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December 23, 2023 • 29 mins
"The Shadow" was a popular American radio show that originally aired from 1930 to 1954. Created by Walter B. Gibson, the show featured the mysterious and enigmatic character known as "The Shadow." The character was first introduced as the host and narrator of the radio program, but he later became a crime-fighting vigilante with the power to cloud men's minds, making himself invisible to their sight.Here is a description of the show:Title: The ShadowPremiere Date: The series first aired on July 31, 1930.Format: The show was a radio drama that primarily featured crime, mystery, and suspense stories. It was known for its eerie and atmospheric storytelling.Main Character: The central character of the show was Lamont Cranston, a wealthy young man about town. However, Cranston also led a double life as "The Shadow." Using his ability to cloud men's minds and remain unseen, The Shadow fought against crime and injustice in the gritty urban landscape.Narration: The show was famous for its distinctive opening narration, delivered in a deep, haunting voice: "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!" This catchphrase became one of the most iconic lines in radio history.Cast: Numerous actors portrayed Lamont Cranston and The Shadow over the years. Orson Welles, one of the most celebrated figures in entertainment history, played The Shadow from 1937 to 1938, and his portrayal is often considered one of the most memorable.Episodes: "The Shadow" featured a wide range of thrilling adventures and mysteries. Each episode usually began with a crime or threat to society, and The Shadow would use his unique abilities to unravel the mystery, defeat the villains, and restore justice.Legacy: The radio show was immensely popular during its run and contributed significantly to the development of the superhero genre. The character of The Shadow also inspired a variety of other media adaptations, including novels, comics, films, and television series.While "The Shadow" radio show eventually ended its run in the mid-1950s, its legacy lives on, and it remains an important part of American radio history, known for its captivating storytelling and iconic character.
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Episode Transcript

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(00:10):
Who knows what evil lurks in thehearts of men. The Shadow knows ladies

(00:57):
and gentlemen. In a moment,the Shadow will be on the air with
a drilling new adventure. But first, let me tell you about a new
kind of tire that makes wet weatherdriving safer than you've ever dreamed possible.
It's the new good Rich Silvertown tirewith the life Saver tread. Next time
it rains, just notice the wayyour windshield wiper sweeps the water right and

(01:17):
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(01:42):
golden fly blowout protection at no extracost. So play safe. Equip your
car with good Rich Safety Silvertown.The Shadow Lamont Cranston, a man of
wealth, a student of science,and a master of other people's minds,

(02:02):
devotes his life to righting wrongs,protecting the innocent, and punishing the guilty.
Cranston is known to be underworld asthe Shadow, never seen, only
heard. Shadow's true identity is knownonly to his constant friend and dad,
Margot Lane. Today's story the Tombof Terror, and so, gentlemen,

(02:31):
we are gathered here on the groundsof the City Museum to pay tribute to
those who have successfully brought to thiscountry the building that stands before you,
the authentic tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh, King Cupra Tep. It is my
pleasure to present to you now theman who is largely responsible for its discovery,

(02:53):
transportation and reassembly, the director ofthe expedition, Doctor Romney Hale.
Thank you, Thank you, Directorsof the museum and fellow workers. I
am very grateful it has been throughyour cooperation that this work has been made
possible. Although perhaps we owe avote of thanks to good King Cooper Tap

(03:15):
himself in spite of the legendary cursethat all who gaze upon King Cooper TAP's
mommy shall die. The bulk ofour job is finished. Now before you
are admitted for the inspection, willyou excuse mister Avery, mister Johnson and
myself while we make a brief checkthe interior of the tomb. Harry Jack,

(03:35):
will you come with me, certainly? Doctor? Well, gentlemen,
how does the place look to you? Why? Doctor, you've done an
amazing job. It looks exactly asit did when we first on earth,
sertain Egypt. Thank you. Wouldyou like to pay your respects to his
majesty? Indeed I would do verywell. Will you help me with the

(03:59):
leader mummy case? There you are, Cooper kept the key, Lord of
Beacon, My magnificent face, wonderfullypreserved. We are defying the ancient curse
by looking upon that face. Ohcome, doctor Hale, surely you don't
believe those Look at the mummy's eyes. Why that's strange. They seem to

(04:23):
glue as I see it too,sort of unearthly life. What is this,
doctor? A trick? No,gentleman, and I give you my
word. I don't know what itcould be. Light's growing brighter. I
don't like this. It's it's uncanny. Close that case. Let's get out
of here. I can't understand it. If we hadn't all seen it,
I wouldn't. Let's take a subject. Let's get it what's wrong? What's

