The Shadow The Phantom Voice

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:16

Who knows? What evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows.

SPEAKER_04 0:28

Brue Cole presents one of Radio's most famous features, The Shadow. The story of the mystery man who strikes terror into the very hearts of shopsters, lawbreakers, and criminals. Today we present the shadow in one of his most remarkable adventures: a modern mystery of science and crime, The Phantom Boy. In just a moment, the Shadow begins his exciting adventure. Meanwhile, I'd like to tell you how you can safeguard the health and comfort of your family during these dangerous winter months. Burn blue coal. It gives you safe, uniform, helpful heat all winter long. And for valuable heating information that will save you real money regardless of the fuel you're using, send tonight for John Barkler's free 24-page book, How to Reduce the Cost of Heating Your Home. Address a postcard to Blue Cole 120 Broadway, New York City, or to Blue Cole in care of this station. Don't miss out by delaying. Send for your free copy of How to Reduce the Cost of Heating Your Home right at the close of this program.

SPEAKER_06 2:00

Here we are. Let me help you off.

SPEAKER_03 2:03

All right. Thank you, Lamar.

SPEAKER_06 2:05

This way, Margo.

SPEAKER_03 2:06

Lamar Cranston, where on earth are you taking us?

SPEAKER_06 2:08

We're on our way to the criminal court, Margo.

SPEAKER_03 2:11

The criminal court? Oh, a murder trial.

SPEAKER_06 2:14

This isn't a murder trial. Unless I'm badly mistaken, we're going to witness an assassination.

SPEAKER_02 2:20

What?

SPEAKER_06 2:21

An assassination. The assassination of the character and reputation of one of the most outstanding public men in America today.

SPEAKER_03 2:28

Oh, you mean Senator Durham?

SPEAKER_06 2:30

Yes.

SPEAKER_03 2:31

Say, I've been reading about his trial in the papers. They've certainly unearthed plenty of evidence that he accepted that bribe.

SPEAKER_06 2:37

Unless I've made a mistake in character analysis, that evidence is forged. Durham is more than a political figure, Margot. He's a statesman. He has an independent income. He's devoted his life to unselfish public service.

SPEAKER_03 2:51

Oh, he's a very wealthy man.

SPEAKER_06 2:52

Yes, Margot. Senator Durham has given away ten times the amount of money he's accused of taking as a bribe.

SPEAKER_03 2:58

Well, if that's true, Lamont, the whole thing doesn't make sense. Why should a man like that take a 15-year prison term for taking a bribe he didn't need? Incidentally, didn't I see that the prosecution expects a spring of surprise bit of evidence today?

SPEAKER_06 3:13

Exactly. That's why we're here. Come along, Marco. Court's already in session.

SPEAKER_08 3:32

Order. Order in the court.

SPEAKER_06 3:35

One more such outburst on the part of the spectators at this trial, and I shall order the courtroom cleared. Proceed, Mr. Defense Attorney. Your Honor. I have stated the case for my client. I have shown that by his record, it would have been impossible for him to act as the prosecution claims he has acted. And I have yet to see any proof that Senator Durham has committed any crime. I will now call Senator Durham himself to the stand to deny these lines in person. Senator Durham to the stand. Here I am. You swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, sir, of your God. I do. Proceed with the examination. Senator, you've heard the prosecution's accusations that you did at some time during last December accept a bribe from the late Mario Rinaldi. Yes. What is your answer? I never accepted a bribe from anyone. My answer is the whole thing is a pack of lies.

SPEAKER_08 4:38

Order!

SPEAKER_06 4:39

Order in the court. Your witness. Senator Durne, you deny that on the 16th of December last, you received a visit from the late Mario Rinaldi in your room at the Maximilian Hotel? Why, no. He came to see me and I. Confine yourself to specific answers. Gentlemen of the jury, the defenses made much of the senator's long and seemingly illustrious career of public service. They would have you believe that, like Caesar's wife, the defendant, Senator Durham, is above suspicion. They've paraded witnesses to the stand who've told you of his philanthropies, of his unselfish devotion to public service, of his blameless personal life in the past. That we do not contest, refute, nor deny. But unfortunately for Senator Durham, he is not being tried for his past. We, the prosecution, need but one more bit of evidence to complete our case. We have that evidence.

SPEAKER_08 5:39

Order, order in the court.

SPEAKER_06 5:41

I beg leave to show the jury a soundtrack motion picture of a meeting between the defendant of the late Mario Ronaldi, whose bribe of $50,000 paid to the defendant, is the basis upon which this case was brought to trial.

unknown 5:56

Order!

SPEAKER_09 5:57

Order in the court.

SPEAKER_06 5:59

Has this motion picture a direct bearing on this case, Mr. Prosecutor?

SPEAKER_01 6:04

It has, Your Honor.

