The Anglo-Amalgamated series of British crime dramas and Films Noirs that featured Hollywood actors tended to find good use for them. STREET OF SHADOWS is no exception. Cesar Romero is just fine as Luigi, a pinball (pin-table) club/bar owner in London. His faint Hispanic accent gives him a certain exotic charm and he can take charge of a scene when its required. Along for the ride are Kay Kendall, Victor Maddern and Edward Underdown, all more than capable of fulfilling their character parts. This is a fairly routine movie, but it can keep a viewer guessing and it makes use of some effective visuals. Luigi's club is realistically crowded with drinkers, gamblers and novelty machines, along with the advertised pinball ones. Most effective are several very darkly filmed sequences in which the viewer is challenged to detect what may be going on. For his role as Limpy, Maddern adopts a convincing defect in his walk and his performance is the most affecting in the film. The only problem--a small one--is the harmonica by Tommy Reilly used prominently in the score. It doesn't really jive well with the urban setting. This won't make you forget BRIGHTON ROCK or THE BIG SLEEP; it's just a very decent addition to the British crime movie lineup.
21 Reviews
Pin-Table Murder: Surprise Development.
hitchcockthelegend23 March 2014
Street of Shadows (AKA: Shadow Man) is directed by Richard Vernon, who also adapts the screenplay from the novel "The Creaking Chair" written by Laurence Meynell. It stars Cesar Romero, Victor Maddern, Kay Kendall, Simone Silva, John Penrose, Bill Travers and Liam Gaffney. Music is by Eric Spear, with harmonica by Tommy Reilly, and cinematography is by Phil Grindod.
A good old frame-up thriller with noir styling, Street of Shadows finds Romero as Luigi, the manager of a gaming premises in London's Soho area. When an old acquaintance of his, Angele Abbe (Silva), is found murdered in his apartment, he's naturally the chief suspect. Forced to go on the run, Luigi hopes that the police or himself can find the real culprit soon.
The story is pretty conventional stuff, with the mystery element none existent since it can only really be one person who committed the murder. However, the benefits elsewhere make this worth sampling by the film noir faithful, even if it's not what you would call essential viewing.
The whole picture is filmed in the noir style, Vernon and Grindod not missing any opportunities for a bit of shadow play or psychologically tinted contrast usage. The backdrop is a dour London of dark streets and alleyways, a dank part of the city where sordid characters go about their respective business. These people are either carrying some sort of affliction, aggressive or are emotionally stunted. An abused wife, a sexually frustrated janitor with a foot disability, card sharps, a man with huge cauliflower ears, a playboy, ladies of the night, or in the case of Luigi, someone who you really wouldn't want to count on.
Police Close Pin-Table Saloon!
Luigi's Pin-Table business is delightfully dingy, filled out with slot machines and macabre looking games such as a laughing sailor or Konki The Clown: Fortune Teller. Breezing around the place are the two gals, Angele and Barbara Gale (Kendall), getting the lads hot under the collar, while the human fortune teller Starry Darrell (Molly Hamley Clifford) is a splendid character capable of smoothing out Luigi's rough edges. Acting is good, with Maddern the stand out performer, and how nice to hear good quality Harmonica as part of a musical score. 6/10
A good old frame-up thriller with noir styling, Street of Shadows finds Romero as Luigi, the manager of a gaming premises in London's Soho area. When an old acquaintance of his, Angele Abbe (Silva), is found murdered in his apartment, he's naturally the chief suspect. Forced to go on the run, Luigi hopes that the police or himself can find the real culprit soon.
The story is pretty conventional stuff, with the mystery element none existent since it can only really be one person who committed the murder. However, the benefits elsewhere make this worth sampling by the film noir faithful, even if it's not what you would call essential viewing.
The whole picture is filmed in the noir style, Vernon and Grindod not missing any opportunities for a bit of shadow play or psychologically tinted contrast usage. The backdrop is a dour London of dark streets and alleyways, a dank part of the city where sordid characters go about their respective business. These people are either carrying some sort of affliction, aggressive or are emotionally stunted. An abused wife, a sexually frustrated janitor with a foot disability, card sharps, a man with huge cauliflower ears, a playboy, ladies of the night, or in the case of Luigi, someone who you really wouldn't want to count on.
