Dark Fantasy Eps 4 41-12-05 The Demon Tree

"The Demon Tree," the fourth episode of the Dark Fantasy radio supernatural thriller series, aired on December 5, 1941, on NBC, originating from WKY in Oklahoma City, and was written by Scott Bishop (pen name of George Marion Hamaker). The story follows four bored travelers staying at a resort inn who hear a chilling tale from the night clerk about a cursed oak in the nearby Barlow Forest, known as the "Demon Tree." According to local legend, possibly rooted in a 14th-century Welsh myth of the "Hollow Tree of the Demons," the tree was cursed by a witch who planted its acorn with her blood, causing it to strangle anyone who ventures too close. Dismissing the story as superstition, the group—described as decadent and English-like—ventures into the forest to find the so-called "strangling oak." Despite their skepticism, they encounter the malevolent tree, leading to a horrifying and predictable yet suspenseful confrontation. The episode’s creepy atmosphere, enhanced by eerie sound effects and a haunting organ, builds tension, though some fans note the horror weakens when a branch inexplicably appears in the hotel room, veering into absurdity. Aired just two days before the Pearl Harbor attack, this episode exemplifies Dark Fantasy’s ambitious blend of supernatural horror and bizarre storytelling, capturing a nationwide audience with its unsettling narrative.