Behind the Mask (1946)

Lamont Cranston, aka the Shadow, has his hands full as the murder of blackmailing reporter Jeff Mann is blamed on him. Not only does the real murderer seem one step ahead of him as Lamont ... See full summary »

Director:

Phil Karlson

Writers:

Arthur Hoerl (story), George Callahan (screenplay),

Stars:

Kane Richmond, Barbara Read, George Chandler

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kane Richmond	...	The Shadow / Lamont Cranston
Barbara Read	...	Margo Lane (as Barbara Reed)
George Chandler	...	Shrevvie
Dorothea Kent	...	Jennie Delaney
Joseph Crehan	...	Police Inspector Cardonna
Pierre Watkin	...	Police Commissioner Weston
Robert Shayne	...	Brad Thomas
June Clyde	...	Edith Merrill
James Cardwell	...	Jeff Mann
Marjorie Hoshelle	...	Mae Bishop
Joyce Compton	...	Lulu
Edward Gargan	...	Detective Dixon
Lou Crosby	...	Marty Greene
Bill Christy	...	Copy Boy
Nancy Brinckman	...	Susan

Storyline

Lamont Cranston, aka the Shadow, has his hands full as the murder of blackmailing reporter Jeff Mann is blamed on him. Not only does the real murderer seem one step ahead of him as Lamont tries to discover his identity, but he is continually hampered from gaining crucial evidence by his jealous, interfering fiancée Margo Lane. Cranston perseveres and is rewarded with the clue he needs at one of Mann's victims' nightclubs.

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Plot Keywords:

the shadow | nightclub | murder | murderer | low budget film | 

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Genres:

Mystery

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 May 1946 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Shadow Behind the Mask

Company Credits

Production Co:

Monogram Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

68 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Phil Karlson replaced William Beaudine.

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Connections

Follows The Shadow Returns (1946)

User Reviews

This isn't The Shadow

The Shadow is one of the great pre-comic book heroes of the 1930s, so you'd think that this film would be a lot more fun than it is. The problem is that the film-makers didn't seem much interested in making a Shadow film ... what we have here is a not very good detective movie with lots of ill-considered "humorous" scenes.

Not even a curiosity, this is not for Shadow fans. Take a look at the 1940 chapter serial with Victor Jory. Much closer to the original Shadow concept. Though there's still loads of potential for someone to make the definitive screen adaptation of The Shadow ... 'cos Russell Mulcahy's 1994 effort wasn't it either ...