THE FRIENDS OF MR. CAIRO
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Readick, Jr. |
Orson Welles starred in 41 episodes of The Shadow. Welles never once uttered the famous opening and closing signature lines of the Shadow, for he could never master the appropriate sinister laugh. Instead, recordings of Frank Readick's Shadow were used instead. Orson Welles had it written into his contract that he never had to rehearse for The Shadow. He usually showed up moments before broadcast time and read the script cold. |
Welles |
Dated DeathIn 1938, Orson Welles was 22 years old, having been born on May 6, 1915. His rise to stardom was meteoric. He went on radio from The Shadow to The Mercury Players and the 'War of the Worlds' broadcast of Hallowe'en eve, 1938. |
The Shadow (Frank Readick) Announcer |
Heh heh heh hah hah hah. The Shadow Knows. Heh heh heh hah hah hah. Again, Blue Coal dealers present radio's strangest adventurer, the Shadow, mystery man who strikes terror into the very hearts of sharpsters, lawbreakers and criminals. Today, Blue Coal brings you the Shadow's greatest adventure, The Plot Murder. |
Organ music |
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Leavitt Hines < Wilson < Hines |
Captain Hines, read the findings of this court martial. We find the accused, Lieutenant John Wilson guilty of treasonable sabotage against the government.. No! In that he willfully destroyed a secret device known as the flying torpedo, invented by one George Arkeles, and acquired exclusively for use by the government. |
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Leavitt |
Has the prisoner anything to say before sentence is pronounced? |
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Wilson |
Yes! Yes, I... |
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Arkeles |
What can he say? He admits he broke the mechanism on the demonstration torpedo! |
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Leavitt |
Quiet please, Professor Arkeles. As the inventor we understand your concern in this matter, but please don't interrupt. Well, Lieutenant Wilson? |
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Wilson ,>
Voice |
I don't know, sir. I can hear all that's going on but..I ..I went into the.. It's obvious, General Leavitt, that Lieutenant Wilson is not mentally accountable. |
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Agnes Moorehead was born on December 6, 1900. She originated Margot Lane, and stayed with the role after Welles left. |
Leavitt |
He was sufficiently accountable to enter the testing shed, by virtue of his authority as an army lieutenant , and to tamper with the flying torpedo and render it useless, on the very day it was to be demonstrated to the government. Read the sentence of the court. |
Hines |
Lt. Wilson, this court decides, subject to the approval of the President, that you be dishonorably discharged from the service of your country, and sentenced to imprisonment for a term no less than. |
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Wilson |
No! No! |
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Voice |
Look out, he's got a revolver! |
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Voice |
Don't shoot! |
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Wilson |
That's the man! Professor Arkeles! Bang! Bang! |
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Voice |
He's wounded Professor Arkeles! |
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Leavitt |
Call a doctor! Take Lieutenant Wilson back to his cell! MUSIC |
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Margot |
Lamont Cranston, I tell you John Wilson can't be guilty. He just can't! |
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Benedict Arnold is the most famous traitorous army officer. |
Lamont |
Why not, Margot? After all, traitorous army officers are not unknown to history. |
Army ranks, officers:2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, General. |
Margot |
Yes, but the particular way John Wilson talked on the stand makes me think there's something strange about the whole thing. He acted...well, almost like a man in a trance. Lamont, just what is this flying torpedo he's supposed to have tampered with? |
Lamont |
It's what it's name implies. A sort of aerial torpedo filled with high explosive, flying under its own power. Once its launched into the air, instead of flying a predetermined course, it's direction can be guided by radio beams from an observation plane, flying high above it. |
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Margot |
I see. |
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Lamont |
You can imagine its tremendous effectiveness to warfare. The deadly accuracy in hitting even a fast moving target like a troop train or a supply ship. |
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Margot |
Sounds tremendously important. Who invented it? |
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Army ranks, enlisted:Private, Private First Class, Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Sergeant First Class, Master Sergeant,Sergeant Major |
Lamont |
This man Arkeles, who was supposed to demonstrate it last week, at the proving grounds before a large delegation from the Capitol. Besides the members of the war department, a great many high officials and other branches of government were to attend the tests. |
Margot |
Well? |
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Lamont |
