December 2, 2023 • 29 mins
"The Shadow" is a classic radio drama series that originally aired from 1930 to 1954. It was created by Walter B. Gibson and followed the adventures of a mysterious vigilante known as "The Shadow." The show's protagonist, Lamont Cranston, is a wealthy man who has the ability to cloud the minds of criminals and become invisible, effectively becoming a crime-fighting vigilante. The Shadow works in the shadows to combat various forms of crime and corruption in the city, often accompanied by his loyal companion and love interest, Margo Lane. The series was known for its suspenseful and mysterious storytelling, featuring thrilling crime-solving and action-packed adventures, making it a beloved and enduring part of the golden age of radio drama. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!" was a famous catchphrase associated with the show.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:09):
Who knows what evil lurks in thehearts of men. The Shadow knows,
(00:58):
Ladies and gentlemen, The Shadows excitAtting Adventure will be on the air in
just a moment. But first,here's a newsflash for every motorist in America.
It's about a sensational new kind oftire that will stop your car quicker,
safer on wet roads than you've everstopped before. And the tire that
will give you this remarkable new skidprotection is the new good Rich Safety Silver
(01:19):
Town with the Life Saber tread.This Life Saver tread has a truly amazing
action on wet, slippery pavements.As the spiral bars of this tread strike
the pavement, they act like abattery of windshield wipers. These bars sweep
the water from under the tire,force it out through deep drainage grooves make
a dry track for the rubber togrip. Thus you're protected against skids in
(01:42):
all directions. You get the quickeststops you've ever seen. And remember this
too. Silver Towns are also theonly tires that give you the famous Golden
Ply blow out protection. When thousandsare killed or injured every year in accidents
due to blow outs and skids,don't take chances. Equipped with these life
saving silver Towns Now, that's theway to get protection against both skids and
(02:07):
blowouts at no extra cost. TheShadow, Lamont Cranston, a man of
wealth, a student of science,and a master of other people's minds,
devotes his life to righting wrongs,protecting the innocent, and punishing the guilty
using advanced methods that may ultimately becomeavailable to all law enforcement agencies. Cranston
(02:31):
is known to the underworld as theShadow, never seen, only heard as
haunting, to superstitious minds, asa ghost, as inevitable as a guilty
conscience. The identity of the Shadowis known only to his intimate friend and
aid Margot Lane. Today's story,The Blind Beggar Dies smies that make us
(03:06):
They're are smart evening singing Jim,Jillie and night, isn't it? Indeed
it is, thank you, sir. They're a smile hell out. Jim
rushed me last to night. I'mgoing out with a new boyfriend. He's
awful. Not all the luck inthe world, you miss. Thank you.
There are smile which make us wellwell well, Jim, hold it
(03:28):
down the same corner after we toldhim to pay protection and move. He
don't pay off and he don't scare. I don't make enough to keep body
and soul together. Now you yougo away, let me alone. So
you're gonna try to back our record, eh, all right? Money,
bring him back in the alleyway,make them see things out. Take your
hand off to you. Let mealone. Come on, don't we just
(03:49):
want to talk to you a minute. We got a proposition. But now
I told you I I don't keepprotection. I have a license because I'm
blind. Police don't bother me,honey, bring it back on my head.
Money enough now, okay, Spikenow waiting me on that black chat.
Shut up and hold him it overhis mouth so we don't okay,
I'm an old man. I can'tstand it. I haven't any money to
pay you. I tell you,all right, give me once over right
(04:13):
and listen singing Jim. Next timeyou walk over a buck a week or
you'll get the worst. Okay,mighty dump over a wall eron. Let's
go look at that crowd gathering thehun Is it amazing how any little thing
(04:38):
can get a crowd together. Sometimesthose little things turn out to be big
things, Margot. That's just themonth cranched and the amateur criminologists coming to
the floor. Oh look, I'mtrying to get into that alley where somebody
heard problem. Oh yes, ahgood even so you're mister Cranston. What's
(05:01):
wrong, Clancy. That's poor oldSinging Jim. Somebody found him in the
alley, all smashed up. Lookslike a truck run over him. All
right out of the way, morebar now, old Jim Lamont. Look
at his face and head. Hedoesn't look like he's been run over.
Oh don't don't. I can't pay, I can I can jack thanks it
all. It don't make it fast. Oh this ole boys in a bad
(05:21):
way, la month. Somebody beathim up? But who door a thing
like at him? Why? Idon't know, Bargo. I've known Singing
Jim for years. Why everybody knowshim and helps him out? He look
pretty bad. I think I'll goto the hospital and see what I can
do for him. It's more inthis than meets the eye. When to
(05:42):
come along, Yes, the man, I hope we're not too late.
Of course, you can see SingingJim. Mister Cranston, how is he
doctor? Triple concussion looks pretty hopeless, Jim, how it happened? Well,
only police report Listers has a hitand run case. In my opinion,
(06:04):
he was beating with some blunt instrument. He's a pipe or a black
jack. M he's right in here. Oh now, don't hit me.
I'm an old man. No friends, you won't get much out of him,
but you can try. I'll beback in Phillis. Thanks doctor.
Oh, I can't pay any protectiona singing Jim. Hi, Jim,
(06:25):
it's La Mont Cranston. I've cometo help you. And Miss Lane is
here too. You remember her?Hello, Jim, what happened? Who
did this? Don't keep away fromme? Let me call. Don't hit
me again? Afraid is delirious Margaret, Jim, Jim, listen, We're
not going to hurt you. You'resafe now. Who hit you? Why
(06:46):
did they do it? Jim?They told me I had to pay a
dollar a week. I'll they'll givemy corner to somebody else, some phony
that know how to mooch enough topay for protection. No, no,
no, Jim, don't do that. Can't be true. Nobody could be
(07:06):
as low as to try to makea racket out of begging, organize them
and make them pay tribute. Itis hard to believe, Margot, but
must be something to it. Waita minute, Jim, listen to me.
