Congo Magic: Tarzan (May 17, 1951)

“Congo Magic” is an episode of Tarzan, the old-time radio show, first broadcast May 17, 1951. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Tarzan arrives in the Congo town of Port Zarota after testifying in court, and is persuaded by Captain Lawrence to join the men at a club. There he meets Mooney, Bainbridge and others, and the club's diminutive steward, Shorty, who is mocked by the guests. Tarzan reacts to Mooney's cruelty toward the dwarf, and tension grows as Shorty is attacked in his room and a voodoo doll appears in the bar. Tarzan and his companions set out after a poison dart attack, and the story follows their jungle journey toward the pygmy country.

The town of Port Zarota in the Congo, a club there, and the jungle beyond it on the way to the pygmy country

Characters: Tarzan, Captain Lawrence, Shorty, Mooney, Bainbridge, Major Stanton, Lord Essex, Richardson

Listen for: The voodoo doll and the attack on Shorty's room, and how Tarzan reacts to Mooney's treatment of the dwarf

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.