CURIOUS ABOUT SERIALS ??

[kenwal34]

Hi Movie fans,

This new thread may or may not be of interest to you. Recently there have been posts pertaining to serials, 'B' movies,etc. For many of you,the serial is part of movie history along with newsreels.TCM has done a great job reacquainting fans with travelogues,etc and even going so far as to show a silent serial. The intent of this new thread is to acquaint people with the modern day serials and perhaps gain some new fans. Having seen serials and 'b'movies and made a study of same for over sixty years,I will try to provide information to any interested fans on same.While by no means an expert, I am able to provide assistance for those interested. So if your curious, I'll do my best to introduce you to the exciting Saturday afternoon cliffhangers.Thanks for your time!

Ken.

[path40a]

Very curious! And glad you will be sharing your knowledge with us. TCM has introduced me to a number of the Falcon films, the Dick Foran "Singing Cowboy" films, and several Tim Holt Westerns, but other than those, my education is fairly limited. Perhaps you're not even talking about the movies I've mentioned. Regardless though, I'm always interested to learn about film history. So please, enlighten us ... thanks!

[kenwal34]

path40a

Hi,

Glad to help. Yes ,these are the type of movies i'm talking about although serials and 'b' westerns are more in my line. Dick Foran was not the first singing cowboy.John Wayne made an early western for Lone Star productions in which he played a character called Singing Sandy. Whether he did sing or his singing was dubbed is in question.Tim Holt made many westerns for RKO and his sister Jennifer was in numerious westerns for various companies.Their dad was Jack Holt.

Foran made two serials for Universal.,WINNERS OF THE WEST and RIDERS OF DEATH VALLEY. Both are avaiable on tape.

RKO had a sucessful run with both the Falcon and The Saint series.

[classicsfan1119]

Hey there, Ken! I've been curious about (and in love with) Serials since enjoying so many of them as a kid during those fabulous Saturday Matinee's we've spoken so fondly of these boards over time. Last Sunday evening, I watched an interview with Robert Redford in which he also spoke fondly of the "cultural experience" of the beloved Saturday Matinee's as a young boy (including seeing these Serials), and he also expressed his concern that today's kids will never have this kind of experience.

 

I think that it's truly wonderful of you to offer to discuss them with us and share the vast knowledge you have about them with our younger audience here who never got to see them and never will, and those of us who did and would enjoy hearing what you can share with us about them now.

 

For sure, TCM should seize the opportunity if it's at all possible, to bring them back into the public's view precicely because they played such a meaningful part in film-making at that Classic time in film history. I certainly support you, Ken, for opening this thread, and I would also support TCM in giving us back the "cultural experience" of the Saturday Matinee, including running some Classic Serials in some special programming. :)ML

[kenwal34]

Dear ML,

A big THANK YOU for your support.Hope you enjoy this thread.A note of interest. The only major company to produce a serial was RKO. They made only one titled THE LAST FRONTIER with Lon Chaney Jr.[1932] and avaiable on vhs.

[pgm80s]

Ken, I have on DVD John Wayne's "Riders of Destiny" where he plays Singing Sandy from 1933. I'm not sure where I heard it, but I think it was actually a friend of the Duke's that is doing the singing, I may have heard that on the Westerns channel.

 

I also thought he had sang in another movie but he only played Singning Sandy once.

[kenwal34]

pgm80s

You are correct . The Duke only played Singing Sandy once. My source says it was rumored that Waynes voice was dubbed. Wayne did three serials for Mascot,SHADOW OF THE EAGLE[1932],HURRICANE EXPRESS[1932] and THE THREE MUSKETEERS[1933] with Wayne doing most of his own stunts.All are available on tape or DVD. Future Warner Brothers star George Brent got an early start in THE LIGHTNING WARRIOR[1931]for Mascot, playing second to the star,the great dog star Rin Tin Tin.[Available on tape]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[flickerknickers]

