The Shadow Strikes (1937)

Expected more

A Brilliant Conflict

Too much about the plot just didn't add up, the writing was bad, some of the scenes were cringey and awkward,

I saw this movie before reading any reviews, and I thought it was very funny. I was very surprised to see the overwhelmingly negative reviews this film received from critics.

The Shadow Strikes is the complete opposite of the serial that came out three years later. The serial was exciting and fast-paced, The Shadow Strikes a bit boring and slow. This version of the Shadow looks nothing like the one on the pulp covers. He doesn't even cover his face.There are no fight scenes or shootouts either. It's just a regular crime movie with a guy who's supposed to be The Shadow. I wouldn't mind a Shadow movie without fighting or shooting, but the crime solving stuff in this movie is just uninteresting. There isn't much entertainment to be found here.I also found the plot a bit confusing. Maybe it's because I almost fell asleep during the movie, and sometimes had to rewind it because I missed important things. I almost fall asleep just by thinking about the movie. There are some positive things about The Shadow Strikes. There's no graphic violence or sex. The main character and his sidekick are likable people. It's a movie about people who fight evil. Lamont "Granston" has a cool mustache. Too bad the rest of it is so darn uninteresting. Oh, well...maybe the sequel called "International Crime" is better.If you want a good Shadow movie, watch the serial or the 1994 movie...or just listen to the excellent radio show. If you want a good mystery/crime movie, just watch any of the Sherlock Holmes movies with Basil Rathbone.

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.

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.

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.