1940-1-28 Murder Host

Broadcast January 28th 1940 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 is a lost episode and no recreation of it has yet been made.

Written by: Brian J. Byrne

Announcer: Ken Roberts

Cast: Bill Johnstone (Lamont Cranston/The Shadow) Marjorie Anderson (Margot Lane)

Music: Elsie Thompson

Synopsis:

Relieved of his job as chief chemist of the Brullick Company, Mitchell Hardis develops a drug that causes one to speedily age until death by what appears to be natural causes. Determined to conquer the world, Hardis and his cousin Munds attempt to eliminate The Shadow — the only person who stands in their way — by killing a list of prominent citizens and leaving behind a trail of clues that only The Shadow could pick up. Investigating the cause behind the rapid aging of recent victims, Lamont pays a visit to Hardis and drinks coffee laced with the drug, falling victim to the same scheme. Margot gets a now-60-plus-year-old Lamont to a hospital and suggests the doctor place him in a freezing chamber to slow the aging process until she acquires an antidote. Finally catching up to Margot, Hardis gives her a choice — death by drug or violence. The Shadow arrives to foil the scheme. Realizing he is licked, Hardis takes a dose of his own medicine. Afterwards, Lamont explains to Margot that the formula needed body warmth to function. As soon as his body temperature lowered far enough, the drug simply evaporated and Lamont’s body returned to normal.