The Fatal Shot

# The Fatal Shot

When the lights dimmed at the NBC studios on that November evening in 1936, listeners across America settled into their parlors for what promised to be another evening of sophisticated comedy—but tonight, Fred Allen had something darker in store. "The Fatal Shot" opens with the crisp crack of a gunshot echoing through the microphone, followed by the distinctive timbre of Allen's voice unraveling a mystery that would keep audiences guessing until the final punchline. The episode finds Allen and his wife Portland in the midst of a theatrical production gone terribly wrong, complete with blackmail, mistaken identities, and enough rapid-fire wisecracks to puncture the mounting tension. What begins as a drawing-room drama quickly dissolves into Allen's signature brand of absurdist humor, where the solution to the crime becomes increasingly ridiculous with each revelation, and the "fatal shot" turns out to be something entirely unexpected.

By 1936, The Fred Allen Show had established itself as a masterpiece of radio comedy—a program that refused to follow the formulaic path of its competitors. Allen's genius lay in his ability to blend sophisticated wordplay with slapstick timing, creating something that appealed equally to intellectuals and everyday listeners. Unlike the genteel humor of many variety programs, Allen's show celebrated wordplay, satire, and clever narratives that treated the audience with genuine respect. "The Fatal Shot" exemplifies this approach, showcasing Allen's talents as both a writer and performer while featuring the stellar supporting cast that made the show legendary.

This is radio at its most entertaining—an evening when comedy, mystery, and sheer inventive brilliance converged on the airwaves. Tune in and discover why Fred Allen remains one of broadcasting's greatest entertainers, and why audiences made his program appointment listening during radio's golden age.