My Favorite Movie Serials
Back in my childhood you went to the movies and spent all day. One of the reasons you did this on Saturday was that was when the new episode of the cliff hanger serials debuted. Sure they were not always great art, but to a small boy, they were wonder come to life.
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- DirectorJohn EnglishWilliam WitneyStarsTom TylerFrank Coghlan Jr.William 'Billy' BenedictTo protect a magic talisman from being used for evil, a teenage boy named Billy Batson is given the power to become an adult superhero, Captain Marvel, with a single magic word: "Shazam!"Many consider this the best. You can argue, but it did have the best of that Republic Style.
- DirectorFord BeebeRay TaylorStarsGordon JonesWade BotelerKeye LukeA newspaper publisher and his Korean servant fight crime as vigilantes who pose as a notorious masked gangster and his aide.This one had some of the best dash (and the best title sequence) of the chapter plays. And, unlike so many others, it stayed pretty close to its Radio Roots.
- DirectorFrederick StephaniRay TaylorStarsBuster CrabbeJean RogersCharles MiddletonFlash Gordon, Dale Arden and Dr. Alexis Zarkov visit the planet Mongo to thwart the evil schemes of Emperor Ming the Merciless, who has set his planet on a collision course with Earth.This was the ground breaker. Science Fiction on film fought to excite like this one. Now it looks clunky, sure, but at the time....just wow! And this was one of the Universal Studio products, not known for their serials.
- DirectorJames W. HorneStarsVictor JoryVeda Ann BorgRoger MooreThe Shadow battles a villain known as The Black Tiger, who has the power to make himself invisible and is trying to take over the world with his death ray.Victor Jory was born to play the shadow on film, even though they didn't pay a lot of attention to the books or the radio.
- DirectorJames W. HorneRay TaylorStarsWarren HullIris MeredithRichard FiskeA crime fighter known as The Spider battles a villain called The Octopus, who is out to sabotage America and install his own government.Great serial based on "The Spider: Master of Men" pulp novels. Little slow by comparison, but certainly worth a fan's time.
- DirectorJohn EnglishWilliam WitneyStarsReed HadleySheila DarcyWilliam CorsonThe masked hero leads a fighting force to fight a villian who plots the conquest of The Republic of Mexico.Absolutely the best of the Zorro serials.
- DirectorElmer CliftonJohn EnglishStarsDick PurcellLorna GrayLionel AtwillSuperhero Captain America battles the evil forces of the archvillain called The Scarab, who poisons his enemies and steals a secret device capable of destroying buildings by sound vibrations.Wasn't even written for Cap originally, but they have those great Republic Stunt men, so it doesn't slow down once they get started. And the female lead should have played Lois Lane sometime.
- DirectorLambert HillyerStarsLewis WilsonDouglas CroftJ. Carrol NaishThe very first serial to adapt the comic book character of the Batman. In it, the Batman is a secret U.S. government agent, attempting to defeat the schemes of Japanese agent Dr. Daka operating in Los Angeles at the height of World War II.For a Columbia (not the best serial studio) this one looks pretty good. But it seems Robin saves Batman a lot more than the other way around.
- DirectorB. Reeves EasonJoseph KaneStarsRay CorriganLois WildeMonte BlueCrash Corrigan, a recent graduate of Annapolis, and Diana, a go-getting reporter, join Professor Norton for a search for the source of a string of earthquakes, Atlantis. They ride Prof. Norton's rocket submarine searching the sea and little Billy Norton, the professor's son stows away, of course. When they find Atlantis they are caught in a war between peaceful Atlanteans, note their white capes, and war-monging Atlanteans, note their black capes. After many harrowing moments for Crash, Diana, Prof. Norton and Billy, they barely get away with their lives when they escape a tower of Atlantis raised to the surface for the sole purpose of dominating or destroying the Earth (Which one depends on the compliance of the upper world dwellers.)"Crash" Corrigan is down there roughing them up. Another amazing piece of SF from Republic. Look closely you might recognize Lon Chaney Jr. and Smiley Burnett now and then.