Oh, boy, Ken,as you probably know, this topic is right up my alley! As I've mentioned on other threads, my first exposure to serials were on those great Saturday Matinee at the Bijou programs that some North Carolina station featured every Saturday morn. "King of the Texas Rangers" was the first one I watched and it hooked me and my brothers and sisters. This particular station did a beautiful job of scheduling those old 30's cartoons, two episodes of a Republic serial, and then a double-feature--almost always a cowboy and a horror flick, for their Bijou mornings. I've brought nearly all the Republic serials and am now trying to get them on DVD. The ones that us fans are panting for to see on disc are: "Spy Smasher," "Daredevils of the Red Circle," "Mysterious Doctor Satan," "G-Men Never Forget" (starring the stunning Ramsay Ames who played Princess Ananka in 'Mummy's Ghost') and the best of them all: "G-Men Vs. the Black Dragon." I watched the latter one, along with "Adventures of Captain Marvel" during New York's big snow storm a few weeks back. I loved the way the heroines always jumped in and fought the bad guy, like that feisty Constance Worth who portrayed Vivian Marsh in "G-Men Vs. the Black Dragon." I've got the silent l914-15 "Perils of Pauline" which is always fascinating to watch. Pearl White was totally amazing and gorgeous, too. I've even got probably Republic's most ghastly serial play, "KIng of the Carnival" (1950). Watch this one along with "Spy Smasher" and just see how far the once glorious movie serial had fallen. Television killed them off.

[kenwal34]

Hi paty,

I was certain that you would enjoy this thread! We both enjoy the Republics and the Universal thrillers.I have most of the Republics on tape along with SOS COASTGUARD, ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN MARVEL, DICK TRACY,UNDERSEAS KINGDOM,ADVENTURES OF RED RYDER,DRUMS OF FU MANCHU and JUNGLE GIRL on DVD. Speaking of G.Men vs the Black Dragon,where else have you seen a female handle a sub machine gun as Constance Worth does in this serial?

Perhaps some of you may wonder why paty and I are so high on Republic. Because to us and many other serial fans,Republic was the best when it came to making serials!.Universal turned out some notable ones like FLASH GORDON, COLUMBIA with THE PHANTOM and other titles.But for overall excellence I feel Republic led the race. Other fans will differ. Republic produced 66 serials,the first released in 1936 and the last in 1955.Many of the titles are on VHS but just a few on DVD.

 

[loliteblue]

Ken, Just want to say a big thank you for starting this

thread to share on this topic is just great in a hectic

pace day to day its appreciated that you would care so

much and take the time for all of us!

Republic was the big daddy of the serials no question

about it. They knew how to do a western but i do love

universals flash Gordon with their simple special effects

are an endearing element of film when you look back

and then now the kind of special effects sci-fiction

films have today whew!... Loved the Phantom from columbia

But my all time favorite is "Jungle Girl" lolite.

[kenwal34]

lolite,

Thanks for your kind words. Its a pleasure for me to share my knowledge of films that brought me so many hours of pleasure.Universal produced 69 serials starting in 1929 until 1946.They ranged from sci-fi to westerns.Probably the ones that are most fondly remembered is the FLASH GORDON serials that starred Buster Crabbe. Milburn Stone[Doc Adams on Gunsmoke] also appeared in some of their serials. The Phantom was one of Columbias better efforts with Tom Tyler in the lead.Earlier Tyler had played the lead in one of Republics best serials[iMHO] and my personal favorite,ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN MARVEL. JUNGLE GIRL with Francis Gifford and Tom Neal is one of my favorites also.All of the above serials are on DVD as well as tape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[wnyzman]

I enjoyed serials every Saturday when a kid and still enjoy them every morning with our coffee. We have over 115 different and watch 3 Chapters at a time.

[kenwal34]

wnyzman,

Good to hear from another serial fan.What are some of your favorites? Depending on the serial,I limit my viewing to two or three chapters a viewing.

Ken.