Police Close Pin-Table Saloon!
Luigi's Pin-Table business is delightfully dingy, filled out with slot machines and macabre looking games such as a laughing sailor or Konki The Clown: Fortune Teller. Breezing around the place are the two gals, Angele and Barbara Gale (Kendall), getting the lads hot under the collar, while the human fortune teller Starry Darrell (Molly Hamley Clifford) is a splendid character capable of smoothing out Luigi's rough edges. Acting is good, with Maddern the stand out performer, and how nice to hear good quality Harmonica as part of a musical score. 6/10
British noir with American star
blanche-216 June 2014
In the '50s, there were a lot of British noirs made with American stars such as Dane Clark, Dennis O'Keefe, Cesar Romero, and others. These noirs were usually atmospheric and fun to watch.
"The Shadow Man" is from 1953 and stars Romero, along with Kay Kendall. Romero is Luigi, who owns a pin-table saloon. Apparently this is some sort of a casino with pinball machines. Anyway, the cops are usually watching it because some of the patrons are not of the highest quality.
Luigi meets and falls for Barbara (Kay Kendall) whose husband is a gambler and not much of a husband. She agrees to go away with Luigi, but when Luigi's ex-girlfriend Angele (Simone Silva) winds up dead in Luigi's apartment, Luigi has to ask help from his employee, Limpy (Victor Maddern) for help, and then hide out and try to figure out who murdered her.
There's nothing very special about this, except that I have always believed Cesar Romero was very underrated as an actor. He's marvelous here, very handsome with a great presence, using just a touch of his accent. His saloon is crowded, chaotic, nothing fancy, and has a wonderfully '50s atmosphere. Kay Kendall, his costar, would go on to big fame before her early, tragic death (recounted in the play "In Praise of Love," originally starring her then-husband, Rex Harrison).
Nothing exceptional except Romero and Kendall, but they make it worth seeing.
"The Shadow Man" is from 1953 and stars Romero, along with Kay Kendall. Romero is Luigi, who owns a pin-table saloon. Apparently this is some sort of a casino with pinball machines. Anyway, the cops are usually watching it because some of the patrons are not of the highest quality.
Luigi meets and falls for Barbara (Kay Kendall) whose husband is a gambler and not much of a husband. She agrees to go away with Luigi, but when Luigi's ex-girlfriend Angele (Simone Silva) winds up dead in Luigi's apartment, Luigi has to ask help from his employee, Limpy (Victor Maddern) for help, and then hide out and try to figure out who murdered her.
There's nothing very special about this, except that I have always believed Cesar Romero was very underrated as an actor. He's marvelous here, very handsome with a great presence, using just a touch of his accent. His saloon is crowded, chaotic, nothing fancy, and has a wonderfully '50s atmosphere. Kay Kendall, his costar, would go on to big fame before her early, tragic death (recounted in the play "In Praise of Love," originally starring her then-husband, Rex Harrison).
Nothing exceptional except Romero and Kendall, but they make it worth seeing.
Shadows of Soho
richardchatten19 June 2020
A slick little British film noir in the French style with the usual atmospheric photography (both in the studio at Merton Park and on location in Soho) by Phil Grindrod, a moody harmonica score by Eric Spear (who later wrote the theme for 'Coronation Street') and a classy female lead in the form of Kay Kendall.
Victor Maddern's pathetic, lovesick sidekick 'Limpy' presumably led to his casting as mad scientist Donald Wolfit's hunchbacked lab assistant five years later in 'Blood of the Vampire'.
Victor Maddern's pathetic, lovesick sidekick 'Limpy' presumably led to his casting as mad scientist Donald Wolfit's hunchbacked lab assistant five years later in 'Blood of the Vampire'.
Has a certain amount of interest!