Since your friend Wilson gained access to the laboratory and put the flying torpedo out of commission the test has been postponed until tomorrow. |
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Margot |
And who is Arkeles? Where did he come from? |
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Lamont |
A famous foreign inventor. He's quite a reputation abroad. |
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Margot |
Lamont, you don't suppose its possible Arkeleshas the boy under some strong mental influence? |
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Lamont |
It's possible. |
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Margot |
They've got Wilson temporarily in the city jail. Won't you call on him as The Shadow? |
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Lamont |
Margot, do you honestly think this case warrants my attention as The Shadow? |
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Margot |
Lamont, I don't ask many favors. But I have a feeling John Wilson is innocent. |
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A young Orson Welles |
Lamont |
Alright Margot, if you're really serious, the Shadow will pay a call on John Wilson, in the city jail. MUSIC CLOCK BELLS RINGING CELL DOOR OPENS |
Guard |
Lieutenant Wilson is in that last cell, Professor Arkeles. |
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Arkeles |
Thank you, guard. This pass that General Leavitt gave me. Will you take it or do I keep it. |
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Guard |
You better keep it, sir, in case you want to use it again. |
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Arkeles |
Yes, that's right. |
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Guard |
You'll have to talk to Wilson through the bars. No one's allowed in his cell. |
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Arkeles |
Thank you, I have no desire to go in. I already have one arm in a sling thanks to the young man's temper. There's only one or two questions I want to ask him, then I'll leave. |
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Guard |
Very well. FOOTSTEPS GOING OFF |
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Wilson |
Well, who is it? You! Arkeles. |
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Arkeles |
Don't get excited, Lieutenant Wilson. I only came to tell you that you're a much better mechanic than a marksman. Your bullet only injured my arm. |
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Wilson |
I'm only sorry I didn't...I didn't.. |
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Arkeles |
Kill me? The only way you can break the spell I have over you, isn't it? To kill me. |
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Wilson |
LOUDLY Will somebody...! |
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Arkeles |
Stop! Look in my eyes.Look! |
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Wilson |
No! No I won't! |
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Arkeles |
Look in my eyes. |
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Wilson |
No! |
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Arkeles |
Look in my eyes, Wilson! |
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Wilson |
Uh....(Stupefied) |
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Arkeles |
That's right. |
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Wilson |
Uh... |
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Arkeles |
Now repeat after me. I destroyed the torpedo. I destroyed the torpedo. Say it! |
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Wilson |
I....I...destroyed...the torpedo. |
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Arkeles |
Sabotage, against my country. |
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Wilson |
Sabotage against my country. |
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Arkeles |
I.. am guilty! |
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Wilson |
I.. am guilty! |
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Arkeles |
And that is all you remember! |
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Bud Collyer played Kent and Superman with his own voice, changing registers. For The Shadow, the actor used a filtered microphone when speaking as The Shadow. |
SHADOW |
Laughter of the Shadow. Are you sure that's all he remembers, Professor Akeles? |
Arkeles |
Who said that? Guard, you are there? |
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SHADOW |
No, not the guard, Professor. He's waiting at the end of the passage. |
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Arkeles |
You hide somewhere. In the next cell, perhaps. |
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SHADOW |
No, I am here. In the shadows, Professor Arkeles. Perhaps you've heard of me. |
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Arkeles |
Who are you? |
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SHADOW |
The Shadow. |
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Arkeles |
The Shadow! |
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Wilson |
Help me. Help me. |
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SHADOW |
I'm your friend, John Wilson. Think now. Concentrate. What is it you're trying to remember? |
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Wilson |
It's that torpedo. Dangerous! I... |
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Arkeles |
