In The Shadow radio episode "Makeup for Murder" (originally aired on December 1, 1946) the show opens with Lamont and Margo having won 1st place for their costumes and makeup for a Hard Times party they hosted at a vacant saloon. I had never heard of a Hard Times party, so I decided that I would investigate! Here's what I have learned and conjectured based on my research. Hard Times parties were held in the 1930s and 1940s. They were a themed costume party where attendees would dress like they had fallen on hard times. They would wear shabby and worn down clothes and shoes to show they had no money and no job. Now, I'm going to guess that only the wealthy and maybe the middle class would hold such parties. The real only clew I had to research was the reference to a Hard Times party in the radio show. I've spent hours researching and was only able to find a few references. Here they are:
The Ann Arbor District Library published a photo from October 1938 and listed it as a Hard Times Party. You can see the photo here.
The Washington County Insider posted a photo of a "‘hard-times party’ from the 1940s. A group from Amity was celebrating at the West Park Ballroom." You can see the photo here.
It's interesting that Lamont and Margo hold a Hard Times party in 1946. To me, it would make more sense to hold a party like that in the 1930s during the Great Depression. But in 1946 the US was coming out of World War 2 and the Great Depression, so there could still be some fun to be had in holding a Hard Time party. I'll keep looking for more info on this subject, but I hope it helps add some interesting behind the scenes information on this particular episode of The Shadow radio!!
For the past few days I've been listening to this CD collection of The Shadow on my daily commute. It's a nice compilation of stories on 9 discs. The audio has been digitally remastered and the quality is very good. Here is a description of the collection from the back of the case: Radio Spirits is very pleased to present radio's greatest crime fighter, The Shadow, in this new collection of eighteen digitally restored and remastered episodes selected from the classic series. Featuring Orson Welles, William Johnstone and Bret Morrison each in the title role, this set also includes the first release of two newly discovered and previously lost episodes starring Orson Welles as Lamont Cranston and The Shadow - "The Old People" and "The Trumpet of Death."
Also included is a small booklet by radio historian Ivan G. Shreve, Jr. that includes notes on the episodes.
Some of my favorite episodes from this collection are "The Return of Carnation Charlie," "Terror at Wolf's Head Knoll," and "Death to The Shadow." There are a few episodes that I didn't care for much such as "Terrible Legend of Crownshield Castle." The booklet contains some good information and I like the fact that two previously lost episodes have been found, restored and included in this collection. I recommend you add this to your Shadow collection!!
The Shadow not only fights crime in New York, he has also been called upon to fight crime around the world! In this post I will catalog the international locations of The Shadow's radio adventures. I will update it as I listen and learn of new ones. Argentina (The Old People - June 26, 1938)
"Blood Money" aired on The Shadow radio on October 20, 1946. It was the 6th episode of the 10th season and starred Bret Morrison as Lamont Cranston/The Shadow and Grace Matthews as the lovely Margo Lane. Here's a brief synopsis and notes on this episode. In "Blood Money", The Shadow must put an end to a murderous counterfeiting gang. The gang is lead by Bones and his two henchmen Rego and Buster. Buster is also the gang's hitman who uses a sawed off shotgun as his weapon of choice. Buster calls his shotgun by the name Baby throughout the episode, and I found this a little weird and creepy. Lamont and Margo begin investigating the counterfeit gang when one of Lamont's friends, an engraver named D'Arcy goes missing. Putting together the fact that Commissioner Weston is pursuing a counterfeit gang, Lamont deduces D'Arcy has been kidnapped by the gang and forced to work for them. Cranston's deduction proves true when D'Arcy's body is found in the river after Buster killed him. Lamont discovers the counterfeit money is being passed at a local gambling joint, that's where he encounters Rego and Buster. The gang members don't like Lamont and Margo asking questions, so they set a trap for them at Margo's apartment. One of Buster's shotguns is set