User reviews

This SHADOW is not the Shadow of the radio or the comics or even the Alex Baldwin movie of recent vintage. Rather, it is about a bon vivant who likes to play detective and gets mixed up in a murder mystery during which he impersonates a prominent lawyer. This would be all well and fine if Lamont Cranston donned some sort of disguise as the lawyer -- the Shadow is a master of disguises -- but he does nothing to alter his appearance and depends way too much on being able to conveniently appear, disappear and then reappear as the lawyer, who happens to be on vacation. So it's not really the Shadow, but at the very least star Rod La Roque (now there's a moniker!) plays Cranston as a real smoothie. The Shadow as such (and again I must point out this is not the Shadow most of us know, just a guy wearing a hat and hiding his face) puts in all of a 10-second appearance at the beginning and end of this dated little melodrama. Watch it for La Roque, a silent-era heart throb who survived the transition to talkies.

I own a few of the old radio shows this is supposedly based on, and I find them delightful. The Shadow is that dark hero who gives up a personal life to lurk in the darkness. He understands the minds of criminals and is able to make his way into their lairs and root them out. His voice is one of threat and he strikes fear into criminals. This is just a police drama with a rather lame plot about a will and who will inherit a bunch of money. We know he is the Shadow, but instead of a wide network and reputation, he seems just like a guy in a coat. He has a sidekick who does a lot of his bidding, there are hidden microphones and unannounced entrances into rooms, but, overall, it's pretty dull. I would imagine the fans, who grew up with the radio character, must have been pretty disappointed.

I was drawn to this movie by it's attractive pulp 'Scourge of the Underworld' poster. The action surrounds the will of the eccentric Caleb Delthern who is seen at the beginning before he is shot dead through a window. Delthern's two nephews and a niece are the main suspects of his murder along with gang boss Brossett. One of the nephews is under the control of Brossett through gambling debts. There are plenty of added characters who flit on and off screen so the viewer is constantly whirled through this cast of suspects at speed. This was my double introduction to the actor Rod La Rocque and the shadow character of Lamont Cranston. Cranton (Rod La Rocque) is a will-o'-the-wisp character who has the ability to swiftly disappear when the police or other trouble arrive on the scene. He also has the mercurial ability to easily take on other peoples' identities and gain the confidence that he is who he says he is. I enjoyed the wily interactions between Cranston and his servant Hendricks. Hendricks (Norman Ainsley) is an apologetic slightly-built man in a bowler hat who is ever-alert to his master's thoughts and tricks. I enjoyed this gun-happy 1930s B-mystery and watched it for a second time to clear up some character loose-ends and I look forward to seeing it again.

The Shadow has a mustache?!

The film doesn't really introduce either Lamont Cranston or The Shadow, but seems to assume the audience knows them already. Editing and cinematography are pretty poor, as is the writing and acting. Cranston/The Shadow is surprisingly careless, doesn't laugh, doesn't say "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men...The Shadow knows," or "the weed of crime bears bitter fruit," and appears to lack "the power to cloud men's minds." He evidently has only one servant, not a whole network.

A subplot involving the mystery of Cranston's father's death is barely explored and seems an afterthought, despite the film's suggesting this may have been the reason for the genesis of The Shadow.

Still, it's sort of fun.

For anybody who enjoyed the last movie update of the Shadow, this movie might be a bit of a shock. The movie lacks the character of the Shadow, twice we see the man and even then he lacks the magic and is just a man with a coat and had whom's face you don't see. Never you see why he strikes fear in the hearts of criminals.

It looks like a detective story with as an afterthought the character of the Shadow thrown in. The story is about Lamont taking the identity of an out of town lawyer and in doing so he gets involved in a murder plot. As usual it is about big money to be inherited and gambling. And even the evil gangster in this movie is laughable, he seems to do his own things instead of his men, which proves his downfall.

As a mystery, nice ending, as a Shadow movie a tad disappointing.