Wilson, be quiet! |
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SHADOW |
Steady now. Think! Think! You can break through this spell. |
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Wilson |
I tried to make them understand... |
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Arkeles |
Stop! |
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Wilson |
I destroyed the torpedo! |
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Arkeles |
I command you to stop! |
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SHADOW |
John! Your friends believe in you. They're trying to help you! |
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Arkeles |
Wilson, what have you committed? |
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Wilson |
Sab...otage, sabotage against my country. I am guilty. I am guilty. |
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Arkeles |
So, Mr. Shadow, whoever you are, you see? |
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SHADOW |
You have a powerful spell over the boy, but there is a way to break it. |
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Arkeles |
What way, Shadow? |
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SHADOW |
If you don't know I have no intention of telling you. Yet. MUSIC |
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A slightly older Agnes Moorehead |
SHADOW |
(Sound of crackling as the Shadow contacts Margo mentally.) Margo Lane, Margo Lane, stand by. Arkeles has put Wilson under some strong mental influence, a sort of hypnotic telepathy. The voice of conscience is dominated by the thoughts Arkeles passed there. We must weaken Arkelles' hold on Wilson's mind, so we can find out if he's guilty or not. Stand ready for another call. Tonight I'm going to pay a surprise visit to professor Arkeles at his hotel. I have a feeling that if we're not successful in getting Wilson to talk, this country of ours may suffer a terrible disaster. |
Arkeles |
Barloff, lock the door. |
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Barloff |
All right. |
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Arkeles |
Anyone follow you here from the hotel? |
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Barloff |
No, no one, Professor Arkeles. |
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Arkeles |
Good. The test will take place tomorrow? |
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Barloff |
Yes. At three o'clock. The war department is so convinced your invention will render any nation possessing it invincible that the high command of both the Army and Navy are to be there to witness the test. |
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Arkeles Barloff |
The president too? Yes, the president and the vice president expect to attend. Together with the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy. |
FDR had three vice presidents. John Nance Garner 1933-1941, Henry Agard Wallace 1941-1945, Harry S Truman 1945. |
Arkeles |
So, they've fallen into my trap. They'll be blown off the face of the earth, just as I planned. Barloff, be sure you make a final inspection before the torpedo is taken out of the grounds, and see that the steering mechanism is set. |
Barloff |
I understand. (Nervously) But since I am your chief assistant they might ask me to go along with them! |
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Arkeles |
Ah, they won't ask anything. Their bungling army mechanics think they understand the flying torpedo perfectly. So to satisfy their pride I've let them take complete charge of the demonstration. |
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Barloff |
Good. |
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Arkeles |
So, don't worry, Barloff. |
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Barloff |
And afterwards? |
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Arkeles |
Afterward with the guiding brain of the nation wiped out in a single stroke, the country will be thrown into confusion. Disorganized. So we'll have nothing to fear. |
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Barloff |
I see. |
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Arkeles |
There are only two things that bother me, slightly, though. Lieutenant Wilson for one. |
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Barloff |
Wilson! Did he really discover the secret trick of the steering mechanism? |
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Arkeles |
Yes, he knows what we intend to do and how we intend to do it. |
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Barloff |
You should have disposed of him at once! |
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Arkeles |
I thought of that! I was afraid it would arouse suspicion. But I'm keeping Wilson under mental hypnotic control until its too late for him to stop us. |
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Barloff |
Wouldn't it be better if he were dead? |
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Arkeles |
Perhaps. I can still visit him at the prison. |
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Barloff |
And what is the other thing that bothers you, Professor? |
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Arkeles |
Only a Shadow, Barloff. I'm not quite sure of the extent of its power. |
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Barloff |
A shadow? |
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Arkeles |
