Season 3, Episode 3 - THE SHADOW (Film Serial) & THE LONE TIGER

 

The Shadowcast · The Shadowcast 21 - The Shadow 1940 Serial

 

 

 

"Me? The Shadow? 
Why, Vincent... The Shadow doesn't exist."

—Lamont Cranston

(The Shadow Serial, 1940)

Veda Ann Borg (Margot Lane), Jack Ingram (Flint) and Victor Jory (The Shadow)

Reputed to be the most faithful film adaptation of the pulp incarnation of The Shadow, today's episode reviews the entire series in FULL! In the early '40s, Columbia were still cutting their teeth on episodic Serials, overspending on properties like Shadow imitator, THE SPIDER, and losing money as a result.

 

By 1939, the new head of Columbia Serials had a fresh idea:
Spend less money on the serial itself... and more money on a popular license!

And so, to kick off the 1940 Serial season, THE SHADOW (1940) hit American theaters. 

A massive success, and one that features perhaps more direct elements of Gibson's original Shadow stories

than any other adaptation to date!

 

But it didn't come from a vacuum... 

 

The Agents of The Shadow pose for the cover of 'The Lone Tiger' (1939)
 

 Like 'The Shadow Strikes' before it, 'The Shadow' (1940) drew explicit inspiration from The Walter B. Gibson pulp novels: Namely, the trio of 'The Lone Tiger', 'The Silver Skull', and 'The Green Hoods'!

But The Shadowcast has noted similarities between this serial and at least one other story in The Shadow's late-'30s pantheon! Find out which one it is in our full review of this action-packed pulp classic!

 

Artwork by Edd Cartier
 

...REPORT!

Season 3, Episode 2 - THE SHADOW RETURNS / THE SHADOW: 1941

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Beg Satan for forgiveness, for you'll not find it this side of hell!"

—The Shadow
(The Shadow 1941, 1988)

 

 

 Our journey through The Shadow on film continues with a full review of the underrated

1946 B-picture, "The Shadow Returns", starring magician/actor Kane Richmond and Barbara Reed!

Is it worth watching? Or yet another low-budget blunder? Listen and learn, fellow agents! 

 

 

And, at long last, we explore the 1988 graphic novel classic "The Shadow: 1941"!

Does this World War II Shadow classic hold up? 

 Come and see how Marvel's one and only Shadow offering has

withstood the test of the cynical internet age!

 

REPORT!

Season 3 PREMIERE - The Shadow (1994) Film!

 

 

"I saved your life, Roy Tam... it now belongs to me."

—The Shadow
(The Shadow [1994] - Universal Pictures)

 

The theme of season 3 of The Shadowcast is "The Shadow on Film",
to some outward appearances, perhaps not the richest vein of
source material, but as eagle-eyed agents of the Shadowcast are
well aware, The Shadow was fortunate enough to be the subject
of no fewer than six feature films—and one film serial—by the time
Universal at last produced the 1994 film, starring Alec Baldwin. 

 

Alec Baldwin as Lamont Cranston 

 

In today's episode, we review this cult film in detail, from the plot to
the cinematography to the costumes, and discuss the troubled circumstances
of its star-crossed birth. In retrospect, it's something of a miracle the film was
released at all. Yet for its multifarious flaws, The Shadow (1994) remains the

introductory media for many a longtime Shadow fan (your intrepid host included).

 

 

The Shadow (Movie Adaptation) artwork by Mike Kaluta 

 

Yet perhaps the most fascinating peculiarity of The Shadow (1994)'s release
are the many and varied versions of its script (as will tend to occur, when a movie
takes over a decade to produce!) none rendered more beautifully than Dark Horse
Comics' 1994 film adaptation, written and illustrated by longtime Shadow luminary,
Michael W.M. Kaluta!

How does it differ from the final product?
Is there a proper pulp film adaptation of The Shadow hiding in plain sight all these years?
Listen and learn, fellow agents!

Report!

Season 2 FINALE - HANDS IN THE DARK

The Shadowcast · The Shadowcast 18 - HANDS IN THE DARK

Season 2 of The Shadowcast comes to its long-awaited conclusion,

as we wrap up the inaugural 10 entries of the pulp series with its

final volume: The atmospheric crime mystery HANDS IN THE DARK!

This is a fascinating story of kidnapped wealthy heirs, criminal conspiracies,

and for the first time in The Shadow series: Corrupt police officers!

It has everything: A damsel in distress, The Shadow in various disguises,

moving unknown through the ranks of crimedom, and of course, 

ubiquitous Chinatown deathtraps! 

The Shadowcast has had what can only be described as a blast tearing through the

first 10 Shadow stories and—hopefully—introducing an entirely new audience to

some of them as well.

We shall return in Season 3: THE CINEMATIC AVENGER!

Report!

Season 2, Episode 9 - MOBSMEN ON THE SPOT

 

"Like yourself," came the low voice, "I am a man whose name has been

forgotten. We shall speak no more of years gone by.

