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THE NEW MOVIE

Columbia has acquired the screen rights to "The Shadow," the legendary 1930s pulp hero, for a big-screen adaptation to be produced by Raimi and Josh Donen. Michael Uslan is also producing.

Columbia has set Siavash Farahani to write the screenplay. Farahani's credits include "Max Payne," a video game adaptation for 20th Century Fox.

The Hero In Black's most recent incarnation was a big-budget 1994 feature from Universal starring Alec Baldwin and directed by Russell Mulcahy. The movie didn't fare well at the box-office, quashing a hoped-for franchise.

This movie has long been a dream project for Raimi, and the crime-fighter's influence can be seen in Raimi's 1990 movie, "Darkman."

"I've been a passionate fan ever since I was a kid and have long dreamed of bringing this character to the screen," Raimi said. He is not attached to direct at this time.

After "Spider-Man 3" opens in May, the future of the Raimi-directed mega-successful franchise becomes an open question. Star Tobey Maguire has not committed to doing more. And Columbia is relishing having Raimi's cinematic fingers on another action hero.

"We're thrilled to be re-teaming with Sam as he brings another legendary comic book character to a new generation of fans," Columbia president of production Matt Tolmach said. "This property is in the perfect hands."

Said Uslan: "My first comic-book writing gig in the '70s was writing for DC's 'Shadow' comics. I had the chance to spend time with Walter Gibson and derive my understanding of the character directly from the original source himself. Working with Sam, Josh and the entire team at Columbia, I know I am working with the dream team."

Pictured at top: art by Gary Gianni originally published by Dark Horse Comics. The Shadow copyright Advance magazine Publishers, Inc./ The Conde Naste Publications.

SECRET ORIGIN

The year was 1930. To boost sales of their Detective Story Magazine, pulp publishers Street and Smith decided to sponsor a weekly, Thursday night radio program where an announcer read stories from the magazine.

Rather than referring to him as "the guy who reads the stories," Street and Smith's ad agency suggested naming him The Shadow.

As the show developed, the announcer playing the Shadow (James La Curto) began to get into the role -- speaking in a haunting, whispery voice, laughing mysteriously, telling his audience "Crime does not pay," and asking "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?"

It had been hoped that the program would stimulate sales of Detective Story Magazine, but soon customers began asking their newsstand dealers for "that Shadow magazine."

Street and Smith knew an opportunity when they saw one, and quickly created a brand new pulp entitled The Shadow.

Pictured at top: Cover of "The Black Hush," by George Rozen, from Shadow #35, originally published August 1, 1933, copyright Advance magazine Publishers, Inc./ The Conde Naste Publications.

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