Product: The Shadow Strikes (1937)
Rating: 3.0
Rod La Rocque is "The Shadow".
Note: I can not say that The Shadow Strikes depicts the "The Shadow" in all its glory. However, for a true representation of "The Shadow" as intended, just as chilling as the radio program (if you want The Shadow with the cape and the laugh that gives you goosebumps), I would recommend "The Shadow Serial" (1940), which is a Shadow collection of all 15 movie episodes by Columbia."The Shadow" was a popular radio program (before television sets were made for the home). In the pulp comic books, The Shadow "borrowed" the idenity "Lamont Cranston" to get into the social circles. It began on radio on the Dectective Story Hour on July 31, 1930 as a character in the story. James La Curto was the voice 1930-31 and then Frank Readick Jr. (1931-37). The program became known as "The Shadow" on September 26, 1937. Also providing the voice of the "The Shadow" was Orson Welles (1937-38), Bill Johnstone (1938-43), Bret Morrison in 1943, John Archer in 1944 and Bret Morrison again in 1945-54. The last radio program of "The Shadow" was broadcast December 26, 1954.This is the first motion picture of "The Shadow" starring Rod La Rocque as Lamont Granston/The Shadow. This story is based upon "The Ghost of the Manor" by Maxwell Grant, from the Street and Smith Magazine.Two thieves break into the safe of Attourney, Chester Randall, but their plans are foiled by a mysterious man who holds them up until the police arrive and then he disappears. Then the mystery man helps a wealthy old man with his Last Will and Testamnet. Suddenly the old man is shot from the window. Investigator, Lamont Granston is posing as the victim, Attourney Randall, to get closer to the suspects and solving the crime. But the police do not trust "The Shadow" (it is their first time deal with the mystery man) who is trying to help the police, but must remain unseen. While the police are after "The Shadow", he leads them to the real crooks.Includes the Grand national Films trademark of the giant clock on the building.Followed by:INTERNATIONAL CRIME (1938) with Rod La Rocque.Shadow [VHS] (1940) with Victor Jory (Columbia)THE SHADOW RETURNS (1946) with Kane Richmond.THE MISSING LADY (1946) with Kane Richmond.BEHIND THE MASK (1946) with Kane Richmond.Invisible Avenger(1958) with Richard Derr.(aka Bourbon Street Shadows (1958),3 episodesof unsold Shadow tv series).The Shadowwith Alec Baldwin.