up so when they walk in the door it will blast them, thus ending their curiosity! Fortunately, the wiring slips and the shotgun blasts the wall next to Lamont! As The Shadow, Lamont makes a visit to Rego who reluctantly spills the beans on the counterfeiting ring. Bones learns about this and he and Buster pick up Rego pretending to take him to a safe house where he can lay low until the heat is off. But this is a trap and Buster uses Baby to end Rego's life. The Shadow then confronts Bones in his secret office in the casino as Buster has just left to make sure a gambling wheel they used isn't left behind. When Buster comes back in the office, Bones thinks it's The Shadow trying to leave and cuts loose with a shotgun, killing Buster. The Shadow knocks it out of his hand and let's him know the police are already on their way - and that Commissioner Weston will be glad to meet him! While this episode was entertaining, it was not as good as other Shadow episodes. I would give it 3 out of 5 stars. For me, Bret Morrison seems to be a bit off as The Shadow and doesn't come across as authoritative and strong as in other episodes. This episode was sponsored by Carey's Salt. It was interesting to hear some listener's ideas for unique ways to use Carey's Salt. One listener said they use Carey's Salt and kerosene to clean galvanized utensils! Listeners that had their ideas selected as unique and interesting were given the prize of a $100 wrist watch. Cast/Crew: Lamont Cranston/The Shadow: Bret Morrison Margo Lane: Grace Matthews Announcer: Don Hancock Rating (out of 5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐ Sponsor: Carey's Salt
In The Shadow radio episode "Can the Dead Talk?" (originally aired March 19, 1939) we learn Lamont Cranston's valet's name is Ames. Keep in mind that valets and butlers perform differing duties where a valet's primary concern would be with clothing and toiletries and the butler's duties would involve supervising the household staff. I bring this up because in season 3, Lamont's butler is named Allan. If we make the distinction between valet and butler, then Ames could be performing duties as valet while Allan performed duties as butler. Or, it could mean Ames was butler and was replaced by Allan in season 3!
I found this picture of my uncle and great uncle a few weeks ago. While I don't know what date it was taken, I know that it was sometime in 1939 or 1940 in Vermont. (I did some research on the vehicle in the background and it's a 1939 Buick.) The reason I wanted to share it is it gives you a look at two young boys who were probably fans of The Shadow radio show. It shows what young, rural boys wore and it's almost like a time capsule back to the days when The Shadow aired on the radio in the late 1930s and into the '40s and '50s. I like the look of the car and the gentleman standing in the background - surely they must have been fans of The Shadow radio show!
Here's a brief synopsis and notes on The Shadow radio episode, "The Leopard Strikes!" that originally aired on January 5, 1941. The story opens with two policeman walking their beat around the city zoo. One is a seasoned veteran, the other a rookie wanting some action. They talk briefly and shortly after, the rookie cop is attacked and killed by what appears to be a wild animal. Commissioner Weston requests Lamont Cranston's assistance in the case due to Cranston's knowledge of big game animals. Before long, The Shadow is on the case and talks with the two men responsible for the care of the large cats. Based on the wounds of the killed cop, it appears he was attacked by a leopard! Mr. Harper and Mr. Oliver, the two zookeepers in charge of the big cats, are questioned but they say none of the cats had escaped. Something doesn't seem right, so Lamont plans to visit the two men. The Shadow pays a visit to Harper and Oliver but does not get any leads in the case. However, he does note the obvious tension between the two zookeepers. The Shadow warns them that he will be back if more attacks occur! Unfortunately, more attacks do happen so Lamont and Margo begin to spend their nights walking the park in hopes of finding a clue or the killer. There is another attack on a poor park bum and Lamont and Margo rush to the scene. A policeman is there and he states he witnessed the attack and shot the leopard. Margo makes a statement about smelling salts and that triggers Lamont's thinking! The thing that was missing on all the leopard's victims, was the distinct smell of a leopard! Based on Cranston's experience in