Who did this? Who's been tryingto make you pay money to them?
Oh? Hold on't hit me,spack, Let'll go be mine.
(07:27):
No, I can't pay Apple Mary, can't pay you toak Apple Mary?
Stand now you trying to take mine? Don't don't leave me again, don't.
I'd better get the doctor. He'sunconscious, Yes, Margot, but
I'm afraid it's more than that.I'm afraid Singing Jim has sung his last
ballad. You mean, yes,Margot, Singing Jim is dead. Oh,
(08:01):
folks, I guess you're all kindof wondering why the word went out
over the beggars grapevine for us tomeet here in my place. And maybe
ain't anyway, Apple Mary's got somethingto say to us. Thanks laying Bill,
Thanks folks. I guess by thistime you've all heard the poor old
(08:22):
singing Jim's dead, and I guessyou know why he's dead. Yes,
now, now, don't get theidea that I've asked you all here to
fight these here scurvy rats that pulledJim into an alley and beat him to
death. I ain't asking that.I can't expect no help from the police.
Marry you know that, No,you can't marry. Yes, we
(08:43):
tried that, and they just laughat the idea of anybody trying to make
us pay for the right to makea living on the streets the only way
we know how. Selling apples likeI do, singing like Jim did,
or selling pencils and shoelace is likelame bill here. No, no,
we can't expect no help from thepolice. But why don't they get the
(09:07):
guys at murdered over they're investigating it, so they say, but what are
we going to do? Mary,Jim's death was just a warning to the
rest of us. It means payup or get the same. No,
no, it don't, No,it don't. Because something's happened, somebody's
gonna help us. What can't helpourselves? Who is it? Mary?
Now, before I tell you,I want to remind you that I'm not
(09:28):
a drinking woman, and I ain'tgiven to hearing things, and I ain't
easy convinced. But last night latesomebody talked to me at my stand,
somebody that you've all heard of somebodythat you that have got your eyesight don't
believe in because nobody's ever seen him. Who wasn't Mary the Shadow Shadow?
(09:48):
Or he wouldn't bother trying to helpfolks like us. Mary, Ah,
you're wrong, You're wrong, becausehe asked me to call all your folks
together. He promised that he'd comehere tonight and tell us how he he
can help us when he come,And why isn't he here? I am
here? Why where'd that laugh comefrom? Guy could come from right behind
(10:11):
Mary Nord came from back in thatcourt. Wait, don't be frightened.
I am the Shadow. I've comehere to help you, if you will
accept my unseen presence without question,without fear. Yeah, yeah, that's
right. We got no reason tobe scared of the Shadow. We ain't
(10:31):
done anything wrong here. We oughtto be glad. He's willing to help
us out, protect us from fellowslike Spike Marty. Maybe he can help
us find out who those fellows are. Wait a minute, all of you.
I've told the Shadow all I knowabout Spike and Marty, all any
of us knows. Now you listento what he wants us to do.
You are victims of the meanest racketin the world. The Shadow will help
(10:54):
you if you are willing to helpyourselves. I have reason to believe that
one among you is a spy,an informer. Why why where is he
quite a man now? Sooner orlater he will betray himself. There are
too many of you for me tosingle out the one hostile mind in this
(11:15):
room. What he wants to do. Shadow will do anything you say.
Go on doing as you have beendoing. When these men approach you again,
pay them or promise payment, andthen go to the west wall of
the National Armory and make your signof distress in white chalk. Using the
symbols you use and communicating with oneanother, the Shadow will understand them and
(11:41):
come to your aid. As forthe informer in your midst, let him
take this warning to the petty racketeershe serves. If one more scent of
tribute is levied, if they somuch as lay a hand upon one of
you, they will answer to theShadow with their liars. Yeah, who's
(12:16):
there at you? Money? Yeahit's me, Spike, what took us
along? Hey, you look likethe real McCoy with those smoke glasses and
that Futch. I used to makea living fake in this blind and lame
gag before you showed me how tomake some easy money. Well, what
happened at that meeting at Lame Bill'splace? Plenty? You look like you've
seen a ghost. No, Iain't seen no ghost, Spike. What
(12:37):
then? I heard something tonight thatI don't want to hear again. The
voice of a guy you couldn't see. He was right there talking to us.
You've been hearing things. No,it's the truth. I tell you.
