The Shadow 046 - Valley of the Living Dead

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men. The Shadow knows. Your local blue coal dealer presents the Shadow. These half hour dramatizations are designed to forcibly demonstrate to old and young alikeenments that crime does not fake. Before this afternoon's adventure with the Shadow begins, here is advice every homeowner will profit by follow. When you order your next supply of fuel, ask for blue coal. Then you'll enjoy steady, dependable heating comforts and satisfaction such as you've never known before. Countless thousands of American families have found from experience what a tremendous difference blue coal makes. It burns down to a fine act, leaving no wasted, unburned coal, and it gives steadier, healthier heat for the less furnace attention. So, if you want a solid fuel for solid comfort, insists on blue coal by name, call your dealer for your supply tomorrow. The Shadow, mysterious characters, weighs those in distress and. Helps the forces of law and order. Is in reality, the Monk Cranston, wealthy young man about town, Cranston's friend and companions, The Lovely Marble Lane is the only person who knows to whom the unseen voice belongs, the only one who knows the true identity of that master of other people's minds, the Shadow, Today's storing valley of the living dead. This desert scenery is simply magnificent laments. While this alone was worth the trip. Yes, and I think that's the mountain range over there that I've been looking for, sort of sowt teeth edge to it, looking for. A mountain range. The whole thing's silly to me, s long pit just because you heard of a rumor that there's a valley someplace behind the Salts Mountain. Where people act pecutally? What's behind this rumor? That's just what I'm going to find out, Margo. Yah, Yes, sir, what can I do for you? I own some gas, eh, and I also want to know the best road up that mountain over there. Ah, there ain't no road over that mountain you can drive on this year? No road. Well, what's the matter with that one right ahead there? That's no good sag ain't here. Ain't many folks besides me. It's been in that valley, Bger. I'm gonna live there someday. Well, if you go, you can go along, Timothy. Heck, I'll have plenty of time to rock when. I'm dead and in my grave much that you said. I said, I'd have long enough to rock when I'm in my brain. Don't pay no attention to the missige. You don't know nothing. Why on the other side of that there rain they got the slickest place you ever seen, putting it around valley. There's only one thing, though, I gotta be busted to live there. You can't have any money. Yep, busted. Why the folks in there get the houses given to them and port everything? You Minnesota a state poor farm? No, nothing like that. It's private, owned by mister Maxim, kindest man than ever was. Y see are they I'm mister all fixed. Up about how many people live in that valley? Well, well, I wouldn't know exactly. There's maybe eight nine hundred. I ain't been in since they prospected for gold. Boy day, you're hate a vein. Well, then they must have plenty of money in there, no thing. See why mister Maxim was in the east. Those folks got some capital land from now shy to work the mine. Yeah, but uh but then they uh he came back, makes him come back to schildren lash magine mad put a stop to it as quick as cats gold. And he put a stop to it. Yeap, I ain't supposed to have no money in there. I probably can't tell a nickel from a dime. But now me, I can't see myself out. A bit of change in my hand. Now, man of me, ain't got nothing in there. Arm want no radio, theaters store. I'm twelve the montcrests, and there's certainly no great wrong here the rights. I suggest we give up the whole thing and make this a pleasure trip for a change. Sorry, Margot, are you hicks? Oh thanks mister Hey, mister and the whites before the rolling across your road again? Well as well, we leave the paved road and start climbing. There's a sign danger, drive up this road at your own risk. Yes, I see it now, I assure you. It interests me, Margot, and view of what our friend back there just wanders. There comes the boulder, now, Lamont bigger than this car, you're. Right, yeh strange mis us. Anyhow, now when you turn back the road isn't safe? Well that one might be just coincidence, Margot, it's a fine road, nothing wrong with it. You got all the way up far as I can see. There's another boulder, yes, coming right down the tune old fast. Oh that goodness, that missus tool Lamont. There's no coincidence about those boaters rolling down. No, you're right, Margot, unless I'm mistaken. It's an electric eye, and it starts them as surely as as would open the door. That a pitty sick. Let's get out of here. We'll be smashed of bits. I've had enough of this whole. Thing before the sunsets, Margot. We're going to be in that valley, but we're going in by plane. But it all seems so unnecessary, Lamars, going and getting this plane. There can't be. Anything wrong, not with this man, Maxim on the job. Stay so kind and all asked, Margon. Never in my life have I fellow more compelling certainty that something was wrong. At any rate, we'll know the moment we're over the jagged teeth of this ridge below. Eh. Look, Margo, here's the valley apply lower. Look closely. The marks. This is low enough, yes, one hundred feet. And look look at those people closely, Margot. They move along the streets. The lifelessness of them. Well, no traffic, keep them jumping, doesn't mean there's anything wrong. Children half heartedly at plane, no work being done anywhere, men