Sometimes good fortune finds me

 

While roaming the northern part of the state my wife and I wandered into an antique shop looking for old stuff my wife collects.  Instead, sitting on the top shelf of a rotating cabinet my eye caught sight of this beauty.  Oddly enough, I have never had any interest in owning this particular item but seeing it just sitting there I knew I'd kick myself later if I didn't pick it up.  Not to mention it was undervalued (at least after a quick internet search gave me that impression).  It's a fun little bit of memorabilia from that golden age of heroes.

The Night Before Christmas: A retelling

 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Only one creature was stirring, it was a louse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of Shadow Club pins danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a ‘31 Chevy with our presents in the rear,
With a weasely driver (such a slovenly slob),
I knew in a moment we were being robbed.
More rapid than dark eagles our rescuer came,
And he laughed, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Fingers! now, Squint! Your time is at hand!
Return your ill gotten booty and silently stand!
Christmas is for families and people who care,
here is a bit of wisdom with you I will share."
But before our hero could finish his thought
The vile thieves drew gats they probably hadn’t bought!
His eyes—how they burned, like twin pieces of Blue Coal there!
His hands flashed like lightning and twin guns he brought to bear!
Flame flashed from the smokewagons amid that silent night,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wraith, oh such a sight ;
The crooks lay bleeding and fearful in the snow,
When the black cloaked savior spoke “Of this I know...
The Weed of Crime bears bitter fruit, Crime doesn’t Pay!”
And with those words of wisdom he was on his way.
But from the mists that shrouded our quaint little lane
We heard one thing more though not very plain.
From out of that dark and inky black night

"Merry Christmas to all and to crooks a good fright!"

 

Let The Shadow protect your home

 I love this.  Is it a sticker?  A pin?  A coaster?  I don't know but I want it.  Perhaps a redesign and reproduction...

The Blue Coal "Shadow" ring

 I'm not sure if I would have been thrilled or disappointed when this arrived in the mail.  Back in the day people weren't as used to "accurate" props.  Today I own a nearly perfect Phaser and Communicator (that works) and accurate Mr. Spock uniform top.  Models are spot on these days as well and we even have the copy of Walter B. Gibson's ring.  I'd like to think that I would have cherished this as a kid but from today's POV I think I'd be going... huh?  However, given the rarity of the ring and the market for collectibles it may turn out to be the most prized possession in an agent's collection.

ON THE AIR September 26, 1937

Ah, the one that started it all.  The Death House Rescue introduced the world to Orson Welles' portrayal of Lamont Cranston & The Shadow.  I listen to this one often.  I really like Margot's declaration of love for the mysterious benefactor of Mrs. Gordon.  "It's hard to tell whether I really know the man or only his shadow."  Great stuff.  Dial this up and enjoy the early days of The Shadow on the air.

Would love to get this in the mail

I wonder if this...

was what the lucky fan of The Shadow found in the above mailer.  Who knows?  Well, we all know who knows...