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, 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!

New Shadow Novels (And Possible FILM) Announced!

News both great and terrible today on The Shadowcast, as Condé Nast reveals an ALL NEW

series of Shadow prose novels will be written by famed mystery author

James Patterson!

Stay tuned to The Shadowcast for all future developments.

Season 1 FINALE - 'THE SHADOW: YEAR ONE' (R.I.P. Denny O'Neil)

"Only death can absolve your many sins, 'Snow Tiger'!

And I am the vessel of your deliverance!"

-The Shadow

(The Shadow: Year One, 2013)

Artwork by Chris Samnee

The Shadowcast ends its exploration of The Birth of a Dark Legend with 

the first proper 'origin' comic ever published: Matt Wagner's 'The Shadow: Year One'!

And we pay tribute to the late Denny O'Neil, whose influence on the modern

mythos of The Shadow cannot be overstated!

R.I.P.

It's been a BIG first season, and I couldn't have done it without your growing support.
Until next time, fellow agents: We'll see you all in Season 2!

Buy 'The Shadow: Year One' Here!

The Shadowcast: Season 1, Episode 4 - 'THE SHADOW STRIKES' and 'DEATH HOUSE RESCUE'

"What's your game, mister?"

"Well, it's a... form of Solitaire."

-The Shadow Strikes (1937)

This week's Shadowcast continues to explore the Birth of a Dark Legend with The Shadow's

first, flawed feature-length film appearance: THE SHADOW STRIKES! (starring Rod La Rocque)

Rod La Rocque in THE SHADOW STRIKES

Followed by a full review of Orson Welles' debut on radio with the classic, DEATH HOUSE RESCUE!

A young Orson Welles

The Shadowcast: Season 1, Episode 3 - 'LINGO' and 'DEATH TO THE SHADOW'

"Rook stopped abruptly. Bart and Prexy had released their victim. 

Trembling, the henchmen were raising hands above their shoulders as they

stared toward the door. Rook saw terror in their bulging eyes. 

He wheeled, then became rigid also. 

Weird against the glow, reflected from the white walls of the hotel across the street

stood a blackened shape that the big shot recognized. 

Mammoth automatics projected from gloved fists. 

Burning eyes surveyed the villains from beneath the brim of a slouch hat.

"The Shadow!"

-'Lingo'
Walter B. Gibson (1935)

The Shadowcast returns with a review of two pioneering works

in the history of The Knight of Darkness!

First, we review the memorable Walter B. Gibson novelette "Lingo" - featuring

the birth of the BATARANG!

Artwork by Tom Lovell

Second, we revisit a classic episode of The Shadow radio drama dealing with 

prescient issues of mass surveillance and CCTV: "Death to the Shadow!"

Buy 'The Shadow - Lingo / Partners of Peril Double Novel Reprint Here!

Listen to 'Death to the Shadow' here!

The Shadowcast Season 1: 'Birth of a Dark Legend'

"The Shadow!" he exclaimed. "I have heard of him. 

I have listened to his voice over the radio. They say that his identity is unknown,

even when in the broadcasting studio.

Some have said he is a supercriminal. Others have claimed that he is

a great detective. Which is true?"

"I don't know," replied Harry frankly.

-The Death Tower (Jan, 1932)

Artwork by Michael Kaluta

Welcome to the inaugural season of The Shadowcast!

As most of you know (and the rest soon will) The Shadow has a rich mythology, with over 300 pulp magazines published, along with hundreds of comics, multiple films, TV pilots, serials and so on. Having a history stretching back nearly 90 years can prove daunting, so to keep things coherent, each season will represent a specific theme. Albeit a loosely enforced one. 

Season 1 is entitled 'Birth of a Dark Legend'. As the title suggests, it will introduce fans young and old to the exploits of Knight of Darkness, by exploring prominent 'firsts' in his publication history. The first issue of The Shadow magazine. The first film. The first radio program. The first appearance of ______. This criteria will be liberally applied, and certain episodes may contain more origin information than others, but hopefully by doing this, we can keep the show interesting for all of you for seasons to come!

I thank everyone who's sent an encouraging message my way after episode 1. The Shadowcast is a labor of love, and it's a privilege to present it to you. As for next episode?

We'll explore a more recent 'first'.

The first crossover between The Shadow... and another pioneering pulp-era character.

"The sun is shining..."