SPEAKER_06 6:05

Has the Counsel for the Defense any objection to the introduction of this type of evidence without due notice? Senator Durham has nothing whatever to fear from the introduction of any authentic motion picture record of any meeting of Mario Rinaldi and himself, even though the picture was made without the senator's knowledge. Very well. The projection equipment is in the courtroom. Will you order the shades drawn and the lights extinguished? Court attendants will please draw the shades. Furthermore, no one will be allowed to leave the court until the introduction of this evidence is complete. You may proceed, Mr. Prosecutor. With the court's permission, we will place the screen in full view of the jury. Your Honor. Counsel for the defense has a question. For the sake of the record, will the prosecution state at whose request this motion picture was made? It was made at the request of Anthony Vogel, an attorney of this city. For what reason? As a citizen interested in public welfare. Very well. Now, if the attendant will turn out the lights.

SPEAKER_08 7:12

Certainly, Your Honor. Oh no, silence in the court.

SPEAKER_06 7:19

The prosecution will submit affidavits to prove that this is an authentic film record of a meeting between Senator Durham and Mario Ronaldi on the evening of December 16th. You may turn on the machine. Yes, sir.

unknown 7:36

Yes? Come in.

SPEAKER_07 7:38

Oh, hello, Ronaldi. I've been expecting you.

SPEAKER_06 7:42

Look here, Senator Durham. Why haven't I got the contract your ward on that bust of Singfield? Your money's been appulated. You said you'd use your influence if we fixed you up. Of course.

SPEAKER_07 7:53

Of course, Ronaldi. I told you you'd get that contract.

SPEAKER_06 7:57

For consideration. If you didn't send me my present of 50,000 for swinging in your way, then that's the way I. Oh, Sebastian. You want to be paid off for a staff? Yes. And in cash. No checks. Okay. Don't get yourself green. Let's make that contract. I'll get back in an hour with the money.

unknown 8:21

Order.

SPEAKER_08 8:22

Order in the car. Order. Order in the car.

SPEAKER_01 8:26

That's the end of the film, gentlemen. It's a lie. A lie, I tell you, I never said that.

SPEAKER_08 8:31

Order. Order in the car.

SPEAKER_06 8:33

Oh, honor. I object. My client never had such a conversation with Mario Rinaldi. That picture is a fate. One moment. But Deadman could please turn on the light. Your Honor, allow me to remind the counsel for the defense that pictures do not lie. Your Honor, we do not deny that the meeting between Senator Durham and Mario Ronaldi did take place in the manner shown in this film, but we deny that any such conversation took place. Have you any proof of that? There are only two people who could know what went on in that room: Senator Durham and Rinaldi. And Rinaldi is fake. Do you deny the voice was the voice of the defendant? My client admits that it sounds like his voice, but it cannot be, since he never asked or received a bribe from the late Mario Rinaldi for any reason or purpose whatever. Your Honor, I ask a recess of this trial in order that the defense may have an opportunity to study this film and soundtrack. I object. I do not see how the due process of law will be impaired by a 24-hour delay. Objective overrule. Ought adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.

SPEAKER_03 9:52

Lamond, after seeing that talking picture of Senator Durham meeting Rinaldi and practically demanding a bribe, how can you, how can anyone doubt his.

SPEAKER_06 10:00

Margot, the Greeks had a philosophy that ran something like this. Only believe half that which you see and nothing you hear.

SPEAKER_03 10:11

But Lamont, that wasn't his say evidence. That was the Senator speaking. That was his voice. Even he couldn't deny it.

SPEAKER_06 10:17

No man knows the sound of his own voice, Margot. Besides, Durham never spoke those words to Rinaldi.

SPEAKER_03 10:25

But you saw him. You saw the motion picture.

SPEAKER_06 10:27

Exactly. Because I did see him speak, I know he didn't say the things that were on the soundtrack of that film.

SPEAKER_03 10:35

What do you mean, Lamont?

SPEAKER_06 10:36

Have you ever watched the movement of a man's jaw muscles when he speaks certain words?

SPEAKER_03 10:40

You mean you know what he really says?

SPEAKER_06 10:42

No. Now his face was half averted from the camera. I couldn't see his lips. I don't know just what he did say, but I know he didn't utter the words we just heard.

SPEAKER_03 10:52

Oh, but Lamont, it was still the senator's voice saying those other things, demanding that bribe. I'd swear to you.

SPEAKER_06 10:59

Yes, and so will the jury, Margot. Unless something is done within the next 24 hours, one of the finest men in this country. An innocent man. Senator Durham. He's going to be railroaded into prison for 15 years by his political enemies. I'm stopping here, Margo. I uh want you to wait in the car, please.

SPEAKER_03 11:21

Oh. The lawyer's building? What are you going to do here, Lamont?

