabble-merch
Search HORRORBABBLE to find us on:
AUDIBLE / ITUNES / SPOTIFY
Home: www.horrorbabble.com
Rue Morgue: www.rue-morgue.com
Social Media:
facebook.com/HorrorBabble
instagram.com/horrorbabble
twitter.com/HorrorBabble
That was thoroughly awesome and enjoyable. Thank
A beautiful reading of a truly classic, wonderfully well-written tale. And the music. This is a TRUE gem. Thank you so much, a true contribution to literature, culture, acting and audio!
I am 78 and 65 years ago my cousin read this story aloud to me. I was on holiday at my aunt's house and cousin Michael shared his room with me. Michael would have been about 20 and very much into ghost stories, He read this story so well that it has stuck in my mind ever since. Hearing it again tonight, I remembered it almost word for word. What a well crafted tale and so brilliantly narrated by Ian Gordon. Thank you.
That's so cool!
I first heard this from my then best friend who was 2 years older and the most exotic girl I'd ever seen. I thought she looked like a gypsy and I wanted to be just like her, hating my bland, corn fed, almost pretty but way too tall and gawky. I was 11 and she was 13 and so mature and sophisticated I believed every word.
Sge hadn't Ian's talent but she did tell it in the first person as though shed had a cousin who's mother told it on down the line.
This is my third or fourth listening, of many more to come, I'm sure. Wonderful wonderful wonderful stuff. 😯
Hugely entertaining, and one of Mr Gordon's very best narrations. You really brought the old "sea dog" to life.
I love how the author makes the reader his literal guest. Makes the story come even more alive, just like that devilish skull interestingly enough
I can't help it, this is your absolute MASTERPIECE. The one that should get you awards. What happens when you get your teeth into a very good writer, a characterisation worth developing, and a fairly long story. Just lovely, the definitive version!!
This is a my favorite channel.
Yet another outstanding narration from an truly outstanding narrator.I've read this before and quite liked it,but to hear it narrated from one who has a true passion for strange fiction and all writing genre's in general was an delightfull treat! Continue the great work and I look forward to what you have in store for the future.
Amazing narration which made me realize what an amazing author... Brava!
My all-time favorite ghost story. It was in a book from 1945 that I got from my father. Never forgot it. This is a wonderful reading of it.
Awesome! I remember seeing a film adaptation of this story on TV as a kid. This brought back find memories. Excellent narration as always!
Do we get a free coffin if we die of fright while listening to this?
I knew there'd be an MST3K reference.
Are they not for purchase in his merch store?
Free coffin? Ha! Kudos for this reference.
Only if you live outside of the US. Insode the US you only get a casket. :v
@@redjack2629 Unless your ever being likely to die was a pre exiting condition
Thank you for another amazing performance. I love a story told in first.person. I’ve never read this story, but you had me at, The screaming skull.”😂👻
I have heard this story perhaps 15 years ago when I was a kid and forgotten about it since. It was in my native language and it had soundeffects for wind and the skull screech. I remember it was one of the most horrifying stories I ever heard. Thanks for reminding me of it.
Thank you! An all time favorite of mine!
I have finally found something on the internet that I cannot live without. After a long day at work seeing the horrors of the real world I can find a calming force in the voice of Ian sharing the horrors of fantasy. Thank You.
Thank you, Don!
I feel the same way. Theres no better remedy.
Palpably spooky. Nerve racking. Superb job as always Ian.
Enjoy a rest, not feeling well🤒 so I am relaxing 😌 by catching up with the previous stories. Thank everyone for all your hard work. Best way to recover is listening to horror, until I found this channel I would never have known the delight of horror from yesteryear...
As a wheelchair user, I know regret tellng my sons about the Rayleigh Bath Chair Murder of 1943....
Luckily it's hard to get hold of land mines these days.
Now*
This character’s psychological sufferings are as devilishly comical as they are horrifying
I listen to these stories not for the first time and it's like I've never heard them before wonderful
When I have to go to bed but I don’t want too...
tybabble
Thank you, Ian. I first heard this story read by a gentleman by the name of Algy Pug and enjoyed his rendition very much After discovering Horrorbabble I wondered how you would sound reading it as yours and Mr. Pugs narrative styles differ considerably. Bravo, A very fine job as always.
that was weird - i thought he was a bit nuts and it made me feel i wanted out of that house, but had to stay to listen to whole story. i don't think i ever want to see a skull again - holy cow!
you really are good at this stuff, Ian - thanks 💀
What a great story. I keep listening to it again.
