ON THE AIR December 19, 1937

The Shadow does "A Christmas Carol" in this tale of a town of factory workers living in squalid conditions.  The owner is shown his evil ways and, well, you'll just have to listen to Cold Death to see how The Shadow brings justice to the downtrodden.

"Out of the Past" page 12

"That is what you're calling yourself now, isn't it, Margaret?"

What I'm about to start reading

This graphic novel is, indeed, a monster.  365 pages and over 3 decades in the making.  This has been on my radar for well over ten years at this point, possibly 20.  Why am I sharing this?  What does it have to do with The Shadow or any other pulp character?  Barry Windsor Smith is one of my all time favorite comic artists but he has no ties to the world of The Shadow.  Or does he?  Back in 1975 four young comic artists decided to share a studio in NYC and, in the process, changed the comic art world.  Jeffrey Jones (probably my all time fave), Barry Windsor Smith, Bernie Wrightson (familiar?) and Michael W. Kaluta.  Yes, that Kaluta.  So you see, this huge tome deserves to be here, amongst all of this stuff 'bout The Shadow.

"Out of the Past" page 11

 "Harry, you know we all gave up normal social lives when we joined this crusade."

"Out of the Past" page 10

 "Thanks for the pick-up, Shrevvy."

An all time favorite

Steranko's "The Silent Seven" is my favorite cover of his and very possibly my favorite rendition of The Shadow.  I'm sure I've shared this a few times before but this is just too good to not revisit.  The colors, the composition (which only got better since the prep sketch) not to mention the outstanding technique.  Excellent work.

"Out of the Past" page 9

 "I will relay this to the Master."

The Shadow Returns

Yikes.  I'd forgotten how bad this is.  I've been trying to slog my way through this "film" and it just ain't any good.  I don't mind Kane and Barbara as Lamont and Margo but the direction and script are just poor.  If you have nothing better to do you still would be hard pressed to want to watch this.  At least it is better than the failed television pilot "Case of the Cotton Kimono".  I'm holding out hope that one of the streaming services gets hold of this property and pulls a "Boardwalk Empire" or "Deadwood" out of its hat.  One can always dream...

"Out of the Past" page 8

 "No, no, please.  My date got a little fresh..."

ON THE AIR December 12, 1937

This classic tale, dealing with three men who spent time together as prisoners on Devil's Island, has nothing to do with the October 15th, 1933 issue of The Shadow Magazine that bears the same name (and is where the above art comes from).  If, after listening to this episode, you feel like comparing the pulp adventure of the same name check out the reprint from Sanctum Books, Super Size (3 tales instead of 2) issue #100.

"Out of the Past" page 7

 "YEEAGH!"

"Out of the Past" page 6

"And we're going to take it back.  You're going to give us the money!"

Rules for everyone

 Simple to follow.  Why can't we all be a little more like Doc...

"Out of the Past" page 5

 "You know it's not yours!"

Alex Toth does The Shadow

 

I've posted the "finished" version before but this is the first time I've seen it as a prep sketch with the notes and all.  Every time I see the few Toth takes on The Shadow it makes me sad that a cartoon was never made in this style.  Even a comic book.  Our loss, for sure.

"Out of the Past" page 4

 "The night I met Lamont.  The night I..."

Happy Birthday, Farley Claymore

Tim Curry is 75 years old today.  If nothing else, he was able to shoot The Shadow...

"Out of the Past" page 3

 "Harry Vincent.  You will listen to me..."

ON THE AIR November 28, 1937

Anton Spivack!  A little man who hated crowds and noise and people.  This episode practically embedded itself on my brain!  If you haven't heard it then you must not listen to The Shadow much.  It's a classic and it's here for your enjoyment.

"Out of the Past" page 2

"You've earned it, keed."

New at The Shadow Shop

Modernizing "The Creeping Death" by George Rozen.  Have to say it's better than the posters they are hawking.  The Doc Savage Shop isn't keeping pace with The Shadow Shop which makes me wonder what may be in the offing besides the James Patterson book.  Another movie?  A series on HBO Max (or any of a number of streaming studios)?  At this point one can only hope that "The Shadow Knows"!

"Out of the Past" page 1

"... don't let no one spring this bird!"

Chaykin does The Shadow and Margo Lane

 Original artwork from Howard Chaykin.  Margo looks a lot like Penelope Ann Miller from the 1994 film.

"Out of the Past"

 A Margo Lane story begins tomorrow.  Stay tuned.

"Fireworks Part Three" page 25

"You're never gonna believe it, Bob!"

The End

"Fireworks Part Three" page 24

 "Your conquest is over, 'Great Khan.'"

ON THE AIR October 31, 1937

Another classic Welles' adventure.  I would have said that this was inspired by the movie "Gaslight" but that film didn't come out until 1944.  Instead of trying to drive his wife insane the evil doctor is actually trying to kill her with fright.  A decent Halloween episode.  Take a listen, preferably in the dark... perhaps a single blue light illuminating a highly polished desktop...  Yes, take a listen to "The Three Ghosts".

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 "Ya-hooo!  I did it, Mr. Shadow!  I did it!"

Burbank

 I know this ain't what Gibson wrote back in the day but I really thought this was a great idea and set from "The Shadow" film of 1994.  It makes a lot of sense and gives the viewer the idea of how many agents and hidden messaging centers The Shadow employed.  For all it's flaws this film is still a fun trip.

"Fireworks Part Three" page 22

 "<Guluum?>"

"Fireworks Part Three" page 21

 "Hey, keep your head up.  We're not licked yet."

Guess what I'm watching

"The clouded mind sees nothing."

"Fireworks Part Three" page 20

 

"The 'Morning Star.'  Anchored off China Basin."

What I'm reading now

Just started this.  San Francisco, Chinatown, Dr. Roy Tam & Yat Soon.  Can't go wrong in my opinion.  Looking forward to this.  Don't trust me?  Check out this review from John Olsen.

"Fireworks Part Three" page 19

 "Yes! Yes! Kill them all!"

ON THE AIR October 17, 1937

 Unfortunately "The Red Macaw", "Danger in the Dark" & "Murder By The Dead" are lost to time.  In my opinion a true loss to not only fans of The Shadow but to OTR aficionados as well.  We have lost an opportunity to see how Welles and Moorehead began to sculpt their portrayals of Cranston and Lane.  This is the fifth episode and a classic one to boot.  I can't begin to count how many times I've listened to this episode.  Take some time, pour some tea and enjoy this wonderful episode.

"Fireworks Part Three" page 18

 "<Cha Khan-Shai!>"

"Fireworks Part Three" page 17

 "<Quite a fool, I would think.>"