You've heard about this guy they calla shadow, haven't you. Yeah,
I've heard about them all right,So what he was at that meeting,
that's why apple Mary called it.The shadow got the whole story out
of it, how we worked thisracket, and now he's out to get
(12:58):
us. How's he gonna do it. He's got it all fixed for the
beggars to put their distress signs onthe wall of the National Armory the first
time we try to collect anymore dough. You say the shadow got all the
dope from apple Mary. Hey,I tell you, we gotta lay off
and kiss all that money we get. My beggars got by not on your
life. Yeah. But Spike,the shadow is poison. He's caught plenty
of big shots with Doe and theirgangs. What chance that we got against
(13:22):
a guy like that? Listen,Punk, you're all a gang. I
got a knight and a big dough. But I'm plenty smart and I got
an idea. Had to get ridof this shadow? All right? All
right, how you gonna do it? Listen? All we gotta do is
get ahold of apple Mary, bringher up here to the hide out and
keep her here. Yeah, andget the shadow plumber a trap. That's
kiss what I want. And tobe sure he does get Hey, you're
gonna chalk up a message on thearmory wall. You know the signs I
(13:43):
use? Yeah, I know him? What supporting you do? Get apple
Mary here and this shadow comes afterit? Then what Then he's gonna walk
into the sweetest little trap you withU saw sprung. But you can't see
that guy. I don't have tosee him. All I have to do
is hear him talk or laugh theway they see he always does. Alright,
Spike, Okay, I hope youknow what you're doing. I haven't
(14:03):
given you a bed stay yet,have I? Well? Grab apple Merry
that night and bring it down here. Mm. Why did you wanna drive
past the National Army, Lamont?I'm looking for handwriting on the war,
Margot. What do you mean theShadow made arrangements with apple Mary and her
(14:26):
friends to communicate with him that way. Those racketeers try any more strong arm
tactics, do you think they will? Yes, there's a reckless bravado about
a petty criminal that you won't findin big time crooks. They're just as
dangerous. Don't forget that, Lamar. I'm not forgetting it for a minute.
Margo. There's a saying little snakesare more deadly than the big ones.
(14:48):
Stuff to Carmago. Here's the armory. What is it, Lamont?
Mm, there's writing on the war? Maybe what I'm looking for? You
mean those chalk marks, crosses andcircles and numbers. Yes, yes,
it's a message from apple Mary.She needs help. She's waiting for the
Shadow in the basement of nineteen RiversStreet. I'll drive you, all right,
(15:13):
Margo, not all the way.Stop a block from that address and
let me out very well in marShall I wait for yes, Margot,
wait half an hour. If I'mnot back by, then notify the police
to raid that house. I don'tthink Apple Mary sent that message to Margo.
I have a feeling the shadows beinginvited to walk into a trap.
(15:46):
Sit tight, ladies and gentlemen.The Shadow still has plenty of thrills coming
X Street rated course, pasted weekends, gidding accident. Yes, the Shadow
knows that there's hardly a driver wasnot experienced that sickening, paralyzing pit of
the stomach feeling that comes on hiscar skids wildly over a wet, slippery
(16:07):
highway. Is it worth the risk, motorists, especially when you can now
get a tire that will stop youquicker safer on wet roads than you've ever
stopped before, a tire that willput real blowout protection between your car and
the road. And this new GoodrichSafety Silvertown with the Life Saver tread skid
protection and Golden Ply blowout protection costsnothing extra. It's one of the best
(16:32):
safety investments you can make, Soplay safe. Equip your car with these
life saving Goodrich spell G O OD R I C H Goodrich Safety Silvertown
tires before it's too late. Atyou money, Yeah, it's me.
(16:56):
Where are you? How about somelight O kay, I just wanted to
be sure. Hey, what's theidea of sitting down here in the dark?
Hey, what are you doing atTommy Gunn? When the shadow comes
here looking for apple Marry, I'mgonna spread this room with lead from Florida
ceiling. It won't matter if Ican't see him. I can't miss that.
Troubles will be over. I putthat message in the armory wall.
How long ago? About an hour? Then he'll be here soon. That
(17:19):
guy moves fast from what I hear. Hey, how are you gonna know
when the shadow gets here? Whatif he don't talk or laugh? He's
got to open that door any hecan't walk through it. He ain't a
ghost. He comes as close tobeing a ghost as anything I ever want
on up against. How's he doit? Does he? I mean?
How does he keep you from seeinghim? By hypnotism? Whatever that is?
Yeah, I know a guy inthe circus that could do that.
(17:40):
At least, Why is he claimedhe couldn't go and get apple Mary in
here? She's in the back room. Okay, hey you apple Mary,
come on out here. I'm coming. I don't think I'm scared of the
stume of the earth. Like youtwo a pipe down. What do you
want with me? Bring him overhere and shove into this you hide and
come on, take your hands offme. Maybe old and blind, but
(18:03):
I take no guidance from scavengers.Take that can away from her. She
might get free with it. Giveme that stick. I'll give it to
you here. Take it. Whyyou she devil, but they're not.
She having hold of there. Getyour knife. Come on, sit down
there. Yeah, I got myknife. Get it out. She tries
an things. When the shadow turnsup, let her have it right between
(18:26):
his shoulders. Okay, if youknow what's good for you, you'll sit
still. Mary, the shadow,so you know he's after you. So
there was a squealer the meet.That was no squealer. It was me.
And we're expecting your pal a shadowmost anytime now. I put a
little message from you on the armorywall telling him to come here. Yeah,
(18:47):
just wadle that door swings open.That's the only weight, and get
in or out. If this shadowguy's got a gun starts plazing away,
you'll get yours married. The shadowdoesn't need a gun. Shadow up money.
I just heard the basement door.Hey, somebody's in the horse By.
Shut up. Watch your old dameopen to mark. But I have
(19:10):
it right, You got that,Tommy gun ready? Ye, Spike,
he's here, the shadows here,do something, do something? So short,
chill it. I am sure.If I'm gonna be sure, there
is only one certainty in life,right, it's him, Spike your shout
(19:37):
out the lights? Yeah yeah,but I got him. I got the
shadow. Come on, let's getout of here. But what about Apple
Mary. We haven't got time tofuss with a blind dame unless you an
apple Mary. Get out and tellyour friends will be seeing him. Tell
him the shadow is dead. Tellhim if we have any more trouble making
collections, I'll get what's singing?Jim in the shadow got tell them that
(20:00):
for us. Come on, Mary, let's go. Shadow. Who can
we look to for help? Now? You can still count on the shadow,
Apple Shadow. They didn't kill you, didn't they hit you. I
suspected a trap, so after Iopened the door, I walked across the
room and stood behind them. Butyour voice, it came from near the
(20:21):
door. And triloquism a simple trickof projecting the voice. That doesn't matter.