You are now Clifford Marsland. I am"—the voice halted impressively—

"The Shadow!"

-'Mobsmen on the Spot' 

(Walter B. Gibson, 1932)

Artwork by Tom Lovell

Racketeers—ruthless, relentless—make a great metropolis

their blood-soaked battleground to suit evil purpose!

Artwork by George Rozen

The Shadow wages war with racketeers and corrupt unions

in another tale torn from the headlines, in 1932's timely

crimeland epic: "Mobsmen On The Spot!" To do so, he recruits

a new agent, Cliff Marsland! An ex-con who reveals fascinating

insights into the past of the man behind The Shadow! 

We're getting mighty close to the conclusion of this

season of The Shadowcast! As you know, 'The Pulp Avenger' is the

theme of season 2, and as such, we're covering the first 10 Shadow

stories in order. "Mobsmen On The Spot", as such, represents the

penultimate edition of season 2's trip down Pulp Junction. 

Be sure to tune in next time for the climactic conclusion!

REPORT!

Season 2, Episode 8 - THE BLACK MASTER and SÉANCE OF DEATH

 

"The secret of The Shadow," came the monotonous voice. 

"At last it is understood! The man of many faces—with no face of his own!"

-The Black Master (1932)

Agents of the Shadowcast, Report!

Cover art by George Rozen

The Shadow tests his mind and mettle against his first proper supervillain, 

in 1932's underrated and seminal pulp adventure, 'THE BLACK MASTER'!

"Not since Sherlock Holmes locked wits with Professor Moriarty have there been

such formidable opponents on the battlefield of crime!", raves the back cover

of the Pyramid reprint of this classic story. 

The Shadowcast enthusiastically agrees.

Cover art by Jim Steranko

Then, The Shadow and Margot Lane investigate the curious case of a crooked spiritualist

and a demented psychiatrist, plundering patients, and ultimately murdering them

in the recently-recovered 1947 Radio episode 'Séance of Death!'

Bret Morrison as The Shadow

REPORT!

Season 2, Episode 7 - THE SILENT SEVEN (With Author/Historian WILL MURRAY!)

 

"We are the Silent Seven," said the central figure, in a low-pitched voice. 
Every word was audible; some peculiar acoustic condition of the room gave the tone an awe-inspiring sound.

"The Silent Seven," repeated the others, in a whisper.

"We command the Faithful Fifty," was the whispering echo.

"Our identities are unknown," declared the speaker, "Each of us was appointed by the founder of our order—he who first was Number One. 
Should new members be needed, I shall appoint them. Their names will be known to me alone. That is my oath."

"You have declared the oath of Number One," was the response.

-'The Silent Seven' (1932)

Art by Tom Lovell

The Shadowcast is joined by venerated pulp historian WILL MURRAY, author of the recent Shadow bookumentary 'Master of Mystery: The Rise of The Shadow'.

Art by Joe DeVito

Then, we continue our reviews of classic pulps when The Shadow tackles a secret society of prominent criminal conspirators in THE SILENT SEVEN!

Art by Jerome Rozen

REPORT!

Buy 'Master of Mystery: The Rise of The Shadow' Pick up more of Will Murray's Shadow/Spider/Doc Savage books here!

Season 2, Episode 6 - 'THE DEATH TOWER' and 'WALTER B. GIBSON and THE SHADOW'

 "Burke, I have paid you well because I wanted intelligent cooperation. You have done your part. This is only the second time that you have met me. I want your honest opinion. Do you trust me? Would you work for me, faithfully, without question? Keeping all our dealings confidential. Then I can tell you my real purpose in setting you up in business. Burke, I am a criminologist. I have my own way of dealing with crime. Those who work for me must always obey me implicitly -- even though they may not understand my motives. Even though they may face danger!"

-'The Death Tower' (1932)

Artwork by Tom Lovell

The deadly duology of 'The Silent Seven' saga begins with the pulp classic "THE DEATH TOWER" 
as The Shadowcats continues our ongoing analysis of the early years of The Shadow Magazine in order!

Then, we review a rarity in literary circles: A full biography of The Shadow's mysterious creator: Author, journalist and famed magician Walter Gibson in 'WALTER B. GIBSON and THE SHADOW' by Thomas Shimeld! The book contains diary entries and previously undocumented stories of the life of this oft-overlooked pop culture icon, so you'll definitely want to give this week's Shadowcast a listen. 

REPORT!

Purchase Walter B. Gibson and The Shadow here

Season 2, Episode 5 - James Patterson's THE SHADOW Reboot!

"Lamont usually wore a tux," said Margo. "Ivory of Bakelite buttons. No zipper. Custom tailored."

"So what about all those pictures of The Shadow with a cape and scarf?" I ask.

"Ridiculous," says Lamont. "Way too much fabric. That's all some crazy artist's imagination."

-"The Shadow" (James Patterson/Brian Sitts, 2021)

James Patterson, slowly transmogrifying into a bloodhound

On today's Shadowcast, I finally review James Patterson's prose reboot of THE SHADOW!