Africa, when a leopard attacks a victim, it leaves a distinct smell on the body and that's what has been missing in each of these attacks. As they enter the zoo where the leopards are kept, they find the leopard named Ribu has in fact been killed! Commissioner Weston believes the cat had been shot by the policeman, but upon further inspection, the leopard had been killed by a knife. The killer cat was still on the loose! The Shadow springs into action and revisits the zookeepers. Only Mr. Oliver is present and he begins to share some helpful information with The Shadow - information that is incriminating fellow zookeeper Harper! Before Oliver can fully let the cat out of the bag (see what I did there?!), he is shot. However, he has provided The Shadow with information that Harper is involved in a leopard cult and gives him information on the neighborhood where the cult meets. The Shadow, Margo and Shrevvy take off and begin searching the area Oliver had told them about. Margo happens to see a woman being taken into a building by two men and it appears suspicious. The Shadow enters the building and finds the leopard cult is meeting! While the leopard cult never intends to harm anyone, one member, zookeeper Harper, intends to kill the woman as a sacrifice and offering to the leopard. The Shadow confronts Harper. Harper is dressed as a leopard - complete with razor sharp claws and he strikes at The Shadow. The Shadow shoots Harper and kills him, thus ending his murderous rampage. Here are a few side notes about this episode. This is one of the rare episodes where Lamont Cranston/The Shadow carries a gun and uses it to kill the villain. Also, in the episode, Margo jokingly calls Lamont "Hawkshaw." Hawkshaw is slang for detective and there was a popular comic strip entitled Hawkshaw the Detective that ran from 1913 to 1922, and again from 1931 to 1952. The villain, Harper, was played by Frank Readick who was the voice of The Shadow introducing the stories on the Detective Story Hour! The Leopard Strikes also made it into print in Shadow Comics #11 which published on April 25, 1941.
Cast: Lamont Cranston/The Shadow: William Johnstone Margo Lane: Marjorie Anderson Commissioner Weston: Kenny Delmar Shrevie: Everett Sloane Harper: Frank Readick
In the episode "The Phantom Voice" (February 6, 1938) a crooked lawyer and his henchman figure out a way to catch the "invisible" Shadow! The Shadow has gone to the office of lawyer Anthony Vogel to try and solve a crime that Vogel is involved in. Vogel is talking with his henchman, Travers, when The Shadow makes his presence known - although he has clouded Vogel's and Travers' minds so they cannot see him. Vogel gets an idea! Although The Shadow can't be seen physically, he is still physically in the room and they can get their hands on him. Vogel and Travers stretch their arms out and walk slowly across the office and sure enough - Travers gets his hands on The Shadow and begins to wrestle with him! (I won't spoil the episode to tell you what happens next, so give it a listen to find out!) I thought this was a pretty ingenious idea on the part of the shyster lawyer Anthony Vogel. It took advantage of the one flaw The Shadow has - he is still physically present although he can't be seen.
I found that there were quite a few Christmas episodes of The Shadow radio show. I've only been able to listen to two of them (Cold Death and Joey's Christmas Story). Here's a list of The Shadow's Christmas radio programs.
Cold Death (Season 1, episode 13 aired 12/19/37)
Give Us This Day (Season 2, episode 18 aired 12/25/38)
The Stockings Were Hung (Season 3, episode 14 aired 12/24/39)
Joey's Christmas Story (Season 4, episode 13 aired 12/22/40)
Merry Christmas by the Thousand (Season 8, episode 14 aired 12/24/1944)
Three Crimes on Christmas Eve (Season 9, episode 16 aired 12/23/45)
A Gift of Murder (Season 11, episode 15 aired 12/21/47)
The Christmas Ghost (Season 13, episode 15 aired 12/25/49)
Out by Christmas (Season 14, episode 15 aired 12/24/50)
The Case of the Santa Claus Killer (Season 16, episode 15 aired 12/21/52)
From what I can see, some of these episode recordings have been lost so they are no longer available to listen to. I really enjoyed listening to Cold Death and Joey's Christmas Story - each one was different but awesome Christmas stories. Cold Death was along the lines of Scrooge and A Christmas Carol while Joey's Christmas Story was a bit more light-hearted. Hopefully you can find time to listen to one of these Shadow Christmas episodes this holiday season.
