Movie Review: Behind the Mask (1946)

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Synopsis: On the eve of his wedding to Margo Lane, two murders are committed and Lamont Cranston's alter ego, the Shadow, is framed. Despite his fiancée's objections, Lamont is determined to clear the Shadow's name, even if it puts his wedding in jeopardy.

Who's in it? The movie stars Kane Richmond, Barbara Reed, George Chandler, Dorothea Kent and Joseph Crehan.


Review: Even though I wasn't a big fan of the last Shadow movie I watched, I decided to give the crimefighter one more chance by watching Behind the Mask this morning. In hindsight, I probably should have watched The Shadow Returns before this sequel but I'm not so certain it would have made much of a difference. I just can't get into these films.

I'll start out with the positive about this movie; it does have an OK mystery. While there wasn't too much secrecy about who was behind the murders or why, the cause of the victims' deaths was up in the air as well as how Lamont (Richmond) would be able to prove the Shadow wasn't the one who committed them without admitting it is his secret identity so he could establish an alibi.

The decision to lean heavy into the comedy was an interesting choice that didn't quite work for me. I'm OK with movies like this being upbeat but there were times when I wondered if I was supposed to take the hero seriously, especially with the sitcom-like misunderstandings and disagreements he was having with Margo (Reed). And frankly, there were times when I wondered if he really wanted to marry her or was using the Shadow thing as an excuse to postpone and eventually cancel the wedding because he was coming off as an ass at times.

The other thing that really stood out for me (and maybe the movie I didn't watch explains this more) is just how many people knew of Lamont's "secret" identity. I mean, what is the point of even trying to keep it secret when everyone from your future wife to members of the police department know it is you? Sadly, I just don't care enough about the character to go back and find out the history behind that.

Final Opinion: It's not a bad movie and there are probably some who will enjoy it. It just wasn't a film, or maybe it's just the protagonist, for me.

My Grade: C

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Here are some reviews of other movies featuring a crime fighting vigilante:

Movie Review: Phantom Rancher (1940)

Movie Review: The Equalizer (2014)

Movie Review: Samaritan (2022)

Movie Review: The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)

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