1941-1-05 The Leopard Strikes

Broadcast January 5th 1941 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: Crime Does Not Pay!*

Written by: Jerry Devine

Announcer: Ken Roberts

Cast: Bill Johnstone (Lamont Cranston/The Shadow) Marjorie Anderson (Margot Lane) Frank Readick, Arthur Vinton, Kenny Delmar, Everett Sloane, Keenan Wynn, Paul Huber

Music: Elsie Thompson

Synopsis:

Two people have been slashed to death in the streets after dark, and according to eyewitnesses including Lamont and Margot, a leopard was the culprit. The prime suspects are Mr. Oliver and Harper of the local zoo, and the sole leopard in captivity named Ribu. The Shadow questions Oliver and learns that Harper is part of a cult headquartered in a house on Columbus Square. For confessing details about the cult, Oliver is shot dead. Margot alerts Commissioner Weston of the news. Finding the cult in the process of sacrificing a young woman, The Shadow, meanwhile, interferes and reveals Harper is the true killer. Harper won’t accept the fact that the cult admires beauty; he prefers to take on the role of a leopard and claw his victims to death. Before Harper can kill the young lady, The Shadow shoots him dead and orders the woman in charge of the cult to explain their existence to the police, due to arrive within minutes.

Listen to this episode

Note:

*This episode is also included on Legends of Radio: The Shadow - Radio's Greatest Man of Mystery