Invisible Avenger

{{Short description|1958 film by James Wong Howe}}

{{About|the 1958 film|the 1954 film|The Invisible Avenger}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox film

| name = Invisible Avenger

| image = The Invisible Avenger FilmPoster.jpeg

| caption = Original American film poster

| director = {{ubl|James Wong Howe|Ben Parker|John Sledge}}

| producer = Emanuel Demby (producer)
Eric Sayers (producer)

| writer = {{ubl|George Bellak (writer)|Walter B. Gibson{{citation needed|date=August 2011}} (uncredited)|Ruth Jeffries}}

| screenplay =

| narrator =

| story =

| based_on =

| starring = {{ubl|Richard Derr|Mark Daniels}}

| music =

| cinematography = {{ubl|Joseph Wheeler|Willis Winford}}

| editing = John Hemel

| studio = Republic Pictures

| distributor = Republic Pictures

| released = {{Film date|1958|12|2|United States}}

| runtime = 60 minutes

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget =

| gross =

}}

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 Picturesp. 128 Radio Daily-Television Daily Volume 78 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.{{cite book | last= Shimeld | first = Thomas J. | title = Walter B. Gibson and the Shadow | publisher = McFarland & Co. | year = 2003 | page =86}}

The film was re-released in 1962 under the title Bourbon Street Shadows by the Louisiana-based MPA films.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 The episodes were shot on location in New Orleans.p. 304 Senn, Bryan Fantastic Cinema Subject Guide: A Topical Index to 2500 Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy Films McFarland 1 November 1992

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 his goal and to protect him from the Santa Cruz secret police who are in New Orleans, Ramirez 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

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