Don't worry. I think I can take care of it, too. |
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Barloff |
Is it... |
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Arkeles |
I thought I heard footsteps outside in the hall! Go and look! FOOTSTEPS. OPEN DOOR |
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Barloff |
There's no one here. The hall is empty. |
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Arkeles |
Must be my nerves. I'll be glad when this is all over. |
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Barloff |
Our escape is taken care of? |
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Arkeles |
Yes, the freighter will be waiting for us at South Pier. But go now, Carl. And success to you. |
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Barloff |
OPEN DOOR. Good night |
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Arkeles |
Good night, Barloff. Yawn. Clock bells ringing. The Shadow. If I can't put my willpower against a shadow, then I deserve to lose. But I've never... |
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SHADOW |
Laughter of the Shadow Good evening Professor Arkeles. |
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Arkeles |
You, the Shadow, you've come! |
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SHADOW |
Yes, Professor. Why do you hold Lieutenant Wilson in a hypnotic spell, Professor? |
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Arkeles |
I don't know what you're talking about. |
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SHADOW |
We shall see. And now I have something else to tell you. |
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Arkeles |
What? |
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SHADOW |
Wilson knows something about you, professor. And I'm going to find out what it is. |
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Arkeles |
All right, Shadow, you know a little, but you'll never learn more from Wilson. No one can break the spell, not you nor all your childish magic. |
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SHADOW |
You forget, greater magic, Arkeles. |
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Arkeles |
What? |
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SHADOW |
Death. |
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Arkeles |
Death? |
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SHADOW |
Yes. It's on the way, Professor. I can promise you this, if any blood is shed, it will be yours, not the Shadow's LAUGHTER MUSIC |
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Here is an early model of a wdely used business telephone, with one ''hold'' button and five others for calling out. |
Cranston Leavitt |
But, I tell you General Leavitt.... PHONE RINGS
Excuse me, Mr. Cranston. |
Cranston |
Go right ahead, General. |
|
Leavitt |
Hello. General Leavitt speaking. Oh, hello, Captain Hines. That's fine. You have the flying torpedo loaded and ready for the demonstration? Good. I'll expect a report. Sorry I can't be with you. Goodbye. Now, Cranston, to get back to this Lieutenant Wilson. I don't see what I can do. |
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Cranston |
But there may be some desperate plot at the bottom of this. Wilson acts as if he'd been put under some powerful hypnotic spell. He might know something about this flying torpedo that you ought to know! |
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The Capitol buildings were under construction since 1793, with periodic additions. |
Leavitt |
For heaven's sake, Cranston, I haven't time to listen to any such drivel. I know you're a very agreeable young man and you mean well, but you're letting your imagination run away with you. Now, if you don't mind, I must get ready to leave for the Capitol. |
The dome was under construction during the Civil War, and not finished until after its end. |
Cranston |
Very well. Just do me one favor, General Leavitt. It might prove something to you. |
Leavitt |
What is it? |
|
Aberdeen Proving Grounds, located in Harford County, Maryland, is the Army's oldest acting proving grounds. It was established on October 20, 1917. This is probably where this test would have taken place. |
Cranston |
Suggest to Professor Arkeles that he be present with the other official visitors at the proving ground, when the demonstration starts. |
Leavitt |
Of course Professor Arkeles will be there. Why shouldn't he be? |
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Cranston |
That's what I'd like to know. Unless I'm very much mistaken, General, professor Arkeles has made arrangements to be far, far away from the scene of his triumph. |
|
Leavitt |
By George, Cranston., I believe you know something. |
|
Orderly |
Excuse me, sir. |
|
Leavitt |
Well? |
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Orderly |
There are two men here to see you, sir. Professor Arkeles and another man. |
|
Leavitt |
All right, show them in. |
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Orderly |
General Leavitt will see you now. |
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Arkeles |
Thank you. I'm sorry to interrupt you, General Leavitt. |
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Leavitt |
That's all right. This is Mr. Cranston. Professor Arkeles and Mr. Barloff |
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Arkeles |
How do you do? |
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Cranston |
