1942-1-18 The Thing in the Swamp

Broadcast January 18th 1942 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: Evil Lurks

Written by: Sidney Slon

Announcer: Ken Roberts

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

Music: Elsie Thompson

Synopsis:

For the belief of ten million radio listeners, Peter Nestor, radio’s “teller of strange tales,” describes the monster of the desolate swamp of Blackmire. Weeks later, when an old man named Hugo Menkino is killed by a monster, Lamont and Margot investigate because the details of the case mirror the fictional radio tale. Attempting to broadcast from a deserted boat, Nestor is soon killed by the same monster. Seeking clues in the boat, Lamont finds himself trapped inside the belly of the craft, which is starting to sink. Nick and Rocky, two thugs in search of stolen loot, kidnap Margot but when Rocky leaves, Nick helps set her free. The monster makes another appearance and before he can succeed in killing Nick, The Shadow arrives to unmask the creature — Rocky in disguise, with an improvised diving suit — its helmet covered with seaweed. Rocky and Hugo were involved in a hefty bank robbery, and when Hugo double-crossed him, Rocky sought revenge by bringing Nestor’s legendary monster to life. He had spent the past five years trying to find where Menkino hid the money. It was Rocky’s intention to scare it out of Menkino, and build up the story of the monster in the swamp to scare people away from the hiding place. Due to The Shadow’s interference, the police apprehend Rocky and Nick and the scheme is exposed. Lamont later explains to Margot that he was able to escape the sinking ship because the boards were badly rotted.

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Note:

This episode would later be performed again under the title of “The Monster of Blackmire” broadcast January 8th 1950. The names of the fictional characters remained the same.

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