Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: The Shadow: Death from the Deep (Original Air Date: April 3, 1938)
Release Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Choice Classic Radio

Episode Overview

This episode features a suspenseful installment of "The Shadow," titled "Death from the Deep." The story unfolds as a mysterious series of ship sinkings terrorizes international waters. Lamont Cranston, as The Shadow, investigates, uncovering a diabolical plot involving a rogue submarine used by a deranged millionaire. The episode is a classic Golden Age radio tale of deduction, action, and moral retribution, pitting the relentless Shadow against a modern-day pirate.

Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. Global Shipping Panic and Mysterious Sinkings

• Opening drama at sea: A ship is suddenly torpedoed despite peacetime safety, with survivors targeted by machine gun fire as a submarine surfaces (03:22).
• The maritime world is in chaos: Eighteen ships belonging to various world powers have been mysteriously sunk. No survivors can identify the perpetrator, causing panic and cancellations in passenger and freight shipping (05:14–05:53).

Notable Quote:
"Gentlemen, we are confronted with a vital problem. In the past three months, there have been exactly eighteen ships mysteriously sunk on the high seas... something has got to be done." — Maritime commission spokesman (05:13)

2. Cranston’s Investigation & The Pirate Submarine Theory

• Lamont Cranston and Margot Lane discuss the inexplicable events over coffee. Cranston deduces piracy, not international rivalry, after noticing the variety of ships and nations attacked (05:59–06:16).
• He suggests the existence of a secret submarine, surmising a brilliant but disgraced designer must be involved (06:47–07:08).
• Attention turns to Joseph Hart, a former naval craft designer who has fallen under suspicion due to his ties to the only plausible culprit for building such a craft.

Notable Quote:
"A pirate? But Lamont. A pirate in the 20th century!" — Margot Lane (06:29)
"To find an answer to that question is a task for the Shadow." — Lamont Cranston/The Shadow (07:24)

3. Joseph Hart’s Confession and Tragic Demise

• Hart, guilt-ridden and distraught, is confronted by his co-conspirator, Barry Vinton, who threatens him (08:01–09:17).
• After Vinton leaves, The Shadow appears to Hart, urging him to reveal the secret. Hart confesses that he designed the submarine under the pretense of sport, only to discover Vinton's true, murderous intentions (10:05–12:18).
• Overcome by grief and unable to face his actions, Hart takes his own life before revealing the submarine's location (12:47–13:13).

Notable Quote:
"I'm responsible for the havoc and terror. You're insane, Vinton." — Joseph Hart (08:47)
"Now we shall see whom you have served best. Barry Vinton or the Shadow." — The Shadow, after Hart’s suicide (13:13)

4. The Shipyard and Imprisoned Workers

• The Shadow investigates Vinton’s shipyard at Cary's Point, where he learns from two fearful workers about the clandestine submarine and their own captivity (16:40–18:45).
• The workers, desperate for release, strike a bargain for their freedom by disclosing the submarine's plans to The Shadow (19:18–20:04).
• The Shadow relays the plan to Margot Lane, instructing her to alert the Coast Guard: the submarine will sail at midnight towards Cape Francis (20:25–20:56).

Notable Quote:
"Perhaps I can be of some assistance to you." — The Shadow, making first contact with the imprisoned workers (18:55)
"You will never leave this place alive unless Barry Vinton is brought to justice." — The Shadow (19:31)

5. Confrontation at Sea: The Trap Closes

• Onboard the submarine, Vinton prepares to attack a large passenger liner named the Orpheus, only to find his torpedoes have been sabotaged by The Shadow (21:54–23:18).
• The Shadow, invisible, taunts and confronts Vinton, rendering the submarine’s deck guns useless as well. Vinton attempts to ram the liner, believing it unsuspecting, but The Shadow reveals it is a Coast Guard decoy packed with explosives (24:09–25:09).
• Coast Guard forces board the submarine, and Vinton tries a final escape, locking himself in the engine room (25:23–26:11).
• In a tense showdown below decks, The Shadow confronts Vinton, ultimately ensuring his capture and the end of his reign of terror (26:34–27:25).

Notable Exchanges:
"Ah, this is the life... The spine tingling thrill when the torpedo finds its mark. And then... shooting them down with a machine gun like scurrying rats." — Barry Vinton, gloating (21:32)
"You will never see me. I am the Shadow." — The Shadow (23:26)
"My reward is that ships and men can once more safely sail the seas. The Shadow's work is done." — The Shadow (27:25)

6. Moral and Closing Reflection

• The Shadow’s iconic moral coda reminds listeners:
  "The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows." (28:02)

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows.” — Opening tagline (00:24)
• Submarine attack sequence: “Look, that white path on the water coming toward us... It’s a torpedo!” — Joseph Hart (03:53)
• The Shadow bargaining with workers: “Call me the Shadow.” (19:15)
• Vinton’s madness: “You will never see me. I am the Shadow.” (23:26)
• Dramatic reveal: “That liner is completely deserted. It was set adrift there by the Coast Guard. There’s a veritable floating mine with enough explosives aboard to blow you to kingdom come.” — The Shadow (25:09)
• Final words: “The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows.” (28:02)

Key Timestamps

• 03:19–04:23 – The ship is attacked and sunk by a mysterious submarine.
• 05:53–07:08 – Cranston and Margot discuss the pirate submarine theory.
• 08:01–10:01 – Vinton threatens Hart; Shadow confronts Hart.
• 15:24–16:28 – Cranston and Margot head to shipyard; plan with Coast Guard.
• 19:00–20:04 – The Shadow interrogates the shipyard henchmen.
• 21:10–23:18 – Submarine hunt: Vinton prepares to attack the Orpheus.
• 23:19–25:25 – The Shadow sabotages Vinton’s plans.
• 25:45–27:25 – Vinton’s defeat & The Shadow’s closing words.
• 28:02–28:24 – Moral coda: “Crime does not pay.”

Conclusion

This thrilling episode of The Shadow combines maritime suspense, clever detection, and signature audio drama moralizing. The narrative is propelled by strong performances, crisp dialogue, and the ever-enigmatic presence of The Shadow, confronting the darkness lurking in the hearts of men. Through sabotage, deduction, and a cunning trap with the Coast Guard, The Shadow puts a stop to a madman’s reign of terror beneath the waves—reminding listeners that, ultimately, “crime does not pay.”