From 1940 to 1994

 We finished the Columbia Chapter Play last weekend and I hope it was a fun rewatch for you (or, quite possibly, a first viewing) and that it made for a little trip back to a simpler time.

I can't seem to find a free link to the Baldwin film so here is a link to the 1994 teaser trailer.

It's been 28 years since The Shadow graced the silver screen.  Before this film hit theatres the last film was 1958's "The Invisible Avenger".  From 1937 through 1958 there were 6 films, the serial and one television pilot.  1931-32 also featured four film shorts that had The Shadow as a narrator but not as a participant in the actual tales.  I don't count those.  My point is that in the last 64 years we have had one, ONE, look at our hero on the screen... movie or television or even a phone.  It is shameful!  I would even settle for Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon or Paramount to do a series a la NBC's "Cliffhangers" series from 1979.  Instead of "The Secret Empire", "Stop Susan Williams" and "The Curse of Dracula" it could be "The Shadow", " Doc Savage" and "The Avenger".  It could even lead up to them meeting at the end of Season One and having their storylines converge.  I guess I'm saying that these characters, left in the early to mid 1930s could really have some punch to a new legion of fans, to say nothing of the existing fan base.  Even fans of Batman and Superman or that whole Marvel contingent could make this a profitable venture even if it would probably not be a billion dollar deal.  Look at John Wick.  A 30 million dollar film does $76+ million.  Borderline for a sequel but it blows up on streaming and DVD sales.  JW2 has a $40 million dollar budget and and does $171.3 million while JW3 sports the same budget but brings in $327.78 million.  Three film haul... $575,106,156 against $110 million investment.  This franchise started with only one thing going for it, Keanu Reeves.  The Shadow, Doc Savage and The Avenger have 91 years of history, bankable history.  500+ original stories, comics, films, radio and just about every type of media one could hope for.  With today's CG technology 1930s NYC is a few keystrokes away.  Okay, I'm done.  I could go on ad nauseam as I'm sure many could.  But I should be careful what I wish for.  One need look no further than Patterson's absolute abortion of a book, 2021's 'The Shadow'.  That gives my spine more shivers than the mocking laughter of The Dark Eagle.

Baldwin does The Shadow

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

Costume comparison

 

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

Sad drama playing out

 I'm sure anyone who follows The Shadow is aware of the tragedy on the set of "Rust".  The accident that resulted in one death and an injury at the hands of Mr. Baldwin seems to almost be drawn from a script itself.  It brought back memories of Brandon Lee (Bruce Lee's son) and his tragic accident on the set of "The Crow".  Keep a good thought for all involved and let's hope that something like this never happens again.  Saving a few dollars at the expense of safety is not acceptable in any industry.

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...

Guess what I'm watching

"The clouded mind sees nothing."

The Shadow trailer

Check out the trailer for the classic 1994 film... The Shadow.

What I'm listening to

Along with the Star Trek The Motion Picture score this is a favorite of mine and I listen to it often.  However, I'd really like to own this version...

Guess what I'm in the mood for...

Hahahahahahahahave a great weekend agents.

Burbank and the Sanctum

  One of the coolest aspects of the 1994 Alec Baldwin film.  As much as the sanctum didn't conform (at all) to the pulp iteration, I really liked it.  The entrance to the hideout is really, to me, the best part of that room.  The retro equipment really screams cutting edge 30's era technology and design.

  And Burbank... such a great concept.  I really hoped that a system like that really wound its way through the city of New York.  Even now it would be really awesome.  I wish Burbank had more of a role but I'll take what I can get.

Crime does not pay!

The Shadow knows!

The Cobalt Club

 

 

  

 

  

As great as the scene in The Cobalt Club looks, this just turned out to be one of the disappointments for me in the '94 film.  Why?  Solely for the fact that the club is a men's club, a place where The Shadow, as Lamont Cranston, could gather information from his wealthy associates.  Margo would never have been let in and the screenwriters would have had to figure out how to introduce them in another manner.  I guess this might be in keeping with the radio programme, but I really compare everything to Walter's version.

Here's Kaluta's version.  Closer to what I imagine Gibson had in mind.

Feeling a bit nostalgic

Well, nostalgic for this wrongly maligned film from 1994.  Was it perfect?  Of course not.  Was it fun.  Yes.  Did they mess with the history of The Shadow?  Duh.  I had a lot of problems with this film but in the end I truly enjoyed it and have come to enjoy it more and more as the years pass.  Is that because no new movie has come into being to tell me there is something better?  Maybe, to a degree.  But that doesn't take away from the great look of this film, wonderful costuming and set pieces, and that awesome score.  I like the casting although it would have been nice if Alec had an aquiline nose as Lamont Cranston.  Alas, can't have it all.  Now, I'm gonna drop the disc and enjoy a rather decent little film.

Something that has bothered me for some time now...

How come The Shadow can make it down from Dr. Lane's office, injured, and into Shrevvie's cab in a relative blink of an eye and yet when he confronts Shiwan Khan in the Chinese restaurant he has to make his way down the stairs giving Khan more than enough time to get a lead on our hero and his faithful cabbie? Annoying

Credo

"Every man pays a price for redemption"
"I'm not lookin' for redemption"
"You have no choice, you will be redeemed"

Pretty much the credo of The Shadow. I love some of the lines in this film.

A couple of shots from the '94 film

I, personally, really liked the sets from this film. The massive information center for Burbank makes great sense although it goes against Mr. Gibson's description. But then again, much of this film draws the ire of purists. Take the Sanctum, sensible but far from the dark room lit by a single blue light (sometimes green). However, for the purposes of this film, I think the Sanctum is awesome.

A line from the '94 film

"Did you think you'd get away with it? Did you think I wouldn't know?!"

I really like the way Baldwin delivered these lines. I think he really enjoyed the role. I know it wasn't the perfect version of The Shadow, but I think it was a very fun film.

The Sanctum

In the film the sanctum is probably my favorite set. No, it is not like the sanctum described by Gibson (far from it) but it does work as an addition to the radio version of our hero. I would love to see the sanctum as a room with no light but the blue illumination from a single desk lamp or overhead bulb would satisfy me from the purist standpoint. However, it would not be very exciting from a visual pov on the silver screen. Which is why I have no problem with the way in which it was portrayed in the Mulcahy film. In fact it was quite well done. The great items found inside its walls really made you feel that you were in the era. The Batcave before there was a Batcave.

Those eyes

I have to say that they really got they eyes right for this. And not having the same for Shiwan Khan was perfect. For all the descriptions that Gibson put into his novels I don't see how they could have done any better. When he is on the staircase in The Hotel Monolith and there is that hard shine to those burning bits of coal, it seemed to be the personification of the look that ran in the pulps and our imaginations.

The "Look"

As far as the costume and such I feel they very nearly nailed it in the '94 film. The tall collar, the layers (a la Kaluta), the slouch hat, the gun harness and the absence of red lining in the cloak. I also applaud the black shirt as opposed to the white, cuffed shirt depicted on the old covers, especially those by Graves Gladney.
What I didn't like were the pearl handled, chrome .45's and the ubiquitous scarf. I know the scarf is associated with the popular image these days but I've never liked it. And shiny guns, looks good on film but seems a bit silly for a crime fighter who sticks to the shadows.
All in all, I have always been impressed with this version of the character. I know there are purists out there who will argue with this but from an artistic and stylistic viewpoint, this movie hit the mark.