(04:47):
the matter with doctor Hale? Idon't know. He suddenly collapsed. He
was jack Jack. What's the matterwith you? Someone get a doctor quick.
These two men are very ill.Harry. What happened in there?
Rapidly? I was sorry? Catcham, he's falling? Hey, man,
tell me what happened with rapidly?It was the eyes the eyes, Yes,

(05:10):
yes, it's it's King Hoofer stepscurt, doctor, doctor? Tell
me? How are they? All? Three of these men are dead?
Almost pass? What do you gotto the river? Yarn? Doctor Romney

(05:33):
Hale, the archaeologists and two ofhis assistants died mysteriously and hour gone.
Can cook with a stone, playup the curse, hangle and spread it
for all as well. Raight topre man aside some of those doughnuts too
donuts, says we can done,certainly, Margo. Lunch wagon etiquette not

(05:53):
only allows dunking, it encourages youas your escape. That'll be twenty sis.
I keep a change, thanks,Hey, buddy, is there anything
No one of them guys had kickedoff over at that copy of the Kipper.
You know that that keptin king?No nothing new? How about my
ham on? Right? Just whatdo you make of that tomb of Fairlow

(06:14):
mart that's amazing and the newspapers areplaying up a superstition. Fellasy, You
don't think that all three deaths woulddo to coincidence? Har did that?
But I certainly don't hold it thecoofert curse there it. But something strange
must have happened in that tone questionabim. According to the newspaper reports, one
of the three men, before hedied, was heard to mutter something about
eyes, terrible eyes, and hislast words were King Cooper teps curseubted it

(06:38):
terrified by something they saw in there. He does not die of fear,
I know. According to the doctors, they all died natural death. Yes,
that's quite true. One of pneumonia, one of typhood, and one
of heart. Is it the waythe doctors had to write their death certificates.
Perhaps when the truth is known,they will have to be changed.
Change But what do you mean,Mama? You finished eating? Oh?

(06:58):
Yes, we take a walk,let's go good night the monk? What
do you mean? The death certificateswill have to be changed. Three men
do not die within seconds of oneanother of different diseases, not a single
underlying cause, Margo. The mysteriousdeaths of those three men has challenged the

(07:20):
imagination of the Shadow. I mustfind out the medical details of the deaths
of those men. Then you thinkthere's more in it than the papers is
printed. I know there is.I can get those details for you.
Good. As soon as you havethe necessary information, communicate with me.
The Shadow will await your care.Hello, Margo, to find out.

(07:49):
I just talked to doctor Burleigh,who he's in charge of the case.
He said that the three men actuallydied as the papers said, but the
work one detail not printed. Well, the doctor himself don't seem to understand
it. But an examination of thevictim's blood is shown in each case a
complete absence of lucacide. Lucasides.Those are white corpusles. Yes, do
ask what that means? Not whitecorpuss in the blood. The human system

(08:13):
will have nothing of which to combatdisease. No wonder they'd died, Margot.
This is the first key to themystery. That's the shadow confined the
answer to the next question within themuseum walls. I tell you we must
go through with the public opening ofthe tomb. I'd originally planned, but

(08:35):
will the public be there? We'llhave to take that chance. Gentlemen,
I wish we'd never started this proteinand I see here, can't You've been
acting like an old woman about thiswhole thing. Mister. We've fought thousands
of dollars the museum's money into thetomb, and it's up to us to
dispel this nonsense about the Coopertat curse. I am not so sure that it
is na sae rubbish. Oh,you can't dismiss the fact that three men
died. They all died natural deaths. I wouldn't be too sure about that,

(08:58):
mister Raffert who's speaking? Who isthat I am called the Shadow?
The Shadow? I've heard of you? What do you want of us?
I've been investigating the deaths of yourthree colleagues. I've come to warn you
that no one must be permitted withinthe world of the tomb. Why do
you say that because anyone who entersmay not come out alive? Are you

(09:20):
implying that there is truth in thecoopra Tap curse. I'm telling you,
mister Rafferty, I have reason tobelieve that the name of the curse of
Cooper Tep is called premeditated murder.Nonsense, not nonsense, mister Stephenson,
with all respect to your unsolicited information, we are not going to be intimidated
by an unknown boy. Speak foryourself, mister Stephenson. I am inclined
to respect the shadows one quiet ken, on what ground Shadow you obeyse your

(09:45):
statement? You will have to acceptwhat I've said on faith. I've had
enough of that. Wait, misterStephenson. No, no, I'm going
to rid us at this hocus pocusonce and for all. Yes, what
are you proposed to do? Stephenson? I'm going into that tomb tonight right
now. Don't do that, misterStephenson. I know what I am I'm
doing. Shadow, Well, who'llaccompanied me? Don't tell me that you're

