When an exiled South American ruler living in New Orleans becomes the target of an assassination attempt, the Shadow (Richard Derr) puts his mind-altering skills to work to help protect the man. The hero is helped in his efforts by sidekick and mentor Jogendra (Mark Daniels). James Wong Howe and Ben Parker direct this early tale of the Shadow that also stars Helen Westcott and Jack Doner.
James Wong Howe, A.S.C. (Chinese 黃宗霑; pinyin: Huáng Zōngzhān) (August 28, 1899 – July 12, 1976) was a Chinese American cinematographer who worked on over 130 films. A master at the use of shadow, he was one of the first to use deep-focus cinematography, photography in which both foreground and distant planes remain in focus. Although the film technique of deep focus is most associated with cinematographer Gregg Toland, Howe used it in his first sound film, Transatlantic, ten years before Toland made the technique famous on Citizen Kane.
During the 1930s and 1940s he was one of the most sought after cinematographers in Hollywood. He was nominated for ten Academy Awards for cinematography, winning twice. Howe was judged to be one of history’s ten most influential cinematographers in a survey of the members of the International Cinematographers Guild.
Won Oscars: Best Cinematography for The Rose Tattoo (1955) and Hud (1963)
Frequent collaborators:
Herbert Brenon… read more