History of The Shadow (Documentary) Part 1

In this 3-part documentary, I will explain the history of the first superhero, The Shadow.

In Part 1, I explain the origin and his success on radio and pulp medias.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• the shadow
• pulps
• street and smith
• doc savage
• superhero
• radio
• 1930

[thomasknash]

Nice documentary, but I have to nitpick on one part: the Shadow wasn't influenced by film noir since it didn't even exist yet (the first "noir" is usually considered the Maltese Falcon or Stranger on the Third Floor, made in 1941 and 1940 respectfully). I think it would probably be more accurate to say the Shadow was influenced by Hard-boiled detective and crime stories.

[SavageBroadcast]

@thomasknash I think what I meant was dark crime/mystery films which were around at the time.

[xJoeEDangerouslyx]

The Shadow was NOT the first superhero. If you're referring to dual-identity costumed heroes, Zorro was first published in "The Curse of Capistrano" in 1919. Before that, there was a character called "The Scarlet Pimpernel" from a play and novel that was created in 1903. The Pimpernel did not wear a mask in most versions, but he had a "secret identity" which was a ruse to throw off suspicion that he was the hero. It was a very Bruce Wayne/Don Diego De La Vega-esque "mild-mannered" alter-ego.

[SavageBroadcast]

@xJoeEDangerouslyx Strictly speaking, they were just heroes.

The Shadow was the first to define a lot of the superhero conventions and cliches.

[Rajadevilman74]

Love the Documentary and the Shadow. Great job.

[goldenrulecomics]

Great video! I love The Shadow so much I wrote a review of some of his stories. To see the review do a Google search for ''squidoo Shadow Unmasks''

[TIM6669]

Thanks!

[SavageBroadcast]

@1805902349

I think I understand what you're saying:

The Shadow was the first proper superhero, but the Phantom was the first to

wear those famous tights and pupil-less mask that we associate with superheroes.

[yellowcougar18]

Interesting documentary. I'm interested in seeing the next part.