The title of this garrulous and uninvolving retread set largely in New Orleans of the radio character popularized in the thirties by Orson Welles may be vaguely familiar to some from its presence as a rather mysterious footnote to the illustrious filmography of the Oscar-winning cameraman James Wong Howe. Howe directed one feature film, 'Go, Man, Go!' (1954), with the Harlem Globetrotters, and between his Oscars for 'The Rose Tattoo' (1955) and 'Hud' (1963) directed a few TV episodes, of which this may have been his first. Assembled from two unsold pilot episodes for a TV series (of which only one was directed by Howe, hence the joint credit) which were spliced together under the intriguing title 'Invisible Avenger' and released as a feature film, it thus finds itself by default among Howe's film credits.The drab photography, however, belies Howe's contribution; and as an avowed stickler for realism I hope he wasn't responsible for the multiple set-ups employed on the public execution shown being screened on American television. Apart from the "Daddy O" jazz talk and the topical storyline about revolutionaries plotting against a Latin American dictatorship, it feels more like a Republic serial from the forties. Using his radio name of Lamont Cranston, the Shadow hangs out with a mystic sidekick named Jogendra who's taught him how to think himself invisible (hence the title), but rather than simply prowling about invisible he usually waits until he gets caught and then confound his captors by disappearing; sometimes for effect he casts a shadow only, and he only ever emits his trademark diabolical cackle when invisible.Although billed third and cutting a striking figure as a hard-boiled nightclub hostess, Helen Westcott's role proves surprisingly irrelevant to the action.

You could have floored me with the fact that this flick was made in 1958; it has the look and feel of something at least a decade older. Also the sensibility. The Shadow wasn't a favorite character of mine growing up so I don't know a lot about his origin or history, but I always assumed him to be sort of a detective with an uncanny ability to make himself invisible, as if blending into the dark of night. This story takes on more of a mystical bent, and even includes a mentor for Lamont Cranston (Richard Derr), a mystic who trains him to develop his powers of mind reading and invisibility. They exchange thoughts via telepathy, and one could make a case that the real power behind the Shadow is his partner Jogendra (Mark Daniels).In this effort, the Shadow is summoned by a friend to New Orleans who winds up murdered. The victim was helping to protect one Victor Ramirez, who was plotting to overthrow Generalissimo Valdez of Santa Cruz and set up his brother in the general's place. I thought the plot a rather odd one for a Shadow movie given my earlier comments, but as I say, I'm a relative newcomer to the character.Historically speaking, the picture seems to draw a parallel to events of the era as they were occurring in real life. Fidel Castro was plotting to overthrow the Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista, assembling a group of revolutionaries that included his brother Raul. The Ramirez brother connection in the picture could have possibly been based on the Castro's, but who knows. The story starts out in the city of New Orleans, apparently near enough to the mythical country of Santa Cruz to parallel Cuba's location to mainland Florida. If it all sounds like a stretch, well I'm just trying to figure out what relevance a military coup has to do with The Shadow.

for me,this is the best of the six movies in The Shadow series.i found it entertaining,and well paced.there's more action,excitement and suspense.Richard Derr(in his only outing as Lamont Cranston/The Shadow) is the best actor for the character,out of these six movies.he just seems more convincing and believable in the role.this story is a bit different than the previous ones,in that Cranston is shown here as he has just begun to understand his powers.along for the ride is his teacher in the mystic arts,Jogendra,Played by Mark Daniels.in this one we get to see the Shadow utilize his powers,something we haven't actually seen before.this incarnation seems to me to be the most fitting for the character.for me,The Invisible Avenger is a 6/10

A Shadow movie thats rarely ever listed as a Shadow movie. Richard Derr plays Lamont Cranston, a man with the power to cloud men's minds and become the Shadow. Cranston is on the trail of the people responsible for the disappearance of a friend in New Orleans.I really like this film. Its not completely faithful to the Shadow myth, but then again what film ever was? (Come to think of it even the stories and radio show changed things as they went along) It certainly plays better than the Rod LaRocque nightmares where the Shadow is some beefy guy in a cape and hat trying to solve some awfully plotted crimes. And it better than the Kane Richmond Shadow movies which are okay, but have the Shadow able to be seen by people. (it's not fair to compare the Alec Baldwin film or the serials since they are different animals)Derr makes a good Cranston, although one wonders about the relationship with his teacher. Its fast paced and breezy with a good jazz score. It looks as cheap, due no doubt to the budget, but that somehow give it a grittiness it shouldn't have. The film also shows signs of the films troubled production, intended to be one thing it ended up another. There are also two directors listed. Still its a great film to put on at 2am and watch.What the film really needs are bumpers for The Late Late Late Show and cheesy commercials to go with it for a perfect viewing experience. If you like films from the heyday of late night TV before cable, vcr's and infomercials then this is the movie for you.