Invisible Avenger

This article is about the 1958 film. For the 1954 film, see The Invisible Avenger.
Invisible Avenger
Original American film poster
Directed by
Written by
Produced byEmanuel Demby (producer)
Eric Sayers (producer)
Starring
Cinematography
Edited byJohn Hemel
Production
company
Republic Pictures
Distributed byRepublic Pictures
Release date
  • December 2, 1958 (1958-12-02) (United States)
Running time
60 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Invisible Avenger is a 1958 American film noir crime film directed by James Wong Howe, Ben Parker and John Sledge. The film was a compilation of two television pilot episodes of a 1957 Republic Pictures[1] TV show called The Shadow. When the show failed to sell, the episodes (one of which was directed by cinematographer James Wong Howe) were edited together and released as a theatrical feature called Invisible Avenger.[2]

The film was re-released in 1962 under the title Bourbon Street Shadows by the Louisiana-based MPA films.[3] The episodes were shot on location in New Orleans.[4]

Plot summary

Pablo Ramirez is an expatriate from the Caribbean nation of Santa Cruz that is under control of a military dictator called the Generalissimo. From New Orleans, Ramirez plots a revolution and his return to Santa Cruz. To assist in this and to protect him from the Santa Cruz secret police who are in New Orleans he seeks the help of Lamont Cranston through a mutual friend, jazz trumpeter Tony Alcade. In the midst of a telephone call to Cranston, Tony is murdered by the secret police. Cranston and his metaphysical mentor Jogendra come to New Orleans to bring Tony's murderers to justice and freedom to Santa Cruz.

Though no one knows the identity of the crime fighting trouble shooter The Shadow who has telepathic powers, everyone knows that he can be contacted for help through Lamont Cranston. As Cranston protects Pablo from secret police assassination and kidnapping attempts, the Generalissimo broadcasts the execution of Pablo's twin brother that is shown on television in the United States in a scheme to draw Pablo into the open.

Cast

Notes

  1. ^ p. 128 Radio Daily-Television Daily Volume 78
  2. ^ Shimeld, Thomas J. (2003). Walter B. Gibson and the Shadow. McFarland & Co. p. 86.
  3. ^ p. 93 Martin, Len. D. The Republic Pictures Checklist: Features, Serials, Cartoons, Short Subjects and Training Films of Republic Pictures Corporation, 1935-1959 McFarland; 2nd edition 5 May 2006
  4. ^ p. 304 Senn, Bryan Fantastic Cinema Subject Guide: A Topical Index to 2500 Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy Films McFarland 1 November 1992


Stub icon

This 1950s drama film-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Stub icon

This article related to an American film of the 1950s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.