1940-2-14 The Return of Carnation Charlie

Broadcast February 4th 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 episode is included in Radio Spirits CD Set The Shadow: Knight of Darkness*

Written by: George Lowther

Announcer: Ken Roberts

Cast: Bill Johnstone (Lamont Cranston/The Shadow) Marjorie Anderson (Margot Lane) Kenny Delmar, Alan Reed, Dwight Weist

Music: Elsie Thompson

Synopsis:

Before Carnation Charlie pays his debt to society, he swears vengeance on three people responsible for his conviction to death row: Bo Moley, who moved in and took over his gang, the florist who supplied his trademark carnations, and Commissioner Weston. A month after the execution, the florist is found dead and evidence left at the scene, including a business card with Charlie’s fingerprints, suggests he returned from the dead. Moley and his boys receive a visit from Charlie, shortly before the gangster is killed. When Commissioner Weston is alone in his office, Charlie puts a gun to his head and reveals the secret of his resurrection: he paid a criminal named Slim Bannister, who was dying and had a month to live, to take his place in the death house. Charlie financially provided for Bannister’s wife in return for the favor. The Shadow arrives in the nick of time and knocks the gun out of Charlie’s hand and renders Charlie unconscious, telling Weston to take all the credit for solving the case.

Listen to this episode

Note:

*This episode is also available on The Murray Hill Anthology of The Shadow