The Shadow (March 20, 1938) - "The White Legion"

"The White Legion," an episode of the radio drama The Shadow aired on March 20, 1938, over the Mutual Broadcasting System. In this suspenseful tale, Lamont Cranston, aka The Shadow, confronts a secretive vigilante group known as the White Legion, which seeks to impose its own brand of justice through terror and violence. Disguised as a benevolent civic organization, the Legion is orchestrating a series of bombings and assassinations to eliminate perceived enemies, including public officials. With his companion Margo Lane, Cranston infiltrates the group, using his hypnotic powers and invisibility to uncover their plans. The episode builds to a dramatic confrontation where The Shadow thwarts a major attack, exposing the Legion’s leader and ensuring their downfall. The story blends noir detective work with moral commentary on mob justice, delivered with the series’ signature eerie atmosphere and sound effects.
Cast and Crew
Cast:
Orson Welles as Lamont Cranston / The Shadow

Agnes Moorehead as Margo Lane

Supporting actors: Likely included Mercury Theatre regulars such as Ray Collins, Everett Sloane, or Paul Stewart (specific roles for this episode are not documented)

Announcer: Probably Frank Readick Jr. or Ken Roberts (frequent announcers for the series)

Crew:
Director: Likely Martin Gabel or William Alland (Mercury Theatre directors for The Shadow)

Writer: Adapted by staff writers, possibly Jerry Devine or William Sweets, based on Walter B. Gibson’s pulp stories

Producer: Sponsored by Blue Coal (Mutual Broadcasting System)

Music: Mutual Network orchestra, possibly led by Bernard Herrmann

Sound Effects: Mutual Network sound team, likely managed by Ora Nichols

Note: Exact cast and crew details for this episode are not fully documented in available sources. The above is based on the standard The Shadow team during the 1937-1938 season, particularly the Mercury Theatre’s involvement.
News in the United States (Week of March 20, 1938)
Economic Concerns: The "Roosevelt Recession" deepened, with industrial production dropping. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed a $3 billion spending program to stimulate the economy, facing resistance from conservative Democrats and Republicans.

Labor Developments: The National Labor Relations Board mediated disputes in the auto industry, as the United Auto Workers pushed for better wages. Strikes were reported in Detroit, though smaller than the previous year’s conflicts.

Aviation Advancements: Pan American Airways expanded its transatlantic flight tests, with a focus on regular passenger service to Europe. A successful test flight from New York to the Azores was reported.

Political Tensions: Congressional debates over military spending intensified, with isolationists opposing increased naval budgets despite growing global threats. Roosevelt advocated preparedness without direct intervention.

Cultural Note: The film Jezebel, starring Bette Davis, premiered in March 1938, earning critical acclaim and boosting Davis’s stardom.

News in the World (Week of March 20, 1938)
Anschluss Aftermath: Following Nazi Germany’s annexation of Austria on March 12, 1938, Hitler consolidated control, with mass rallies in Vienna. Jewish Austrians faced immediate persecution, and international protests were muted.

Spanish Civil War: Franco’s Nationalists launched the Aragon Offensive, gaining ground against Republicans. The bombing of Barcelona (March 16-18) by Italian and German planes killed hundreds, drawing global condemnation.

Sino-Japanese War: Japan’s invasion of China continued, with Japanese forces capturing key cities in Shandong Province. The Chinese Nationalist government, led by Chiang Kai-shek, prepared for prolonged resistance.

British Appeasement: Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain defended his policy of appeasing Hitler, arguing it prevented war. Critics, including Winston Churchill, warned of Germany’s growing aggression.

Soviet Purges: Stalin’s show trials concluded with the execution of Nikolai Bukharin and other Bolshevik leaders, further consolidating his dictatorship. The purges weakened Soviet military and political structures.