The Drums of Death: Nick Carter, Master Detective (March 25, 1944)

“The Drums of Death” is an episode of Nick Carter, Master Detective, the old-time radio show, first broadcast March 25, 1944. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Nick Carter investigates a case involving Dr. Congo, a witch doctor who claims to have spent fifteen years in Africa studying voodoo. After Mrs. Galli visits the doctor's office seeking medical help, he threatens her life with a voodoo curse, demanding $10,000 and warning that she will die when he sounds his drums three times. Nick takes the case seriously when the drums are heard twice, and begins searching for Mrs. Galli's nephew Walter, who introduced her to the mysterious doctor.

New York City, including Vanderbilt Square, a doctor's office, Mrs. Galli's home, and the Bubble Bath Cafe.

Characters: Nick Carter, Patsy, Mrs. Galli, Dr. Congo, Walter Galli, Bartender

Listen for: The mysterious drums of the voodoo curse and Nick Carter's investigation into whether Dr. Congo's witchcraft threats are real or merely psychological manipulation.

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.