Now get out of here and hurryto lame bills. Gather your friends
together and wait there for a wordfor me. A shadow, Margo,
(20:41):
Margo, there you Alamana is beginningto get worried. Half hours almost up.
What happened? I'll tell you later. Quick start the car. So
those two men hurrying down the street, tall one and the short, heavy
one, Yes, follow them,but be careful, don't get too close
where they go, they murdered,singing Jim. They tried to murder the
shadow. They'll find out where theygo. Margo and and our telephone commissioner
western to surround the place. Shadowleft word with Affle Mary, but she
(21:08):
wants us in Duken's pool hall.Duken's pool hall. The shadows tracked down
Spike and Martin half Harry and LaineBille wanted to Dugan's pool hall. Hey,
Lippy, Duken's pool hall right away, Harry said, so what's the
(21:33):
matter with your Mondy? They thoughtyou could play pool. You missed that
shadow, Mile. I can't keepmy mind in the game. You can't
stop thinking about Everything's okay, Itell you I got that shadow. I
couldn't have missed. You heard himfall, didn't you? Yeah? Yeah,
but nothing we got nothing to worryabout. I tell you the shadows
(21:56):
out of the way, and wegot to fix with Dugan for an alibi
in here all even see think I'mstupid now, Hey, fight Mary,
there's something going on around here.I don't like. I know. I
told you i'd frame an alibi foryou, but I don't want no trouble.
I don't want my place closed up. It's no matter what what's going
on. It's that bunch you've beenworking your new ragged on apple Mary,
(22:18):
Lame Bill Limpid. A whole lotof them. What where are they?
They're out in the street, twentyor thirty of them and more coming every
minute. Yeah, who tipped on? What we was here? Is just
a double crossed no, no,no, honest. Somebody must tailed you
here. Listen to him. Hey, hey, Spike, they're after us.
Come on, let's get out ofhere. Yeah, yeah, maybe
(22:41):
we better they tear us the pieceof it. They got their hands on
you guys. Better slip out thatback door there. It leads into the
alley. The crowd may be lameand blind that I don't give much for
your chances if they get hold ofyou. Come on, Spike, let's
go, will you yeah, yeah, okay, let's scram we'll get these
muggys tomorrow. One fight one.I'll teach you to try to gang up
on us. Come on, Mandy, come on first, Spike. Wait,
(23:03):
look down the alley there. Ohwe can cops. Yeah yeah,
I have a dozen of We can'tgo that way, Spike, they're laying
for us. Hey, dogging,ain't doing any other way out of this
joint. Pop it upstairs and overthe roof. No, that door of
the hall has been nailed up foryears. It's either the alley or the
front way. Hey, Spike,that bunch out front sound like they're coming
in. Yeah, well, caughtlike a couple of rats in a trap.
(23:26):
What are you going to do?Spike? Shadow? Spike, did
you hear that it's the Shadow?You didn't get him? He ain't dead.
No, No, you will notgo to the electric chair for the
murder of the Shadow. Oh,so you gotta wait so I learn the
cops haven't got anything on us.Now, come on, Maddy, we'll
(23:48):
go out through the alley. Letthe cops pick us up. They can't
hold us more than twenty four hours. You've forgotten the murder of Singing Jim
you can't pin that on us.Doors locked, Yeah, and the key's
gone, Spike. Yes, Ilocked that door, Spike. I have
the key, but the front dooris unlocked. You can walk out that
(24:10):
door. Singing. Jim's friends areout there waiting for you, Spike.
What are we going to dog?They have the lame and the halt and
the blind, but their strength intheir numbers, the strength of a long
suffering fury. That means your deathif they get their hands on you.
(24:33):
What do you want, Shadow,what's your game? I want your confession
to the murder of Singing Jim.Hey, yeah, if we confess,
where you keep that mob away fromit. I'm not confessing to anything.
I'm not writing myself a one wayticket to the death. I'll take your
choice, a chance before a legaljury or that mob. Quick the Shadow,
(25:00):
how confest, I'll tell you wekilled we kill Singing. There was
Spike. He stugged them in analley. Yeah, you dirty squealer,
Red John move Spike one false moves. Tormented people will kill you. Marry
Mame Bill. Wait, wait,everybody, this is your last chance.
(25:23):
There's a blackboard behind you, Spike. There's a piece of chalk. Write
your confession to the murder of SingingJim and sign it. Write what I
dictate to you. You you're WindShadow, We Spike Grogan and Martin Nelson.
(25:48):
Spike Grogan confess, but on Tuesdaynight at five o'clock, confess and
then too and willfully beat Singing Jimto death with a black jack. Singing
Jim to death? What a blackjack? Sign it? Are you? Marty?
(26:15):
Okay? There? Well? Nowwatch Shadow walk to that back door.
Open it. Called the police inthe alley, tell him to come
and get you where it's locked.You locked it and took the key.
