The Shadow (1994) Retrospective / Review
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The Shadow (1994) Retrospective / Review
Get The Shadow on Blu-ray here goo.gl/F1TGRf
Special thanks to Nick Michalak for the extra footage
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New Shadow artwork provided by Micah Brooks
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Get The Shadow on Blu-ray here goo.gl/F1TGRf
Oliver Harper he tim curry he awesome in any movies
Oliver Harper Could you review Darkman
Oliver Harper letting u know the news about the new Robocop Returns! We get the District 9 director! Alien’s loss is our gain.
If you like special features, don't buy Universal's effort. Instead, look for the Blu-Ray offered by Shout! Factory. They included some interviews with Alec Baldwin, Penelope Ann Miller, and Russell Mulcahy, plus a photo gallery.
the movie is good, but its not blu ray good
Imagine a team up movie of The Rocketeer, The Shadow and The Phantom. I think that would've been a great serial as a team up movie.
And Dick Tracy.
Yeah! By the Director of Shazaam
There was a comic crossover with the Twilight Zone
Like The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen?
The Shadow already appears in The Rocketeer’s original comic run but under the alias “Jonas”
I'm a sucker for 40's-set pulp movies.
Ditto!
Tritto!
Quadrotto!
Pentitto!
Hexitto!
This movie is extremely underrated. Plus, the f***ing music... it is, even amongst Goldsmith´s outstanding number of great scores, a masterpiece, and still gives me goosebumps everytime i hear it. So epic. Who´s Hans Zimmer?! Jerry is the man.
YES! As great as the movie is (and it is truly great), Goldsmith's score is unrelentingly bold, decisive and fresh - a standout achievement from a great master!
The shadow character was based on one, and probably several real people back in the late 1800s, early 1900s that showed incredible psychic abilities. One who could 'cloud mens minds' became so well known Stalin invited him to his palace to demonstrate his powers. Which he did by eluding his guards and heightened security to enter Stalins main office/room whatever. He made Stalins guards believe he was their ruthless top ranking officer who they let by and didn't dare question.
He said this is a part of our mind we've all forgotten how to use.
I literally used to think (when I was a child) Hans Zimmer was the composer for this movie because there's a part of the lion king that sounds a LOT like the Shadow theme? Maybe 3/4 the way through "Stampede"?
Maybe there's an alternative universe out there when back in '89, Alec Baldwin played Bruce Wayne/Batman & Tim Curry played the Joker.
I'd watch that...and I love the Keaton/Nicholson version.
Wasn't the joker in The Dark Knight Returns based on him?
I'd build an inter dimensional time machine just to see that.
x
@@burntvirtue The animated one? No, in the animated _Dark Knight Returns,_ Michael Emerson from _Lost_ gave the clown a voice not unlike that of 70s game-show gadfly Paul Lynde.
You're not entirely wrong, though--Tim Curry auditioned for Joker in _Batman: The Animated Series,_ but had to drop out after falling ill. (Bear in mind that he would have been doing _Fox's Peter Pan and the Pirates,_ _Captain Planet,_ and possibly _Sonic SatAM_ at the same time, none of which were as physically demanding as the Joker would have been.)
All the same, one or two of Joker's earliest episodes were animated with Curry in mind, so when he stepped out and Mark Hamill replaced him, _he_ had to develop a Tim Curry-ish voice to go with the Joker's expressions. And it worked perfectly.
It's strange how when Alec Baldwin is wearing The Shadow prosthetics he looks identical to his brother William Baldwin.
So true haha
I’ve always wondered if it *is* William Baldwin playing the Shadow instead of Alec. Not sure why they’d do that, but it doesn’t look like Alec - it looks like William!
@@RobbieSkyeHamilton to be honest all of the Baldwin bros look exactly like each other to wre whrevthe only ones you can tell aprt wre Stephen and wiliwm
@@zacharyjochumsen9677 do you need medical attention?
In promotional interviews made during the time of the film's release, whenever his altered appearance was mentioned, Alec would say, "I look like Billy, yeah..."
I've loved "The Shadow", ever since seeing it in theaters at age 14. Its a little hokey in certain parts, but that's the intent due to the style.
The Shadow NOSE!
+ButtZilla1031 Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot the pun!
+ButtZilla1031 ikr why did he have that huge nose ? da shadow nose!
+ButtZilla1031 lol that was a real book, i think
I was looking for this comment.