Former silent screen matinée idol Rod LaRocque stars as the famous radio detective The Shadow in The Shadow Strikes. Modern fans will remember the film with Alec Baldwin in the Nineties playing criminologist Lamont Cranston aka The Shadow.

The Shadow has a real bag of tricks and the power of illusion at his command. He's not a superhero as such with any real superpowers, but his knack for remaining inconspicuous while waiting to strike was what radio audiences thrilled to.

Unfortunately this film was made by the short lived Grand National studios, a B picture company with limited budget and consequently limited production values. At a major studio even in their B picture unit The Shadow would have fared better.

As it LaRocque is fine in the part and in this case as The Shadow he foils a robbery at a lawyer's office. When the police come he pretends to be that lawyer and the police captain accompanies LaRocque on an errand to a rich man's home who called and wanted the attorney to draw up a new will. But before that could happen John St. Polis playing the rich Mr. Delthern is shot by a sniper.

The plot gets thicker than an Irish stew. But the story was a serviceable murder mystery without the whole Shadow gimmick which wasn't utilized to the max. That must have disappointed fans back in 1937.

Always good is Cy Kendall who plays a gambler/racketeer who has a vested interest in that will. The heavyset Kendall is always playing bad guys in modern dress and in westerns.

Still bad production values from Grand National don't augur well for viewers who might want to see The Shadow Strikes.

Rod LaRocque stars in "The Shadow Strikes" from 1937.

La Rocque plays Lamont Cranston, known to the underworld as "The Shadow" - a shadow who appears when a crime is being committed and stops it in its tracks.

I must say first that this is not my idea of The Shadow. I thought the Shadow was just that, a shadow on a wall who could talk. Not here. He's a person in dark clothing with his face covered and wearing a black hat. Big disappointment.

Anyway, in this film, The Shadow stops a robbery at an attorney's office. He then is forced to impersonate the attorney, George Randall, when someone runs in with an urgent message that one of his clients wants to see him.

It appears, to me anyway, that no one had ever seen this attorney because everyone believes Lamont is Randall. I started wondering if The Shadow appeared to people in a different face and used a different voice to impersonate someone, and we were just to assume that.

Lamont as Randall is summoned to the home of a Mr. Delthern, who wants to immediately change his will as he fears for his life. As he's in the process of changing the will, he's shot through an open window.

Lamont identifies himself as Randall to the police and helps work through the mystery.

This is pretty lame. However, how can you miss out seeing Rod La Rocque, one of the great silent film names, and in a talkie, no less? A trained stage actor, he survived talkies until he quit in 1941 to become a real estate broker, working with his wife - Vilma Banky! Another silent name! And they were married for 42 years. All pretty impressive.

Worth it to see La Roque, an old-fashioned type of leading man in the style of Warren William, William Powell, etc., mustached and smooth.

With veteran heavy Cy Kendall and versatile movie cop Kenneth Harlan in support, and the extremely experienced and suave Rod LaRocque in a popular product "The Shadow", this film is somewhat of a disappointment in comparison to what it could have been. LaRocque gives us a supremely confident Cranston in a poised performance. LaRocque, a large, very tall man, wisely had perfected the art of downplaying since his entrance into talking pictures and he is fine here. But he should be surrounded with a vigorous director and some more active styled performers. This film falls into the unfortunate detective- filmmaker's pitfall namely: lack of energy.

Whatever Colony Pictures was or wasn't, it certainly was a cheap outfit. While competent and watchable, this film lacks any spark in cinematography, editing or overall direction, apparently due to lack of funds. The plot is a basically solid detective mystery, but the execution of it was sort of loosely thrown together for filming in as few days as possible.

Considering LaRocque's strong screen presence and the generally adequate efforts of the mostly discount cast, a fan of the black and white mystery/detective genre will find this film OK and representative of the genre in the bargain-basement sense.

This version of the Shadow has little to do with the pulp hero (other than name) or the radio version. The Shadow was changed from a spirit of vengeance to a routine wise-cracking detective, though some vestiges of the mystery in the character remains.

