Kane Richmond returns as Lamonrt Cranston the Shadow in Behind the Mask, and he brings back with him Barbara Reed as his fiance Margot Lane. The two are on the cusp of marriage when someone kills a reporter and frames the Shadow for the crime. Needless to say the need for Cranston to clear his name creates some tension and is the ensuing jealousy when he encouters other good looking dames is the crux of what passes for comedy in this second Shadow movie from Monogram.
Actually I had very high hopes for this movie as it begins following a reporter who visits three different establishments and collecting blackmail money. The first fifteen minutes of this movie is exceedingly noir and promises some rough and tough action, something sorely missing from the first installment of his series. Sadly, that promise is broken as the movie delivers more than a few comedy set pieces which kill the intensity of the mood. Much of the comedy is delivered by George Chandler who takes over the Shrevvie role and his girlfriend Jennie played by Dorthea Kent. Barbara Reed delivers some sequences which reminded me of the I Love Lucy show.
The Shadow works hard with much interference from his lady and her friends to clear his name. But it's a tough for the viewer after the first half hour. It's a shame and even the solution to the mystery (not much of one since I spotted the killer the first time they showed up) is muddied by more ham-fisted comedy. This one had a chance.
There is one more movie in this short series. Look for that review later today.
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