Reviews (1)

Much better when watched one chapter at a time
These serials were, after all, made to be viewed one chapter a week, and so watching one in its entirety can become tedious. This is definitely in that category.

Now, I've given it three stars mainly because serial collectors aren't likely to regard it as one of the classic must see ones. It is enjoyable, at least for those like me who just plain enjoy the serial genre. But there isn't a whole lot to distinguish it.

However, as an adventure serial, separate from the crime, science fiction, super hero, or western genres, it is surprisingly good because it sweeps over a variety of geographical locales.

It begins in Cairo and involves a couple of espionage agents, a villainous sea captain, and various other characters. Over the 15 chapters, you're taken to sea, to the Northern California Coast, to the American desert, among other places. You have smugglers, pirate types, and just plain no-goods battling our heroes. And then there's the black coin of the title which is supposed to bring bad luck to the holder. It apparantly doesn't all the time though. Actually, the black coins are Arabic coins which were made over by Christian Crusaders, and over a period of time turn black.

So this is a serial which just doesn't have the elements that serial lovers especially love, but it is a rollicking adventure story, and as I said before, is far better viewed a chapter at a time. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Bar 20 Meets the Schoolmarm.
Everybody's favorite silver-haired, black-suited cowboy almost meets his match when a pretty schoolmarm comes to town to educate the local rowdies. If this sounds too syrupy, don't worry. Dastardly rustlers are actively stealing from the Bar 20 herd. There are blazing six-guns aplenty when Hoppy rounds up the boys and confronts the bad guys in the climactic shootout. William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy is a memorable figure of Western movie folklore. Hoppy's adventures at the Bar 20 ranch were a hit with Saturday matinee movie audiences in the '30s and '40s. They were also a fixture of Saturday morning TV in the baby-boomer '50s. Our favorite comic relief sidekick, Gabby Hayes, is the lovable Windy Halliday. There is an unusual amount of singing in this entry. Typically, the Hopalong Cassidy series avoided the Gene Autry/Roy Rogers type of Western musical, and stressed outdoor action. Perhaps the studio was tipping its hat to its singing cowboy rivals because a boys choir sings several folk songs. With the flag flying at the rough-hewn schoolhouse, the graduation ceremony segment captures some of the spirit of the American frontier. This entertaining B Western blends action and light humor. There is also an unusual dollop of sentiment regarding the importance of education in settling the West. Saddle up and enjoy the ride.
;-)

The Frontiersman
William Boyd had no use for singing cowboys and tried to keep the music in the Hopalong Cassidy movies to a minimum. He lost the battle in this flick. The Brendan Boys choir sing their little hearts out.

I am in perfect agreement with Mr. Boyd. But after you get passed the singing, this movie is a rollicking adventure even if the rustler plot has been done to death. There is a slight twist to the proceedings that surprised me.

However, it isn't the fate of the Bar 20 cattle that holds your attention here. It's the fun that the three heroes (Hoppy, Windy, and Lucky) have competing for the affections of the new schoolmarm that steal the show. Don't pass up the chance to see Hoppy in an apron and Windy slicked up to go a courtin'. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