Wonderful story, excellent interpretation. Far scarier than the movie of the same name.
such an effective horror tale. is first i’ve heard it. really hit the mark
An excellent tale as exclaimed in the first person. Gives a type of intimate narrative. And as usual....well done Ian.
This is a new one for me!! Awesome!! Thank you very much!!
This is my favorite story, I'm so glad you've done it!
Lucky# 13! Love your channel, all the narration, and the content. Please continue with this awesomeness!
You've done a excellent job of narration on this one! The inflection of your voice is perfect, it's almost as if this was written specifically for you to narrate. I am a bit critical of narration, whether it be audiobooks or other channels here on YT. Some are just horrible, but I really enjoy yours .. maybe a tad too much! :)
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
So glad you finally did this.
You do a fantastic job. Thanks.
Alright, who's got Carnacki's details? Something needs to be done here...
thanks for another great story
Enjoyed the story very much. Excellent reading, very entertaining 😊👍
He shouldn't have kept talking about Mrs Pratt it only makes her ears burn! Err...I mean ear ! 😊😊
31:00 "It's the Skull, I'd like to discuss a certain me tossing incident"
Mst3k reference?
@@CountingHouse Yup
It was obviously just peacocks screaming.
Just In time for my nightly listen haha, really appreciate u guys. Listening to these is peaceful
Time to listen to a great story!!
I like this, great job
Great choice I remember this story from my childhood!
You guys should read Ooze by Anthony M. Rud. It was the cover story of the very first Weird Tales issue, March 1923.
A terrific reading.
Love all things horror babble and Ian's narration but ready for some new material?!
Twice weekly, Monday/Wednesday, Mister Shivers!
I did a version of this on my channel, but gave you guys a shout-out in the description -- I really enjoyed listening to your version on headphones. Cheers, wsj
That was a good one, made me laugh.
This was ........ AWESOME ! :-)
This could easily be an audio drama with no further changes than some sound effects.
MARVELOUS
"The screaming skull". Reminds me of a construct enemy in Pathfinder. It has a chance to cause permanent insanity. :v
Please narrate Francis Marion Crawford's "The Upper Berth" in the future.
i didnt know he wrote that! i loved that story, heard it in Beyond Midnight, the radio series
I second the motion!
The screaming skull is at present residing at Burton Agnes Hall near Bridlington Yorkshire and I think is the skull of a female resident of that house.
Fear not of a ghost but of what he has done to the man's mother.
The knock on the door. Nuff said.
Scary-as-shit cool!!!☻🖤☠💀🦇👻⚰🕷🕸
Fantasmagoric! Read this before as many of your selections but you just seem to “be” the character no matter what the yarn
You are truly Dickens as it is reported he did the same in his readings in public
Oh…and you scare the shite out of me😱
This story is based on a real life ghost story. There is a real Bettiscombe Manor and it does indeed have a skull that allegedly screams if removed from it's cupboard 💀
Complete
Oooooooooh that's a doozy!
The Screaming Skull aka what happens when I pound a monster energy drink right after taking my anxiety medication
You think letting the wife's murderer off scott free might be why the skull is so...vocal? Lol.
Can I advertise you at my university?
If you're referring to HorrorBabble in general - yes, of course.
If you want to get ahead, get a head. 💀
the montan of madness
Could you do Childe Rowland?
Feel free to send any suggestions this way, Austen: www.horrorbabble.com/contact
bitty tea bor beebles boy to shore, boy ?
I think the narrator in this story is losing their mind. Hear me out: screaming skull, talking gobbledygook, drinking too much, living alone....
A fine reading, as always, but I found the story to be too repetitious to finish.
Not to be confused with the exquisitely bad movie from the late 50s of the same title - complete with visible strings, plastic skull and crummy acting.
Absolutely super story thumbs up horrible thumbs up
Will there be a print of this Ian??....
Edit: WAIT!....melted lead in the ear??😂...that would make you hard of hearing....
No, we don't own this image, Mark.