[kenwal34]

Since its Saturday, what better time to talk serials. Todays serial is DARKEST AFRICA[1936],15 chapters starring Clyde Beatty. This was the first serial released by the newly formed Republic Pictures. Beatty was a animal trainer of note and connected with the. Clyde Beatty /Cole Brothers circus. Though not the typical serial leading man, Beatty keeps things lively for the run of the story. The plot concerns Beatty and Baru[played by Manuel King] attempting to rescue Barus sister from a lost city.Two baddies try to stop them to get diamonds, and the high priest deters them for reasons of power .The special effects team of the Lydecker brothers provide great [for 1936] special effects such as the flying batmen,volcanic eruptions and the like. An exciting first effort from Republic. Available on VHS.

[loliteblue]

Ken , I'm munching on my big bucket of buttered popcorn

enjoying the afternoon matinee!...thanks so very much

lolite.

[kenwal34]

Thanks lolite.Hope your enjoying the" cliffhanger" and save me some popcorn and add some extra butter!!

To be continued.....

[capnmephisto2]

Good topic Kenwalk. I agree, it's time for TCM to run a serial and that a Republic from the 1938-43 era would probably be the most fun. Other strong contenders would be the Flash Gordon serials from Universal. In my opinion the Universal serials were generally superior to their competitors until Republic hit its stride in about 1938 or 1939.

 

A possible exception to Universal's superiority in the mid-30s might be the one Kenwalk discussed today, "Darkest Africa." It's one of my favorites because the hero, Clyde Beatty, was a real life adventurer. He really did jump into cages with ferocious lions and tigers so no need for special effects when he was cracking the whip. Check out the intensity of his eyes when he's working the animals. What Beatty lacked as a professional actor he made up with his believability in such roles. This was his second serial, having appeared in "The Lost Jungle" in 1934.

 

You know another serial that might appeal to TCM viewers is "Phantom Empire," Gene Autry's first starring role, also featuring Smiley Burnette and Frankie Darro. Those are actors that would be familiar to many viewers, although decent prints of that film may not be available. It is probably the only muscial science fiction western ever made.

[kenwal34]

capn,

Welcome to the thread and thanks for the input. I see you must be a a fan of Roy Barcroft[Captain Mephisto]in MANHUNT OF MYSTERY ISLAND.Roy was the resident villian at Republic.He stepped out of character to play a dual good/bad role in G-MEM NEVER FORGET.

Back to PHANTOM EMPIRE[1935].. The capn is right about the appeal of this early Mascot serial.Gene Autry and his musicians broadcast a radio program from Melody Ranch. Unknown to Autry is an underground city called Murania governed by Queen Tika.There is a valuable mineral there coveted by bad guys.Gene comes to the rescue and everything is ok by chapter 12. Special effects are crude,but different.Gene does ok in his first starring role.Darro and Betsy King,both skilled riders,contribute to the action. Fun to watch. Shop around for good prints.

[kenwal34]

Heres another serial review that might be of interest.My personal favorite of the many serials i've seen is THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN MARVEL[1941]. This is the first Republic serial using a comic book character and an excellent start for getting acquainted with cliffhangers.

Billy Batson is part of an expedition that wants to find the Golden Scorpion, a device whose lenses can turn any matter into gold.Among the group is the mystery villian called the Scorpion,who is determined to get all five lenses for himself. In chapter one, Batson is given the power to tranform himself into Captain Marvel,a super hero, to guard the lenses.Serials often used masked villians to keep people guessing. The indentity of the Scorpion is not revealed until the final chapter.There is non stop action,and Tom Tyler as Captain Marvel fits the role perfectly. The rest of the cast performs equally well.The flying sequences hold up well today. Performed by stunt ace David Sharpe,the take offs and landings are great fun.Certainly,one of Republics top ten serials. On DVD AND TAPE.

,

[brackenhe]

Shazam!!!!

