Bonus Orson Welles!

Since we just heard Bill Johnstone as The Shadow/Lamont Cranston and had previously heard Bret Morrison in the role, I feel like we should give Orson Welles equal time!

Orson was the first actor to portray The Shadow when It became a half-hour crime-solving show and he played the part up until shortly before his (in)famous "War of the Worlds" broadcast.

He didn't have a Christmas episode of "The Shadow," but here's "Death House Rescue," from September 26, 1937, Orson's first appearance on the show:

Of note is that the cast includes future star character actors Agnes Moorehead as Margo Lane and Ray Collins as Commissioner Weston!

"The Shadow" is always fun and it's even more fun to hear Orson Welles so early in his career!

Bonus Bill Johnstone!

I had mentioned that Bill Johnstone, the narrator of Lionel Barrymore's 1949 broadcast of "A Christmas Carol," had portrayed The Shadow on the Mutual Broadcasting System radio series of the same name.

He took on the part of as Lamont Cranston/The Shadow after Orson Welles had left the series. What happened to him anyway?

So, as we had done with Bret Morrison, let's hear a Christmas episode of "The Shadow" starring Bill Johnstone!

Here's "Joey's Christmas Story" from December 22, 1940:

Of note is that the cast also includes Agnes Moorehead as Margo Lane and Keenan Wynn as Shrevie!

As the announcer said, it's a heartwarming Yuletide adventure!

Bonus Bret Morrison!

I had mentioned that Bret Morrison, he of "Dickens' The Christmas Carol" for Cricket Records, portrayed The Shadow on that radio series.

Bret Morrison as The Shadow with Grace Matthews as Margo Lane.

He actually played Lamont Cranston/The Shadow longer than any other actor. He's the definitive Shadow to me, as I heard him more when I started listening to old-time radio back in the day based on the episodes that were available to me. 

Our friend Orson Welles had played The Shadow early in his radio career and it's a blast to hear him, but it's hard to separate the Orson Welles-ness when listening with modern ears. Plus, he was soon busy with some other projects I may have mentioned a time or two!

Bret Morrison just is The Shadow!

Naturally a show with such a long run as "The Shadow" enjoyed had some Christmas episodes along the way. 

So, in keeping with our year-round holiday spirit, here's Bret Morrison starring in "A Gift of Murder" originally  broadcast on December 21, 1947:

That's Christmas, The Shadow style!