RUSC MAILING

Written by Ned Norris

I hope you’ve been enjoying the latest additions of The Shadow here on RUSC. With over 250 episodes now available, and a few more still to come, it has grown into quite a splendid collection of one of radio’s most famous mystery-adventure series.

Whenever a collection gets this large, I always find it interesting to see which episodes members return to most often. Every listener has their own idea of what makes a great episode of The Shadow — a chilling villain, a clever mystery, a dark atmosphere, or that wonderful moment when justice arrives from the darkness.

So I had a look at the listening figures, and seven episodes stood out as particular favorites among RUSC members:

1. Silent Avenger – March 13, 1938

2. The Creeper – November 3, 1940

3. The Laughing Corpse – March 10, 1940

4. Comic Strip Killer – November 23, 1947

5. Murder From The Grave – April 6, 1941

6. Drums of Doom – January 11, 1942

7. Death Pulls The Strings

It is easy to see why these have proved so popular. Titles like The Creeper, The Laughing Corpse, and Murder From The Grave have that marvelous old-time radio promise of chills before the story has even begun.

That was always one of the great strengths of The Shadow. A sinister laugh, a creaking door, a burst of organ music — and suddenly you were right there in the middle of the danger. And what better medium than radio for a hero whose great power was not being seen? Listeners knew exactly what was coming when they heard those immortal words:

“Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!”

If one of your own favorites is not on the list, do let me know in the comments. With a collection this large, there are plenty of hidden gems waiting to be rediscovered, and your recommendation might lead another member to a show they would otherwise have missed.

And if you hear an episode you especially enjoy, please give it a star rating. Those ratings really do help other members decide where to begin, especially with a series as large as The Shadow.

I should also mention that there is a quiz to test your knowledge of The Shadow. You can find it by clicking the link here. Once you’ve completed it, why not share it with a friend and see how well they do?
After all, The Shadow may know what evil lurks in the hearts of men — but how much do you know about The Shadow?

Happy listening,

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