JohnHowardReid24 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Street of Shadows (The Shadow Man in the USA) is a typical British noir starring Cesar Romero and Kay Kendall (just a few months from her sensational "debut" in 1953's Genevieve, although she had in fact made her first film way, way back in 1944).
However, it's the support cast led by Victor Maddern (third sailor from the left in countless British movies) of all people, plus the sensational Simone Sylva who merit all out attention in this only movie directed - and written - by occasional producer Richard Vernon.
Despite Phil Grindrod's black-as-midnight photography and a great deal of running around by Mr. Romero, the script doesn't hold that much attention, as the identity of the killer is obvious and the dialogue (despite the best efforts of the players) signally lacks both wit and punch.
(For those who are still interested, this movie is available on an excellent 10/10 VCI DVD).
However, it's the support cast led by Victor Maddern (third sailor from the left in countless British movies) of all people, plus the sensational Simone Sylva who merit all out attention in this only movie directed - and written - by occasional producer Richard Vernon.
Despite Phil Grindrod's black-as-midnight photography and a great deal of running around by Mr. Romero, the script doesn't hold that much attention, as the identity of the killer is obvious and the dialogue (despite the best efforts of the players) signally lacks both wit and punch.
(For those who are still interested, this movie is available on an excellent 10/10 VCI DVD).
Soho at night
malcolmgsw16 August 2020
Quite an atmospheric film from Merton Park.Caesar Romero is the parachuted in American star does a very reasonable job as the owner of a pin ball arcade.Victor Maddern gets quite a large role for a change.The plot has a predictable ending but it is worth the effort to watch.
Watchable British Noir Film
robert-temple-16 June 2009
This is a surprisingly well directed British B film in the noir genre. It was written and directed by the mysterious Richard Vernon (the only film he either wrote or directed), about whom little seems to be known. What happened to him? Who was he? Stalwart American actor Cesar Romero was borrowed for this film set in London's Soho, with dark streets and alleys as perhaps they were then. Kay Kendall is the love interest. She is what I call a 'fifties bust-thruster'. In those days, a surprising number of actresses hurled themselves bust first into their roles, convinced that this would advance their case. There is something about their stance, the way they stood and thrusted, which is so comical today. But it must have been effective with men at that time, or they would not have done it. An interesting footnote, or bustnote, for social historians, or anthropologists, perhaps? Kay Kendall died tragically young of throat cancer, and was much lamented. Here she manages an air of mystery and allure, though very fifties in every respect. Romero is effortlessly in command of this easy walk-through. A fine performance is delivered by Victor Maddern as 'Limpy', a pathetic East Ender with a club foot who gets all twisted up inside. Romero runs a pinball club in Soho, where Limpy is his janitor and caretaker. Two gals are floating, around stirring up various passions on all sides, some seamy card sharks are on the scene, some rough characters come and go, there is a murder, there are police, and Romero is suspected and runs. Will he clear himself? Can you guess?
Interesting, but not the best
HotToastyRag24 May 2021
I never would have heard of The Shadow Man, but it was Cesar Romero week on Hot Toasty Rag, so I thought I'd give it a shot. It's a British film noir about a man in the wrong place at the wrong time. Cesar Romero owns a slightly sleazy bar, with a sidekick (rudely) named Limpy. The cops are always trying to pin something on him, but he's consistently clean. Kay Kendall is married to a shady customer, John Penrose, but she's soon wrapped up in Cesar's arms instead. There's not much resistance, since she can't stand her husband. But how will she feel when a dead woman is found in Cesar's apartment?
This isn't the best noir I've ever seen, but there was one part of it I found very interesting and effective: Cesar spoke in a Spanish accent. It was a British movie with a British cast, and speaking in his normal American accent would have been jarring and obvious of the studio's desire to cross-pollenate. Instead, with a Spanish accent, he was instantly European, allowing us to get more involved in the story without wondering what he was doing there in the first place. It was also interesting to see how hard the director and cameraman tried to distract the audience from Kay Kendall's nose. They (and she) took pains to never film her in profile, even making her walk backwards at times to avoid turning around.