😂
The shadow and the rocketeer have the best 1930s 1940s production design. Both movies make me want to live in their worlds.
But they were both set in pre-war 1930's.
Seth is right but I know what you mean. It's pulpy look is great. But let's not forget 1996's The Phantom!
Umbrella Ops .........The Mummy (the good one from 1999) The Phantom, The Rocketeer, The Shadow, and of course Indiana Jones are all from this period give or take few years, and they’re all some of my favourite films, ok The Phantom isn’t a classic but I still enjoy it, wish they made more films set in this time period (just as long as they build the sets instead of overloading the screen with god awful cgi, remember how fake and crappy that ‘Gatsby’ remake looked?)
They're both set in the 1930s.
Yes. Agree.
I saw this in the theatre waaaay back in 94, and I still love it! The look, sets, costumes, props and actors did an excellent retro superhero film, too bad it never found an audience. Looking back, it has aged beautifully, it, and The Rocketeer, are great throw backs to Sunday Matinee fare, great teview!
review
amen bro.i love rocketeer and the shadow too bad it didnt get the credit it deserved.
Don't forget Dick Tracey Also I'd say that you're wrong about The Shadow never finding it's audience because it's available on BluRay
@@thing1thing2themediamaniac43 you're
@@athenassigil5820 Talking my language
I'd love for The Shadow to make a resurgence. Of course it would have be well-timed and skillful, but I refuse to believe this is impossible.
Or even just a really good spiritual successor that acts as a throwback. I'm fine with either
Would love to see them try again but I do think Alec Baldwin recent troubles may give a lack of interest
@@sethrichardson8344 without his old ass
I dunno man. Baldwin is the shadow for me. I saw the movie before I listened to the show or read the comics.
I think Zack Snyder might be able to do a decent job.
Another underrated masterpiece from the 90's. I loved this film back in the 90's, I adore it now. Unique story line! They don't make deep superhero movies like this anymore. Amazing soundtrack and the score too. Taylor Dayne recorded an fantastic song.
You have discerning taste
One of my favorite films of all time
@@Countraccoonula I'm with you here. Visually stunning movie!
John lone and Tim curry are what stayed me all these years. Theres something about the way John lone speaks. "Put the gun to your temple." Here and in that ninja movie "the hunted" with Christopher Lambert.
This is one of my favorite movies. I have watched it so much that i can quote the whole movie. It truly is one movie that deserves an update because the lore is interesting. Alex Bawldwin did such a great job. heck i think i will watch it again now. lol
I remember my first introduction to The Shadow was in the form of cassette tapes of the old Radio shows that I found in the gift shop of Crackle Barrel. I was 6 at the time and I was instantly hooked and then a few years later I discovered the movie and rented it on VHS from my local video store.
"A-Bomb...hey, that's catchy."
One of my all time favorite films, period.
I own every radio show of The Shadow, and was wary of a film adaption, but man did this thing deliver. Baldwin was pitch prefect as Cranston/The Shadow (he is also a massive fan of the radio serials, and knew the characters well) and the direction, design, music...hell, even the costumes were all better than I could have hoped for as a life long Shadow fan...a nearly perfect adaption of the radio series, to learn that the screenwriter was also a fan doesn't surprise me (but it brought a smile to my face...
The soundtrack, in particular, is outstanding, I listen to it while working (I draw comics for a living) all the time...
Your comments regarding the two dimensional characters and the use of exposition are understandable, given that you knew nothing of the character prior to seeing the film, but in all honesty, this paid perfect homage to the classic radio dramas, which played out using these exact same elements in just the same way...your point is well taken, however, that those who did NOT know of the classic shows or the character would likely not receive these attributes favorably...
I found it interesting that you felt the ending was rushed, I always thought it played out very well, and was tense and interesting...tho the inclusion of Khan using the mirrors in an attempt to show The Shadow his troubled past, in order to psych him out/confuse him would have been a welcome extension to that sequence.
I watched this only a few years ago with my dad, who is also a huge fan of the radio shows (listened to them as a kid and read the pulp magazines) and although he doesn't usually care for Baldwin, he had to admit he was amazing and played the role to perfection Two big thumbs up from both father and son.
GREAT review, I learned many new details about the production and how it made it to the big screen...well done, as always, Mr. Harper.
