The Shadow - "The Hypnotized Audience" (March 27, 1938)

"The Hypnotized Audience," aired on March 27, 1938, is an episode of the radio drama The Shadow. An Indian mystic, Sultan Durga Khan, seeks to save his brother, Joseph Hakim, a death-row convict facing execution for murder. Durga Khan kidnaps the state governor, hypnotizing an entire audience during a public event to create chaos and cover his scheme. The Shadow, using his power to "cloud men’s minds," investigates with Margo Lane, uncovering the mystic’s plan. The plot involves Durga Khan’s henchman, Ahmed, and Hakim’s wife, Princess Zalda, who spirals into desperation. As The Shadow closes in, the villains’ scheme unravels, leading to tragic ends: Durga Khan and Hakim die, and Zalda takes her own life. The episode, marked by intense psychological drama and supernatural elements, introduces Margot Stevenson as Margo Lane, replacing Agnes Moorehead.

Cast and Roles
Orson Welles as The Shadow (Lamont Cranston): The vigilante hero who uses hypnotic powers to thwart the mystic’s plot.

Margot Stevenson as Margo Lane (posing as Ms. Pierce): The Shadow’s companion, aiding in the investigation, debuting in this episode.

Dwight Weist as Sultan Durga Khan (speculative): Likely voiced the charismatic yet sinister Indian mystic, based on his versatile roles.

John Archer as Joseph Hakim/Supporting Characters (speculative): Possibly played the condemned brother or minor roles like Commissioner Weston.

Ken Roberts as Announcer/Ahmed (speculative): Provided narration and likely voiced the henchman or other supporting characters.

Note: Exact cast details beyond Welles and Stevenson are inferred from typical The Shadow performers in 1938, as specific credits are incomplete. Roles are assigned based on plot details and actor versatility.

News in the USA - Week of March 27, 1938
Economic Struggles: The "Roosevelt Recession" deepened, with unemployment near 19%. President Franklin D. Roosevelt pushed for renewed New Deal spending, facing resistance from fiscal conservatives in Congress.

Labor Unrest: The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) led strikes in steel and textile industries, with violent clashes reported in Pennsylvania and Ohio, highlighting labor-management tensions.

Cultural Moments: The film Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, starring Shirley Temple, was a box-office hit, offering escapism. Radio dramas like The Shadow thrived as affordable entertainment amid economic woes.

Political Developments: Debates over antitrust laws targeted corporate monopolies, particularly in utilities, reflecting public frustration with economic inequality.

News in the World - Week of March 27, 1938
Anschluss Aftermath: Following Nazi Germany’s annexation of Austria (March 12), Hitler consolidated control, suppressing dissent. The move heightened European fears of further aggression.

Spanish Civil War: Francisco Franco’s Nationalists advanced in Catalonia, bolstered by German and Italian aid. The Republican government faced collapse, with civilian bombings intensifying global outrage.

Sino-Japanese War: Japan’s forces pushed deeper into China, capturing key cities. Reports of widespread atrocities, including Nanjing’s aftermath, fueled international condemnation but no action.

British Appeasement: Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain pursued diplomacy with Germany and Italy, downplaying Hitler’s actions. Winston Churchill and others criticized the policy as weak.