The Shadow - The House of Horror February 13, 1938

Episode Summary: The Shadow - "The House of Horror" (February 13, 1938)
In this chilling episode, The Shadow investigates a sinister mansion where guests vanish without a trace. The house, owned by a reclusive figure, is rigged with traps and secret passages, creating an atmosphere of dread. Lamont Cranston, using his alter ego’s hypnotic powers, infiltrates the estate to uncover a criminal plot—possibly involving murder or extortion. The episode leans heavily on suspense, with eerie sound effects and Welles’ commanding voice driving the narrative. The Shadow outwits the villain, saving the day, though the exact resolution (as with many early episodes) is lost to time due to missing recordings.

Actors and Roles
Orson Welles as The Shadow (Lamont Cranston) and Margo Lane (some episodes). Welles voiced the mysterious crime-fighter with a knack for invisibility and psychological manipulation, though Margo Lane’s role was less prominent in early episodes.

Agnes Moorehead as Margo Lane (likely, though not always credited in 1938). Moorehead often played Cranston’s companion, assisting in investigations.

Supporting roles were typically filled by a rotating cast of radio actors like Kenny Delmar or Dwight Weist, voicing villains, victims, or police, but specific credits for this episode are scarce due to the era’s loose documentation.

National News in the USA: Week of February 13, 1938
Economic Recovery Efforts: The U.S. was grappling with the "Roosevelt Recession" of 1937-1938. President Franklin D. Roosevelt faced pressure to address unemployment, which had spiked to 19%. News likely covered debates over New Deal policies and federal spending to stimulate the economy.

International Tensions: Adolf Hitler’s annexation of Austria (Anschluss) was imminent (March 1938), and U.S. newspapers were reporting on growing Nazi aggression in Europe, raising concerns about global stability.

Labor Strikes: The week saw ongoing labor disputes, particularly in the auto and steel industries. The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) was pushing for better wages, with strikes making headlines.

Cultural Notes: The film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a box-office hit, dominating entertainment news. Radio, including shows like The Shadow, was a cultural staple amid economic hardship.