Karstens Creations Are your copies of the radio shows in decent quality? They're public domain, you ought to put them on archive.org. I like to listen to those when I draw comics, but a lot of them arw borderline unlistenable, or badly-mixed and really "harsh" on the ears.
its funny that Alec Bladwin's make up work for when he's The Shadow looks slightly like his brother Billy lol
reese packer I thought the same thing. It would have been quite interesting if they'd Alec just play Lamont Cranston, and Billy just play The Shadow.
Looked like Daniel Baldwin
Looked like Daniel Baldwin
Favorite dialogue exchange:
"Am I in Hell?"
"Not yet..."
Another good one. 1994 was a great year for film.
+Daniel Kazmer & an awful year for Music Kurt Cobain commented Suicide & Justin Bieber was born :P
Hehe
And for young willing boys
Batman Begins seems to have borrowed a lot
Batman in general borrowed quite a few elements from The Shadow, and both Bob Kane and BIll Finger admitted that The Shadow was a big influence on their creation of Batman as well.
I thought the same.
Stolen, not borrowed. Bob kane outright copied numerous elements for Batman
The very first issue of batman was a literal copy of a shadow story.
i like this movie very underrated
Great review. It's somewhat a shame, though I'm a huge Batman fan, that Bats gets all the credit when Shadow was the spiritual predecessor. This movie was decent, if not perfect but I do agree that the visuals and cityscape were probably the best parts - plus his outfit! You are also correct that The Rocketeer's heart element was its crown jewel; that movie's a whole ton of fun.
Check out this crossover comic book. dc.wikia.com/wiki/Batman_Vol_1_253Synopsis for "Who Knows What Evil?"Batman stops a small faction of a gang of counterfeiters and learns that their secret hideout is somewhere in Arizona. Batman travels to the desert and all the way during his investigation, he is assisted by a mysterious figure, who saves him and helps him capture the crooks, but never reveals his identity. When Batman finally rounds up the counterfeiters gang, he is told the exact place and location to meet his mysterious assistant. That night in Gotham City, Batman meets The Shadow, the mysterious vigilante that inspired him to start his own crime-fighting career. Batman tries to get The Shadow out of retirement, but the man disappears leaving only a cryptic message, which hints about his possible return.
Kevin Pogue Don't read the crossover "The Murder Geniuses", though, it's a pile of crap. The cover gallery is the only good thing about it, shame they weren't on comics that lived up to them!
"Bats gets all the credit" Mostly because he's got the juggernaut that is Warner Bros. bankrolling him. Shadow.....I don't know what the problem with the Shadow is. Who holds the movie rights?
Pretty funny how multiple super villains are the last decendent of Gengis Khan who was famous for having 20,000 acknowleged children which in our world results in tens of millions of decendents.
That's some maintenance payments.
20,000 kids?!!! Cmon surely that's in the Guinness Book of Records
A retro pulp masterpiece! Love it the day I saw it in the theatres and just recently bought it on blu ray. A classic, indeed!
Fallout 4 has a fantastic reference to The Shadow in it
+Sláine McCool Oh, yes. That and the one with the USS Constitution are the greatest quests in the game.
+Sláine McCool The Silver Shroud!!!
Dominick Angel I love how you can stay in character cheesy voice and all
+Dominick Angel HOLY MOLY! The Silver Shroud--in the flesh!
@@angelg6565 In addition, My Little Pony makes a reference to the Shadow in the episode about the Mare-Do-Well, who also wears a cape and a noir hat.
Great movie very underrated. I was in the test audience in Santa Ana. I still like this movie. When I saw the "test" movie, there was a lot of Danny Elfman Batman Score as a temp score. Very good movie.
I love it. I can see the Danny Elfman Batman aspect to Jerry's score (which is still awesome). In some respects it does seem like Universal looked at Batman 89 and said we want that.
Just out of interest, do you know what the general feeling at the test screening was? Also was that version different in any way to the release version.
Jerry Goldsmith's music for this movie is god tier.
It's my favorite work of his by far!
John Lone is outstanding in Michael Ciminos Year of the dragon alongside Mickey Rourke. Year of the dragon is definitely worth checking out.
I grew up on this movie. I love it as a kid, and still love it now! Especially the score.
The Shadow in book form could not go invisible. In the radio form he was only invisible. In the film they mixed the two to suit the scene and give the character more depth to the story.
One of the most underrated movies I've seen. Christian Bale take note as to how to do a sinister superhero voice. Good review although I prefer your original review of this film Oliver as it had the Taylor Dane song over the end of the review ending into the Jerry Goldsmith Shadow theme.
