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

The Shadow (1937-54) aired “The Power of the Mind” on April 24, 1938–just over 75 years ago. From its first episode in September of 1937 until October of 1938 the incomparable Orson Welles assumed the role of the Shadow. This is one of those early Welles episodes.

“The Power of the Mind” tells of a brilliant scientist who has discovered the secret formula for a super-powered explosive who has been kidnapped and tortured by the Germans. The secret formula resides only in the mind of the scientist, who is being held aboard a ship on its way to international waters and beyond the range of the authorities. Lamont Cranston, as the Shadow, and with the help of his assistant Margo Lane, must thwart the Nazi plot. “Mental telepathy” [sic] and the aid of a doctor figure in the rescue. We haven’t run an episode of The Shadow in 2013 and figured it was about time.

“The weed of crime bears bitter fruit.” –The Shadow

(Cover above left: April 1, 1938 — Cover above right: April 15, 1938)

Play Time: 27:47