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SHADOW_LAUGH

                                              June 17, 2006


Some notes on a few peculiarities of
an early Shadow novel, "The Shadow           I believe this is the
Laughs", originally published in             third in the series,
October 1931.
                                                         A film of the same
                                                         title appeared in
There's a very odd conceit that the Shadow               1933, but there's
exists in the same universe that has the                 absolutely no
radio show; the Shadow himself has been                  relation.
appearing in the studio as himself...
                                     
                       SHADOW_OF_THE_ETHER

The other peculiarity is Chapter VII,
"Lamont Cranston Talks to Himself"

Here it is revealed (?) that there's
another layer to the secret of the
Shadow's identity.  He is not actually
Lamont Cranston, that's just an identity
that he's stolen.

The real Lamont Cranston returns home while
The Shadow has been using his identity, and
The Shadow essentially orders him to get
lost for awhile.  Cranston objects
(strangely enough) and the Shadow threatens
to have Cranston himself arrested as an
imposter if he tries to report The Shadow.
   
Cranston -- for god knows what reason --    
decides that this Shadow dude is a good          
fellow, and Cranston might as well give                             
in and disappear and let the Shadow                                       
continue with whatever he's up to.            And not incidentally,   
                                              leaving the Shadow in      
                                              charge of Cranston's   
                                              finances...  The Shadow    
  "I have come to advise you," came the       makes it abundantly    
  whisper.  "you must leave here for          clear that he can forge   
  a while.  For a month at least.  I          Cranston's name on     
  recommend a trip to Europe.  Sea air        checks, rummage around 
  is very healthy at this season. You         in his safe deposit    
  will go tomorrow."                          boxes, and so on.       
                                          
  ...

  "Will you obey my orders?" asked the voice
  from the foot of the bed.

  "No!" exclaimed the millionaire.

  The figure laughed mirthlessly, and
  Lamont Cranston shuddered.

            -- p. 30


  "Some people call me The Shadow.

  "That is but one identity.  I have other
  personalities that I assume, as easily as
  I don my black cloak and hat.

  "One of my personalities is that of
  Lamont Cranston.

  "In the past, I have used it while you
  were away.  At present, I choose to use
  it now.  It would be embarassing for both
  of us to be here.  So you must go."

            -- p. 30-31



  Then he looked at his visitor and laughed.
  The humor of the situation began to appeal to him.

            -- p. 32


  "I don't know your purpose, or what you intend to
  do; but I wish you the best of luck."

            -- p. 33

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