Yes, Alec's Shadow voice reminds me in some ways of Crispin Freeman's Alucard voice from _Hellsing._
@@nicholastosoni707 and this movie was party much a more old fashioned batman
rewatched it last night in anticipation for this retrospective. Forgot how much I enjoyed it
I'm so bummed that the U.S blu-ray collectors edition doesn't have behind the scenes featurettes and on-set interviews
+pish posh Yeah you will have to get the German release if you want the extra material.
yeah but I already have the U.S version and I don't want to have to pay full price for just a featurette.
After Thought: You are right Oliver. Alec Baldwin would have been perfect for the role of Bruce Wayne.
+Janet Craft He would have been a damn good Batman after Michael Keaton IMO. Too bad that never happened.
+alucard624 That's Hollywood for you!
+alucard624 Alec Baldwin is insane
+Mark Daly Haha doesn't that make him perfect for the role of a bat-masked crusader?
I would prefer him to val kilmer. I would have said George Clooney, but he was actually a rather good Bruce Wayne (Terrible Batman though)
How can Shiwan Khan be Ghingis Khan's last descendant?
Doesn't he have like 1 billion descendants?
Sub LBC Maybe he is the last descendant because the others were killed off over time to prevent power rivalry.
Maybe he killed them all!
He's on his wife's sister's side.
Maybe he meant his last legitimate descendant, the true and only heir, the rest are descendants of illegitimate offspring or the moviemakers were just lazy and did not bother to check the facts.
I hope The Shadow gets a better movie. There's so much potential with the character. I mean, those .45s look so cool.
@FreshTillDeath56 A little bit of trivia for you. The pistols used by The Shadow are highly customized .45 Winchester Magnum LAR Grizzly Pistols. The pistols, named Silver Heat, were custom built by L.A.R. Manufacturing Inc., who built four pistols for the film, backdating their Grizzly to look like an over-sized M1911 by extending the slide and frame. As a firearms buff, I love the look of these pistols, especially when they are fired.
*sadly any modern day remake/reboot of The Shadow would be polluted/poisoned by sjw and woke sensibilities making it patently unwatchable*
@@scottmantooth8785 oh yeah hollywood is garbage, but I see the potential for an indie developer to take up an animated series or tv production.
@@FreshTillDeath56 *i've found many truly amazing indie comics on Kickstarter...one being called The O.Z which is a retelling of the events of OZ after Dorthy returned to Kansas and her granddaughter going there decades later who is also suffering from PTSD ...OZ is in the middle of a civil war and i'll just leave it at that...a three part narrative the first of which has been released and is well worth looking up*
Agree, I love the 40’s (Hollywood version)
Can I just say that all your retrospectives reviews are top notch... Every time I watch one I always come away with an extra bit of knowledge about the respective production. Very enjoyable to watch, and always look forward to the next one. Def appreciate the effort you put into them... Keep them coming. 👍😄
The Shadow I would say its a pulp movie culture and I dressed up as him for Halloween 20 years ago.
PMRBonez88 I did too.
The. Sha
Dylan. Love you 😘
I always loved that movie, and thought so many times to myself " Why they never cast Alec Baldwin as Bruce Wayne?" He would have been amazing...
Now maybe, but I was implying "ever", as in the past, like instead of doing the Shadow, or after.
Odin Lowe Wow alec as batman?That would have really worked esp with his voice.
Despite its poor box office performance, I agree that it really is a great movie. You also have to remember that 1994 was sort of the rise of the indie film-maker -- Tarantino was starting to hit his stride and inspire a few others. Superhero movies were in something of a lull at the time -- it was two years after Batman Returns, and studios were trying to get their hands on anything they thought was marketable, and at the same time throw anything at a wall to see what would stick. I appreciated Jerry Goldsmith's use of Tibetan-sounding instruments to emphasize Cranston's Eastern mysticism training as a component of The Shadow's power.
The original Shadow retrospective you did was the video that introduced me to your channel, Oliver. I'm so damn glad it did!
This is a favorite of mine. Essentially a great precursor to Batman Begins; similar plot outline of Nolan's film with an aesthetic more akin to Burton. Tim Curry is deliciously over the top!
The way you organized that intro was genius and so well done. Great video and breakdown as well.
Subscribed!
I remember watching this during school holidays in Australia of early 1995. Being only 10 years old at the time, this film blew my mind and to this day, I still very much enjoy The Shadow. I consider it a forgotten classic superhero story like the Phantom and Rocketeer. Great review like always.