This isn't the best noir I've ever seen, but there was one part of it I found very interesting and effective: Cesar spoke in a Spanish accent. It was a British movie with a British cast, and speaking in his normal American accent would have been jarring and obvious of the studio's desire to cross-pollenate. Instead, with a Spanish accent, he was instantly European, allowing us to get more involved in the story without wondering what he was doing there in the first place. It was also interesting to see how hard the director and cameraman tried to distract the audience from Kay Kendall's nose. They (and she) took pains to never film her in profile, even making her walk backwards at times to avoid turning around.
It's all VERY familiar
planktonrules18 July 2008
This film is included on a DVD that also has another "forgotten" Film Noir picture--SHOOT TO KILL. However, the film is called by its alternate title SHADOW MAN instead of STREET OF SHADOWS and stars Cesar Romero.
Romero stars as a man who owns a "pin-table lounge"--a place to drink, gamble and play various electronic games (such as pinball)--almost like a poor man's nightclub. He's generally a nice guy, but also a rather tough character. Oddly, for once, Romero uses a strong Spanish accent--something you usually heard less of in his American films.
When a woman is killed, Romero is caught trying to hide the body. Though he didn't do it, it sure looks bad for him. So, Romero escapes and spends the film trying to establish his innocence--a rather clichéd premise, to say the least. It's been done 1001 times before, so unfortunately, while it is well made, it's also incredibly familiar. Decent acting, decent direction and a second-rate plot--oh, and by the way, the soundtrack was really bad (it was mostly harmonica)!
FYI--Kay Kendall stars in this film. She later married Rex Harrison, though died of cancer just two years later in 1959. Also, the other film on the DVD (SHOOT TO KILL) is a more enjoyable film despite having a cast of no-name actors.
Romero stars as a man who owns a "pin-table lounge"--a place to drink, gamble and play various electronic games (such as pinball)--almost like a poor man's nightclub. He's generally a nice guy, but also a rather tough character. Oddly, for once, Romero uses a strong Spanish accent--something you usually heard less of in his American films.
When a woman is killed, Romero is caught trying to hide the body. Though he didn't do it, it sure looks bad for him. So, Romero escapes and spends the film trying to establish his innocence--a rather clichéd premise, to say the least. It's been done 1001 times before, so unfortunately, while it is well made, it's also incredibly familiar. Decent acting, decent direction and a second-rate plot--oh, and by the way, the soundtrack was really bad (it was mostly harmonica)!
FYI--Kay Kendall stars in this film. She later married Rex Harrison, though died of cancer just two years later in 1959. Also, the other film on the DVD (SHOOT TO KILL) is a more enjoyable film despite having a cast of no-name actors.
Murky potboiler
Leofwine_draca13 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
One of those British thrillers that feels like a cheap imitation of a Hollywood flick, as evinced by the presence of one-time leading man Cesar Romero - a man indelibly linked with his later screen role as the Joker for many of us today. STREET OF SHADOWS is a slow-paced and slightly meandering thriller, in which Romero is a wronged man who has to cover up a murder and discover the true identity of those responsible. The characters are bland but Kay Kendall and Simone Silva are both voluptuous and alluring femme fatales and tragically neither of them would see out the decade. There's a great role for Victor Madddern and fans will enjoy him as the hunchbacked 'Limpy'.
The Best Film Noir You've Never Heard Of
boblipton25 November 2019
Cesar Romero runs a pintable bar: drinks, pinball machines, cotton candy, automatons. It gets rowdy, but he keeps things quiet. He's built up a bankroll and is getting ready to retire. Kay Kendall and her husband come in one night. Her husband drunkenly quarrels with Victor Maddern, Romero's gimpy handyman, but Romero settles it, and later is told that they wish to rent one of his fortune-telling machines for an evening. Romero delivers, but her husband is out of town, so Romero takes her out to dinner, charms her, and asks her to run away with him. She agrees.
However, Romero discovers Simone Silva, an old girlfriend he threw out, dead in his office. He tries to cover up the murder, but the police catch him. He escapes.