How do you do. |
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Arkeles |
If you don't mind, Mr. Cranston, I'd like to speak to General Leavitt alone. |
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Cranston |
Not at all, I'm sure you have weighty matters to discuss. Good day, gentlemen. |
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Leavitt |
Thanks, Cranston. Goodbye. Oh, orderly. |
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Orderly |
Yes, General Leavitt? |
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Leavitt |
Is my luggage ready? |
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Orderly |
Yes sir. |
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Leavitt |
Fine, then take the next train. There's one leaving in twenty minutes. Can you make it? |
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Orderly |
Yes, sir, if I go now. |
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Leavitt |
Go ahead then. I'll close the office. I'll meet you in the capitol tomorrow. |
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Orderly |
Yes, sir. DOOR CLOSES |
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Leavitt |
Well, what brings you here, Professor? Oh, sit down, Mr. Barloff. |
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Barloff |
Thank you, sir. |
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Arkeles |
Barloff here has just returned from the proving grounds, General. He supervised the loading of the torpedo early this morning. |
|
Leavitt |
Everything was all right, I hope? |
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Arkeles |
Perfect. Your army mechanics seemed very proud, they want to handle the torpedo by themselves. Of course, we'll be anxious to know how it comes out. |
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Leavitt |
Oh, aren't you going to be at the demonstration, Professor Arkeles? |
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Arkeles |
I'm afraid not. Another engagement unfortunately prevents my attendance. |
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Leavitt |
Yes, I see. But I can't understand how anything could be more important to you than seeing your own invention demonstrated before the highest officials of our government. |
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Arkeles |
I admit I'm terribly disappointed, General. However, I've left instructions for a telephone message to be sent to me at my hotel the minute the demonstration is over. |
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Leavitt |
Professor, I'm not sure that this test should be made without your being there. |
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Arkeles |
(Hard voice) What do you mean? |
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Leavitt |
(Equally hard voice) Suppose I order you to go? |
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Barloff |
But no, that's impossible! |
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Leavitt |
Why impossible, Mr. Barloff? |
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Arkeles |
You must excuse Barloff, General Leavitt. He gets a little excited. |
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Leavitt |
Excited? What about? Look here, Professor Arkeles, why don't you want to go to the Proving Grounds? |
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Arkeles |
Must I repeat my previous statement? |
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Leavitt |
This stalling and hedging is very suspicious. By George, you'll go whether you want to or not! TELEPHONE RECEIVER PICK UP. |
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Barloff Arkeles |
Don't touch that phone! Barloff, be careful. |
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Leavitt |
You can't give me orders in my own office! Uh! |
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Arkeles |
You hit him too hard, Barloff. His head was bleeding. |
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Barloff |
He struck the desk when he fell. |
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Arkeles |
Drag him in this closet and bar the door. |
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Barloff |
He knows something, Professor. |
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Arkeles |
Or suspects something, but how. |
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Barloff |
Then we've got to act quickly. |
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Arkeles |
I wonder if Lieutenant Wilson has talked? |
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Barloff |
But you said he was still under your hypnotic spell. |
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Arkeles |
Perhaps it would be better if Lieutenant Wilson dies. |
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Barloff |
Yes. Are you going to murder him? |
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Arkeles |
No, I'll merely suggest that he kill himself. Now, Barloff, if you'll tie up the general... |
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Barloff |
Professor! Look at him! |
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Arkeles |
What? |
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Barloff |
General Leavitt.... is dead! MUSIC |
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Cranston |
Well, here's General Leavitt's office, Margot. DOOR OPENS |
|
Mrgot |
