Title: Night Without End
Air date: October 16, 1938
Plot summary: Darkness has reigned over the city for three days! No one knows the cause of the gigantic black cloud that has blotted out all sunlight. Finally, the cops get a message, from some crooks who want a $5 million payoff to get rid of the cloud.
The criminals release a Dr. Heath, who, as it turns out, invented the black cloud device in the first place—it was supposed to be a defense against aerial bombardment. Dr. Heath reveals that the crooks still have his son, James, so he must do their bidding. He also delivers far, far worse news: the black cloud device can also be used to release a deadly poison gas. If the city doesn't deliver $5 million, the gang will exterminate everyone who lives in the city.
The note says that Dr. Heath is to deliver the money and he is not to be followed. So Dr. Heath is followed, of course, but with the one man the criminals can't see: The Shadow.
Tropes:
- Above Good and Evil: When Zarro says that he will poison them city and Dr. Heath says that Zarro is "mad", Zarro says no, he is "only strong" and he does not allow himself to be "unmanned" by pity.
- Cue the Sun: Margot notes as the episode is ending that the black cloud is dissipating and the sun is coming out.
- Deadly Gas: The criminals will deliver a cloud of poison gas that will destroy the whole city. The Shadow and Heath just barely manage to blow up the boat and its poison gas before the gas is released over the town.
- The Night That Never Ends: The bad guys have cast a black cloud that is literally blotting out the sun over the city.
- Title Drop: In the opening scene a preacher in an apocalyptic frame of mind preaches about God's punishment, the "night without end."
- You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Zarro's justification for murdering Dr. Heath and his son. He knows how to work the smoke machine and Dr. Heath has delivered the ransom, so he Zarro doesn't need Dr. Heath anymore.
