As many fans of the radio program know, not every broadcast of The Shadow exists in recorded form. The radio episodes were melodramatic, with The Shadow often tracking down mass murderers and psychotic killers who were carrying out bizarre crimes. In one episode, a modern-day pirate uses a privately-owned submarine to wreak havoc on the high seas, and in another a mad scientist rips airplanes out of the sky with a giant magnet. Using his invisibility to cloud men’s minds so they cannot see him, he appeared more like an avenging conscience that plagued the guilty culprits until the criminals fell victim to their own demise.
Less than fifty percent of the radio broadcasts exist in recorded form, which is a darn pity considering the cult fanbase that exists for this series. Thankfully we have the radio scripts to consult. Enclosed are five plot summaries for radio episodes that do not exist in recorded form.
Episode #613 “THE CRYING KITTEN KILLER”
Broadcast March 29, 1953
Copyright Registered in U.S. Copyright Office, #DU33868, April 24, 1953.
Renewal Copyright Registration #RE97-144, July 27, 1981.
Script written by Jerry McGill.
Plot: Commissioner Weston is baffled. There have been two muggings and one murder in three nights. The mugger uses hungry kittens to lure victims into dark alleys and vacant lots to rob them. When the body of a half-starved Siamese kitten, too sick to move, is found next to the recent victim, Lamont and Margot question all the veterinarians and pet shop owners in the neighborhood. A pet store owner named Squires gives Lamont and Margot a tip, leading to an old brownstone occupied by a man named West and his landlady, Hilda. After questioning the suspects, Lamont discovers that Hilda is the Crying Kitten Killer. She stole West’s kittens and starved them so they would meow when someone passed by. Having knocked West unconscious, she attempts to rout through his room for the money he supposedly hoarded in a mattress. Squires discovers Hilda’s scheme and attempts to blackmail her, becoming another victim. It turns out that West never had a fortune stashed away and the police arrive to take control of the situation. In a desperate attempt to escape, Hilda trips over the kitten she used to trap her victims, breaking her neck in the fall down the rickety stairs.
Trivia, etc. The crying sound of the hungry kitten was pre-recorded and not performed by an actor.
Episode #615 “THE DEATH MASTER”
Broadcast April 12, 1953
Copyright Registered in U.S. Copyright Office, #DU33870, April 24, 1953.
Renewal Copyright Registration #RE97-142, July 27, 1981.
Script written by J.G. Leighton (a pseudonym of John Cole).
Plot: The vicious insurance racket of Hugo Guttman and his accomplice, Snapper, remains unobserved by the law until an underworld informant named Charlie tips off Lamont and Margot. Arranging with an unscrupulous doctor to sign a death certificate testifying that the body of a vagrant was actually that of the insured, they employ a mortician named Latisse to work with the bodies and to make them bear a resemblance to the deceased. The deceased’s wife would then hold a formal funeral and later join her actual husband in another part of the country. Latisse applied his skills as an artist to help with the crimes, unaware that he was being duped into participating in a racket. Margot investigates Latisse while The Shadow searches Guttman’s office. Guttman arrives and attempts to eliminate Margot, accidentally shooting Latisse instead. Before Margot takes the next bullet, The Shadow knocks the gun out of the crook’s hand and holds him until the police arrive.
Episode #616 “THE TORCH”
Recorded April 14, 1953. Broadcast April 19, 1953
Copyright Registered in U.S. Copyright Office, #DU34351, June 15, 1953.
Renewal Copyright Registration #RE97-141, July 27, 1981.
Script written by Max Ehrlich.
Plot: Professor Landry of the local observatory has perfected a new celestial telescope capable of reversing the science of the lens. A notorious arsonist known as The Torch and his two henchmen murder the professor and use the machine for evil. Hidden in the telescopic tube is a special howitzer that fires Thermite shells. When the tube is sighted accurately using precision machinery, the arsonist commits his crime while staying a good distance from the scene. As Carl Brand, the owner of a fur company is about to file bankruptcy, The Torch makes him an offer to collect fire insurance that would clear his debts and handsomely pay The Torch. Brand, however, switched furs with imitations in the warehouse before the scheduled fire, giving Lamont and Margot a clue to suspect foul play. Angry, The Torch uses his machine to burn a hole through Brand’s chest. Realizing the power of the sun and a telescope would be needed to commit such a crime, Lamont investigates the nearby observatory. As The Shadow, he discovers that The Torch is none other than John Stearns, an employee of the insurance company, who was using his inside information for personal profit. Stealing The Torch’s gun, The Shadow holds the criminals at bay while Margot fetches Commissioner Weston.
Trivia, etc. This episode was a rewrite of a former Shadow broadcast titled “Death from the Sky” (November 29, 1942). The plot and dialogue remained the same but the names of the fictional characters were changed.
Episode #618 “WHITE ANGEL OF DEATH”
Recorded April 28, 1953. Broadcast May 3, 1953
Copyright Registered in U.S. Copyright Office, #DU34353, June 15, 1953.
Renewal Copyright Registration #RE97-139, July 27, 1981.
Script written by Judith and David Bublick.
Plot: After witnessing a hit and run in the streets, Lamont follows the dying man’s last words to the White Angel, a nightclub known in police circles as a hangout for big time gamblers with many criminal operations in the city. Lamont goes undercover as a singer to learn what goes on behind the scenes but when his cover is exposed he flees into the night. Margot attends as a respectable customer and together with what they learn the truth becomes known. Prominent out-of-state customers are blackmailed after the club photographer takes incriminating photos. If the victims choose to face the consequences of malicious gossip, they are silenced for their efforts. Learning the name of the hotel where the most recent victim resides, The Shadow observes the blackmail attempt followed by efforts to push the victim from a sixteenth story window to give the appearance of suicide. The Shadow tricks Angelo, the owner of the White Angel, into shooting about the room, emptying his gun and alerting the police who respond to his wild shooting.
Episode #619 “MURDER WILL SPEAK”
Recorded April 29, 1953. Broadcast May 10, 1953
Copyright Registered in U.S. Copyright Office, #DU35507, November 13, 1953.
Renewal Copyright Registration #RE97-124, July 27, 1981.
Script written by Bret Morrison.
Plot: Accepting an invitation to Seacliff Mansion, Lamont and Margot investigate a mysterious death during a rehearsal of “Hamlet” that lends suspicion to a rare poison as the cause. In the dark, they soon find themselves confronted by a horrible glowing face and a voice with a puzzling message. During the confusion, and protected by the darkness, an unknown assailant attacks Lamont. After questioning all the suspects on the premises, Lamont finally solves the mystery. Pop Worth, the caretaker and theatre custodian, wanted to thwart a massive buy-out of real estate on the island because of the fond memories he had of the past. Using a Medici poison ring which he brought back from Africa, Pop committed the murder in hopes of exacting revenge on the man who not only stole his only love but now tried to steal the theater. Attempting to evade The Shadow, Pop races up the
stairs to the stage and puts the noose meant for the ghost of Hamlet’s father around his own neck.
NOTES: The plot summaries above were reprinted with permission from The Shadow: The History and Mystery of the Radio Program, 1930-1954 by Martin Grams, Jr.