Funny enough, after Orson Welles had finished Citizen Kane. He had wanted to film a Shadow adaptation. Showing that he indeed loved the character
This movie is one of our family favorites. We probably watched it 100 times - I'd hate to see the shape the tape is in.
Great job on the retrospective!
I loved this movie! I saw it twice in the theater! I bought the soundtrack immediately as well as the lazer disc. I enjoyed this review especially the music review as I didn't realize that there was a special edition 2 CD version available. However in addressing the music I'm surprised that you didn't mention the classic club scene featuring that wonderful track Some Kind of Mystery. Great review nonetheless!
I own this movie on VHS and have always liked it. I used to hear about this character on TV when I lived in San Francisco in the 80's. Another great retrospective work from you.
Loved your quick analysis of those three 90s pulp films. Spot on!
Great video, loved it! The Shadow is one of my childhood all time favorites and always will be... I even love all its flaws, cheesiness and how clumsy Lamont sometimes is. The Shadow knows
You are the only one on TH-cam that did a proper review on this underrated movie. Thank you!
I love this movie! The production, the sets, the clothes, the music, and, even the occasional dialog highlight ( from Jonathan Winters or Tim Curry). Penelope Ann Miller is captivating! she was born to wear these clothes!
The white dress.❤❤❤🎉🎉
@PeaceDragon9 OK, that is my primary motivation ...
One of my Top Ten Favorite films along with The Phantom (1996)
Gotta say that I REALLY enjoy your review's! Extremely in depth and well put together! Bravo, Sir!
I remember really enjoying your first review but this redux is excellent! Fantastic job!
Still my favourite super-hero movie; I thought the characterization was solid, the acting solid, and the clear film noir elements very well done. I don't really understand the lack of popularity that the film experienced; I watch new super-hero movies, and its mostly just CGI explosions... The Shadow felt like a 'proper' film, with comic/pulp elements. The Shadow felt like a 'real person', with flaws and strengths, which I think makes him a more interesting character than most superheros - he's not just 'good' or 'evil', or trying too hard to be a 'badass' (like the recent Batman films). The film deserves a much better rep than it had.
This was a really good retrospective review. Great job sir!
THIS WAS AMAZING!!!! I loved this movie when I finally seen it earlier this year. I almost want to pick up a copy after rewatching this retrospective...I might... lol
Another great retrospective. I'm really enjoying the longer videos.
Criminally underrated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like Russell Mulcahy, despite not enjoining his movies terribly. He's one of those directors with a signature style that's hard to recognize/find elsewhere, and even if it's not very calculated or intended, I can appreciate it. I would love to hear your take on Tale of the Mummy. Another interesting entry by Mulcahy.
Remember that when this movie came out, Batman was only a few years old! I loved The Shadow! It was different, gorgeous effects, beautiful music, and Alec Baldwin brought this character to life. Very underrated movie.
I remember really liking the effects when it came out.
love these retrospective you do--- I haven't seen this film since it first came out and thought little of it at the time, but, like many of your youtube homages, I now wish to revisit this film and see if maybe I missed out on it the first time! Well done, and keep up the good work. Always look forward to your next video.
One of my favorite movies still. This inspired me to read countless books about ESP and trying to develop my abilities. 😂😂 You are right about this being for an older audience. But at the time, this movie was gem. It had an unbelievable amount of presence, and the story captivated me as a youngster.
I love your videos! they are so truthful and they are the best! thanks again for making great content!
Thank you so much!
I like the 'Muted Colour Palette' Idea. It would give any new film a huge visual boost...
Brilliant review. Love the detail. Always interesting.
Also, Original Sin is a badass song.
Meatloaf does a better version.
Thanks! Never knew about that!
both the films and meatloafs are amazing
I understood and loved this movie just fine as a young teen and apparently ''critics'' couldn't wrap their brains around it. One of my most favorite superhero movies of all time, yes I see it as a superhero movie.
John Lone was the lead in Madame Butterfly in 1993 opposite Jeremy Irons. And also played the villain in the 1995 Martial Arts / suspense film The Hunted with Christopher Lambert.
I've been enjoying your videos. Great insights and very entertaining.
One of the best chilhood memories. I even had a Shadow costume as a kid, with hat, mask, cape, two kid-piston guns 😀👍
Ann Miller is an amazing actress. She should have had more roles.