everybody pays
This unambitious film from director Graham Theakston benefits from his creation of a believable Bostonian small-time gambling millieu run out of the bar owned by bookie Peter Falk. Falk is Irish Catholic but also connected to the local mob to whom he pays a percentage, and things change when the mob bring in Freddie Prince Jnr to help in Falk's uncollected tab. This is the most unlikeable character I have seen Prince Jnr portray, and giving him a cocaine habit provides a queazy parallel to his late father. Any business with a mafioso link is headed for tragedy, particularly when it is represented by Prince Jnr who has a gift for antagonism. Theakston's inevitable scenes of violence are unconvincing - one where Prince Jnr is slapped in the face is silly, and he lingers over the end - but the empathy built up for the characters overrides this weakness. Falk always benefits from someone to play off and here he has a wonderful rapport with Tyne Daly as his wife. She has a scene with Lauren Holly, a co-worker, where Daly describes the early sadness of her life which is a masterclass in acting. Holly is disappointing until she provides tears of fear in two scenes, but Timothy Hutton as her husband is miscast as an alcoholic. When Falk walks away from a scene of abuse, Theakston's enobling Irish music on the soundtrack may clue us into Falk's disgust but we are appalled at his inaction. This incident may be the deciding one for Falk to avenge himself, but since the sequence of events that climax the film alter our expectation, the criticism of Falk's character remains. Perhaps we are to believe that this inaction predetermines the character's fate, but it is still a disturbing choice. This film was produced by Cis Corman of Barbra Streisand's Barwood Productions. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Action aplenty in the Hills of Old Wyoming
This 1937 Hopalong Cassidy film was filmed on the Chiwaue Indian reservation in Wyoming and is an excellent B grade western oater - with a slow buildup leading to the usual rousing climax. Ranchers in the area are losing cattle to rustlers and the Indians are being blamed but in fact the chief crook is the deputy agent on the tribal reservation, Andrews (Morris Ankrum),who is trying to incriminate the tribe he is supposed to be helping. Hoppy (William Boyd) is alert to Andrews crooked ways but is soon in big trouble after this outlaw snatches the crooked half-breed, Lone Eagle, from Hoppy's camp and murders him in an attempt to foment trouble for Cassidy and between the ranchers and Indians. Hoppy, Lucky and Windy are captured by Chief Big Tree (played by Chief John Big Tree) but Hoppy is given a chance to prove his innocence whilst his friends remain captives. Cassidy manages to steal the deputy agent's rifle and carries out a ballistics test to the the satisfaction of the Chief.

Then follows the mandatory chase and action scenes so typical of the genre. This movie was the first of 27 for Russell Hayden ,as Lucky Jenkins, replacing Jimmy Ellison who had moved onto other things after playing Hoppy's side-kick Johnny Nelson in the first 9 Cassidy films, commencing in 1935. Hayden, who started in film production work, is generally regarded by Cassidy afficionados as the best of Hoppy's young 'pardners'. The outdoor scenery of this Cassidy film is great, as usual, and by this third season of filming William Boyd had already acquired international recognition as Hopalong Cassidy, with one Australian cinema manager being quoted as saying the Cassidy films were amongst the most popular Hollywood drawcards of the time - and it kept getting better for Boyd. Although these films may lack the worldly sophistication of current films there is a wholesome quality to them and they have to be judged in the context of their time. The 66 Cassidy films, produced between 1935-48, were still being played into the 1960's -that is tribute enough to Bill Boyd's durability and charisma as the greatest knight of the sagebrush-Hopalong Cassidy. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Technical Information
This video contains all the episodes of the serial. It is in the EP mode but nevertheless worth seeing.

Good serial, and a pleasant surprise for Lugosi fans
This 1934 serial is a well-made adventure story, of special interest to Bela Lugosi fans because for once he plays a plausible romantic lead instead of a sinister menace, and he's quite charming in this. A lot of action was packed into the first four chapters (intended to attract exhibitor and audience interest); these are especially good, with fine end-of-chapter perils. (For those who haven't got time for the entire serial, a feature version was fashioned from the first four chapters.) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Technical Information
This video contains all the episodes of the serial. It is in the EP mode but nevertheless worth seeing.

