1939-1-29 Prelude to Terror

Broadcast January 29th 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 Radio Spirits CD Set The Shadow: Radio Treasures*

Written by:

Announcer: Ken Roberts

Cast: Bill Johnstone (Lamont Cranston/The Shadow) Agnes Moorehead (Margot Lane) Dwight Weist, Kenny Delmar, Richard Gordon, Rosemary De Camp, Edwin Jerome, Everett Sloane, Karl Swenson, Paul Huber

Music: Rosa Rio or Elsie Thompson

Synopsis:

A gang of extortionists has arranged for the murder of Professor Baker and stolen his colorless, odorless gas. Injecting the gas into an entire crate of light bulbs, the crooks then plant them in light sockets all over the city — in stores, public buildings and apartment houses. Late that evening, the entire city is rocked by a series of explosions and while the police are helpless, the gangsters rob, steal and pillage to their hearts’ content. On the advice of The Shadow, the mayor arranges for the city power plant to cut the main power switch. Following the trail through Baker’s lab assistant, Brayden, The Shadow questions the man who was clearly involved with the murder and discovers that the gang is hiding out in an old mill outside town. After alerting Commissioner Weston and his men, The Shadow races to the mill and after turning out the lights, switches the light bulb with one more deadly. When the leader of the gang attempts to call The Shadow’s bluff, his men fearfully attempt to turn him over to the police outside. Brayden gets the best of them and flips the light switch attempting to take The Shadow with him. The explosion pushes the police back, but The Shadow laughs — he escaped knowing full well that the reign of terror has ended.

Listen to this episode

Note:

*This episode is also available on The Murray Hill Anthology of The Shadow - Legends of Radio: The Shadow - Radio's Greatest Man of Mystery