No one seems to be here, Lamont. |
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Cranston |
That's odd. The general was here less than an hour ago. General! General Leavitt. |
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Margot |
Look! Here on the corner of the desk. |
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Cranston |
Blood! Ring Commissioner Weston at once. Tell him something has happened to General Leavitt. |
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Margot |
Yes, anything else? |
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Cranston |
Yes, tell him to send a squad of men to South Pier. I overheard Professor Arkeles and Barloff talk about meeting on a freighter there. |
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Margot |
Where are you going? |
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Cranston |
I'm going to the jail. I'm going to make one more desperate attempt to get John Wilson to talk. We've got to find out what this is all about before it's too late! MUSIC |
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Barloff |
You want me to wait here at the jail, Professor Arkeles? |
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Arkeles |
No, go down to South Pier, Barloff. I want to be alone with Lieutenant Wilson. |
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Barloff |
Yes. |
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Arkeles |
I'll follow after I've taken care of him. |
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Barloff |
All right, but first I'll collect the baggage. MUSIC |
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Arkeles |
But you remember only this, Lieutenant Wilson. Always my eyes in front of you. |
|
Wilson |
Yes. |
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Arkeles |
You will forever do what I tell you to. |
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Wilson |
Stop! Leave me alone! |
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Arkeles |
No, never! Look, Wilson, see what I have? A knife! Here, take it. Now listen to me. You are disgraced. Your family is disgraced. You have nothing more to live for. Say it! |
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Wilson |
I have nothing more to live for. I have nothing more to live for.. |
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Arkeles |
Then draw the knife across your wrists! It's easy. Try it. |
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SHADOW |
Stop, John, don't do it. |
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Arkeles |
The Shadow! |
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Wilson |
He's trying to make me... |
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Arkeles |
Keep away from me Wilson! |
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Wilson |
I've got you ... |
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Arkeles |
Let go of me, Wilson! |
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Wilson |
I've got you Arkeles...Did you feel the knife yourself? |
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Arkeles |
Yes, you cut me, you fool! |
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SHADOW |
Your blood is being shed, Professor. Remember what I told you? |
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Arkeles |
Let me out of here. Let me out. |
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SHADOW |
He's gone, John. |
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Wilson |
Somethings...Something's happened to me. I feel I can talk now. |
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SHADOW |
Then talk. Tell me what you know. Arkeles spell is weakening. |
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Wilson |
I can't see you, and I don't know who you are, but you've got to help me. I first suspected Arkeles and his crowd when I saw that the steering mechanism of the flying torpedo had an extra attachment. |
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SHADOW |
An extra attachment? |
|
Wilson |
Yes, you see the flying torpedo is supposed to be steered by radio beams from an accompanying plane. But this extra attachment I'm talking about would render the radio beams ineffective. In other words the rudder is set so the torpedo will fly in a complete circle and come back and strike the point from which it was sent. Like a boomerang! |
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SHADOW |
If it does that in the demonstration today it will wipe out all the important government officials! |
|
Wilson |
Yes, that's their plan! Just as I made the discover Arkeles came in, into the workshop. I accused him and..he he put me under this spell. I ...I tried to talk but I couldn't! |
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SHADOW |
Never mind that! Now get in touch with Commissioner Weston, and have him go to the proving grounds. He can stop the test flight of this flying torpedo if he gets there soon enough! MUSIC SHIPPING SOUNDS, BOAT HORNS, WATER |
|
1st COP |
What's the idea of having us wait around here at the South Pier? Nothing seems to be stirring. |
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2nd COP |
Who are the guys were supposed to pick up? |
|
1st COP |
Two birds by the name of Professor Arkeles and Barloff. |
|
2nd COP |
Foreigners, eh? |
|
1st COP |
Yeah |
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2nd COP |
What are they going to do, make a getaway? |
|