(10:05):
all afraid? No, no,not at all. But perhaps none of
us should be too hasty. Verywise this spoken, mister Raffert is very
well. Then I shall go alone. You are very foolhearted, Stevenson.
Me shall see who has the keyto the tomb. I have, mister
Stephenson. You give it to me, mister Raffity. Can't you persuade him?
The changes man? Don't you thinkStevenson might give me the key.
Very well, here you are,Thank you. Wait wait, we'll accompany

(10:26):
you to the door of the tomb. All right, you may be going
to your death, Stevenson. I'llchance that. Come along man, well
here we are. Have any ofyou change your mind, mister Rafferty,
No, thank you, Hawkins.I prefer to wait outside. I know
there's no use asking you came.Don't come in there, mister Stevenson.

(10:46):
Don't go in. There may besomething horrible waiting for you in there.
Give me that flashlight. I'll findthat out for myself. He is in
the tomb. Nothing horrible happened inhere yet. Don't touch the mummy case.
Why not? Might as well makethe investigation complete. Don't don't,
Stevenson. You mustn't count an ifyou stop him, or what can we

(11:09):
do. I'm opening the mummy case. We've got to get him out of
there. I'll pull myself here.Come back here, Ken, Stevenson.
Stevenson, I'm looking at the mummy'sface. Hey, that's strange. There's
something peculiar here. Come away fromthat mummy, Stevenson. Kate Stephenson.
I insist that you've both come outof there at once, But there's something

(11:31):
here that I don't know. Thestay there needs to be. It's happened.
He's choking. Can't bring him outhere. I'm trying to right,
all right, Stevenson. Yeah,now just lean on me, Stevenson,
Man, what happened? I look, I looked. I looked at Goof.
He's dead. He's dead. It'snot possible. The Shadow is right.

(11:54):
Yes, gentlemen, Stevenson ignored mywarning. This perished. They should
convince all of you there is aruthless killer masked behind the cupra tep curse.
Ladies and gentlemen. One warning fromthe Shadow strikes fear unto the hearts

(12:18):
of his adversaries. Yes, andjust one skid is enough to put the
fear of wet, slippery roads intoany motorist's heart. The Shadow knows the
thousands of motorists who were killed orinjured every year when slithering skids throw cars
out of control, would never riskthe danger, grief and expense of riding
on unsafe tires if they had anotherchance. Motorists, I've already told you

(12:43):
that the new good Rich Silvertown tirewill stop you quicker safer on wet pavements.
Than you've ever stopped before. Butyou don't have to take my word
for it. Here are the facts. Exhaustive road tests of both regular and
premium priced tires of America's six largesttire manufacturers were made by the nation's largest
independent testing laboratory, the Pittsburgh TestingLaboratory, And here's what they found.

(13:07):
The new Gudrich Silvertown with Life Savertread gave greater skid resistance than any other
tire tested. Yes, and thatincluded those tires listed at from forty percent
to seventy percent higher in price.The Goodrich Safety Silvertown gave more non skid
mileage than any other tire tested inits own price rang average nineteen point one

(13:31):
percent more miles before the tire's woresmooth. That's performance, in any car
owner's language, the kind of performancethat spells safer, more economical driving for
you. Remember, there's double protectionin these life saving good Rich silver Towns
at no extra cost. Margo,did you learn about Steenson's death? Well

(13:58):
a month the doctor officially called itinfluenza. About the blood test the same
as the others. The white corpusalshad been destroyed, just as I thought
that proved that Stephenson was murdered too, and by the same instrument. That
instrument be maybe a serum poison,guess I don't know. More important than
the killing device is to find thekiller's motive. You've found out something among
exactly. But I saw a manat the museum about whom I should like

(14:20):
to know more. Who is he? All this Kent and assistant curator.
I'm sure that he has more knowledgeof this fair than he allows himself to
show. Why do you suspect him? For several reasons? His parent concern
for Stephenson's safety was a bit overdonefor a scientist. He was surprisingly naive
about the Cooper Tep curse, and, most important, in spite of his
outward fear, he followed Stephenson intothe tomb. I'd like to know more

(14:43):
about that man, Margot. Andthat's where you can help me. Yes,
by visiting Kent as a newspaper womaninterview about his career. Find out
whether he's interested in any branch ofscience other than archaeology. Well, Margot,