sprawl on the grass. Well what have it, Lamon? Cut off from the outside world, no work to do, no amusements, nothing for mind or muscle to feet on imrgle. That place is like a stagnant pool covered with green slime, beautiful to look at, but filled with decay. Well maybe a right, Lamont. Even the women don't start to talk to one another. You don't even look up at the sound of the play. And over there, just beyond the dam are the gold mines, latest equipment lying idle. It's in a chance for everybody to make a lot of money. Look what's that back against the hill. Oh it's the sort of castle. Wait a minute, morgo, that's standard flying from the turret. There has a name on it. I'll try to get closer and make it out. See Ingram a Maxim, Ingram, Maxim. Why I know who this fellow is? Now you do? In college? I was just a freshman. He was taking postgraduate A ball thin little man, always helping some of the fellows while he was rich creezes. Even then, hang on, Margo, I'm gonna set it down on the other side of the damn find out what this is all about. Why don't they answer, La, Monk, We'll keep on knocking until they do. Wait, I saw the curtain move in the window up there. Please, La, let's go back to the plane. I feel weak, Okay, I don't know. It's horrible, Marco, good heavens, Margo, here, you're not painting. Oh the lady has. Painted, mister Maxim, Please, I prefer to carry her her. No one here dictates the Mexicans. Precede me into the house. If you will say. Now with the little lady will taken care of, we shall dine together. Cranston, we talk over the old days. You see, I remember you. Indeed, I have the faculty of remembering. Everybody I ever seen. I couldn't forget you, naturally, always doing such kind things to help the less fortunate chaps at college, nothing at all. Now here, of course, I have much larger opportunities. Yes, undoubtedly, And something's been puzzling me, Maxim. Those boulders rolling down into the road. I'm curious to know how you work. Then I have my own ways, mister Cranston, of protecting this valley. Of mine from intruders. I want nothing from the outside world to touch my people. Nothing ill smother. I can't move. You're all right, moncao, I'm right here. Keep your arms under the blankets, little lady, that's it. But I'm not cold. I'm smothering too. Much exertion, my dear, coming down that steep path from the dam. Women's delicate bodies were not built for harsh exertion, you. See they sta What are you doing here? Why did you leave your room in your wheelchair without my help? Is the lady sick? Maxim? Are you sick too, my dear? No, you know nothing wrong. With me, just a little kill miss slain, my wife? How do you do? How do you do? Did you suffer an injury of some sort, missus Maxim that you should have to be in a wheelchair? No, oh, no, I've always been strong, but after the birth of my surna, yes, I. Think that was w dear, you are exerting yourself too much. You must go to your room. Maxim's always taking such good care of me. I never have to lift a hand. It carries me, puts me in my bed, he feeds me. It's always so, kine Hi. It is the privilege of all strong people might to take care of the weaker. Come, my dear, Arena, off to bed with. You, Maxim. The lady heard it too. It's not my imagine the wind, my dear, in a faulty flu I shall have it fixed tomorrow. It has the sound of my son's point. And now now that imagination of yours again, My dear, you know that Paul is off at school. I'll say good night to the slame and mister krast the night was lame? Can Okay? While we're waiting for the second act of the Valley of the Living Dead. Here's a word to the wild homeowners. When you order fuel, keep in mind that there's just as much of a difference between the quality of various kinds of hard coal as there is in an automobile, radio, or washing machine. This difference lies. On the location of the fields from which the coal comes and the care in mining and preparation. That's why it will pay you to insist on blue coal when you auder your next supply of fuel. For blue coal is a guaranteed product of the nation's largest hard coal producer, the glen Alden Coal Company. Their mines are located in the richest part of the northern Pennsylvania anthracize field. Each tone of blue coal as it comes from the mines is screened and re screened many times for perfect sizing. Then it's watch to remove any existing impurities and laboratory tested by trained inspectors. Only the coal which passes this thorough laboratory test and meat glen Alden's high quality is shipped to blue coal dealer. That's why you can be sure of perfect heating, comfort and satisfaction. When you order quality tested blue coal by name, you will find that blue coal gives you steadier, more dependable heat. So call your nearest blue coal dealer tomorrow. His name is listed in the read by its action if your classified telephone directory under the words blue cold. Father. Oh, I thought you'd never come, but. Paul, my son, don't I always come? Oh? This steelcast can't let me take your horse. To remove it? Too soon would mean that you would never walk again. I don't care. I don't care. It's now. It's the pain now that I can't say. I know what is best, but it's getting worse. I can't rest. I can't sleep. You must Oh, if I only could never wake up, that is patience. I'll turn the light low. Good night, my son seleep, sleep. Unclad you God. I'll get this castle somehow, even if it does crumple me. I don't care. Let me help you. Paul, who's boken? Where are you? Don't be frightened. I've come to help you. Nothing can frighten me anymore. But I can't see