1939-2-19 Friend of Darkness

Broadcast February 19th 1939 on Mutual at 5:30 p.m. EST sponsored by D.L. & W. Coal Company "Blue Coal" and syndicated for the summer by Goodrich Tires

This episode is included in the Radiola LP & Radio Spirits CD Set The Story of The Shadow

Written by: Frederic Dannay and/or Manfred B. Lee

Announcer: Ken Roberts

Cast: Bill Johnstone (Lamont Cranston/The Shadow) Agnes Moorehead (Margot Lane)

Music: Rosa Rio or Elsie Thompson

Synopsis:

Grappler Crouse and his gang use the talents of a gifted blind boy named Peter Blair to “feel” the tumblers in the safe of the State Street Bank. Peter’s seeing-eye dog, Rex, is used as collateral to ensure the boy’s cooperation. With Margot’s recent preoccupation for public awareness of the blind and their ability to lead normal lives, and Peter’s recent disappearance, Lamont forms a theory. When Rex escapes the crooks and returns home, Lamont uses the dog to find Grappler’s hideout. Learning the gang plans to rob the National Bank that evening and leave town, The Shadow phones Commissioner Weston with a tip but Weston issues a “shoot-to-kill” order, forcing The Shadow to race to the bank and save the innocent boy. With time growing short, The Shadow is forced to ally momentarily with the crooks and informs them that the police are soon to arrive, and the crooks flee the scene. After hearing the whole story, Weston agrees the blind boy was innocent of any wrongdoing. The crooks are rounded up and The Shadow warns that any man is partially depraved who would rob the sightless of a great and devoted friend — his dog.

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