Loved the pulp films of the 90s. Can't lie that I am highly into 1920s style ladies as well. Great stuff!
I love this movie and great score.
If they ever remake this, it has Frank Miller written all over it. Just can't be the crap that was the Spirit. It was a missed opportunity.
+akechi mitsuhide Agreed. The Spirit was absolutely horrible, and what upset me more about that film was that it had so much potential to be good but was squandered by a bad script and really bad acting from quite a few of the actors, Samuel Jackson being the worst IMO.
No, Frank Miller would be terrible for the Shadow, he would envision something different than the core material and fuck it all up.
Loved this movie and this retrospective. I remembered reading an interview about the film that Ian Mckellen did. He said he regretted he never got to do any scenes with Alec Baldwin (yep they never had a scene together) but he enjoyed working with John Lone tremendously
......he also said that he LOVED THE SETS....
The music!
Excellent review, I've just rewatched this again for the first time in years and largely agree with what you've said, particularly that a younger audience will find it a bit dull but an older audience will really appreciate the storyline, dialogue and overall visuals more....that's certainly where I am, I like it more now than I did back then.
As for the unreleased SNES game?.....it's good but as it only exists in prototype form, a fair bit of it is still unfinished despite all the levels and ending being in place.....the hit detection on a lot of the enemies feels a bit off making it much more difficult than it would have been if officially released, and it's also a bit too long for what it is...a full playthrough can take up to 2 hours. But it does incorporate a lot of good ideas for the stages and bosses and the gunplay is an interesting element.
Is there a way to play it online?
This movie was pure Pulp Goodness 😮 with some psychological twists
Hey that was Neelix dressed as a copper @8.28
Yes, it was, though he was a museum security guard.
Oliver H.
Once again, many thanks for a job well done. The Shadow is definitely one of my favorite movies. I saw the movie at the cinema. Your review of the film is as always super entertainment and information rich.
I love serial/ period movies like this
Me too. I thought this and Rocketteer were both good .the phantom also. 90's comic book films were a bit ahead of the curve
What a review, can't add nor say how great it is fully.
My respects Mr. Oliver, as for the movie itself.
I knew the character just in a similar manner
as i did with Darkman. They're both great, Darkman's creation
is quite funny on a ironic way. Considering Raimi directed the
Spider-Man trilogy just a decade after Evil Dead and Darkman,
(Which i like the latter more) but The Shadow sure spawned
a whole lot more. Aside from the inherent legacy upon it's name,
my direct relation with the character it's pretty straightforward
after i figured from where in the world he came from.
Played the prototype of the SNES game quite a lot of times,
had a grand time with it. Went to comics, and started in a
otherworldy way. The Shadow - Over Innsmouth oneshot.
Loved it, specially the fourth wall-breaking cameo at the end.
Then read a bit of Year One, and the regular series.
Same opinion, and looking to have a hold on the full series.
To finish off, this movie looks like a treat.
After all, I'm a 15 year old that loves things like this.
(And also both versions of The Blob, the original Tron and such)
And i don't mind the "reverse batman in movies" problem,
Cranston is a deep, and rich mind to explore after all.
With that said, waiting to make a Shadow collection of my own
sooner or later. Might add the movie soundtrack too,
not too big on that stuff. But a try wouldn't kill me.
Great video, review and commentary
The pinball table was REALLY fun. It got me to see the movie, and I wasn't disappointed. The likeness between him and Batman stops as far as a nocturnal anti-hero, which is the alter ego of a rich man. Unlike Batman, who works alone, short of the likes of Robin, he has a network of agents, who are in good places for him to get information. Plus, he didn't rely on gadgets. He had guns!
saw it on VHS, one of my favorites to this day!!!
Really good retrospective review Mister Harper! I was fortunate enough to see this picture when it came out in the theaters in summer of '94 and I have never forgotten it. It made me a Shadow fan for life, if not necessarily a Hollywood movie fan for life. There were many factors working against its box office success, as your review eloquently detailed, but as a critic myself I think that a lot of what went wrong had to do with the lack of attention to detailed scenes that Mulcahy put into his direction. For example, I haven't read any other critics who have mentioned the mistakes in perspective throughout the film; i.e., the scene in which the Mongol warrior is trailing Lamont through the shadowy streets of Chinatown. I have heard other critics say attack the film because they say that The Shadow "can't turn invisible," but the movie doesn't show that he can. It's merely a mistake in the camera's perspective, which doesn't help a viewer figure out what is going on. As Lamont is ducking into the alleyway and the Mongol warrior can't see him, Lamont appears to turn invisible. But in the reality of the film he actually didn't--it was just the fact that the Mongol's weak mind couldn't spot him (even though he was looking right at him). Had Mulcahy given the proper camera perspective for this shot, it (and many other scenes) would not have appeared as silly as they do in the theatrical cut of the film.
