“The Shadow Knows” 2

2 comments

1. Bill

   May 13, 2010 at 8:51 pm

   While Orson Welles could never master The Shadow’s laugh, it was his brilliance that made The Shadow the highest rated dramatic program during his days in the lead role.  I’ve read that Welles almost never read a script before the broadcast (or transcription).  He believed that because his character would not know what was going to happen, neither should he.  The Shadow is one of my favorite shows on XM Radio Classics.

    
2. Frank

   May 13, 2010 at 9:41 pm

   The Shadow was a great show.  Back before Philly WCAU disappeared into just another classic rock station (which failed–who needed another classic rock station?–so it came back as a talker, which is what WCAU had been, except that WCAU was actually like, you know, interesting), it had a two hour show of old-time radio every night (except when the Phillies were playing).  Great stuff.

   I think the best old time radio show I have heard is Night Beat.

   (“Hi.  I’m Randy Stone.  I work the night beat for the Chicago Star.”)  It is literate, sensitive, and thoughtful.

   The Shadow is a close second.

   Daddy loved the Fred Allen Show.  (Remember the big old table radio in the kitchen with the little antenna wire sticking out the back?)

   I’m still trying to figure out why, but I think the show was just too topical to survive the decades.