Title: Black Rock
Air date: November 13, 1938
Plot summary: A swindler, Burkett, makes his getaway. His partner and fall guy Frank Harvey tracks him to an airport, but is knocked out by Martin, Burkett's mook. Burkett, Martin, and an airplane pilot named Ward all fly away.
Soon thereafter the wreckage of the plane is found in the Atlantic, and the criminals are presumed lost at sea. Frank Harvey, who is still alive and taking the blame for everything, asks his good friend Lamont Cranston to clear his name and, if possible, recover the $2 million in cash. Cranston agrees, and soon discovers that Burkett, Martin, and Ward bailed out of the plane before it crashed and are now hiding out on Black Rock, a remote island off the coast of Newfoundland.
Tropes:
- As You Know: A lot of establishing dialogue between Martin and Ward about how Ward's regular job is flying planes for drug smugglers, but how the both of them are now working for Burkett the embezzler.
- Bound and Gagged: Margo Lane is said to be this after Burkett captures her. Later, The Shadow frees her while the three criminals are arguing with each other.
- Briefcase Full of Money: Burkett takes off with a briefcase containing $2 million in cash.
- Faking the Dead: Burkett and company put the plane on autopilot and bail out, so that it will crash and make it look like they were lost at sea.
- Jedi Mind Trick: The Shadow does this to get Burkett to drop his gun and reveal where the money is hidden.
- Narrating the Obvious: Almost unavoidable in radio. Burkett has to tell his goons to look over into the corner, where Margo Lane is bound and gagged.
- Stealing from the Till: Burkett absconds with two million bucks from the business he was running with Harvey. Unbeknownst to Harvey, the business was a scam from the beginning.
- Villain Opening Scene: A very frequent trope on The Shadow. The episode opens with Burkett and his minions flying away after Harvey tries and fails to stop them.