Short synopsis: It, uh... doesn't go well. 

But then, with covers like this: 

...what were we really expecting.

Purchase James Patterson's 'The Shadow' (if you must) here

90th Anniversary Special! - 'GANGDOM'S DOOM' and 'THE SHADOW STRIKES: GANGLAND DOOMED'

 

"Nick Savoli," said the sinister voice, "you have led a life of crime. While you were one of

many, you were ordinary. Now you believe yourself supreme. You are wrong. 

You are dangerous—that is all. 

You are mistaken when you believe that you are supreme."

"Is this a warning?" asked Savoli, with a grim smile. "Or is it a threat?"

"It is a judgment," said The Shadow sternly. 

-Gangdom's Doom, 1931

Artwork by Tom Lovell

The Shadow turns 90 years old! 

The Shadowcast commemorates the event with dueling automatics ablaze! Twin crime tales set in

Chicago's Gangland!

First, it's the formative 1931 masterpiece, where The Shadow outwits an obvious stand-in for Al Capone and the Chicago Mob, 'GANGDOM'S DOOM'!

Artwork by Jerome Rozen

Then, The Shadow returns 4 years later, in comic book form, to deal with the fallout of Al Capone's fall in DC Comics' 'THE SHADOW STRIKES: GANGLAND DOOMED!'

Artwork by Eduardo Barreto

REPORT!

Buy Gangdom's Doom here

Buy The Shadow Strikes here

Season 2, Episode 3 - THE RED MENACE and MIDNIGHT IN MOSCOW!

"The Seventh Star," said Zuvor, looking intently at Cranston, 
"...is an order of the old regime. It belongs to the years before the revolution. 
But you are so young—"

"My age," replied Cranton, with a slight smile, "is deceiving. 
Like you, I have memories of Russia—as it was."

-"The Red Menace" (1932)

Art by Jerome Rozen

The Shadow battles The Bolsheviks in two-fisted adventures from The Shadowcast!
First, The Shadow and his faithful agents battle their Communist counterparts
in the Pulp classic that rounded out Walter Gibson's inaugural quadrilogy: 
"THE RED MENACE!"

Art by Tom Lovell

Then, Lamont and Margo must foil the schemes of a communist sleeper cell bent on 
triggering a nuclear war between The United States and the U.S.S.R. in Howard Chaykin's 2014 Dynamite graphic novel, "MIDNIGHT IN MOSCOW!"

Art by Howard Chaykin

Until our next adventure, fellow agents!
REPORT!

Buy "The Red Menace" Here!

Buy "The Shadow: Midnight in Moscow" Here!

Season 2, Episode 2 - THE SHADOW LAUGHS!

  

"Some people call me The Shadow. That is but one identity. I have other personalities that I assume, as easily as I don my black cloak and hat. One of my personalities is that of Lamont Cranston.
In the past, I have used it while you were away. At present, I choose to use it now.
It would be embarrassing for both of us to be here. 
So you must go."

-The Shadow Laughs!

(October, 1931) 

Artwork by George Wert

The inaugural Shadow trilogy concludes with climactic chapter "The Shadow Laughs!"

in December's edition of The Shadowcast! A dark, mysterious work in which 

The Shadow's signature twin .45 automatics make their debut, and Lamont Cranston...

...meets "Lamont Cranston"! A true classic you'll need to hear to believe. 

Artwork by Francesco Francavilla

We conclude with a bit of disquieting news about Condé Nast's incoming Shadow relaunch,
and wash the bitter taste out of our mouths with one of the greatest Mystery Horror masterpieces
ever aired, 1940's "The Laughing Corpse", featuring a series of serial murders where people
laugh themselves to death and die with a morbid grin. (you're welcome, Joker!)

"Love That Joker!"

See you in 2021, fellow agents!

Buy "The Shadow Laughs!" Here

Buy "The Laughing Corpse" Here

Season 2, Episode 1: THE EYES OF THE SHADOW

 

"As sleep came upon him, Bruce Duncan's mind was filled with confused thoughts of his adventure. But one dominating impression filled his mind. The identity of his rescuer came with startling suddenness. 

He had been drawn from his tomb by The Shadow!"

-The Eyes of The Shadow
Walter B. Gibson (1931)

Agents of the Shadowcast, Report!

Artwork by John A. Coughlin

The Shadowcast has returned for Season 2: The Pulp Avenger! 
Beginning with a brikef summary of the first Shadow pulp, "The Living Shadow" (already covered in episode 1 here) before a full review of the sophomore novelette, "The Eyes of The Shadow"!

Then, we pay tribute to the recently-departed fellow magician and confidant of Shadow creator, Walter B. Gibson, the Amazing James Randi (R.I.P.)

Art by Phil Hester

Finally, The Shadowcast reviews the 2014 one-shot comic story, "The Death Factory", by Phil Hester and Ivan Rodriguez.

Report!

Buy "The Eyes of The Shadow" here!

Buy "James Randi: An Honest Liar" here!

Buy "The Shadow: Death Factory" here!