This still could have been a decent B-movie thriller except for the deadly dull direction. Everything moves at the pace of a dying snail and the plot is generally uninteresting.

Rod La Roque does as much as he can with the role; he has some easygoing charm (though that is a departure from the original character) and manages to make the best of things. The rest of the cast, though, is pretty generic and bloodless. It becomes very hard to care about the situation.

There's also a strange subplot explaining the Shadow's motivations, with an ending that kinda sorta might resolve it, but even that isn't clear. Very little to recommend it, other than La Roque's performance.

Rod LaRoque is Lamont Granston in this B mystery that confounds more than it satisfies. We are introduced to Granston in an opening scene that establishes a few murky facts: his father was killed by a gang of crooks; his butler is his loyal assistant; he apparently fights crime in disguise as the Shadow. Who and what is the Shadow? Well, we viewers know him by reputation, perhaps, but whatever powers he may possess are never really on display in this film.

Granston, in costume as the Shadow, does indeed foil a burglary at a lawyer's office, thereby setting the plot in motion. When the police arrive, Granston quickly assumes said lawyer's identity and becomes embroiled in a family controversy that involves a will, a murder, several suspects in and near the family, and a gang of gamblers somehow also involved. It's a fair if standard B movie plot; our hero stays, for the most part, a step ahead of both cops and crooks as he zeroes in on the killer's identity.

LaRoque himself is fine—he plays Granston as cool and smooth and slightly amused. He's capable of a sharp glance and quick action as needed. (He's also capable of carelessness, such as allowing the police to walk in on him as he's sifting through the contents of a safe.) Wilson Benge tries his best to add a little lilt and humor as Granston's assistant, Wellington, apparently an English butler or possibly a distant relative to one.

Other cast members, though, don't fare well at all—much of the film's dialog is not only clichéd but delivered without obvious enthusiasm. Whether the cast were beaten by too slow pacing or lack of rehearsal or just unimaginative dialog itself, entire scenes come and go without so much as a spark between characters or a snap to a speech. An exception is Cy Kendall as a boss gambler—he at least radiates smugness, to the extent that his small part allows.

Part of the problem with this movie is that we don't know what we are supposed to take as understood about the Shadow—Is this the radio crime fighter? If so, why don't we hear any of his signature lines? If not, why bother putting "the Shadow" in the title at all? The Shadow Strikes is okay as an average B movie, but that title leads viewers to expect something much more Shadow-y. Honestly, it's mystifying what might have led to this half-baked mess....did the producers unexpectedly acquire the character name and rush to shove it into a picture that was already half-written?

Note on the name: The character in this picture is indeed Lamont Granston. Why not Cranston? Possibly you-know-who knows....

More mystery than Shadow chills, though it's still fun to see the elusive crime fighter on screen. For those of us who foundly remember the legendary radio series, dapper man about town Lamont Cranston (alias the Shadow) was caught up in some weird cases, mastered by an endless parade of extremely clever villains -- though NOT clever enough.

Walter B. Gibson, who created the Shadow, wrote the screenplay, based on a radio episode. Fabulously wealthy Caleb Delthern (and where did he come up with that name?) draws up a will, is subsequently shot and comes the arrest of a gentleman who stands to benefit the most. None other than his nephew, Winstead. But is he really the guilty party? Lamont Cranston enters the case, posing as a lawyer, who happens to be out of town?, and thus the Shadow pieces the puzzler together.

Silent screen star Rod La Rocque, who starred in a few B mysteries prior to this film, won the role of the Shadow and is quite good. Tall, dark and handsome. However, his character relies more on hiding in the dark, as opposed to his eerie, over the top entrances in the radio show... And that scary voice... I agree with the last reviewer, a lower budget and an indie film company (Grand National Pictures, later sold to Producers Releasing Corporation) could only do so much. Nevertheless, there are some fine performances. Complimenting La Rocque is another silent screen actor, Walter McGrail, playing the lead suspect. Popular heavy Cy Kendall plays Brossett and look for veteran actors Kenneth Harlan and James C Morton, a staple in Laurel & Hardy comedies. Agnes Anderson, familiar 1930s actress, co-stars as Maria Delthern. James Blakely plays Jasper, who would later become production supervisor for many top tv shows, like BATMAN. What a coincidence?

