Ranee of Shalakar: The Man Called X (January 18, 1948)

“Ranee of Shalakar” is an episode of The Man Called X, the old-time radio show, first broadcast January 18, 1948. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Ken Thurston, an agent who works for a government bureau, takes an unofficial vacation to Shalakar, a remote land north of India, after the American Eastern Export Company is convicted of fraud there. Thurston believes the trial was false and wants to clear the company's name. His companion Pagon is lured away by a gang of decoys, and Thurston's search leads him to the Rani's palace and into dangerous dealings with Colonel Blake. The Man Called X is a Frigidaire program, with Herbert Marshall in the title role, and this episode first aired on January 18, 1948.

Shalakar, a tiny forbidden land north of India in the shadow of the Himalayas

Characters: Ken Thurston, Pagon, Colonel Blake, Mr. Norris, Fred, The Rani, Mr. Brooks, Panchine

Listen for: Thurston's confrontation with the Rani and the attack by the decoys at the temple

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.