The Shadow radio was on the air from September 26, 1937 until the final episode on December 26, 1954. During that time, five men played the part of Lamont Cranston/The Shadow. This brief article will give the names and dates for each of these men. I plan on writing more about each of these actors in the future! Orson Welles Orson Welles portrayed The Shadow in season 1 (1937 - 1938), for a total of 52 episodes.
William Johnstone William Johnstone took over the role for seasons 2 through 6 (1938 - 1943). (Shadow Comics #23 included some information on Johnstone which you can read here.)
Bret Morrison For season 7 (1943 - 1944) it was Bret Morrison in the role of Lamont Cranston/The Shadow.
John Archer John Archer was The Shadow for one season. He was in season 8 from 1944 to 1945.
Stephen Courtleigh Stephen Courtleigh portrayed The Shadow for the first eight episodes* of season 9 (1945 - 1946). His last episode as The Shadow would have been "I Must Never Sleep Again" which aired on October 28, 1945. Bret Morrison Bret Morrison took over from Stephen Courtleigh beginning with the ninth episode of season 9 ("Spotlight on the Duchess" which aired on November 4, 1945). He stayed in the role until the end of The Shadow radio show in season 18 (1954). *Information from Grams, Jr, Martin, 2011, The Shadow The History and Mystery of the Radio Program, 1930 - 1954, pp 258-259, OTR Publishing
Here are 4 recommended episodes of The Shadow! Each of these has a common theme - The Shadow's ability to cloud the minds of men. I'm going to put them into pairs of two with a few brief notes.
I've paired these two episodes together because they both give us listeners insight into Lamont Cranston's powers to cloud men's minds. They also let us know how and where he learned these powers! Death House Rescue was the very first Shadow episode, so you'll want to pay attention to the very beginning of the show when Lamont and Margo are talking. Then, in The Temple Bells of Neban, someone from Cranston's past shows up and they challenge to take away The Shadow's powers in a mind-power showdown!
The Shadow Challenged (January 19, 1941)
Death Stalks The Shadow (October 9, 1938)
I've paired these two episodes together because in both of them, The Shadow's powers of invisibility almost bring his doom! In The Shadow Challenged, someone is killing professors that are translating an ancient manuscript. The murderer claims he is The Shadow! This story also gives some insight into how Lamont Cranston gained his powers. In Death Stalks The Shadow, a master mind criminal determines how to build a Shadow-proof trap that he uses to catch and kill The Shadow. Will he succeed? You'll have to listen to the episode and find out! I've tried not to put too much information about the episodes here so that you can give them a listen and see how the stories all connect! I hope you enjoy these recommendations. I'll try to make this a regular (or semi-regular) feature here on the blog!
While Margo Lane was part of the cast of The Shadow radio show from the very first episode (September 26, 1937), it would be four years until she appeared in the pages of The Shadow magazine. Margo first appeared in the story, "The Thunder King" which was the June 15, 1941 issue.
I'm looking for some help from my fellow Shadow fans for an upcoming article! I want to put together a list of The Shadow radio episodes that would be great to listen to for Halloween. I'm compiling a list of my own, and have had some recommendations come in on Twitter. For example, I have "The Black Abbott" and "Mansion of Madness." I will also list "Halloween in Vermont" although it is a lost episode. Do you have any suggestions? If so, please add them in the comments below! Thank you!!!
In The Shadow radio episode "Death Shows the Way" (aired on December 3, 1939), we learn that Allan is the name of Lamont Cranston's butler! The beginning of this episode is comical as Lamont and Allan argue over what Allan is packing for Lamont's weekend trip. Lamont tells Allan that he's only going away for the weekend, not for a trip around the world! Allan says he won't send Lamont anywhere "without the proper appointments." It turns out Allan is trying to impress the butler of the family Lamont will be visiting!
Shadow Comics #23 (on sale December 24, 1942*) had an interesting addition to the comic book! Not only did it have Shadow stories, it also had a four page look at The Shadow radio program. It offered readers "the exclusive story behind...the cast of radio's The Shadow!"