you. I can sometimes help people better because I'm not seen. Oh. I don't know what you mean, but can you really help me? I mean take the castle? Yes, Paul, right away? Tell me how long have you had it done? Nearly two years? I was away at school and had an accident. My father came to see me. Though well, I don't remember much about that part, but a. Doctor said that I would have to have this castle on. A doctor said that, what, yes, my father's deep ye yeah, trust me. Now, I want you to try to stand. I can't my father. I want you to try. Oh, rush, Oh. I'm standing, good boy. That's what I wanted to know. You have two strong, healthy legs. They're growing against steel that clamps them like of ice. This cast is coming right off. It's all put my leg they feel mote. Pain will soon be gone. He'll be well again, well again, boy, Oh, yours is not the only bondage to be broken tonight. Hum, it's good to get out in here and down the stone steps, watch. Out, steep the mom tell me that dreadful cry. Was that yes the sun, marggle I was able to relieve his sufferings though. But down in the village, all those people. What can you do for them? Their suffering has been great enough. I'll make them help themselves. Don't watch out slaster. Yeah, let's say it isn't the light anywhere. Everyone in this village. Is asleep, met said Margaret. Everyone has been asleep too long. It was luck. I hope to awaken their minds to this. This living death. W a sound anywhere. Lamont said that kiled off on the hills. The villagers sleep margin, but they do not rest. Come. I'll show you how their tortured subconscious minds react. This place of living dead. This silence beats on my ears like the drums of eternity. And in the next house and the next, Margo, I must go to them as they sleep in the shadows. Try to free them from this bondage of submission. The mills, I hear them, a good, honest roar of machinery, the white heat of the furnaces. There's a fine strength in me, and I'm to have. A raise of a dollar at the end of the week. No, oh, that's past and gone. I become as soft as something that lies rotting in the sun. The I am dead dead. No, no, my friend, you're alive and you can be strong again. What who's spoken? Who said that God. Put muscles in the man's body for use for work? Work? Yes, work, uh, but we get. Not while there is work to be done, and you can do it. I've dreamed that dream until I'm nearly mad. And go to the mines. They wait only for your courage to start them working. No, no, we can't do that, mister. Maxim has for business. And wake up, man. He has given you what only money can buy. He is taken from you what only God can give. Your freedom. Start working the mines tonight, working the minds tonight, Start working the mines to night, start working the mine too. Night the month. The lights now in every house, yes, and over their lanterns, swinging to the quick step of men hurrying to the mines. Give me your hand, Margol, with no time to lose. We're almost at Maxim's castle. Think in a single night, you will have destroyed Maxim's self created. World, as well as that Margo, everything on which. His ego has patented. Listen, the people are wasting no time. Hurry here, I'll help you off the steps quickly, quickly, Margo, quickly. Missus Maxim's room. Marble, you stay back. I don't know what danger lies behind. This door, but as the shadow, I'll soon find out. After all I've done for them, they betray my generosity. Men and women are like they've crowded down at the mines of the Humbreds. I'm going out to the balcony. Drops out the more clearly, Maxim. What happened? Why are you so angry? Missus Maxim, don't be startled. I'm here to help you. Listen closely. This is a fight for freedom. Oh who speaks, It's all such a strange dream. Do as I tell you, without questioning, rise out of your bed, out of your weakness, and fight as those people down at the mines are starting to fight. But I can't ride. I can't move, not without Maxim's help. You can, you shall. You've got to fight out of the weakness to strength and freedom. Yes, yes, Frider, out of weakness to strength and freedom. I can, I will. I see their game. They want to freedom apart from me, but they shan't have it. I stop them afore I have stopped them again. Don't stop them this time, don't, Serena. You you standing alone? Oh dare you stand alone? Without my help? I'd rather die in Madson, standing alone as God intended me to stand. Then go on in a living death of the weakness that comes of your constant support. You two, After all, I've done devoted my life to you. What madness is in this place tonight? Madness is lifting from this place tonight? Maxim? What what is that voice who speaks? Perhaps it is your conscience speaking, Maxim, your conscience. Serena, what is that voice? Do you hear it? What is this whole thing some crazy dream? I only know that I can stand alone and move alone, And if it's a dream, I hope I never wait. Listen closely, Maxim, your conscience speaks again. You gave these poor creatures the things your millions could so easily buy you felt greater, noble and princely in the giving, and for that you rob them of their strength of will and muscle and heart. It is a crime, just as stealing money as a crime. This is how they repay me, is that they hurt my liberality back into my teeth and make it a reproach. Maxim. You are consumed by selfishness, a selfishness so great that it has sacrificed a thousand people, and your your wife and your son to its greedy demands. That's a lie. My whole life has been devoted to others. White people know I love them. I'll go to them. I've