SPEAKER_06 11:26

I'm going up to the 25th floor, Margot. The shadow has an appointment with one of the most crooked lawyers in this city. Anthony Vogel, who was so interested in the public welfare that he went to the trouble of having a sound camera planted in Senator Durham's hotel suite the night of December 16th.

SPEAKER_04 12:03

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SPEAKER_06 13:50

Gee, that's swell, Mr. Vogel. You certainly put it over. That sound picture sure turned the trick. Yes, but I'm still worried, Travis. Well, there ain't nothing to be worried about. Senator Durham's as good as on his way to the pen right now. Well, I won't feel happy until he is. When are you gonna get me a wrestling bout, boss? Wrestling bout? Yeah, it's about time I was getting in the ring again. And, well, I could stand the extra dough. Forget you're a wrestler, Travis. You'll make more money in this racket as my bodyguard. Any calls while I was down at court? Yeah, Wilson phoned a couple minutes ago. Why didn't you say so? Well, you didn't ask me. What did he want? I wanted to talk to you. What do you suppose he wants? Dough? I've paid him all he's gonna get. Say, maybe he's read in the afternoon papers what we're really using that soundtrack for. If he gets white livered and talks. Well, maybe we should fix him so he can't talk, huh, boss? What do you mean? Well, he could fall out of that 15th-story apartment of his, accidental, like. He'd only have to fall once. It might be a good plan. Okay. You want me to go over there now and take care of it, boss? No. No, there's no sense doing anything about him until we have to. With the first sign of anybody getting lies to what we're doing, then we'll arrange a neat little accident for friend Wilson. Well, now about now, let's take a look at that Wesley murder case.

SPEAKER_07 15:20

One case at a time, Mr. Vogel.

SPEAKER_06 15:25

What was that?

SPEAKER_07 15:27

Suppose we review the evidence of the case against Senator Durham.

SPEAKER_06 15:31

What what sort of devil's trick is this? Who are you?

SPEAKER_07 15:34

I am the shadow.

SPEAKER_06 15:36

But I I can't see you.

SPEAKER_07 15:38

Nevertheless, Vogel. I am here in the shadow.

SPEAKER_06 15:44

What? Somebody's talking and nobody's here. Uh Travis. I'll handle this. Oh, you're the shadow. You come here to play your hypnotic tricks on me. What do you know about Senator Durham's business?

SPEAKER_07 15:58

I know everything about it. I've been listening to your interesting conversation about this Mr. Wilson. He seems to play an important part in your case against Senator Durham.

SPEAKER_06 16:12

Listen, Shadow. I've heard something about you.

SPEAKER_05 16:15

I don't want to fight you. How much do you want to keep out of this?

SPEAKER_07 16:18

Oh, it's a fixer.

SPEAKER_05 16:19

How much, Shadow?

SPEAKER_07 16:21

There isn't enough money in the world to cover up what you're trying to do. Who is this man? Wilson. What part did he play in this scheme of yours?

SPEAKER_06 16:32

Oh, so you don't know. You're just trying to find out, are you, Shadow? Travis. Lock the door. Okay, boy.

SPEAKER_07 16:42

Lock. Melodrama won't help you, Logo.

SPEAKER_06 16:46

What's if I can only see this guy? Come on, Travis. We don't need to see him. What do you mean? Come over here. Give me your hand. Okay, but it don't make much sense. You'll see. All right. Stand up with me against this wall. Now stretch out your arms. Can you touch the side wall on that side? Yeah, I can touch it. Good. I can touch it on my side. Now. Walk slowly to the other end of the room and don't let your fingers leave the wall. Oh, I get it. Then the shadow can't get past.

SPEAKER_05 17:15

Now walk forward slowly. Oh, you fool.

SPEAKER_06 17:21

Okay. I don't feel nothing. We're almost at the end of the room, boss. Hey, he got away. No, no, he he couldn't go through the door. It's locked. The window is locked, too. Boss, I felt something. I got him. I got a hold of him, boss. I can't see him, but I got him. I got the shadow around the throat. He's a man, after all. Jeez, Rongwood. Kill him, Travers.

SPEAKER_07 17:51

Maybe. Maybe he can. He's choking me.

SPEAKER_06 17:57

Give me your gap, boss. I'll shoot him. You don't need a gun. It'll make too much noise. He's waiting, boss. Kill him, Travers. Give him your famous strangle hold.

SPEAKER_07 18:06

If he doesn't let go, he'll kill me.

SPEAKER_06 18:10

Yes, yes, Shadow. This is where you die. Finish him off, Travers. I've got to hurry and take care of Wilson before he gets a chance to talk. I wonder who that can be. Oh. Good evening, Mr. Vogel. Hello, Wilson. I hear you were trying to get hold of me earlier this evening. Yes, that's that's right. I uh want to talk to you. Won't you come in? Are you alone? Oh, yes. Good.

unknown 18:51

Mr.

