Podcast Summary: The Shadow – "The Poison Death" (01/30/1938)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: The Shadow: The Poison Death
Release Date: January 1, 2026
Host: Choice Classic Radio

Main Theme & Purpose

In this gripping episode from the Golden Age of Radio, "The Poison Death," mysterious mass poisonings sweep the city, filling hospitals and morgues. Panic escalates when the poisoner issues ransom notes signed by "The Shadow." Lamont Cranston, as the real Shadow, must unravel a chilling plot to extort the city with a deadly poison—racing against time to stop a diabolical chemist from mass murder for revenge.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Citywide Panic & The Poison Epidemic (01:51 – 03:10)

• The city is beset by unexplained poisonings; hospitals are overwhelmed, and no antidote is known.
• Police Commissioner Weston and the Mayor struggle under mounting pressure, with no clues.
• Revelation of ransom notes, demanding $1 million, threatening more deaths, and signed “The Shadow.”

  “For years, the Shadow has smashed rackets... Now the city will pay the shadow $1 million or the hospitals will be filled with the dying, the morgues filled with the dead.” – Mayor reading the ransom note (03:21)

2. Investigative Dialogue: Water as the Vector (05:01 – 06:13)

• Lamont Cranston and Margot Lane analyze the victims’ circumstances.
• Margot suggests the cause might be food or milk; Lamont deduces water is the common factor.

  “Water. That’s it.” – Lamont Cranston (06:01)

• Lamont develops the theory: the poison was likely introduced via water pipes, possibly by someone posing as a water company rep.

3. Narrowing the Suspects: Brinkley’s Murder and the Ransom Clues (06:48 – 08:43)

• The poisoner singles out Dan Brinkley, Commissioner of Sanitation, confirming the threat’s credibility.
• Lamont suspects the typewriter used for the notes is in the Department of Sanitation, focusing the investigation.

4. The Sanitation Department Stakeout (08:46 – 10:33)

• Lamont and Margot break into the Sanitation offices at night to inspect typewriters.
• They discover the ransom notes were typed on a machine in Chief Chemist Gerber’s office.

5. Confrontation in the Laboratory: Gerber Revealed (13:22 – 18:54)

• Gerber, unhinged and nursing resentment over being overlooked for promotion, prepares a fresh bottle of poison.
• The Shadow confronts Gerber, challenging him on his motives and planned mass poisoning.

  “You’ve been using my name as a cloak to cover your excursions into the realm of murder.” – The Shadow (14:19) “You can’t stop me. The devil himself couldn’t stop me.” – Gerber (16:14)

• Gerber attacks the invisible Shadow with acid as he attempts escape.

6. Chase to the Water Tower (19:02 – 22:14)

• Lamont, injured but determined, and Margot follow Gerber as he heads to poison the suburb's water tower.
• Despite his wounds, the Shadow pursues Gerber up the icy, dangerous water tower ladder while instructing Margot to summon police.

7. Climax: Struggle Atop the Tower (22:15 – 24:42)

• High above the city, the Shadow and Gerber duel. The Shadow manages to disrupt Gerber at the critical moment, spoiling the poison.

  “You broke it. You spilled the poison. You spoiled my revenge!” – Gerber (22:34)

• Gerber, cornered and desperate, struggles with the Shadow; the police arrive below.

8. Gerber’s Fall and Aftermath (24:12 – 26:50)

• Gerber, raving about his crimes and intent, leaps from the tower—falling to his death.
• Police discover his true identity.

  “He’s dead all right. Neck’s broken. ...Why, it’s Gerber. Gerber, the chief chemist of the Sanitation Department.” – Police Sergeant (24:58)

• The Shadow vindicates himself over the radio, clarifying he was not the perpetrator but the one who stopped the killer.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay, the Shadow knows." – The Shadow’s signature closing (29:23)
• "At last, you’ve met someone who is your match." – Gerber, to the Shadow, after the acid attack (18:54)
• "You forget the trap door of the tank may be locked." – The Shadow, taunting Gerber during the chase up the tower (21:45)
• Dramatic sequence, as the two men struggle atop the icy tower, leading to Gerber’s fall (22:34 – 24:42)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:51: First reports of mass poisoning; hospitals overwhelmed
• 03:21: Mayor and Commissioner discuss the ransom note
• 05:46 – 06:13: Lamont deduces water as poison vector
• 08:46 – 10:33: Search through Department of Sanitation; discovery of Gerber's typewriter
• 13:22 – 18:54: Gerber’s monologue; confrontation and acid attack
• 19:02 – 22:14: The car chase and ascent to the water tower
• 22:15 – 24:42: Top-of-tower confrontation and struggle
• 24:12 – 25:10: Gerber leaps, police find the body
• 25:33 – 26:13: The Shadow clarifies his role; case closed
• 29:23: Iconic moral closing line

Tone & Style

The episode maintains the classic, suspenseful, and melodramatic style of 1930s radio detective dramas, with richly expressive dialogue, urgent pacing, and atmospheric sound design. The Shadow’s confident, ominous presence contrasts with Gerber’s frantic villainy and Margot’s concern.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode is a shining example of old-time radio: a tense, tightly-plotted detective thriller, blending mystery, social panic, psychological insight, and a race against time. The interplay between the Shadow and Gerber keeps listeners on edge, culminating in a vertiginous life-or-death fight above the city. The final vindication restores the Shadow’s reputation, reinforcing the show’s guiding moral: "Crime does not pay!"