It's odd what can lift a good movie into the heights of excellence. Here it's the sound design, with the cheap and clamorous false joy of the marginal people of London. In addition, the soundtrack is aided by an excellent score, highlighted by the sad music offered by Tommy Reilly's harmonica. The story is good, highlighting the yearning of the characters to be better, yet caught in a web of darkness. It's one-time director Richard Vernon's only screenplay, but he clearly knew what he wanted to achieve, and got it.
However, Romero discovers Simone Silva, an old girlfriend he threw out, dead in his office. He tries to cover up the murder, but the police catch him. He escapes.
It's odd what can lift a good movie into the heights of excellence. Here it's the sound design, with the cheap and clamorous false joy of the marginal people of London. In addition, the soundtrack is aided by an excellent score, highlighted by the sad music offered by Tommy Reilly's harmonica. The story is good, highlighting the yearning of the characters to be better, yet caught in a web of darkness. It's one-time director Richard Vernon's only screenplay, but he clearly knew what he wanted to achieve, and got it.
British noir. Very interesting.
michaelRokeefe25 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
This film from the UK was also released as STREETS OF SHADOWS, based on a Laurence Mynell novel The Creaking Chair. Popular matinée idol Cesar Romero plays Luigi, a successful casino operator under suspension of the murder of a former girlfriend(Simone Silva). Luigi has not always been on the right side of the law, but is willing to help in any way to discover the killer's identity. Staying in suspense is Luigi's current love interest(Kay Kendall)as he asks the aid of Limpy(VictorMaddern), his "mop man" and doer of odd jobs to help trap and reveal the murderer of his old flame. A well paced crime drama that is possibly liked as much in America as it was in its country of origin. Pretty early in the film you think you've solved the case...just wait and see.
a desperate Cesar is carrying around the body of Ms Kendall
christopher-underwood4 February 2007
Pretty obscure British noir starring Cesar Romero and Kay Kendall. Both actors perform well enough but it is the exotic Simone Silva who is a little more eye catching and the ever limping 'Limpy' who sees a little more of the action. What action there is, that is, for this is fairly lame stuff with the various fairground staples like the laughing policeman and a fortune telling clown being relied upon to 'spice things up'. True we do have the attempted seduction of the aforementioned Simone and the protracted and effective sequence where a desperate Cesar is carrying around the body of Ms Kendall. She seems more fetching dead but that's probably just me! The London street scenes have a certain charm and there are little touches like the 'rag and bone man' and the real life fortune teller, who looks like she stepped out of the music hall. Bit of a novelty and it doesn't outstay its welcome. It is suggested that 7 minutes were taken out for US release and I can't possibly imagine what that was for.
bluesy moody sexy drama
happytrigger-64-39051712 March 2019
"Street of Shadows" is the only movie directed by Robert Vernon, rather producer of "Colonel Blimp" or "Kiss The Blood Off My Hand" (what a title for a film noir, Burt's seventh film noir in two years !!!). The bluesy use of harmonica from the beginning reminds of the main theme in a french film noir classic, "Touchez pas au grisbi" directed by Jacques Becker. The friendship between Cesar Romero and his crippled employee Victor Maddern is touching, the atmosphere in Romero's club is moody and sexy, the jukebox has some important apparitions (and like in "Brighton Rock" for a sequence, but we're far from that unique masterpiece). There are a lot of nice surprises in british film noir like this "Street of shadows".
No expense is wasted
hkvfvqj20 June 2023
A typical 50s piece in B&W with Romero and Kendal holding it together. The rest of the acting ... Victor Madden limps rather too heavily whilst making sure the rest of his body is as twisted as is compatible with some forward movement. But is he twisted inside too?
Tommy Riley's harmonica lends an extra underworld tone. Obviously everyone smokes since this was cool. The sleeze factor is raised by the lack of spending on the sets.
Romero wastes no time by falling in love ASAP. Kendal, having had two years in a loveless marriage, surrenders (50s surrenders) immediately. It gets only slightly complicated thereafter.