(15:11):
I saw all this kid. Yes, he hasn't always been an archeologist.
He worked at many things, instance, well before he went to work
for the museum. He was employedas an assistant by doctor Faber, you
know, the well known biologist.Interesting Margaret, that's all I'll have to
know. L does that have anybearing on the murder? They have everything
to do with them be able toanswer that question? After the shadow pays

(15:33):
a call on doctor Faber. DoctorFaber, Eh, but who's that?
Don't be startled, doctor Faber?Who are you? I am the shadow?
Are you in this room? Ican't see you. I regret that

(15:54):
I must remain in the shadows.That what you want? I am seeking
information? Well, I would liketo have you tell me what you know
of all this Kent, Kent,all this Kent while he worked for me.
He was my assistant for several years. Yes, I know that doctor
Faber. What kind of a manwas he? Very efficient laboratory man.
Why did he leave your employer?Well, frankly because he was dissatisfied.

(16:18):
Kent was a very moody man.Felt that his work should be more fully
recognized. What sort of work didhe do? It was active in all
the routine laboratory experiments. Can yourecall what some of those experiments were?
And let me see? Well,he made some really brilliant contributions to our
work with the Rogan ray. That'sthe X ray. Yes, I know

(16:40):
exactly what were those experiments. Wewere varying the way to determine its effect
on animal life. What was thateffect? Well, at one stage of
the game, it was destructive.We developed a ray that was capable of
destroying the white corpusoals in the bloodof the laboratory animals. Enormously interesting.
Doctor tell me, does such aray have the same effect on human being?

(17:00):
Oh? Yes, yes, heprobably does. Thank you, doctor
Favor. You have given me thesolution to the mystery of the Cupra tip
curse. I feel certain, Margaret, that the machine of death is concealed
somewhere within Cupra Tep's tomb. Butwhy must you go there tonight? Because

(17:22):
I can investigate without danger of interference, and there's no time to be lost.
Can't your confront kent with the informationyou already had? Oh? Can's
a clever man. Might give himtime to destroy the evidence and he could
pin nothing on him. Yes,I see, I can uncover the deadly
ray and positively identify can't with it? You can be tricked into capture.
Here's the museum. You turn inthis driveway, it's a precaution. I

(17:42):
switch off the headlights. Demand.I hate to have you going into that
tomb alone. It's an eerie lookingplace. Nothing will happened to me.
That's what the others thought. Theothers weren't aware of the real dangers.
I am handed the flashlight, Margaret, you are wait? What's that over
there among the trees? He hasto be someone carrying a lantern approaching the

(18:04):
tomb. Maman, Who can itbe? Wait? I think I recognize
him? Yes, the old watchman. Oh, shall you wait now until
he goes. I'm not sure thathe's going. He seems to be entering
the tomb. Isn't it strange?After all that happened, that he should
dare to end it there alone?Very strange? And I'm going to find

(18:26):
out. Why need this flashlight,Margot? What are you going to do?
Tis the shadow who will enter thattomb for a little conversation with the
old Watchman? Shall I wait for? I'll take the car return home.
Stand by the short wave wireless.I may need your help in communicating a
message of vital importance. Good evening, You're Imperial Majesty, I'll come again

(18:56):
to see that you are restling well. Your work is nearly done. Only
one more, one more to gazeyour ryes, and then then the vengeance
is complete. You have served mewell. Who speaks, who indeed would

(19:18):
speak within the resting base of theking? Are you? Yes? It
is I who protep pharaoh of Egypt, Your majesty, you need not kneel
in my presence? Yes, yes, your highness, You're not tremble.

(19:41):
You have nothing to fear. Youare not angry angry? Why should I
be angry toward one who serves myinterests. I have come to reward you,
reward me, yes, But firstI must have an accounting will what
do you mean? You must tellme how you brought death to the defilers

(20:04):
of my tomb, by the cursewhich bears my name? Oh, the
credit is not mine, your majesty? Who the oldest kind? Kent?
Why should he concern himself with me? It is not your vengeance alone that
he seeks, but his own aswell and mine. Kent is a great

(20:29):
man, but no one would recognizehim. They keep him slaving in the
museum day after day, doing allthe real work. Will some others get
the glory, just as they didto me. Now he's evening his score.
Hail Avery, Johnson, Stevenson.All those have paid for their stolen

(20:52):
fame. But one more must die, Hawkins, and then can to achieve
the position that is rightfully his.Do you know how Kent destroy those men?
Of course I helped him, yourmajesty. Yeah, it was clever,

(21:15):
so clever. They all scuffed atthe legend of your curse. But
but it was really you who killedthem. I kill them. No one
would dream that within your mummy therelies concealed the generator of the ray.
What ray? The ray that shinesfrom your eyes destroys all who look upon
you. Show me how this isdone it it's so easy, your majesty.