Lynn Shores directed, who a few years later would head the very atmopsheric mystery, CHARLIE CHAN AT THE WAX MUSEUM, one of the best Chan whodunits. A prime example of what a higher budget and larger studio (Fox) could accomplish.

Surprisingly, there should have been a film based on the life of author Walter B. Gibson. At the height of his career, he reportedly churned out 1 point 6 million words a year, also an author of several books on magic, yoga and hypnotism and -- yes -- was the ghost writer for Harry Houdini! He also played a part in the famous seances conducted by Mrs. Houdini, in an attempt to contact the spirit of her late husband for years. What a story to be told.

Rod La Rocque followed this with INTERNATIONAL CRIME, again playing the Shadow. By the way, Victory Jory was next to star as the Shadow in a 15 chapter serial produced by Columbia Pictures in 1940. Watch for it.

Originally on vhs. Both films are on dvd, now remastered. Thanks much to RETRO TV for running this oldie on their Friday night mystery feature.

The story, "The Shadow Strikes" is based on "The Ghost of the Manor" by Walter B. Gibson. The film is not all that bad but not as good as I was hoping or expecting it to be. Still worth watching if you like crime mysteries in general or the old radio show.

Lamont Granston aka The Shadow is on a murder case. There is a robbery attempt Granston is on the scene but when a murder is involved Granston assumes the identity of a lawyer in order to crack the case wide open. Granston is found out but that does not stop him from becoming The Shadow and solve the mystery.

Not as good as the radio show but still a fun watch.

6/10

This is a fast-paced B feature with Rod La Rocque, in the role of "The Shadow", getting involved in a fairly interesting and unpredictable mystery. In several respects, it doesn't really have the expected feel that goes with "The Shadow", but in itself its not bad at all. La Rocque works all right as a mild-mannered, secretive hero, with his manner and even-toned voice conveying calm.

The story in this one starts with "The Shadow" breaking up what seems to be just another petty crime, but quickly becoming involved in a wider and more serious mystery. He must assume additional extra identities, playing a risky game with the various suspects and witnesses.

La Rocque's restrained style makes it come off naturally enough, and while the rest of the characters are mostly one-dimensional, there is enough going on to keep things interesting. While it has a noticeably different feel from the "Shadow" of stories or radio, in itself it's a fairly entertaining way to pass an hour for anyone who enjoys these old B-movies.

Rod LaRocque is Lamont Cranston (spelled 'Granston' in a newspaper clipping). He's a scientific criminologist - you can tell because he has a microscope on his desk - who is harrying local criminals as The Shadow. He gets some crooks attempting to rob a lawyer's sage. When the police arrive to arrest them, LaRocque pretends to be the lawyer whose office it is, whereupon some old buffer calls up to write a new will in the middle of the night. Off LaRoque goes, chats with the man, and is there when the guy is mysteriously shot.

It's another attempt to transfer the hit radio character to the movies, but with an effort to avoid all the mystic hoo-ha and potted aphorisms. Director Lynn Shores attempts to do this by means of putting long gaps between the lines and having LaRocque deliver his sides in a slightly befuddled manner.

It's always decently done, despite these oddities, and the fact that you know that as soon as a secondary plot shows up, it's going to lead back to the murder.

In the end, Cranston's manservant is about to throw away the Shadow's hat and cape. LaRocque stops him, saying they might need the Shadow again. They didn't, not in the movies, anyway.

