Baldwin does The Shadow

 Say what you will about the 1994 Universal film "The Shadow" it sure had some nice visuals.  

A future Christmas wish...

 ...or just an everyday wish.  Would love to hear the whole soundtrack the way Goldsmith composed it.  I listen to the original way more than I probably should.  This and the Star Trek The Motion Picture scores are a couple of my favorites.

Gianni does a card

 I don't have the whole collection.  I wasn't thrilled with what I saw when this set came out but now, of course, I want them all.  Wish the reproduction was better, though.

Making my way through the first story arc of Dynamite's "The Shadow"

 I'm in the middle of issue four.  Nice Chaykin cover and the interior art is some of the better of Dynamite's run with the series.  However, I can't help but think how far the character has strayed and changed since his creation in 1931, mostly due to the aforementioned Howard Chaykin and his 1986 mini series, The Shadow: Blood & Judgment.  This introduced the backstory of Kent Allard and Lamont Cranston and their dark dealings in post WW1 Asia.  This was then picked up by the team of Koepp and Mulcahy for the 1994 film and has become canon for a later generation of fans.  I don't argue that it is interesting and informs the modern version of the character but I do argue that it ain't The Shadow of Gibson.  The Shadow of the pulps was dramatic and intriguing without dragging his past through the mud and proposing the idea that people can only do the right thing if they've been reborn and seen the light.  Obviously this is just my take and I readily admit that I am a curmudgeon, so rebut me if you like.  With his sudden ability to draw information from dead people, his ability to see the future and his horrible treatment of Margo Lane (and I'm not a fan of hers so that says something) down to his superior attitude as Lamont Cranston rather than an aloof playboy, this is not at all the character I've idolized for nearly a half century.  I'd like to hear why these changes make the character more interesting than he already was.  

Costume comparison

 

Which do you prefer?  To be honest, the costume from "The Raven" would scare me straight vs. the Alec Baldwin version. 

Would the 1994 film "The Shadow" have benefited from being in black & white?

 

Just wondering if making it more period with black & white film stock and (as much as I love the soundtrack) a period appropriate music score.  Using Orson Welles' sensibilities from "Citizen Kane" with the gorgeous atmosphere and innovative camera angles and just the epic contrast, I think the film would take on a whole different feel.  A bit of editing would help.  Just a thought...

The Shadow Movie Adaptation #2 page 24

 And this is all I have of the black and white pages.  I may post the complete series as published.  Just a thought.

The Shadow Movie Adaptation #2 page 12

 Poor Farley Claymore.  Whether by the hand of Khan or the mind of The Shadow, he just can't catch a break.

"The Shadow Movie Adaptation #1 page 17"

It struck me odd to see Margo waking up in her father's lab.  Still, I love this version of Khan.  So evil and such a throwback to Dr. Fu Manchu.

The Shadow Movie Adaptation #1 page 13

 I reread this series over the weekend.  It's a shame it was made into a 2 issue mini and not at least 3 but better 4 issues.  I like some of the changes vs. the film and I love his rendition of Shiwan Khan.  But the scenes probably don't make as much sense if I hadn't seen the movie (and quite frankly as many times as I have) and can fill in the gaps.  I do love Kaluta's nod to his original run on The Shadow with Margo sporting the dice as earrings. 

The Shadow Movie Adaptation #1 page 11

Margo is a bit forward here.  I prefer how they left it on the doorstep in the film.
 

The Shadow Movie Adaptation #1 page 10

Berger's death is so much more gruesome in Kaluta's version.  I wonder if it was originally written this way and the producers and director dialed it back so that it wasn't so traumatic.  Love seeing Khan upside down, much more menacing and maybe even a bit of an indication that he is the opposite of The Shadow.

The Shadow Movie Adaptation #1 page 9

 "Serendipity.  Shall we order?"

The Shadow Movie adaptation #1 page 7

 "Boss...  you okay?"

The Shadow Movie adaptation #1 page 4

The last panel looks like The Shadow has torn Duke's head from his body!  I like how the thugs turn tail and leave their boss to his fate only to find, after being warned, that their fate was sealed by the Master of Men!

By the by, yesterday was Mr. Kaluta's 74th birthday.  Happy belated birthday, sir.

The Shadow Movie adaptation #1 page 3

 Kaluta's version of the bridge sequence.  Probably my favorite scene from the film.  Ya gotta appreciate M. W. K's evolved style.

Let's take a look at some random Kaluta goodness

 Over the next couple of I'll post some various pages from Kaluta's adaptation of the 1994 film "The Shadow".  Enjoy this little diversion.

This is the opening page.  They will be in order but I only have about 1/3 of the pages found so far.  Fair warning that this isn't going to be a reading post, just an appreciation of Kaluta's contributions to the legacy of The Shadow.

Happy Birthday, Farley Claymore

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

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.

The answer to the bonus question has been answered!

Yes, Agent J, Dr. Roy Tam made his first appearance in "The Fate Joss".  Dr. Tam made enough of an impression that he was used in the 1994 film.