I also agree with you about the ending. The ending is a non-ending (very anti-climactic) in my opinion. The major problem with it is that the filmmakers did a very competent job of making Shiwan Khan look like a very threatening and serious villain, only to be undermined at the story's finish by the joking psychiatrist who makes Khan look like a kook in the psych ward. The threat that was so prominent at the film's beginning winds up feeling very silly and not all that worrisome by the end, as the dedicated and psychotic Khan was easily defeated by Lamont's sense of humor and (apparently) weaker mind! I can see why audiences didn't buy it. (But I saw it when I was nine years old, so my soft spot for the film is pretty soft indeed.)
Anyway, though, the film is a visual marvel and it should be a keepsake for this reason alone. I'm still jealous of Baldwin's suits in this movie. I love this nostalgic style of dress going on here. And Penelope Ann Miller is gorgeous in this, I had an instant crush on her after seeing the film. It's a classy picture in so many ways, despite all of the things that are working to undercut its success.
Also, I must mention that I too found the Shout! Factory Blu-Ray release to be rather slapdash. Penelope's lipstick really stands out in a way that I don't think it should have, and the colors are a bit off in other places. The extra about the making of the film was the biggest let down. Talk about a film that needed an audio commentary track AND a deleted scenes selection, right?! Shout! Factory couldn't even include the original music video by Taylor, and I thought that the song was quite effective for a throwback film such as this one.
Alec would make a great Thomas Wayne
an ideal format for this would be a premium streaming series, tell basically this same story over the course of 10-15 episodes where all the thin backstory and character development could be fleshed out, more action included, and a degree more worldbuilding. Amazon, HBOMax, or Paramount+ (who has or can get the rights?) - lets do this!
Loved this movie as a kid. Stylish and captivating. Still love it.
Loved this film as kid.
I use to listen the old radio shows on a popular FM station every Sunday night at 11pm and The Shadow, along with Rod Serling's "The Zero Hour" played for a long time. I would lay on my bed, in the dark and let both shows capture my imagination. I saw the movie a few years after its release and enjoyed it. But, after watching your review, I think I'll look for it on Blue-Ray, look for those radio shows and bring back good memories.
This is such a good movie. Too bad that it doesn't get more love.
Fantastic review which has made me want to see the movie now as I have never seen this before. I do remember it coming out & I also remember it being a massive flop. My local Odeon at the time screened it but not for very long and I don't know anyone who went to see it or even talked about it lol.
I tell you what when you showed The Rocketeer, The Shadow & The Phantom together to point out which has the better story, visuals and action I thought to Myself that, that would make a great triple feature dvd/blu-ray release box set lol.
They did a crossover comic series between The Shadow and Batman here recently, it was pretty good
funny, i did see this in the theater - and was really looking forward to it! i thought it was so bad it was good. like you, i've come to appreciate the hard work that went into this movie over the years. it is a beautiful movie, and you've pointed out a ton of stuff i never knew or noticed
I have to say that I've really enjoyed these retrospectives, and this has to be my favorite so far. "The Shadow" was a pretty good film, despite its problems. I enjoyed this review quite a bit.
I really love this film. even with its flaws. I still love it,and the music oh what a treat!
I wanted to see this in cinemas when it came out but I wasn't allowed by my parents, lol. I've tried to watch it a couple of times now that im older but I could never finish it for some reason. The way you edited the intro makes it look very intriguing, lol more than it actually is maybe. Great work. oh and i had a friend with that action figure of the Shadow, that thing was cool
The epic handful shots of him as as the Shadow and Goldsmiths theme was worth it alone, beautiful film.
Instead of people remaking all the popular comic book movies that we've heard a million and one times people need to start remaking the older comic book movies like this that got swept under the rug or wasn't as popular!
These are the perfect movies to have CGI make it that much more better because technology so much more upgraded than it was back then
The movies under perform every time they try to adapt these pulp stories in live action. Dick Tracy is the only exception that comes to mind. Studios afraid to lose money