Good serial, and a pleasant surprise for Lugosi fans
This 1934 serial is a well-made adventure story, of special interest to Bela Lugosi fans because for once he plays a plausible romantic lead instead of a sinister menace, and he's quite charming in this. A lot of action was packed into the first four chapters (intended to attract exhibitor and audience interest); these are especially good, with fine end-of-chapter perils. (For those who haven't got time for the entire serial, a feature version was fashioned from the first four chapters.) ... Read more

Description

With CLARA KIMBALL YOUNG, EDMUND LOWE, RUDOLFO VALENTINO. In 1914, Vitagraph star Clara Kimball Young was selected by a movie magazine as the screens most popular actress. By the mid-1920s, a series of ill-conceived career moves resulted in her decline as a box office attraction and her retirement from films. When she attempted a comeback, after the advent of sound, she could only find supporting roles in Grade "B" productions. However, in 1919, she was still at her peak and her appeal and talent are herein evident. Young stars as Gina Ashling, a young girl with a golden heart, who rescues stray dogs and wants only to do good. Her father is on the abyss of financial ruin: the bank is calling in his loans, which he cannot repay. So she must make a choice: marry wealthy banker Ralph Lewis, who, for obvious reasons, her father wishes her to wed; remain at home and wait for assistant bank cashier Milton Sills to earn his fortune; pursue an operatic career; or wed the man she loves, whose proposal she has already accepted. WiII she choose love, or ambition, or duty? Because of her purity, Gina is allowed a peak into the future from a most unlikely source and what she learns is especially intriguing. Theres also a special treat here: appearing in a small role near the films finale is an actor, new to motion pictures in 1919, whos cast as "Clarence Morgan, a cabaret parasite." He was soon to become one of the cinemas great lovers and he is billed as "Rudolfo" Valentino. Silent film with original organ score, correct projection speed. 85 minutes. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I goofed!
This is NOT the original 12 chapter serial but rather a condensed version. By "condensed", I'm telling you that this three hour serial has been put into a 61 minute feature. As such, it is quite disappointing to serial collectors as myself. I am referring to the Timeless Video release here.

"Oh Yogi, Hear Me."
Okay, I know this is an obscure one, and the five star rating will leave many of you scratching your heads in disbelief and confusion, but this is a COOL movie! Frank Chandler, counterconjurer alias Chandu is the hero who must save his fiancee, Princess Naji from the clutches of the evil priests of Ubasti. Need one say more? Bela Lugosi, in the title role, has a break from all of his menacing bad guy roles and actually gets the girl...while she's alive! It's a serial complete with pearl draped turbans, a magic ring which can make one invisible, and a mummy case. If you like Lugosi and campy fun. It's a time machine trip to a world of dashing heroes in pith helmets and white suits, exotic locales and sappy happy endings. Now who can do better than that? this is great. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

everybody pays
This unambitious film from director Graham Theakston benefits from his creation of a believable Bostonian small-time gambling millieu run out of the bar owned by bookie Peter Falk. Falk is Irish Catholic but also connected to the local mob to whom he pays a percentage, and things change when the mob bring in Freddie Prince Jnr to help in Falk's uncollected tab. This is the most unlikeable character I have seen Prince Jnr portray, and giving him a cocaine habit provides a queazy parallel to his late father. Any business with a mafioso link is headed for tragedy, particularly when it is represented by Prince Jnr who has a gift for antagonism. Theakston's inevitable scenes of violence are unconvincing - one where Prince Jnr is slapped in the face is silly, and he lingers over the end - but the empathy built up for the characters overrides this weakness. Falk always benefits from someone to play off and here he has a wonderful rapport with Tyne Daly as his wife. She has a scene with Lauren Holly, a co-worker, where Daly describes the early sadness of her life which is a masterclass in acting. Holly is disappointing until she provides tears of fear in two scenes, but Timothy Hutton as her husband is miscast as an alcoholic. When Falk walks away from a scene of abuse, Theakston's enobling Irish music on the soundtrack may clue us into Falk's disgust but we are appalled at his inaction. This incident may be the deciding one for Falk to avenge himself, but since the sequence of events that climax the film alter our expectation, the criticism of Falk's character remains. Perhaps we are to believe that this inaction predetermines the character's fate, but it is still a disturbing choice. This film was produced by Cis Corman of Barbra Streisand's Barwood Productions. ... Read more