RKO Orson Welles - The Shadow - radio recordings


(4.5 étoiles; 37 critiques)

Experience 33 radio recordings of RKO's The Shadow, featuring Orson Welles as the main character between 1937 and 1938. This unique portrayal showcases a cultural icon stepping into a genre role, a rarity in the 1930s.

The program, adapted from a popular pulp magazine series, follows Lamont Cranston, a wealthy young man who uses his hypnotic powers to become an Invisible Avenger known as The Shadow. Welles played this dual role during his time on the Mutual Network's legendary superhero radio program.

Initially, it was believed that the summer series sponsored by Goodrich Safety Silver-Town Tires had only 15 episodes. However, a complete collection of recordings was discovered, revealing that the series actually consisted of 26 episodes, including 11 that had not been heard since their original airing.


This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.

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Chapitres

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Death House Rescue 57:38
Murder By The Dead 29:34
The Temple Bells of Neban 32:04
The Three Ghosts 31:24
Circle of Death 28:01
The League of Terror 31:20
Sabotage 30:45
The Society of the Living Dead 31:47
The Poison Death 28:01
The Phantom Voice 31:09
The House of Horror 24:00
Hounds in the Hills 29:05
The Plot Murder 29:20
The Bride of Death 30:46
The Silent Avenger 30:51
The White Legion 28:14
Power of the Mind 29:02
The Hypnotized Audience 26:32
Death from the Deep 25:57
Firebug 28:46
The Blind Beggar Dies 23:02
Power of the Mind 29:02
White God 29:04
Aboard the Steamship 28:04
Murders in Wax 23:18
Message from the Hills 24:33
The Creeper 27:45
Tenor with a Broken Voice 29:02
Murder on Approval 27:30
The Tomb of Terror 55:48
Death Under the Chapel 25:23
The Caverns of Death 25:02

Critiques

Bret Morrison was the definite Shadow


(4 étoiles)

I'll have to agree with Shadows Girl that Bret Morrison was by far the best Shadow on radio. He had that right quality for the Lamont Cranston man about town air and yet when he did the Shadow, his delivery was menancing but not theatrical or campy. If you listen to Orson Welles on his Black Mueum program, his pausing between words or lines for effect is a bit stagy.The Shadow was meant to be melodramtic and not at all classic stage drama. Grace Mathews and Gertrude Werner probably had to keep from laughing when they delivered their "plkeae spare me spelech" to the maniacal villian just before the Shadow interved. My favorite lines were the closing "The Weed of Crime Bear Bitter Fruit." This backedu up by the image of a coal furnance burning Blue Coal symbolizing the fires of hell and perdition drove home the themme of obeying the law very well to young innocent minds.

Good for people new to otr.


(4 étoiles)

Ive listened to many many episodes of the shadow. I liked it very much at first but then after a while I noticed most of the episodes were very generic to each other. Heres things that were similar in each episode. The shadow rarely saved innocent people from death. He does though at the very last minute save one person, at the end of each episode. Anyways, margo must be psycho. Cranston and her always joke in the end of an episode after a one or two deaths happened. Of course, each episode starts with them back to normal, and orson welles would want them to both be jolly so the listeners dont get bored. Another similarity that mostly always happens if margo asks him "but how do you get in" (referring to get into a building of some sort) and Cranston answered something like "As the shadow". It happens in lots of episodes which makes margo quite a stupid character. Another poorly written review by me (just wanted to explain my problems with the show) I give this show 4 stars because it had interesting characters. The plot twists were easily guessable but nevertheless its good. This is a must for otr listeners even if it has its cons.

The Creeper


(4 étoiles)

albie , if you look the Shadow and the shadow in this case is played by Bill Johnstone and listen to Death Stalks the Shadow; your answer to the broadcast will answered. I had that record of Benny in my love of OTR. I wanted to hear the entire episode but Benny only whet your whistle. You will have closure.

Poor Sound Quality


(2 étoiles)

BIG fan of the Archive! One recent disappointment: Downloaded "Caverns of Death" (Summer program 15, 1938). Unfortunately not sure which collection. Played it on iPod connected to my 1936 Philco. Sound very muddy. Could only understand about 60%. I assume there are other episodes (maybe versions?) that have been restored...?

great program


(3 étoiles)

Orson was "okay" as the Shadow. Personally I think my Uncle Bret was miles better. But there it is. But just to clear something up: Orson did not PRODUCE any of these shows. He just played the role.

RKO


I don't believe RKO had anything to do with The Shadow ... Street & Smith was the owner/publisher of the character's pulp magazine. The radio program was broadcast over the Mutual Network.

The Shadow is the best


(5 étoiles)

...especially with Orson Welles playing the feature role. What a baratone voice for a young fellow. Love that theme music, the early version. And Blue coal, I remember my father ordering it in the late 1940's. Thank you very much for uploading so many great eposodes.

THE Shadow


(5 étoiles)

the shadow is one of the best shows ever