Scepter signing off with this last data file on one of the shameful villains from that bygone era. Transmitting in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

The Black Death

    November 1940-Peggy Allen aids the police in solving tough cases. She is called in by her friend and mentor, Police Commissioner Cavanaugh to help out with the murder of the actor known as Tinker.

    At the posh theater, where a new play is to debut, actor Perry Knight is getting ready to get into 'character' to play the Black Death. Suddenly he feels overwhelmed. Meanwhile, out on the stage waiting for the rehearsal, Tinker, the world famous dramatic star, and his co-star, actress Linda Lytell are talking about their upcoming scene. Finally, the Black Death comes onstage and the rehearsal begins. At a crucial junction the Black Death shoots Tinker and makes a quick exit offstage. Yelling cut, the director congratulates Tinker for his performance. But Linda doesn't think it's an act, for Tinker is truly dead! Out comes the theater owner Mr. Weber who promptly calls the police and checks on Perry Knight in his dressing room and finds him woozy.

    Arriving on the scene Inspector Cavanaugh concludes that Perry Knight is the culprit. However Peggy Allen doesn’t find the case so clear-cut. She decides to investigate on her own as her alter ego, the Woman In Red, who can go where the law cannot. Unfortunately, the police are always trying to catch the Woman In Red, whom they think is a criminal herself. The Woman In Red arrives in time to see Black Death trying to bump off another cast member. She intervenes with her trusty .45 pistol, but her aim is not true, and the Black Death escapes. Now the police try to capture the mysterious Woman In Red. Failing to capture the Black Death, the Woman In Red makes sure that the police are equally unsuccessful in capturing her, much to the embarrassment of Cavanaugh!

    At the play’s premier, Cavanaugh and his police attend just in case this Black Death in the form of Perry Knight should try and murder Linda Lytell or the actor that has taken Tinker’s place. Mr. Weber excuses himself, saying he cannot bear to watch the play fail. Once again during that all-important shooting scene the Black Death makes his entrance, but, before he can fire, the Woman In Red deflects his shot. A scuffle ensues, and, just as the Woman In Red is about to apprehend the Black Death, the police overtake the stage and try and nab the Woman In Red. Both the Black Death and his scarlet nemesis escape, while Inspector Cavanaugh fumes. With the players now gone from the stage, the Woman In Red begins a backstage search for the Black Death. Finding him, as the Woman In Red rescues the actors and unmasks the Black Death as Mr. Weber the theater owner. The jealous Weber couldn't stand seeing the beautiful actress Linda Lytell surrounded by other men. Thus, he set out to eliminate potential suitors while pinning the blame on poor Perry Knight.