The Shadow (partially lost radio series; 1937-1954)

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The Shadow.jpg

Promotional image.

Status: Partially Lost

The Shadow was a radio series that was created in 1937 and lasted until 1957 which followed the character of The Shadow. The series is warmly remembered for originally staring the voice of Hollywood legend Orson Welles as the voice of the main character; however, the character itself is greatly remembered as the main influence of DC Comic's Batman. [1]

History

Orson Welles as The Shadow.

The Shadow character originally appeared in 1930 as the narrator of the CBC series Detective Story Hour. The character was later used to narrate The Blue Coal Radio Revue, and retired shortly thereafter.

In 1937, Street and Smith signed a new agreement with Blue Coal, beginning a new series following the character that aired on the Mutual Broadcasting System, with Orson Welles to play the main character (though later succeded).

Availability

During the time of the series' syndication, archiving broadcasts was not a common practice, resulting in 165 of the series' 665 episodes becoming lost, with seasons 13, 14, 15, 16, and 18 being entirely missing.[2] Radio Spirits has recovered many transcription discs sent out to radio stations and had them digitized and remastered for commercial reproduction.[3]

External Link

References