(26:38):
I unlocked it again. Go withSpike Grogan, Marty. Beyond that door,
a blindfolded woman with a sword inone hand and finally balanced scales in
the other waits for you. You'vemocked her long enough, but she is
(27:00):
patient because her name is Justice,and her revenge for your mockery will be
death. You have been listening toa dramatized version of one of the many
(27:22):
copyrighted stories which appear in the Shadowmagazine, The Weed of Crime, Bear's
Bitter Fruit. Crime does not Pay. The Shadow knows all the characters and
(28:11):
all the places named are fictitious.Any similarity to person's living or dead is
purely coincidental.
Who knows what evil lurks in thehearts of men. The Shadow knows,
(00:58):
Ladies and gentlemen, The Shadows excitAtting Adventure will be on the air in
just a moment. But first,here's a newsflash for every motorist in America.
It's about a sensational new kind oftire that will stop your car quicker,
safer on wet roads than you've everstopped before. And the tire that
will give you this remarkable new skidprotection is the new good Rich Safety Silver
(01:19):
Town with the Life Saber tread.This Life Saver tread has a truly amazing
action on wet, slippery pavements.As the spiral bars of this tread strike
the pavement, they act like abattery of windshield wipers. These bars sweep
the water from under the tire,force it out through deep drainage grooves make
a dry track for the rubber togrip. Thus you're protected against skids in
(01:42):
all directions. You get the quickeststops you've ever seen. And remember this
too. Silver Towns are also theonly tires that give you the famous Golden
Ply blow out protection. When thousandsare killed or injured every year in accidents
due to blow outs and skids,don't take chances. Equipped with these life
saving silver Towns Now, that's theway to get protection against both skids and
(02:07):
blowouts at no extra cost. TheShadow, Lamont Cranston, a man of
wealth, a student of science,and a master of other people's minds,
devotes his life to righting wrongs,protecting the innocent, and punishing the guilty
using advanced methods that may ultimately becomeavailable to all law enforcement agencies. Cranston
(02:31):
is known to the underworld as theShadow, never seen, only heard as
haunting, to superstitious minds, asa ghost, as inevitable as a guilty
conscience. The identity of the Shadowis known only to his intimate friend and
aid Margot Lane. Today's story,The Blind Beggar Dies smies that make us
(03:06):
They're are smart evening singing Jim,Jillie and night, isn't it? Indeed
it is, thank you, sir. They're a smile hell out. Jim
rushed me last to night. I'mgoing out with a new boyfriend. He's
awful. Not all the luck inthe world, you miss. Thank you.
There are smile which make us wellwell well, Jim, hold it
(03:28):
down the same corner after we toldhim to pay protection and move. He
don't pay off and he don't scare. I don't make enough to keep body
and soul together. Now you yougo away, let me alone. So
you're gonna try to back our record, eh, all right? Money,
bring him back in the alleyway,make them see things out. Take your
hand off to you. Let mealone. Come on, don't we just
(03:49):
want to talk to you a minute. We got a proposition. But now
I told you I I don't keepprotection. I have a license because I'm
blind. Police don't bother me,honey, bring it back on my head.
Money enough now, okay, Spikenow waiting me on that black chat.
Shut up and hold him it overhis mouth so we don't okay,
I'm an old man. I can'tstand it. I haven't any money to
pay you. I tell you,all right, give me once over right
(04:13):
and listen singing Jim. Next timeyou walk over a buck a week or
you'll get the worst. Okay,mighty dump over a wall eron. Let's
go look at that crowd gathering thehun Is it amazing how any little thing
(04:38):
can get a crowd together. Sometimesthose little things turn out to be big
things, Margot. That's just themonth cranched and the amateur criminologists coming to
the floor. Oh look, I'mtrying to get into that alley where somebody
heard problem. Oh yes, ahgood even so you're mister Cranston. What's
(05:01):
wrong, Clancy. That's poor oldSinging Jim. Somebody found him in the
alley, all smashed up. Lookslike a truck run over him. All
right out of the way, morebar now, old Jim Lamont. Look
at his face and head. Hedoesn't look like he's been run over.
Oh don't don't. I can't pay, I can I can jack thanks it
all. It don't make it fast. Oh this ole boys in a bad
(05:21):
way, la month. Somebody beathim up? But who door a thing
like at him? Why? Idon't know, Bargo. I've known Singing
Jim for years. Why everybody knowshim and helps him out? He look
pretty bad. I think I'll goto the hospital and see what I can
do for him. It's more inthis than meets the eye. When to
(05:42):
come along, Yes, the man, I hope we're not too late.
Of course, you can see SingingJim. Mister Cranston, how is he
doctor? Triple concussion looks pretty hopeless, Jim, how it happened? Well,
only police report Listers has a hitand run case. In my opinion,
(06:04):
he was beating with some blunt instrument. He's a pipe or a black
jack. M he's right in here. Oh now, don't hit me.
I'm an old man. No friends, you won't get much out of him,
but you can try. I'll beback in Phillis. Thanks doctor.
Oh, I can't pay any protectiona singing Jim. Hi, Jim,
(06:25):
it's La Mont Cranston. I've cometo help you. And Miss Lane is
here too. You remember her?Hello, Jim, what happened? Who
did this? Don't keep away fromme? Let me call. Don't hit
me again? Afraid is delirious Margaret, Jim, Jim, listen, We're
not going to hurt you. You'resafe now. Who hit you? Why
(06:46):
did they do it? Jim?They told me I had to pay a
dollar a week. I'll they'll givemy corner to somebody else, some phony
that know how to mooch enough topay for protection. No, no,
no, Jim, don't do that. Can't be true. Nobody could be
(07:06):
as low as to try to makea racket out of begging, organize them
and make them pay tribute. Itis hard to believe, Margot, but
must be something to it. Waita minute, Jim, listen to me.