- DirectorFord BeebeRobert F. HillFrederick StephaniStarsBuster CrabbeJean RogersCharles MiddletonWhen a deadly Nitron ray strikes Earth, Flash Gordon and his friends travel to Mars to battle Ming the Merciless and his new ally Queen Azura.Visually one of the most striking of the Flash Gordon's
- DirectorFord BeebeJohn RawlinsStarsWarren HullWade BotelerAnne NagelA wealthy publisher uses a disguise and calls himself the Green Hornet to fight crime in his city.The Hornet is back, and still doing it good!
- DirectorSpencer Gordon BennetThomas CarrStarsKirk AlynNoel NeillTommy BondSuperman comes to Earth as a child and grows up to be his home's first superhero with his first major challenge being to oppose The Spider Lady.Kirk Alan isn't even credited, so people would think it really was Superman performing. They had most people going, until the flying Superman became a cartoon.
- DirectorFord BeebeRay TaylorStarsBuster CrabbeCarol HughesCharles MiddletonA ravaging plague has struck the Earth threatening no less than global extinction. This alien disease is believed to be the evil spawn of Ming, the merciless Emperor of Planet Mongo. The world's only hope now rests with Flash Gordon.Flash and Ming are at it again.
- DirectorSpencer Gordon BennetStarsKirk AlynNoel NeillLyle TalbotSuperman battles Lex Luthor who is using a teleportation device and a new identity as Atom Man in his criminal plans.At last - Lex Luthor!
- DirectorSpencer Gordon BennetStarsRobert LoweryJohnny DuncanJane AdamsSecond serial featuring the comic book character Batman. In it, Batman, together with his sidekick Robin, face off against the Wizard, a hooded villain with an electronic device that remotely controls vehicles.The dynamic duo still look good, though their car could use some work.
- DirectorFord BeebeSaul A. GoodkindStarsBuster CrabbeConstance MooreJackie MoranA 20th Century pilot named Buck Rogers and his young friend Buddy Wade awake from 500 years in suspended animation to find that the world has been taken over by the outlaw army of Killer Kane.Damn, Buck sure looks and acts like Flash.
- DirectorWilliam BerkeStarsMorgan ConwayAnne JeffreysMike MazurkiPolice detective Dick Tracy must identify and apprehend a serial killer known as Splitface.Lester Gould's hard nosed detective comes to the screen with a vengeance.
- DirectorJohn EnglishWilliam WitneyStarsRalph ByrdMichael OwenJan WileyDick Tracy goes up against a villain known as The Ghost, who can turn himself invisible.Still rounding up goons and crushing skulls.
- DirectorJohn EnglishWilliam WitneyStarsRalph ByrdIrving PichelTed PearsonA mad doctor named Zanoff uses a drug to bring himself back from the dead after his execution in prison. Dick Tracy sets out to capture Zanoff before he can put his criminal gang back together again.Not the best of the series, but better than some.
- DirectorJohn EnglishWilliam WitneyStarsHenry BrandonWilliam RoyleRobert KellardThe nefarious Dr. Fu Manchu searches for the keys to the tomb of Genghis Khan, in order to fulfill a prophecy that will enable him to conquer the world. His nemesis, Dr. Nayland Smith, and his associates fight to keep the evil doctor from getting his hands on the keys.The king of the "Yellow Peril" characters. Take it with a dash of salt.
- DirectorFred C. BrannonStarsWalter ReedLois CollierGregory GayeA hero single-handedly sets himself against Martians trying to assume control of Earth.Republic hero takes on the phenomenon of flying saucers.
- DirectorLouis FeuilladeStarsRené CrestéMusidoraRené PoyenA twelve-part serial following the adventures of the masked vigilante Judex as he fights against criminals led by the corrupt banker Favrauxom.This silent French crime suspenser is worth watching.
- DirectorLouis FeuilladeStarsMusidoraÉdouard MathéMarcel LévesqueAn intrepid reporter and his loyal friend battle a bizarre secret society of criminals known as The Vampires.Another great French Silent serial, but it's about a gang of thieves, not really vampires.
- DirectorFred C. BrannonStarsTristram CoffinMae ClarkeDon HaggertyJeff King in his experimental rocket suit battles the evil Dr. Vulcan.Every kid in the audience wanted that flying suit1 I know I did.