Not bad...now I know why the 1990s Shadow had no mask ever. The twin 1911 Army .45s were also missing. My problem was that I had initially read the Shadow as the early 1970s comic book. So I was very disappointed/angry that Hollywood would emasculate and unmask my daring, two-fisted gun-wielding hero with a totally forgettable character/plot in the 1990s. Then this year I viewed a copy of the suave,dapper mustache, no-mask, no .45s "Shadow Strikes" and last week the blond-haired/ no mustache/ no guns 1964 comic version. Recalling that my heart had been broken when my subscription check was returned in the 1970s and lawyers blamed...I was mollified and not angry anymore. Perhaps the estate lawyers sold the "Strikes" version to cheap-skate Hollywood moguls who never wanted a gun-wielding masked avenger in the first place. The usual pox be upon them until the third generation. I also recall that Hollywood, being easily confused if not demented/senile, may have decided that the Shadow was a "Cowboy type", ignoring the fact that he had no cowboy "get-up" or costume, holsters, or "six-guns". The Shadow should be armed with a pair of .45 AUTOMATICS as if ready to shoot Hitler and a few henchmen SS agents. Perhaps the Shadow could fight a new menace/fascism brother/sisterhood called Islamofascism. But I suppose Hollywood would have to grow a brain as well as reproductive danglers in a bag to be so bold and assertive. I'll not hold my breath for that to happen! I think "they" also forgot that time-travelling Nazis or a Nazi-era setting would sell a lot of tickets. The general public wants to see Nazis beaten back/captured if not shot to death. Recall that Roosevelt dealt with Nazi spies in WWII...three I think were executed for their crimes.

This is the Shadow's first big screen feature (he appeared in six 15-20 minute shorts in the early 1930s), and the first of two produced by Colony Pictures. The Shadow foils a burglary at an attorney's office. As the police arrive to arrest the culprits, the Shadow slips into a side office to change to his alter ego, Lamont Granston (spelled here with a 'G' for some reason). However, after being spotted by a police officer, he is forced to pose as the attorney who occupies the office. Before he can get away he becomes embroiled in a mystery surrounding the murder of one of the attorney's wealthy clients, who was just about to change his will...

Setting the trend for the next nine years, this Shadow is not someone with mystical powers and the hypnotic ability to 'cloud men's minds'; he's simply an amateur detective (the Shadow identity gets very little screentime, establishing another bemusing trend). But a plus here is that whilst there are light-hearted moments, there's no attempt to turn the film into a 'screwball comedy' (the absence of the Margo Lane character may have helped with that). The Shadow is played by the likeable Rod La Rocque (who comes across as a discount Ronald Coleman), the supporting cast are good, and the mystery has a strong air of 'Agatha Christie'. 6.5/10

Incidentally, whilst watching this it suddenly struck me what a fantastic Shadow/Lamont Cranston Vincent Price would have made, maniacal laugh and all!

Third-rate programmer that trades on mystique of radio's The Shadow, but without the substance. The mystery part never gels, the many characters too crowded to get a handle on. Then too, the loose storyline fails to build enough interest to generate needed suspense. The basic problem, as I see it, is with a poorly constructed script. For geezers like me who tuned into radio's Shadow, this mystery man does little more than make an occasional half-baked appearance. No 'clouding men's minds' or any other of his fascinating spectral powers.

Too bad actor LaRocque wasn't cast as a gentleman sleuth minus all the Shadow folderol. He's perfect as a William Powell type, needing a whiskey instead of a cape. Except for the youthfully uncertain Blakeley-- who soon went into the production end-- the acting is better than the material. On the other hand, the dim budget shows up in the many scenes that rarely leave studio interiors. All in all, it's a substandard programmer and a dis-service to a memorable radio program.

The film was lacking The Shadow as a character and had it not been for previous knowlege, the man who was impersonating the Lawyer would have been just a character, but having know it was Cranston/Shadow, the understanding of what he was doing was evident. Film lacked meat, just a basic plot and quick fix. Good ending and surprise killer. Very cliche though. Overall the film gets a plus for its portrayal of the Cranston/Shadow.