[kenwal34]

Right on!

brackenhe,heres a side note that might interest you.The special effects team used flash powder to achieve the transformation effect of Batson to Captain Marvel. This caused problems for the actors who were sometimes singed by too much powder.

[kenwal34]

Time for another serial review.Loite,heres something on one of your favorites,JUNGLE GIRL. Probably the best jungle serial made,Republic released it in 1941.The title character named Nyoka was played by Francis Gifford,and Tom Neal was the male lead.Trevor Bardette plays dual roles as her father and bad twin brother.The father is killed by the brother who then impersonates him

and with the help of Gerald Mohr,tries to steal valuable diamonds.Again, David Sharpe and others supply exciting stunts. The cliffhangers,music and production values are all top notch. One of Republics best. Fifteen chapters and available on DVD and tape.

 

 

[flickerknickers]

Oh, boy, this is just too much fun to miss! "Jungle Girl" is one of my all-time favorites, too. Not only are the production values a typically "A" from Republic Studios. It stars the stunning Francis Gifford as Jungle Girl and the equally handsome charisma of real-life bad boy Tom Neal. Neal died of a heart attack shortly after being released from prison on murder charges. I always thought he'd make a great Tarzan because of his boxer's build. "Jungle Girl" has so much going for it. Not least those end-of-each-episode cliffhangers! On DVD, "Jungle Girl" looks just like it must've appeared in neighborhood theaters back in l942. I've always been partial, too, to "King of the Texas Rangers" starring that one-hit wonder 'Slingin' Sammy Baugh and the plucky and beautiful Pauline Moore. For beautiful dames, none could compare with the surreal beauty of Ramsay Ames who starred in the Republic serial thriller, "G-Men Never Forget," along with Clayton Moore. Ames was the unforgettable Princess Ananka in Universal's greatest mummy shocker, "Mummy's Ghost," and Moore was soon to become a household name as in "The Lone Ranger." The gorgeous Ames died of lung cancer a few years ago. Both she and Francis Gifford deserved far better treatment from the studios than they received. Okay, that's it for awhile. I'm ready to catch my train to the windy city of Chicago to shiver and shake for a coupla days. Heigh Ho, Silver, Away!

[kenwal34]

paty,

Thanks for the added info. G-MEN NEVER FORGET stars Clayton[Lone Ranger] Moore,Ramsey Ames and Roy Barcroft.

KING OF THE TEXAS RANGERS stars Sammy Baugh,a football ALL AMERICAN and pro player in his only serial. Assisting is Duncan Renaldo[TVs Cisco Kid] and Neil Hamilton[tvs Batman commisioner]. Both are very good 12 chapter serials from Republic and available on VHS.

[capnmephisto2]

In the DVD version of "Jungle Girl" is the footage where Nyoka is tied up and the is gorilla coming toward her still obviously from a different print than the rest of the serial? When "Jungle Girl" was first made available on VHS about 8 years ago, most of the print was from a British source, so the print included the British censor seal. Although the print was generally excellent, a few scenes, most notably the one with the gorilla coming toward the bound Nyoka were missing (possibly deemed too violent by the British censors). The missing footage had to be supplied from the few other remaining copies of the serial, mostly in 16mm. Anyway,it is a good serial with all the typical Republic jungle settings, including the cave on the side of the mountain that was recyled in several Republic serials such as "The Perils of Nyoka" and I believe "The Tiger Woman."

 

Personally, I think "King of the Texas Rangers" is one of the best Republic serials. It has a serviceable plot and a lot of good action. Sammy Baugh was not a professional actor but he carried himself off very well in his only film and he seemed believable in the role of a Texas ranger. If he'd had any interest in a film career, he probably would have been a success. He had grown up on a Texas ranch and really knew about life on a ranch. He was kind of like Clyde Beatty in the respect that he was a genuine hero who wasn't overly impressed by Hollywood and viewed the movie business as nothing but an adjunct to his real life's work-first football and later ranching. By the way, although he is well into his 80s,I believe he is still living on his ranch in Texas.