"Musso and Frank" reimagines the essence of a bygone era steeped in the noir and detective pulp fiction associated with Hollywood's Golden Age. The composition is a fluid and chaotic juxtaposition of figures and elements that evoke a sense of narrative and character akin to a classic detective thriller.

 

The Shadow, a character known from early radio and pulp magazines, is prominent, suggesting a protagonist on a quest. The inclusion of "Murder" in bold letters hints at the central conflict or event around which the narrative revolves. The "possessed goon waiters" and "mad Swami" are characters that would be at home in a pulp fiction story, adding layers of intrigue and eccentricity. Margo Lane is initially replaced by Black Dahlia in No.1, only to be replaced by Penelope Anne Miller, co-star to Alec Baldwin’s Shadow in No.2. Black Dahlia then returns once again for No.3. 

 

Various symbols, from the poisoned Martini, the Rolling Stones tongue, playing cards, suggest themes of chance, fate, degeneracy, and the hidden depths of darkness around any corner. The Musso and Frank restaurant setting, while not overtly depicted, is implied through characters and symbols, creating a backdrop that is both familiar and mysterious.

 

The piece is an evocative tribute to Hollywood, particularly the suspenseful and shadowy world of film noir. It seduces the viewer into becoming The Shadow, piecing together the fragmented story from the symbolist clues provided.