talked to them. Will you also listen to them. They will listen to me, and I will give them a choice of life or death. What this, my father? What not those druls? I come on you, not those drills. No want, ay. There is no needs. Be the worst. I shall always provide for you. I have promised that, I have proved this. You want to learn money again? Good bye? Old We are in the camera family, and I say you shall not. This valley is fine, and all who live here shall live as high orders live right. The mine stand the way let. Us feeling friends, the right shall live, and he's as soon forgotten from what I say you. That world outside where every man sets his hand against every other man for money leap, and we live there. That in this where we go soft with the riding sauces and the hills. In the silence clods us in this valley is a fulfillment of a dream for you to dream, and nothing more. There is no like I tell you, I know what is best for you. You will not accept life as I have given it to you, then you shall have death as I give it to you. I shall say them for themselves, a quick merciful day. Yes, one turn of this lever, another few minutes the valley will be a deep and silently. One turnliver For the second time, Axium, your conscience. Speaks, Let us speak. I know what is best for my people. You can nothing about those people, how. Wrong you are, boys, I care enough about them to exterminate the ball rather than submit them to the corruption of an outside world. Just one turn of his hen, just one turn of that handle, and you would be a murderer. See, ungrateful, have no right to live. How those gates before it is too late, you have no right to pronounce death. For if there's a gilty men in this valley today. You are that men. Hi Hi, you see for what I call see. You attempted to buy the freedom of a thousand people, makes them to force them to the knees before you, and you keep them there for the rest of their life. Oh what didn't mean it that way? Just leave? Oh I'll sell it back. To russ up water against against his too strong a class mention. I'm here, Crenson, lim on, Crenson, keep behind you. It's too late. Gets together, I come, bying strength, weel action. What's wrong? There's blood on your lips. Stopping at me is broken the way of closing the gate? Here, lean on me with look. Curds and look coming there walking towards me. Look walking my wife and my son. Yes, walking here, action, take my arm. Help grands that I am dying. I gave my life closing those gates, saving my people. Tell them that. Tell my wife and son, pleasing, nune me let me help you to your feet. Oh. Look, the weaker I grow, the more strongly they walk. My wife and sudden they are getting back. But I took away. You're a great man at this moment, maxim and listen done by the minds as the water receives and the cheering you. MAXI, yes, I hear them cheeringly, and they. Are the cheers of a living and a free people. Before you hear a preview of next week's shadow story, here's John Barclay, Blue Coles heating expert, with more of his time and trouble saving hints on furnace care and attention mister. Barclay, Thank you, Ken Roberts, and good afternoon friends. A great many homeowners are under the impression they can save money by putting only a little coal on the furnace. On the contrary, that's one of the surest ways I know to actually waste money. A flimsy, shallow fire is apt to go out. It won't give you enough heat, and it causes constant trips to the cellar to refuel the fire. The economical way to fire your furnace is to keep a deep fire bed at all times. Build a fire up to the level of the bottom of the fire door. Of course, in milder weather you can leave a little heavier layer of ash on the grates. This keeps the fire burning slowly, yet it keeps enough coal burning to give plenty of heat if the temperature should suddenly drop. And remember, if you feel your furnace isn't giving you one hundred percent heating results, here's what you do. Phone your nearest blue coal dealer, ask him to send a John Barclay service man to look over your furnace. These men are trained heating experts. They're fully qualified to locate the source of any possible furnace trouble and show you how it. Can be corrected. If John Barclay Service is. Yours, without any charge or obligation of any chart on your part. So always feel free to call your blue coal dealer. I thank you, and now will preview of next week's exciting shadow adventure entitled praad Dude to Terror. The eminent scientist Professor Baker is sitting in his study late one night when there is a knock on the door, singing it is his butler, Cooper. He says, come in, Cooper, Oh thought it was Cooper. Shoutout Professor Baker. I got a present for you. He's what the boss wants. And before he throw the people of this cilly, you wish they were dead like you, Professor Baker. Why did this man kill Professor Baker? For what reason? Does he say? In a nirest city will welcome death? Be sure to find out next week when you hear The Shadow's newest adventure, Pray Dude to Terror. Today's program is. Based on a story copywrighted about the Shadow magazine. All the characters and all the places named are fictitious. Any similarity to person's living or dead is truly coincidental. The Shadow Magazine is now on sale at your local news stands. The Weed of Crime, There's bitter Fruit, Crime does not pay. The Shadow nodes. Next week, same time, same station. Blue Coal, America's finest stand for site, will again present another thrilling adventure of the Shadow. Be sure to listen, and be sure to burn blue coal, the solid fuel for solid comfort.