SPEAKER_06 18:51

Vogel, when you asked me to do some work for you, I. I didn't ask to know what you were going to do with it. I needed the money for my wife, Alice, the kids, and I. You get paid, didn't you? Yes, but. I mean. Well, all this stuff in the papers, Mr. Vogel, about the. Frankly, I don't like it. Oh, you don't? Having a little attack of conscience, Wilson? Well, doing a job is one thing, but sending a man away to prison on a fourth charge is something else. So I I intended to tell you. Tell me what? Well, uh, I refuse to let it go on any further. Oh. You refuse?

SPEAKER_02 19:28

Yes.

SPEAKER_06 19:29

After all, Mr. Vogel, if I tell what I know about Well, what are you going to do about it? Just this. Don't move, Wilson. Put your gun down. Don't be a fool, Wilson. I'm not the fool, Wilson. Turn your back to me. That's right. What are you going to do? I'm going to assist at a little accident.

SPEAKER_05 19:54

Open the window. All right, Wilson. I'm up on the windowsill.

SPEAKER_07 20:33

It wasn't very difficult to get away from it.

SPEAKER_06 20:43

No. Shadow, there's your proof lying dead on the floor.

SPEAKER_07 20:51

You're crazy, Boko. You'll get the chair for this.

SPEAKER_06 20:57

I'm not as crazy as you think. So I'm a fool, am I shadow? No, you're the fool for coming here. You're the fool the police will find locked in this room with Wilson's dead body. They'll find you. I'll see that they do. And here's the gun you killed him with.

SPEAKER_05 21:20

Shadow. Shadow.

SPEAKER_06 21:25

Tell me.

unknown 21:26

Quick.

SPEAKER_06 21:28

Quick. Quick, Wilson. Give me the proof. Come on, Wilson. Come on. Tell me. How did you frame the Senate gun?

SPEAKER_01 21:56

I'm not going to go, I'm not going to go. I'm not going to go, excuse me, I'm sorry.

SPEAKER_07 22:05

I haven't been so waited so long. I wanted to find out their secret before I spoke. No. Now it's too late. Wilson is unconscious, I'm afraid.

SPEAKER_06 22:29

Shot me. Wilson. Wilson. Wilson, listen to me. Listen, think. Think.

SPEAKER_07 22:40

Tell me. How did you frame Senator Durham?

SPEAKER_06 22:45

Tell me that, Wilson. Tell me that, and I'll see that Vogel pays for doing this to you. Senator Durham, now I remember. I'll show you. Help me into the next room. I'll show you.

SPEAKER_02 22:58

I will help you. Easy now. Easy.

SPEAKER_03 23:01

I'll get on the other side. Why, look. It's a recording studio.

SPEAKER_06 23:08

Yeah, that's right. It's my hobby. I'm an actor. Impersonated by profession. An impersonator? Yes. Help me with that chair by the turntable. I impersonate people. I've imitated Senator Down's voice dozens of times. I quake! Hend me the microphone. Turn on the switch. There, I can't haul out much longer.

SPEAKER_03 23:26

Here's the microphone.

SPEAKER_06 23:28

Drop that needle on the wax record. Turn the switch. It is you, Wilson, speaking. I've just been shot by Anthony Volga. Behind me to Your Honor, I move that the case against my client, Senator Durham, be dismissed. On what grounds? On the evidence contained on this record found in the apartment of the late Hugh Wilson, the radio and state impersonator who was found shot in his apartment last night. I asked the court's permission to play it at this time. Permission? Granted. You may start the record now. Yes, sir. Mrs. You're working speaking. I've just been shot by Lance Bogan. He hired me to impersonate the voice of Senator Dolan. It's my voice on the soundtrack of the picture shown that Senator Doran's trying. Of course. Of course, Ronaldo, I told you you'd get contact. For consideration. But you didn't send me my present of $50,000 for swinging it your way. So naturally. That's how it was done. That's how I did it. Well I'm doing it.

SPEAKER_01 24:54

You have a lot of those words.

SPEAKER_06 25:04

Boy, this is amazing, incredible. Your Honor. There is one more voice on the record. At the end. Listen.

SPEAKER_07 25:10

The voice you have heard is that of Hugh Wilton. Murdered by Anthony Vogel. He is the man who stopped afraid Senator Durham.

unknown 25:20

But Vogel failed.

SPEAKER_07 25:22

Just as in the end, all crime has failed. And all criminals take a penalty of death.

SPEAKER_06 25:31

Order, order in the court. Whose voice was that? That's your honor. Is the voice of the man to whom Senator Durham owes his vindication? The voice of the shadow.

SPEAKER_04 26:16

All the characters and all the places named are fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

unknown 26:39

So shall you be evil?

SPEAKER_00 26:43

Crime does not pay a shadow nose.