Who did this? Who's been tryingto make you pay money to them?
Oh? Hold on't hit me,spack, Let'll go be mine.
(07:27):
No, I can't pay Apple Mary, can't pay you toak Apple Mary?
Stand now you trying to take mine? Don't don't leave me again, don't.
I'd better get the doctor. He'sunconscious, Yes, Margot, but
I'm afraid it's more than that.I'm afraid Singing Jim has sung his last
ballad. You mean, yes,Margot, Singing Jim is dead. Oh,
(08:01):
folks, I guess you're all kindof wondering why the word went out
over the beggars grapevine for us tomeet here in my place. And maybe
ain't anyway, Apple Mary's got somethingto say to us. Thanks laying Bill,
Thanks folks. I guess by thistime you've all heard the poor old
(08:22):
singing Jim's dead, and I guessyou know why he's dead. Yes,
now, now, don't get theidea that I've asked you all here to
fight these here scurvy rats that pulledJim into an alley and beat him to
death. I ain't asking that.I can't expect no help from the police.
Marry you know that, No,you can't marry. Yes, we
(08:43):
tried that, and they just laughat the idea of anybody trying to make
us pay for the right to makea living on the streets the only way
we know how. Selling apples likeI do, singing like Jim did,
or selling pencils and shoelace is likelame bill here. No, no,
we can't expect no help from thepolice. But why don't they get the
(09:07):
guys at murdered over they're investigating it, so they say, but what are
we going to do? Mary,Jim's death was just a warning to the
rest of us. It means payup or get the same. No,
no, it don't, No,it don't. Because something's happened, somebody's
gonna help us. What can't helpourselves? Who is it? Mary?
Now, before I tell you,I want to remind you that I'm not
(09:28):
a drinking woman, and I ain'tgiven to hearing things, and I ain't
easy convinced. But last night latesomebody talked to me at my stand,
somebody that you've all heard of somebodythat you that have got your eyesight don't
believe in because nobody's ever seen him. Who wasn't Mary the Shadow Shadow?
(09:48):
Or he wouldn't bother trying to helpfolks like us. Mary, Ah,
you're wrong, You're wrong, becausehe asked me to call all your folks
together. He promised that he'd comehere tonight and tell us how he he
can help us when he come,And why isn't he here? I am
here? Why where'd that laugh comefrom? Guy could come from right behind
(10:11):
Mary Nord came from back in thatcourt. Wait, don't be frightened.
I am the Shadow. I've comehere to help you, if you will
accept my unseen presence without question,without fear. Yeah, yeah, that's
right. We got no reason tobe scared of the Shadow. We ain't
(10:31):
done anything wrong here. We oughtto be glad. He's willing to help
us out, protect us from fellowslike Spike Marty. Maybe he can help
us find out who those fellows are. Wait a minute, all of you.
I've told the Shadow all I knowabout Spike and Marty, all any
of us knows. Now you listento what he wants us to do.
You are victims of the meanest racketin the world. The Shadow will help
(10:54):
you if you are willing to helpyourselves. I have reason to believe that
one among you is a spy,an informer. Why why where is he
quite a man now? Sooner orlater he will betray himself. There are
too many of you for me tosingle out the one hostile mind in this
(11:15):
room. What he wants to do. Shadow will do anything you say.
Go on doing as you have beendoing. When these men approach you again,
pay them or promise payment, andthen go to the west wall of
the National Armory and make your signof distress in white chalk. Using the
symbols you use and communicating with oneanother, the Shadow will understand them and
(11:41):
come to your aid. As forthe informer in your midst, let him
take this warning to the petty racketeershe serves. If one more scent of
tribute is levied, if they somuch as lay a hand upon one of
you, they will answer to theShadow with their liars. Yeah, who's
(12:16):
there at you? Money? Yeahit's me, Spike, what took us
along? Hey, you look likethe real McCoy with those smoke glasses and
that Futch. I used to makea living fake in this blind and lame
gag before you showed me how tomake some easy money. Well, what
happened at that meeting at Lame Bill'splace? Plenty? You look like you've
seen a ghost. No, Iain't seen no ghost, Spike. What
(12:37):
then? I heard something tonight thatI don't want to hear again. The
voice of a guy you couldn't see. He was right there talking to us.
You've been hearing things. No,it's the truth. I tell you.
You've heard about this guy they calla shadow, haven't you. Yeah,
I've heard about them all right,So what he was at that meeting,
that's why apple Mary called it.The shadow got the whole story out
of it, how we worked thisracket, and now he's out to get
(12:58):
us. How's he gonna do it. He's got it all fixed for the
beggars to put their distress signs onthe wall of the National Armory the first
time we try to collect anymore dough. You say the shadow got all the
dope from apple Mary. Hey,I tell you, we gotta lay off
and kiss all that money we get. My beggars got by not on your
life. Yeah. But Spike,the shadow is poison. He's caught plenty
of big shots with Doe and theirgangs. What chance that we got against
(13:22):
a guy like that? Listen,Punk, you're all a gang. I
got a knight and a big dough. But I'm plenty smart and I got
an idea. Had to get ridof this shadow? All right? All
right, how you gonna do it? Listen? All we gotta do is
get ahold of apple Mary, bringher up here to the hide out and
keep her here. Yeah, andget the shadow plumber a trap. That's
kiss what I want. And tobe sure he does get Hey, you're
gonna chalk up a message on thearmory wall. You know the signs I
(13:43):
use? Yeah, I know him? What supporting you do? Get apple
Mary here and this shadow comes afterit? Then what Then he's gonna walk
into the sweetest little trap you withU saw sprung. But you can't see
that guy. I don't have tosee him. All I have to do
is hear him talk or laugh theway they see he always does. Alright,
Spike, Okay, I hope youknow what you're doing. I haven't
(14:03):
given you a bed stay yet,have I? Well? Grab apple Merry
that night and bring it down here. Mm. Why did you wanna drive
past the National Army, Lamont?I'm looking for handwriting on the war,
Margot. What do you mean theShadow made arrangements with apple Mary and her
(14:26):
friends to communicate with him that way. Those racketeers try any more strong arm
tactics, do you think they will? Yes, there's a reckless bravado about
a petty criminal that you won't findin big time crooks. They're just as
dangerous. Don't forget that, Lamar. I'm not forgetting it for a minute.
