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2007-02-04 08:59:21
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Doc Rebel
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Bio
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The Shadow was born Kent Allard, a famed aviator who crashed in the South American tropical jungles and, after making a fortune in that region, returned to the United States, arriving in New York City and adopting numerous identities to cloak his return.
One of these was Lamont Cranston, "wealthy young man about town". In fact, Cranston was a separate character whom Allard resembled (see the story The Shadow Laughs). While Cranston traveled the world, Allard assumed his identity in New York. In their first meeting, with Allard/The Shadow in bed recovering from wounds, he threatens Cranston, saying that he has arranged switched signatures and other means that will allow him to take over the Lamont Cranston identity entirely unless Cranston agrees to allow Allard to impersonate him when he is abroad. Cranston agrees. The two men sometimes meet in order to impersonate each other (see Crime over Miami).
The Shadow had an entire network of agents who helped him in his fight against crime. These included: Harry Vincent, his most trusted associate whose life he saved when Vincent wanted to commit suicide in the first Shadow pulp; Moe Shrevnitz, a cab driver who doubled as his chauffeur; and Burbank, a radio operator who maintained contact between The Shadow and his agents; Clyde Burke, newspaper man. He also carried out undercover work himself in a number of disguises, notably Fritz, a doddery old janitor who cleans at Police Headquarters and listens in on their conversations. Though wanted by the police, The Shadow also worked with them and through them, notably gleaning information from his many chats with Commissioner Weston at the Cobalt Club. Weston believed that Cranston was a rich playboy who dabbled in crime. Another police contact was Detective Joe Cardona, who was active in many Shadow books.
Those whose relationship with The Shadow came through radio alone had to wait until the August 1937 publication of The Shadow Unmasks to learn the truth; in this novel, Cranston revealed his true identity as Kent Allard.
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The Shadow was born Kent Allard, a famed aviator who crashed in the South American tropical jungles and, after making a fortune in that region, returned to the United States, arriving in New York City and adopting numerous identities to cloak his return.
One of these was Lamont Cranston, "wealthy young man about town". In fact, Cranston was a separate character whom Allard resembled (see the story The Shadow Laughs). While Cranston traveled the world, Allard assumed his identity in New York. In their first meeting, with Allard/The Shadow in bed recovering from wounds, he threatens Cranston, saying that he has arranged switched signatures and other means that will allow him to take over the Lamont Cranston identity entirely unless Cranston agrees to allow Allard to impersonate him when he is abroad. Cranston agrees. The two men sometimes meet in order to impersonate each other (see Crime over Miami).
The Shadow had an entire network of agents who helped him in his fight against crime. These included: Harry Vincent, his most trusted associate whose life he saved when Vincent wanted to commit suicide in the first Shadow pulp; Moe Shrevnitz, a cab driver who doubled as his chauffeur; and Burbank, a radio operator who maintained contact between The Shadow and his agents; Clyde Burke, newspaper man. He also carried out undercover work himself in a number of disguises, notably Fritz, a doddery old janitor who cleans at Police Headquarters and listens in on their conversations. Though wanted by the police, The Shadow also worked with them and through them, notably gleaning information from his many chats with Commissioner Weston at the Cobalt Club. Weston believed that Cranston was a rich playboy who dabbled in crime. Another police contact was Detective Joe Cardona, who was active in many Shadow books.
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