 | #003 "The Shadow Laughs!"
Vol. 1, No. 3 Published: 10/01/31 Submitted: 03/20/31 as "The Shadow Laughs" Author: Walter Gibson Review date: May 25, 2001 |
THE SHADOW LAUGHS was originally published in the October 1931 issue of The Shadow Magazine. It was the third story of The Shadow ever published. It is a key story that continues the initial development of the title character. In this one, the real Lamont Cranston first realizes that someone has been impersonating him in his absence. And that someone, as we know, is The Shadow! The two come face-to-face for the very first time, and seal their arrangement wherein the real Lamont Cranston will leave the country during the periods when The Shadow uses his identity.
But, as for our story... In Springfield, Massachussetts, Frank Jarnow has discovered a sinister plot that involves wealthy clubman Henry Windsor and his younger brother Blair. Windsor rushes back to Philadelphia to warn Henry. As he is about to reveal the plot to Henry, he is shot. Henry Windsor is framed for Frank's death. Detective Harvey Griffith, the keenest man on the Philly police force gets too close to the hidden murderer, and is killed by the same mystery man!
The Shadow sends Harry Vincent out to guard young Blair, and discover the nature of the threat. And that's when things start getting interesting. There's a whole crew of suspicious people staying with Blair at his country mansion. Vincent must weed out the suspects before disaster strikes!
This story repeats the facts regarding The Shadow's radio broadcasts, as described in the first two novels. At the broadcasting studio, no one knows the identity of The Shadow. In a special room, hung with heavy black velvet, he speaks over the air in cloak and mask. An underworld spy watches the door, yet no one ever enters that room!
Then this story goes into a bit more detail about the radio show, itself. Harry Vincent listens to the broadcast at Blair Windsor's estate, and hears the radio drama over WNX at nine o'clock. At the end, the narrator comes on, speaks his lines, and closes with that uncanny laugh. Yes, the narrator is The Shadow! In real life, that's how The Shadow's radio show was back in 1931. And the pulp story mirrors the actual broadcasts of the time.
Claude H. Fellows appears in his role as the prosperous insurance broker, and confidential agent for The Shadow. Also appearing is Isaac Coffran - archenemy of The Shadow. Coffran first appeared in "Eyes of The Shadow" in the previous issue. He escaped justice at the end of that story, to reappear here in this one. Does he escape justice again in this story? Does he again elude The Shadow or does he finally meet his just reward? You'll have to read the story to find out.
Another character reappearing from a previous story is Steve Cronin. Cronin was a gangster who appeared in the first two Shadow novels. Having slipped past The Shadow in the previous two, he appears in this third one, still as nasty as ever! This time, The Shadow will get him for sure... or will he?
A few other points of interest that should be mentioned about this story. It's suggested that The Shadow was a spy during the War (that would be World War I, using today's naming). It's mentioned only as a rumor, but certainly an interesting one!
Also, its revealed that Stanley, Lamont Cranston's faithful limousine chauffeur, had previously been a racing driver. He doesn't often get to display his skill in these stories, but in this one he certainly does!
And for frosting on the cake, we also get a visit to Chinatown. There we get to see The Shadow evade some really nasty death traps in the underground maze. That should be worth the price of admission, alone!