1st COP |
I don't know. Commissioner Weston just said to make sure we got 'em, that's all. |
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2nd COP |
Ah, If it had been that important, don't you think the commissioner would have come down here himself? |
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1st COP |
Well, he was coming, but he got a last minute call to go over to that place where they're trying out that new flying torpedo. |
|
2nd COP |
Oh yeah, I read about that. All these inventions... |
|
1st COP |
Shhh...somebody coming down the dock. FOOTSTEPS Hey, you. FOOTSTEPS RUNNING. Hey, stop where you are, I'll shoot. |
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Barloff |
Nothing |
|
1st COP |
Where are you going? |
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Barloff |
That is my business. |
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1st COP |
What's your name? ............. Come on, what's your name? |
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2nd COP |
Are you Barloff? |
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Barloff |
What is it to you? |
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1st COP |
Answer me, are you Barloff? |
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Barloff |
Yes! |
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1st COP |
That's all we wanted to know! |
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2nd COP |
Come on! |
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Barloff |
Where are you taking me? I have done nothing! |
|
1st COP |
Look out, he's got a gun! |
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Barloff |
Uh. (He's hit) |
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2nd COP |
Sorry, sergeant, I had to do it. |
|
1st COP |
That's okay. This Arkele swill probably be along in a minute. Let's put this bird behind those boxes. We don't want Arkeles.. |
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2nd COP |
Hey, look out, here comes another guy down the dock. |
|
1st COP |
Right, quick, behind this piling here. Come on. Must be Arkeles. |
|
2nd COP |
Yeah, I guess so. FOOTSTEPS. Professor Arkeles? |
|
Arkeles |
Who are you? |
|
1st COP |
The Police. We want to ask you.... |
|
Arkeles |
You can't get me to talk! You'll never make me.. |
|
2nd COP |
Look out, Sarge, he's got a gun! |
|
1st COP |
Drop that gun! |
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Arkeles |
You can't take me! The police can't touch me.. BANG |
|
1st COP |
Okay, you asked for it! BANG BANG |
|
2nd COP |
That'll handle it. Did he get you? |
|
1st COP |
Nah, I'm okay. SIRENS |
|
2nd COP |
Ah here comes the Mumble Nah, they didn't have time. |
|
1st COP Weston 1st COP |
Oh, Commissioner Weston? Yes, sergeant, I see you got our man. Yep. |
|
Six actors played Weston over the years. Santos Ortega most often. Ray Collins did,although not in this episode. He played Lieutenant Tragg on the Perry Mason television series. |
Weston 1st COP |
Is he dead? I don't think so, sir. |
Weston |
Well, Arkeles, maybe you'll talk. |
|
Arkeles |
I'll never talk. |
|
SHADOW |
Laugh of the Shadow Commissioner Weston. |
|
Weston |
Shadow, what are you doing here? |
|
SHADOW |
We can't waste time, Commissioner. Did you stop the test of the flying torpedo? |
|
Weston |
Yes, but... |
|
SHADOW |
Good. Commissioner, you've saved the lives of thousands of spectators, to say nothing of some of our highest government officials. |
|
Weston |
Then it was you... |
|
SHADOW |
Yes. Yes, I had a friend of mine call you. And now, Professor Arkeles, let's hear the story. You haven't much time. |
|
Arkeles |
I know. I'm dying, Shadow. |
|
SHADOW |
It was a plot against our national defense, wasn't it? |
|
Arkeles |
It was. |
|
SHADOW |
Who employed you to do it? |
|
When Hitler rose to power in Germany in 1933, Germany itself began to become powerful. Rather than accuse Germany or Russia of being behind spy plots, radio programs and movies left the point up in the air. |
Arkeles SHADOW |
That I won't tell you! But Lieutenant Wilson is innocent. |
Arkeles |
Yes...Wilson is innocent. |
|
SHADOW |
Commissioner, you're a witness. Lieutenant Wilson is cleared. |
|
Weston |
Yes, Shadow. |
|
SHADOW |
But what about General Leavitt? |
|
Arkeles |
Barloff killed him. |
|
SHADOW |
Where is Barloff? |
|
1st COP |
We got him behind these boxes. |
|
Weston |
How, how did you know about General Leavitt, Shadow. |
|
SHADOW |
We found blood on his desk. But this time the blood is yours Arkeles. |
|
Arkeles |
Yes, mine. DROP OF HEAD. |
|
Weston |
Well, Shadow, Arkeles is dead. |
|
SHADOW |
Yes, Commissioner. And you've been instrumental in averting a national calamity. Arkeles dead, the innocence of Lieutenant Wilson has been proved, and the integrity of the men who protect our liberty is again vindicated. MUSIC |
|
Announcer |
You have just heard a dramatized version of one of the many copywrighted stories that appear in The Shadow Magazine. All the characters and all the places named are fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. MUSIC |
|
Shadow (Frank Readick) |
Ha hah heh he. As you sew evil, so shall you reap evil. Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows. He heh heh he hehh. |
LINKS
1. The Dossier on The Shadow on Radio
2. Broadcasts today on When Radio Was
3. Jerry Haendiges'Complete Shadow episode log
4. The Shadow
5. The Shadow Zone
6. The Pulps: The Shadow
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