Margo. There's a saying little snakesare more deadly than the big ones.
(14:48):
Stuff to Carmago. Here's the armory. What is it, Lamont?
Mm, there's writing on the war? Maybe what I'm looking for? You
mean those chalk marks, crosses andcircles and numbers. Yes, yes,
it's a message from apple Mary.She needs help. She's waiting for the
Shadow in the basement of nineteen RiversStreet. I'll drive you, all right,
(15:13):
Margo, not all the way.Stop a block from that address and
let me out very well in marShall I wait for yes, Margot,
wait half an hour. If I'mnot back by, then notify the police
to raid that house. I don'tthink Apple Mary sent that message to Margo.
I have a feeling the shadows beinginvited to walk into a trap.
(15:46):
Sit tight, ladies and gentlemen.The Shadow still has plenty of thrills coming
X Street rated course, pasted weekends, gidding accident. Yes, the Shadow
knows that there's hardly a driver wasnot experienced that sickening, paralyzing pit of
the stomach feeling that comes on hiscar skids wildly over a wet, slippery
(16:07):
highway. Is it worth the risk, motorists, especially when you can now
get a tire that will stop youquicker safer on wet roads than you've ever
stopped before, a tire that willput real blowout protection between your car and
the road. And this new GoodrichSafety Silvertown with the Life Saver tread skid
protection and Golden Ply blowout protection costsnothing extra. It's one of the best
(16:32):
safety investments you can make, Soplay safe. Equip your car with these
life saving Goodrich spell G O OD R I C H Goodrich Safety Silvertown
tires before it's too late. Atyou money, Yeah, it's me.
(16:56):
Where are you? How about somelight O kay, I just wanted to
be sure. Hey, what's theidea of sitting down here in the dark?
Hey, what are you doing atTommy Gunn? When the shadow comes
here looking for apple Marry, I'mgonna spread this room with lead from Florida
ceiling. It won't matter if Ican't see him. I can't miss that.
Troubles will be over. I putthat message in the armory wall.
How long ago? About an hour? Then he'll be here soon. That
(17:19):
guy moves fast from what I hear. Hey, how are you gonna know
when the shadow gets here? Whatif he don't talk or laugh? He's
got to open that door any hecan't walk through it. He ain't a
ghost. He comes as close tobeing a ghost as anything I ever want
on up against. How's he doit? Does he? I mean?
How does he keep you from seeinghim? By hypnotism? Whatever that is?
Yeah, I know a guy inthe circus that could do that.
(17:40):
At least, Why is he claimedhe couldn't go and get apple Mary in
here? She's in the back room. Okay, hey you apple Mary,
come on out here. I'm coming. I don't think I'm scared of the
stume of the earth. Like youtwo a pipe down. What do you
want with me? Bring him overhere and shove into this you hide and
come on, take your hands offme. Maybe old and blind, but
(18:03):
I take no guidance from scavengers.Take that can away from her. She
might get free with it. Giveme that stick. I'll give it to
you here. Take it. Whyyou she devil, but they're not.
She having hold of there. Getyour knife. Come on, sit down
there. Yeah, I got myknife. Get it out. She tries
an things. When the shadow turnsup, let her have it right between
(18:26):
his shoulders. Okay, if youknow what's good for you, you'll sit
still. Mary, the shadow,so you know he's after you. So
there was a squealer the meet.That was no squealer. It was me.
And we're expecting your pal a shadowmost anytime now. I put a
little message from you on the armorywall telling him to come here. Yeah,
(18:47):
just wadle that door swings open.That's the only weight, and get
in or out. If this shadowguy's got a gun starts plazing away,
you'll get yours married. The shadowdoesn't need a gun. Shadow up money.
I just heard the basement door.Hey, somebody's in the horse By.
Shut up. Watch your old dameopen to mark. But I have
(19:10):
it right, You got that,Tommy gun ready? Ye, Spike,
he's here, the shadows here,do something, do something? So short,
chill it. I am sure.If I'm gonna be sure, there
is only one certainty in life,right, it's him, Spike your shout
(19:37):
out the lights? Yeah yeah,but I got him. I got the
shadow. Come on, let's getout of here. But what about Apple
Mary. We haven't got time tofuss with a blind dame unless you an
apple Mary. Get out and tellyour friends will be seeing him. Tell
him the shadow is dead. Tellhim if we have any more trouble making
collections, I'll get what's singing?Jim in the shadow got tell them that
(20:00):
for us. Come on, Mary, let's go. Shadow. Who can
we look to for help? Now? You can still count on the shadow,
Apple Shadow. They didn't kill you, didn't they hit you. I
suspected a trap, so after Iopened the door, I walked across the
room and stood behind them. Butyour voice, it came from near the
(20:21):
door. And triloquism a simple trickof projecting the voice. That doesn't matter.