(21:40):
Yeah. Hidden here in the wallis a switch, you see.
It is thrown like this. Thenwho ever approaches the mummy cases is undoing
it and lifts the lid, soand gay is into your eyes. The

(22:02):
leeb of death shines upon them with, oh what have I done? I
didn't mean to look. I couldn't. I cannot save you. Your own

(22:23):
evil knowledge has destroyed you. Butby your death you are pointed the way
to all this. Kent s undoing. Margo Lane calling Margolane, calling Margo

(22:44):
Lane, communicating with Rapid In thedirector of the museum once tell him to
arrange the public opening of the tomTomorrow's plans. Be sure that both Kenton
Hawkins will be there. This isimportant. Margo tell Rapid that he must
follow my directions implicitly a man beforeadmitting the public. I have invited you,

(23:10):
gentlemen of the press, gather hereto dispel once and for all this
nonsense about the legend of the CooperTip curse. Well, I'll just how
are you proposed to do that?Well, mister Burkers, you know the
tradition is that everyone who looks atthe face of the mummy dies. Sure,
sure, I know that this misterHawkins, gentlemen, he is the
sole survivor of the Cooper Tip expedition. Yeah, we know Hawkins. He

(23:30):
has volunteered to show you that thereis no truth in the stories that your
newspapers have played international prominence. Whatare they gonna do? The mummy case
will be opened in your presence,and mister Hawkins will personally gaze on Cooper
Tap. Now this ought to begood. Are you ready, mister Hawkins?
Well, very well. You mayproceed, mister. I go ahead,

(23:53):
Hawkins, mister I can't. Ichanged my mind. But mister Hawkins,
do you realize what this means?Yes, Hawkins, you must go
through it. I'm afraid not.Kent, I've lost my nerve the prestige
of the museum as at stake.Will you seem to have changed your attitude?
Kent? Well, I disapproved ofthis plan at the beginning, but

(24:14):
as long as you've gone this far, I think you should carry it out.
Well, Kent is right. Well, I'm sorry, but well,
when I think of the others,what happened to them? Seeing them die?
I just looks like the show's over. Let's wait, jentlemen, don't
leave now. Mister Hawkins, ifI volunteer to look on the mummy space
first, will you follow me?Well, like, that's certainly fair enough,

(24:36):
Hawkins. Very well, have Iyour permission to open the mummy case?
Mister Rappidy, here's you have.You're very brave, mister Kent.
Who's that? It's the shadow?The shadow boy? What are you host?
Is going to be? Shadow?Why are you here? I anticipated
your performance, mister Kent, andI came to see that it was carried
out properly. What do you meanby that? Before you proceed? I

(24:56):
suggest that somebody throw the switch andsee you're in the carving on the wall.
I don't know what you're talking about. You do know, mister Kent.
I want your demonstration to duplicate Hale's, Stevenson's and the others. The
switch was thrown there. This isabsurd. Here it is. I've found
the sweat freeze. Turn it on, mister Rafferty. There you are so

(25:18):
good. Now you may continue yourlittle performance. Mister Kent. This whole
thing is ridiculous. I refuse tobe made a pola. Are you trying
to back out? I will notcontinue under these conditions. I thought you
Wouldn't you know that to look onthe mummy's face when the switch is on
would meet dead. That is true, it is, and no one should
know better than you. Concealed withinthat mummy is a murderous ray that raise

(25:41):
your own conception that's a lie.That is then why don't you look on
Cooper temp now? Because then youshall be forced to do so? No,
No, Rapperty Hawkins beat if themummy case now all the can't stare

(26:02):
along into the eyes of Cufra.You see the evil light that glows within
them. That's what the others saw. No, no, I kill them,
But don't don't he's dead. Thenit's true. There is a ray

(26:23):
not any longer, gentlemen, Iremoved the machinery that generated that ray.
All that you have just seen wascarefully staged to trap all this kent.
He is dead. He died offear, fear of the thing which he
himself created. You have all witnessedthe end of the curse of Cufra Tip,

(26:45):
a curse which fell justly on thetrue desecrator of the tomb. You
have a listening to a dramatized versionof one of the many copyrighted stories which
appear on The Shadow magazine, nowon sale at your local news staff,

(27:15):
The Weed of Crime. There's bitterfood. Crime does not pay. The
Shadow knows all the characters and allthe places named are fictitious, and his

(27:37):
similarity to persons living or dead ispurely coincidental. You do m
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