Shadows was John Cassavetes' first directorial effort. Like his later critically acclaimed films Faces and Husbands, Cassavetes fills the screen with probing, unflattering closeups. Unlike his other films, however, Shadows zips along at 87 minutes, avoiding the pitfall of putting the director's nonfans to sleep. The film is a straightforward account of a biracial romance (a far less common film subject in 1960 than today). Light-skinned African-American Lelia Goldoni falls in love with a white man Anthony Ray, who spurns her when he meets the rest of her family. Far from subtle, Shadows benefits from the undisciplined energy of its direction and the excellence of its individual performances. Costing a scant $40,000 (less than the average half hour TV episode of the era), Shadows won the Critic's Award at the Cannes Film Festival and led to more expensive studio assignments for John Cassavetes. (Synopsis courtesy of AllMovie.com)
Cast Ben Carruthers ... Ben
Lelia Goldoni ... Lelia
Hugh Hurd ... Hugh
Anthony Ray ... Tony
Dennis Sallas ... Dennis
Tom Reese ... Tom (as Tom Allen)
David Pokitillow ... David
Rupert Crosse ... Rupert
David Jones ... Davey (as Davey Jones)
Pir Marini ... Pir the Piano Player
Victoria Vargas ... Vickie
Jack Ackerman ... Jack, Director of Dance Studio
Jacqueline Walcott ... Jacqueline
Cliff Carnell
Jay Crecco
Ronald Maccone
Bob Reeh
Joyce Miles ... Girl in Restaurant
Nancy Deale ... Girl in Restaurant
Gigi Brooks ... Girl in Restaurant
Lynn Hamilton ... Girl at Party
Marilyn Clark ... Girl at Party
Joanne Sages ... Girl at Party
Jed McGarvey ... Girl at Party
Greta Thyssen ... Girl at Party (as Greta Thysen)
John Cassavetes ... (uncredited)
Seymour Cassel ... (uncredited)
Bobby Darin ... Man Wearing Sun Glasses, Dancing and Later Chewing Gum at Rehearsal (uncredited)
Ellen Paulos ... Woman (uncredited)
Gena Rowlands ... Woman in Nightclub Audience (uncredited)
Jean Shepherd ... Man at Party (uncredited)
Mel Stewart ... Man at Party (uncredited)
Release Dates USA 11 November 1959
Denmark 18 March 1961
Finland 20 October 1961
West Germany 27 October 1961
Sweden 14 May 1962
Australia 18 May 1962
Portugal 30 December 1994
Argentina 7 April 2000
Netherlands 24 January 2004
Greece 21 September 2004
Greece 18 November 2005
Finland 12 June 2008
Poland 21 October 2010
Produced by
Seymour Cassel .... associate producer
Maurice McEndree .... producer
Cinematography by
Erich Kollmar
Film Editing by
John Cassavetes
Maurice McEndree
Production Design by
Randy Liles
Bob Reeh
Production Management
Wray Bevins .... production manager
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Al Giglio .... assistant director
Sound Department
Jay Crecco .... sound
Camera and Electrical Department
Cliff Carnell .... lighting assistant
Al Ruban .... camera assistant
David Simon .... lighting technician
Editorial Department
Len Appelson .... supervising editor
Music Department
Shafi Hadi .... musician: saxophone solos
Charles Mingus .... composer: additional music
Charles Mingus .... musician: additional music
Other crew
Maxine Arnolds .... production staff
Anne Draper .... production staff
Mary Anne Ehle .... production staff
Judy Kaufman .... production staff
Ellen Paulos .... production staff
Leslie Reed .... production staff
