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!!
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!
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
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
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!