Now get out of here and hurryto lame bills. Gather your friends
together and wait there for a wordfor me. A shadow, Margo,
(20:41):
Margo, there you Alamana is beginningto get worried. Half hours almost up.
What happened? I'll tell you later. Quick start the car. So
those two men hurrying down the street, tall one and the short, heavy
one, Yes, follow them,but be careful, don't get too close
where they go, they murdered,singing Jim. They tried to murder the
shadow. They'll find out where theygo. Margo and and our telephone commissioner
western to surround the place. Shadowleft word with Affle Mary, but she
(21:08):
wants us in Duken's pool hall.Duken's pool hall. The shadows tracked down
Spike and Martin half Harry and LaineBille wanted to Dugan's pool hall. Hey,
Lippy, Duken's pool hall right away, Harry said, so what's the
(21:33):
matter with your Mondy? They thoughtyou could play pool. You missed that
shadow, Mile. I can't keepmy mind in the game. You can't
stop thinking about Everything's okay, Itell you I got that shadow. I
couldn't have missed. You heard himfall, didn't you? Yeah? Yeah,
but nothing we got nothing to worryabout. I tell you the shadows
(21:56):
out of the way, and wegot to fix with Dugan for an alibi
in here all even see think I'mstupid now, Hey, fight Mary,
there's something going on around here.I don't like. I know. I
told you i'd frame an alibi foryou, but I don't want no trouble.
I don't want my place closed up. It's no matter what what's going
on. It's that bunch you've beenworking your new ragged on apple Mary,
(22:18):
Lame Bill Limpid. A whole lotof them. What where are they?
They're out in the street, twentyor thirty of them and more coming every
minute. Yeah, who tipped on? What we was here? Is just
a double crossed no, no,no, honest. Somebody must tailed you
here. Listen to him. Hey, hey, Spike, they're after us.
Come on, let's get out ofhere. Yeah, yeah, maybe
(22:41):
we better they tear us the pieceof it. They got their hands on
you guys. Better slip out thatback door there. It leads into the
alley. The crowd may be lameand blind that I don't give much for
your chances if they get hold ofyou. Come on, Spike, let's
go, will you yeah, yeah, okay, let's scram we'll get these
muggys tomorrow. One fight one.I'll teach you to try to gang up
on us. Come on, Mandy, come on first, Spike. Wait,
(23:03):
look down the alley there. Ohwe can cops. Yeah yeah,
I have a dozen of We can'tgo that way, Spike, they're laying
for us. Hey, dogging,ain't doing any other way out of this
joint. Pop it upstairs and overthe roof. No, that door of
the hall has been nailed up foryears. It's either the alley or the
front way. Hey, Spike,that bunch out front sound like they're coming
in. Yeah, well, caughtlike a couple of rats in a trap.
(23:26):
What are you going to do?Spike? Shadow? Spike, did
you hear that it's the Shadow?You didn't get him? He ain't dead.
No, No, you will notgo to the electric chair for the
murder of the Shadow. Oh,so you gotta wait so I learn the
cops haven't got anything on us.Now, come on, Maddy, we'll
(23:48):
go out through the alley. Letthe cops pick us up. They can't
hold us more than twenty four hours. You've forgotten the murder of Singing Jim
you can't pin that on us.Doors locked, Yeah, and the key's
gone, Spike. Yes, Ilocked that door, Spike. I have
the key, but the front dooris unlocked. You can walk out that
(24:10):
door. Singing. Jim's friends areout there waiting for you, Spike.
What are we going to dog?They have the lame and the halt and
the blind, but their strength intheir numbers, the strength of a long
suffering fury. That means your deathif they get their hands on you.
(24:33):
What do you want, Shadow,what's your game? I want your confession
to the murder of Singing Jim.Hey, yeah, if we confess,
where you keep that mob away fromit. I'm not confessing to anything.
I'm not writing myself a one wayticket to the death. I'll take your
choice, a chance before a legaljury or that mob. Quick the Shadow,
(25:00):
how confest, I'll tell you wekilled we kill Singing. There was
Spike. He stugged them in analley. Yeah, you dirty squealer,
Red John move Spike one false moves. Tormented people will kill you. Marry
Mame Bill. Wait, wait,everybody, this is your last chance.
(25:23):
There's a blackboard behind you, Spike. There's a piece of chalk. Write
your confession to the murder of SingingJim and sign it. Write what I
dictate to you. You you're WindShadow, We Spike Grogan and Martin Nelson.
(25:48):
Spike Grogan confess, but on Tuesdaynight at five o'clock, confess and
then too and willfully beat Singing Jimto death with a black jack. Singing
Jim to death? What a blackjack? Sign it? Are you? Marty?
(26:15):
Okay? There? Well? Nowwatch Shadow walk to that back door.
Open it. Called the police inthe alley, tell him to come
and get you where it's locked.You locked it and took the key.
(26:38):
I unlocked it again. Go withSpike Grogan, Marty. Beyond that door,
a blindfolded woman with a sword inone hand and finally balanced scales in
the other waits for you. You'vemocked her long enough, but she is
(27:00):
patient because her name is Justice,and her revenge for your mockery will be
death. You have been listening toa dramatized version of one of the many
(27:22):
copyrighted stories which appear in the Shadowmagazine, The Weed of Crime, Bear's
Bitter Fruit. Crime does not Pay. The Shadow knows all the characters and
(28:11):
all the places named are fictitious.Any similarity to person's living or dead is
purely coincidental.
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