Tommy Riley's harmonica lends an extra underworld tone. Obviously everyone smokes since this was cool. The sleeze factor is raised by the lack of spending on the sets.
Romero wastes no time by falling in love ASAP. Kendal, having had two years in a loveless marriage, surrenders (50s surrenders) immediately. It gets only slightly complicated thereafter.
Street of Shadows
CinemaSerf25 May 2023
This time it's Cesar Romero who has been drafted in to boost the box office for this otherwise rather unremarkable drama. He is "Luigi" and owns a seedy saloon that's usually frequented by petty criminals and ne'er-do-wells. One night he encounters the married, but neglected, "Barbara" (Kay Kendall) and after a whirlwind romance, they plot to elope. Before they can flee, though, his ex-girlfriend "Angelo" (Simone Silva) is found in his flat - dead as a doornail. He ropes in his rather untrustworthy pal "Limpy" (Victor Maddern) to get shot of the body, but the police intervene and both are soon facing interrogation. To be fair to Richard Vernon, the whodunit element of this thriller is kept under wraps til quite late in the day, so there is a gently accruing sense of mystery with quite a few red herrings to distract us from an ending that I quite liked. The production is really basic, though. The lighting is really in need of some extra wattage and the score is rather intrusive with enough harmonica to make an album of sea shanties. Not a film you'll remember, but it does remind of just how stylish Kendall was.
A worthy British B-film mystery with lots of Noir atmosphere and two fine stars
PaulusLoZebra25 June 2023
Richard Vernon's Street of Shadows (aka The Shadow Man) from 1953 features colorful characters and a deliberate pace that reveals the plot and its complications in a steady rhythm. Among those colorful characters are a great Victor Maddern as Limpy, the ever suave and sophisticated Cesar Romero as Luigi, and a sultry, believable Kay Kendall as Barbara. The movie also has great 1950s Noir atmospherics and some fine set-up shots to heighten the effects. The same can be said for the slightly odd music and the sounds from game machines in the pub / saloon where much of the film takes place. The film signals us a bit too early how it is going to end, but we stick around anyway to make sure we see those details and to see if justice will be done or not.
Weird little noir
kimbpaul18 July 2021
Watched this specifically for Cesar Romero. Odd dialog, even for a British film, almost like like extra lines were added just to make the film run longer. Cute little hint of Spanish accent from Cesar, not overdone. Still, the dialog was weird and stilted. The music was so odd as well, jarring at times. It was perky, when it should have been dark. Accordion? Harmonica ? Dunno.
Just all around weird. Can't really decide if I liked it or not, but don't see watching it twice.
Just all around weird. Can't really decide if I liked it or not, but don't see watching it twice.
British-Noir...w/Caesar Romero...Dark Layers...Bar/Arcade Full of Gaudy Devices
LeonLouisRicci5 June 2023
Original UK Title..."Streets of Shadows"
The Brits Caught the Film-Noir Bug a bit Late, but Never-the-Less Cranked 'em Out Religiously.
Sometimes but Not Always They Imported an American "Name-Actor" to Boost-Box-Office in the States.
Here Caesar Romero's Screen Presence is On Display as a Handsome, Domineering, but Likable Rogue Owner of a Bar/Arcade, that in Itself Plays Odd in America and Lends a Surreal Quality to the Short Run-Time (76 min.).
By the Way, that's about 15 min Longer than Most of it's Ilk from the Economy Driven Post-War Years as the Brits were in "Rebuild" Mode from Near-Total Destruction from the Nazi's.
Notable "B" Player Victor Madden Limps Through the Film as well, "Limpy" in a Rare Leading Role. He has a "Crush" on a "Dame" that Ends Up Dead, and as One of the Suspects He's Got a Lot to Do. Dodging Police Helping Romero's "Luigi" Cover-Up Evidence because He is the Prime Suspect.
It's an Odd and Off-Beat Movie by Any Measure Including Film-Noir with Visual Stangeness Aplenty. Even the Requisite "Shadows" of Noir and the Title are as Black as "Spades".