- DirectorFred C. BrannonStarsGeorge D. WallaceAline TowneRoy BarcroftStrategic targets on Earth are being destroyed by an unknown weapon. Government security head Henderson suspects it's an "atomic ray" originating from the moon.Another fun Commando Cody adventure
- DirectorJohn EnglishWilliam WitneyStarsSilver ChiefChief ThundercloudLynne RobertsHeroic's of Lone Ranger & Tonto, matter!This was lost for a long time. Then they found one with Spanish Subtitles, but those are gone now if you don't want them
- DirectorJohn EnglishWilliam WitneyStarsRobert LivingstonChief ThundercloudSilver ChiefHomesteaders are moving into the valley settled many years ago by rancher Craig Dolan. He wants to keep them out by legal means but his nephew Bart brings in outlaws to drive them out. The Lone Ranger is on hand to help the homesteaders battle Bart's men as he overcomes traps, ambushes, burning buildings and other obstacles in his attempt to bring peace to the valley.Kemosabe and Tonto ride out once more.
- DirectorNorman DemingSam NelsonStarsWarren HullDoris WestonAl KikumeMandrake and his assistant Lothar are working the cruise lines and make the acquaintance of Professor Houston who has developed a radium energy machine, which is much coveted by a masked Crime Lord known as "The Wasp".Another Columbia that is almost more fun to watch the mistakes.
- DirectorWilliam WitneyStarsKane RichmondMarguerite ChapmanSam FlintAlan Armstrong, aka Spy Smasher, battles a Nazi villain known as The Mask, who heads a gang of saboteurs determined to spread destruction across America.Another Whiz comics adaptation, has its moments.
- DirectorSpencer Gordon BennetStarsWilliam ForrestLouise CurrieJohnny ArthurA mysterious detective called The Masked Marvel battles Japanese saboteurs intent on blowing up America.The American version of the masked wrestler hero, without the ring.
- DirectorJohn EnglishWilliam WitneyStarsEduardo CiannelliRobert WilcoxWilliam NewellA mad scientist plots the domination of America and only the masked hero, The Copperhead, can stop him.Was planned as a third Superman serial and then they lost the rights, so they invented the non super-powered hero The Copperhead.
- DirectorWilliam WitneyStarsKay AldridgeClayton MooreWilliam 'Billy' BenedictIt's intrepid Nyoka and her friends versus Vultura, Queen of the Desert, on a quest for the Golden Tablets of Hippocrates.Jungle adventure at its finest, sort of.
- DirectorOtto BrowerB. Reeves EasonStarsGene AutryFrankie DarroBetsy King RossWhen the ancient continent of Mu sank beneath the ocean, some of its inhabitant survived in caverns beneath the sea. Cowboy singer Gene Autry stumbles upon the civilization, now buried beneath his own Radio Ranch. The Muranians have developed technology and weaponry such as television and ray guns. Their rich supply of radium draws unscrupulous speculators from the surface. The peaceful civilization of the Muranians is corrupted by the greed from above, and it becomes Autry's task to prevent all-out war, ideally without disrupting his regular radio show.The best cowboy/science fiction/musical serial you'll ever see!
- DirectorJames W. HorneStarsWarren HullMary AinsleeDave O'BrienThe evil and masked "Gargoyle" is sabotaging all of America's industrial plants. It is up to the Spider to save the country.Not as good as the first, but, hey, what is?
- DirectorRobert F. HillStarsBuster CrabbeJulie BishopEdward WoodsMary Brooks' father, who has been studying ancient tribes, falls into the hands of the people of Zar, god of the Emerald Fingers. Tarzan helps Mary locate her father, rescues everyone from the High Priest of Zar and takes Mary to his cave.Buster Crabbe as the King of the Jungle.
- DirectorFred C. BrannonStarsJudd HoldrenAline TowneWilson WoodThe invaders come to Earth to create an H-bomb to blast Earth out of orbit so that Mars can take its place.You got Commando Cody and a young Leonard Nimoy, you gotta ask?
- StarsJudd HoldrenAline TowneGregory GayeDangerous climate changes are ravaging Earth and the U.S. government requests an investigation by masked super-scientist Commando Cody. He discovers that the disasters are being caused by space-alien forces from unknown planetary origins.Was shot as a TV series, but they released it as a serial.