First, we are given a one-page biography of William Johnstone who played Lamont Cranston/The Shadow beginning with the second season (replacing Orson Welles).
Then we have a brief bio of Marjorie Anderson who portrayed the lovely Margo Lane in seasons 3 and 7.
Finally, we are given insight into The Shadow's impact on society and how it truly teaches listeners that crime does not pay!
Here is a picture of William Johnstone and Marjorie Anderson from the New York Public Library digital collection.
I don't have a lot of information on Shadow Comics, but what research I've done indicates that The Shadow in the comics closely mirrors the character from the radio show. This four page article seems to keep that connection going! *According to Mike's Amazing World of Comics
In the radio episode "The Shadow Returns" (aired November 19, 1939) we discover that Lamont Cranston has some medical training. In the episode, he has to perform surgery - even after he's been wounded! It isn't disclosed where he was trained, but it is an interesting piece of trivia!
The Shadow on the radio show displays quite a few powers and abilities. I wanted to catalog them in one article, and this is the start! As I hear of new ones, I will add them. I've included the radio episode in which the power/ability is displayed! Powers
He can cloud men's minds so that they cannot see him (making him invisible)! This power is a part of every Shadow episode, but we learn some background information in Death House Rescue and The Temple Bells of Neban.
He can see the thoughts of others as if he were watching a TV show. (Death House Rescue)
He can make others see things that are not really there. (The Three Ghosts)
He can place himself in suspended animation so as to appear dead. (Can The Dead Talk)
Abilities
Lamont Cranston can fly an airplane. (Black Rock)
He has medical training and can perform operations. (The Shadow Returns)
He has extensive knowledge of African animals. (The Leopard Strikes)
The opening music for The Shadow radio show is from Opus 31 of Le Rouet d'Omphale (Omphale's Spinning Wheel) by composer Camille Saint-Saëns. Only a portion of the song is used. You can hear the opening in this short clip:
You can listen to Le Rouet d'Omphale in its entirety here:
Here's a brief synopsis and notes of The Shadow radio episode, "The Little Man That Wasn't There" that originally aired on April 8, 1945. An invisible little man has made three daring robberies and leaves behind a note at each one. He robs a lady of a priceless diamond, a gentleman of thousands in bonds, and an actress of costly jewelry. Lamont Cranston and Margo Lane get involved and Commissioner Weston believes the invisible thief is non other than The Shadow! I think it was a great touch for Margo to recite the poem that inspired the crime! The name of the poem is "Antigonish" and was written by William Hughes Means in 1899 but was later made into a popular song in 1939 by Glen Miller. Here's the part that Margo recites in the show: "Last night I saw upon the stair, A little man who wasn't there, He wasn't there again today Oh, how I wish he'd go away..."
All three victims had insured their items through the same insurance agent, so Lamont and Margo pay him a visit. While talking with him, he is shot and killed! Lamont does some investigating and pays a visit to each of the victims as The Shadow. He invites them to come to the theater just before midnight and the little invisible man will return their stolen goods! It turns out The Shadow has already deduced the three "victims" are in league to commit insurance fraud as the items were not stolen! Each one pretended to wrestle with an invisible little man and claimed he stole their items so they could not only keep the items but claim the insurance for them being stolen. All three are arrested by Commissioner Weston and The Shadow proves his innocence! This was the first Shadow episode I've listened to that starred John Archer as Lamont Cranston/The Shadow. I must say that I don't particularly care for his portrayal. To me, his voice doesn't seem to match the character and The Shadow's laugh just seems too forced. It was a good story, but I just don't like Archer's voice for The Shadow. Maybe as I listen to more of his shows I'll get a better feel for him as The Shadow! John Archer portrayed The Shadow in the 8th season of the radio show (1944-1945). Cast/Crew: Lamont Cranston/The Shadow: John Archer Margo Lane: Judith Allen Commissioner Weston: Ted de Corsia Sponsor: Lin-X