Kay Kendall is the Romantic Interest, Married to a "Twerp" that Treats Her Disrespectfully. "Luigi's "White Knight' Rides-In and Wants Her to Ride-Off with Him.
Pulp-Flourishes, Seedy Atmosphere, and a Good Deal of "Quirk" Elevates the Movie to Better than Average Status. Along with the Fine Performances Make this a Solid Entry in the "Crime-Noir" Genre.
Note...The steady use of Solo Harmonica reminds of the "Zither" in "The Third Man"...Extremely odd and remarkable.
The Brits Caught the Film-Noir Bug a bit Late, but Never-the-Less Cranked 'em Out Religiously.
Sometimes but Not Always They Imported an American "Name-Actor" to Boost-Box-Office in the States.
Here Caesar Romero's Screen Presence is On Display as a Handsome, Domineering, but Likable Rogue Owner of a Bar/Arcade, that in Itself Plays Odd in America and Lends a Surreal Quality to the Short Run-Time (76 min.).
By the Way, that's about 15 min Longer than Most of it's Ilk from the Economy Driven Post-War Years as the Brits were in "Rebuild" Mode from Near-Total Destruction from the Nazi's.
Notable "B" Player Victor Madden Limps Through the Film as well, "Limpy" in a Rare Leading Role. He has a "Crush" on a "Dame" that Ends Up Dead, and as One of the Suspects He's Got a Lot to Do. Dodging Police Helping Romero's "Luigi" Cover-Up Evidence because He is the Prime Suspect.
It's an Odd and Off-Beat Movie by Any Measure Including Film-Noir with Visual Stangeness Aplenty. Even the Requisite "Shadows" of Noir and the Title are as Black as "Spades".
Kay Kendall is the Romantic Interest, Married to a "Twerp" that Treats Her Disrespectfully. "Luigi's "White Knight' Rides-In and Wants Her to Ride-Off with Him.
Pulp-Flourishes, Seedy Atmosphere, and a Good Deal of "Quirk" Elevates the Movie to Better than Average Status. Along with the Fine Performances Make this a Solid Entry in the "Crime-Noir" Genre.
Note...The steady use of Solo Harmonica reminds of the "Zither" in "The Third Man"...Extremely odd and remarkable.
Minx Gets Murdered
bkoganbing13 March 2012
In The Shadow Man Cesar Romero joins that select group of American players who are playing leads in British film to give them some box office on this side of the pond. He plays an Italian in this one, probably an expatriate from before the recent World War who runs an amusement arcade in Soho. He's got an ex-girlfriend in Kay Kendall who still charges his batteries along with half of Soho.
He gets into a public brawl over her, so later when she turns up dead he's a suspect. By no means is he the only suspect, but Scotland Yard likes him for it best and Romero has to keep on the run. However Inspector Edward Underdown is developing alternatives.
The Shadow Man is a competently made enough film and the players all do a good job in it. Leading the cast is Victor Maddern who appeared in a slew of good British films playing all kinds of roles. He may actually have his career role her as Romero's retainer who is bitter and has a limp in his stride, hence his nickname Limpy.
The problem with The Shadow Man is a lack of suspense in the proceedings. If you can't figure out who the murderer is you really haven't seen too many of these noir films. A more expensive film would have given us a few more suspects to choose from. Still fans of the players will like The Shadow Man.
He gets into a public brawl over her, so later when she turns up dead he's a suspect. By no means is he the only suspect, but Scotland Yard likes him for it best and Romero has to keep on the run. However Inspector Edward Underdown is developing alternatives.
The Shadow Man is a competently made enough film and the players all do a good job in it. Leading the cast is Victor Maddern who appeared in a slew of good British films playing all kinds of roles. He may actually have his career role her as Romero's retainer who is bitter and has a limp in his stride, hence his nickname Limpy.
The problem with The Shadow Man is a lack of suspense in the proceedings. If you can't figure out who the murderer is you really haven't seen too many of these noir films. A more expensive film would have given us a few more suspects to choose from. Still fans of the players will like The Shadow Man.
oldie but goodie.
anthony603020 January 2022
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