Behind the Mask
The Shadow races to clear his name in a brisk pulp whodunit complicated by a jealous fiancée and a killer who stays ahead of him.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- brisk
- suspenseful
- comic
- classic mystery night
- vintage cinema viewing
What critics said
Critics regard it as a low-budget but occasionally visually effective Shadow mystery weakened by excessive comic relief and an overall feebleness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Lamont Cranston operates as the Shadow while investigating a murder blamed on him.
The murder of reporter Jeff Mann is attributed to Cranston, forcing him to uncover the real murderer.
Cranston obtains a crucial clue at one of Mann's victims' nightclubs.
The film's critical reception specifically notes excessive comedy relief alongside its whodunit plotting.
Films like Behind the Mask, and why
The Shadow Strikes
shared low-budget mystery plotting, masked crime-fighter protagonist, and mid-century pulp atmosphere
The Shadow Returns
shared serialized pulp detective structure, concealed identity, and crime investigation
The Saint in Palm Springs
shared black-and-white crime mystery, suspenseful investigation, and comic relief
Movie Details
- Directors
- Phil Karlson, William Beaudine
- Release Date
- 1946-05-25
- Runtime
- 68 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (8)
Cast
- Kane Richmond
- Barbara Read
- George Chandler
- Dorothea Kent
- Joseph Crehan
- Pierre Watkin
- Robert Shayne
- June Clyde
- James Cardwell
- Marjorie Hoshelle
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- ScreenPix Apple TV channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Behind the Mask about?
- The Shadow races to clear his name in a brisk pulp whodunit complicated by a jealous fiancée and a killer who stays ahead of him.
- What is Behind the Mask like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Behind the Mask as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Behind the Mask violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Behind the Mask as mild.
- What did critics think of Behind the Mask?
- Critics regard it as a low-budget but occasionally visually effective Shadow mystery weakened by excessive comic relief and an overall feebleness.
- Which films are like Behind the Mask?
- Films with a similar feel include The Shadow Strikes, The Shadow Returns, and The Saint in Palm Springs.
- How long is Behind the Mask?
- Behind the Mask runs 68 minutes.
- Where can I watch Behind the Mask?
- In United States, Behind the Mask streams on ScreenPix Apple TV channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel .
