Reviews (8)

A classic John Wayne
It is great to see John Wayne in the early years . It was both funny and action packed and comsidering it was 70 years ago it was of a great quality .

A collecter of John Wayne films on VHS ( PAL )
This 1932 12 chapter film is a very good for the year it was made.The thing that appeals to me is that these types of films never had to put up with sensorship.

private collector of all john wayne filme on VHS ( PAL )
This 1932 12 chapter film is very good for its time.The thing that appeals to to me is there was no sensorship in those days.That means (in my view ) they are more entertaining to watch.

Not the serial
If you are a true serial fanatic you won't like this DVD. It's the feature version. I was surprised because there is a full 12 chapter VHS version.

some second thoughts
After getting in touch with Marengo they explained to me that more viewers prefer the featurized-versions. That's why they've done it that way. But by mistake they forgot to mention it on the cover. A correct serial-version is in consideration for sometimes in the future. So my anger is calmed down - especially after checking my old tape of this serial - it has all the cliffhangers but picture and sound are far below that of the Marengo-DVD. So until a definitive versions turns up let's say: better than nothing. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Billy Halop and the Dead End gang help Little Tough Guys.
Billy Halop was part of the Dead End Kids gang that did many films after Broadway, starting with Dead End (1937). The Dead End Kids films lasted from 1937-1939 with seven films and some of the cast including Billy Halop, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell and Bernard Punsly crossed over to be with The Little Tough Guys from 1938-1943. By 1940, Billy Halop wanted to branch out on his own. They also made Saturday matinee serials by Universal Pictures. Junior G-Men (1940), Sea Raiders (1941), Junior G-Men of the Air (1943). 12 chapters, 11 cliffhangers. Each new chapter was shown every week in the local theatre. Each episode was only 18-21 minutes long. Now on VHS and DVD, you can see all of the chapters together. With some searching you can find them in a two-tape pak or a two volume-dvd pak. Volume 1, chapters 1-6. Volume 2, chapters 7-12 or each volume may be available separatly. Alpha Video with Nina's Discount Oldies or Amazon.com may have a good deal for you. Buy both volumes so you can see all of the cliffhanger episodes together. Total running time: 3 hours and 58 minutes. The story is: Billy Barton (Billy Halop has been looking for his father who he has not seen in five years. His father left him at the military academy. The government sent his father on a secret mission. This special medal was left in a briefcase for Billy. Billy left the academy to look for his father, but he was mugged, wallet taken and left for broke. The FBI tells Billy that his father was looking for him. Six months ago, Billy read in the newspaper that his father was dead. He blames it on the coppers. This is why Billy is so tough and has an attitude. The FBI tells Billy that his father is alive and is being held captive by a dangerous organization, The Flaming Torch. The Flaming Torch is trying to overthrow the present social order. They want the formula that Admiral Barton (Russell Hicks) has. Billy must join the Junior G-Men to help save his fathers life. In 1940, the Dead End Kids changed into The East Side Kids. Billy Halop and Bernard Punsly did not join them, but continued as the Dead End Kids with The Little Tough Guys in films until 1943. The dead End Kids in this film are: Billy Halop, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell and bernard Punsly. Kenneth Howell plays "Harry Trent". Phillip Terry plays "Jim Bradford". Florence Halop (Billy's sister) plays "Mary", the waitress. You might remember her in the NBC tv series "Night Court" in the 1980's. Bernard Punsly's last film was MUG TOWN (1943). Bernard Punsly became a gynocologist M.D. in Torrence, California and recently passed away on January 20, 2004. He was the last surviving Dead End Kid. Huntz Hall passed away January 30, 1999. Billy Halop said goodbye to the Dead End Kids with MUG TOWN (1943) as well. Billy Halop continued to make films, but getting parts was hard. In his final years, he became a male nurse. You may remember Billy Halop as "Bert Munson" on the CBS tv series "All in the Family". A role he played from 1972 to 1976, which ran through 1977. Billy Halop died in 1976 of a heart attack. Suddenly his career of 50 years which started in the 1920's on radio was over. But thanks to radio CD's (Radio Spirits) and films on VHS and DVD, Billy Halop, Huntz Hall, Bernard Punsly, Gabriel Dell and the rest of the film gang will still be around to entertain us. Followed by SEA RAIDERS (1941) and Junior G-Men of the Air (1942). ... Read more

Reviews (13)

This is the best of the Flash Gordon serials
"Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" was the third and best of the serials starring Buster Grabbe. This 12-part serial finds Alex Raymond's science-fiction hero battling Ming the Merciless (Charles Middleton). Flash has to save the earth from a mysterious plague known as the Purple Death. When Dr. Zarkov (Frank Shannon) finds one a spaceship from planet Mongo seeding the atmosphere it is clear that Ming the Merciless is back to his old tricks. Flash is aided by old friend Prince Barin of Arboria (Roland Drew) as they head to Frigia, where our heroes will find polarite, the antidote to the plague, and some really interesting locking rock people. Of course, Ming is going to go out of his way to stop Flash and his friends. My only real complaints are that the costumes look like leftovers from "Robin Hood" and that Carol Hughes replaced Jean Rogers as Dale Arden. Oh, well, life is full of disappointments. This DVD not only includes an interview with Crabbe, but footage of him winning the 1932 Olympic Gold Medal in the 400 meter swim event and three of his later TV commercials. Ideally you want to watch the three Flash Gordon serials in order, but if you start with this one you will certainly be able to follow the fun without any problems.

Go get 'em Flash
Flash Gordon is certainly the true precursor to "Star Wars." Image Entertainment is distributing four feature length titles edited down to about 90 minutes from the original four hour serial length. Zippy plots, lots of action, clever sets and surprisingly strong scripts do justice to "THE PERIL FROM OUTER SPACE," "THE PURPLE DEATH FROM OUTER SPACE," "SPACE SHIP TO THE UNKNOWN" and "THE DEADLY RAY FROM MARS."

Good stuff that looks even better when cut down to the central plot. The action does not let up. See the whole series in order.

Larry "Buster" Crabbe is charismatic and strangely beautiful as the lead in this beguiling comic book space opera from the late 30s.

For die hard fans of this series, the full length, uncut serial "FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE" is also available.

Nice for the Price
This DVD is nice for the price. The description says Region 1, but its region 0. The video and audio are about the same as others on the market, but the menus are well designed (very retro!) All 12 chapters are on one dual layered disc and the layer change doesn't interfere with the movie. There are no extras, but hey for the price, what do you expect?

Excellent for the price
This DVD is great for the price. The video and audio are comparable to other copies that I've seen (for over double the price). It's, also, nice to see all 12 episodes on one disc.

Save your money!!
I bought this on DVD and expected a professional package I expect of any DVD package. Here's the news...terrible packaging, no extra features, no cinemascope so you can't even read the credits, the poorest quality I have seen and overall unwatchable product. I feel as if I was robbed of my money. The people that made this product wanted to sell you something but you will never buy anything else. I say wait for someone who cares to release these great serials. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Billy Halop and the Dead End gang help Little Tough Guys.
Billy Halop was part of the Dead End Kids gang that did many films after Broadway, starting with Dead End (1937). The Dead End Kids films lasted from 1937-1939 with seven films and some of the cast including Billy Halop, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell and Bernard Punsly crossed over to be with The Little Tough Guys from 1938-1943. By 1940, Billy Halop wanted to branch out on his own. They also made Saturday matinee serials by Universal Pictures. Junior G-Men (1940), Sea Raiders (1941), Junior G-Men of the Air (1943). 12 chapters, 11 cliffhangers. Each new chapter was shown every week in the local theatre. Each episode was only 18-21 minutes long. Now on VHS and DVD, you can see all of the chapters together. With some searching you can find them in a two-tape pak or a two volume-dvd pak. Volume 1, chapters 1-6. Volume 2, chapters 7-12 or each volume may be available separatly. Alpha Video with Nina's Discount Oldies or Amazon.com may have a good deal for you. Buy both volumes so you can see all of the cliffhanger episodes together. Total running time: 3 hours and 58 minutes. The story is: Billy Barton (Billy Halop has been looking for his father who he has not seen in five years. His father left him at the military academy. The government sent his father on a secret mission. This special medal was left in a briefcase for Billy. Billy left the academy to look for his father, but he was mugged, wallet taken and left for broke. The FBI tells Billy that his father was looking for him. Six months ago, Billy read in the newspaper that his father was dead. He blames it on the coppers. This is why Billy is so tough and has an attitude. The FBI tells Billy that his father is alive and is being held captive by a dangerous organization, The Flaming Torch. The Flaming Torch is trying to overthrow the present social order. They want the formula that Admiral Barton (Russell Hicks) has. Billy must join the Junior G-Men to help save his fathers life. In 1940, the Dead End Kids changed into The East Side Kids. Billy Halop and Bernard Punsly did not join them, but continued as the Dead End Kids with The Little Tough Guys in films until 1943. The dead End Kids in this film are: Billy Halop, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell and bernard Punsly. Kenneth Howell plays "Harry Trent". Phillip Terry plays "Jim Bradford". Florence Halop (Billy's sister) plays "Mary", the waitress. You might remember her in the NBC tv series "Night Court" in the 1980's. Bernard Punsly's last film was MUG TOWN (1943). Bernard Punsly became a gynocologist M.D. in Torrence, California and recently passed away on January 20, 2004. He was the last surviving Dead End Kid. Huntz Hall passed away January 30, 1999. Billy Halop said goodbye to the Dead End Kids with MUG TOWN (1943) as well. Billy Halop continued to make films, but getting parts was hard. In his final years, he became a male nurse. You may remember Billy Halop as "Bert Munson" on the CBS tv series "All in the Family". A role he played from 1972 to 1976, which ran through 1977. Billy Halop died in 1976 of a heart attack. Suddenly his career of 50 years which started in the 1920's on radio was over. But thanks to radio CD's (Radio Spirits) and films on VHS and DVD, Billy Halop, Huntz Hall, Bernard Punsly, Gabriel Dell and the rest of the film gang will still be around to entertain us. Followed by SEA RAIDERS (1941) and Junior G-Men of the Air (1942). ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Dull, poorly produced serial
This serial is an outstanding example of why so many of the Universal serials of the 1940-1944 period were inferior to their Republic counterparts. In this case much of the Universal formula for making inferior serials is evident: intensive use of stock-shots, very poor production values, dull writing, continuous use of Mendelssohn's Fingal Cave Overture which is completely unrelated to the action that is going on screen. Universal's good serials in the forties are few and far between. This is one of their worst. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

wacky editing mania
This tape is nuts. When it arriaved at my house I was very dissapointed to find that it was only 80minutes long. The other version said that all the twelve episodes fill about 200 minutes. So i was bummed that i only got volume one out of 3 or something. But It turns out that this tape is a compilation of the best moments throughout the serial. This procedure of turning 200 and something minutes into 80 minutes a fun and wacky ride. There are so many jambled up plot lines, people running into scenes then back out in a cut, and then peopleliving through speeding plane wrecks and car explosions (With no explination). Over all the tape is rockin and I highly recommend it. A Cheasy Good Time!

Creepy Bela
The Phantom Creeps was Bela Lugosi's last serial. Lugosi is Dr. Zorka another mad scientist looking to take over and control the world. He tries to achieve this World domination with a number of gadgets. He has built an 8-foot robot, a belt that makes him invisible, and a gas that suspends animation, which he delivers with mechanical spiders. Through the 12 episodes an Army intelligence officer and a newspaperwoman chase him.

The 12 episodes are:

1) The menacing Power
2) Death Stalks the Highway
3) Crashing Timbers
4) Invisible Terror
5) Thundering Rails
6) The Iron Monster
7) The Menacing Mist
8) Trapped in the Flames
9) Speeding Doom
10) Phantom Footprints
11) The Blast
12) To Destroy the World

I purchased this DVD because Bela Lugosi was in it. I was not disappointed - I have really enjoyed it. The quality is not bad. There are options to play each episode or play all 12 continuously.

Good Serial, Bad DVD
The Phantom Creeps, Bela Lugosi's final movie serial, holds a special place in my memories for being the first complete chapterplay I had seen. I had seen portions of others but never a complete one before this. Lugosi steals the serial as Doctor Alex Zorka, a brilliant scientist who has made a series of inventions from a meteorite he found in Africa--via footage from "The Invisible Ray" for the Africa sequence. He wants to sell his secrets to the highest bidder, but the US Government wants to stop him. What is unusual for this serial is that I feel that Zorka was initially the good guy of the story before the US and a spyring start looking for his secrets and thus hounding him into insanity. The DVD for this is painful. The print used retains the Commonwealth (TV?) logo instead of the normal Filmcraft or Universal logo. Sound is muddy at quite a few places. Picture will be dark in a few places--sometimes in a daytime scene. They use only one set of opening credits for the 12 chapters. Normally, Universal would use a opening which showed the main cast for its first 3 episodes while the remaining episodes would use an opening that merely lists who the actors were. It is this second opening that is on the DVD and is only used once for all 12 chapters. There are no extras on this disc, such as a trailer, although you can choose to play it all at once or select an individual chapter. There is an insert with information on Lugosi. There are better VHS copies out there and in my own collection at one time I had an actual film print which had the Universal logo. I can't really recommend this DVD unless you don't have a copy of this serial at all. I wouldn't buy another disc from Whirlwind Media, the releasers of the disc, unless it was an extremely rare serial that probably would not be released any other way. Now if only Universal would get off its duff and start releasing their own serials instead of letting people with Public Domain prints do it, I might be a little bit more happy.

Unfathomable phantom
I bought this DVD to replace a Beta tape version I had made several years back. I like my tape better. This is a great, campy serial, but the terrible source quality of this DVD version makes it a poor choice. The original film (16 mm.?) jumps in spots; the dark contrast makes some scenes impossible to fathom; and the soundtrack is muffled and uneven.

Lugosi Destroys the Hindenburg!
"The Phantom Creeps" (1939) is 12 chapters of Universal serial hokum. In other words, it's a lot of fun. Bela Lugosi plays Dr. Zorka to the hilt, ably assisted by Universal's vast catalog of stock footage and classic music scores. The final chapter is particularly memorable, as mad scientist Lugosi gleefully brings down the Hindenburg. Universal did not make the best serials, but "The Phantom Creeps" is one of the studio's better efforts with Lugosi in top form. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

CHALLENGE TO BE FREE
THIS WAS MY FAVORITE MOVIE FROM MY CHILDHOOD.I THOUGHT IT WAS TIME FOR MY CHILDREN TO SEE IT,BUT I COULDN'T FIND IT IN ANY OF THE VIDEO STORES.I WAS SURPRISED WHEN IT CAME RIGHT UP WHEN I TYPED IT IN.ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT IT'S BEEN OVER 20 YEARS SINCE I'VE SEEN THIS MOVIE AND I'M VERY EXCITED THAT I HAVEFOUND A COPY TO PURCHASE.I CAN ALMOST FEEL THE MOUNTAINS AND THE STRESS FROM GETTING A SHAVE WITH AN AXE.

An all-time classic
As much hype and hoopla movies like A Bug's Life and Alladin carry with them ... movies like Challenge to be Free tend to fall to the side as unimportant figments of a different decade. This movie is not unimportant by any means ... it takes you on a wonderous journey ... leaving you in the end to realize the importance of trying to respect and understand the ways of not only the people around us, but the people we identify as our foes.

I believe this to be the greatest movie ever made.
There is somthing magical about the grease on Trapper's face. The way he laughfs, and wrestles with bears. This movie is a joke, but it's characters attack you. If you watch closely you'll see what I mean. It was made in 76' but released later due to some problems in post-production. It's sad. It's dirty. A dog was killed in it's production. And it is dedicated to the men and women of the forest. Thank you for reading this, and good day. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A classic John Wayne
It is great to see John Wayne in the early years . It was both funny and action packed and comsidering it was 70 years ago it was of a great quality .

A collecter of John Wayne films on VHS ( PAL )
This 1932 12 chapter film is a very good for the year it was made.The thing that appeals to me is that these types of films never had to put up with sensorship.

private collector of all john wayne filme on VHS ( PAL )
This 1932 12 chapter film is very good for its time.The thing that appeals to to me is there was no sensorship in those days.That means (in my view ) they are more entertaining to watch.

Not the serial
If you are a true serial fanatic you won't like this DVD. It's the feature version. I was surprised because there is a full 12 chapter VHS version.

some second thoughts
After getting in touch with Marengo they explained to me that more viewers prefer the featurized-versions. That's why they've done it that way. But by mistake they forgot to mention it on the cover. A correct serial-version is in consideration for sometimes in the future. So my anger is calmed down - especially after checking my old tape of this serial - it has all the cliffhangers but picture and sound are far below that of the Marengo-DVD. So until a definitive versions turns up let's say: better than nothing. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Eddie Rickenbacker as the "G-Man of the Sky!"
This 13 chapter serial is based on the comic strip character Ace Drummond created by World War I American ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Known as the "G-Man of the Sky," Ace is sent to Mongolia to tackle the mysterious villain known as "The Dragon," who is scheming to stop International Airways from building an airport there. Ace, played by John "Dusty" King," encounters Peggy Trainor (Jean Rogers), who is searching for her archaeologist father (C. Montague Shaw), who has recently disappeared (Does this remind anybody else of "Raiders of the Lost Ark"?). Together Ace and Peggy search for the answers to their quests, which, of course, are entwined. "Ace Drummond" is one of the very first sound serials and although it is shot very crudely, more like a stage play than an action drama, there is some nice footage of actual dogfights and this is a pretty good print for a 1936 film. King fails in the title role and the portrayal of the natives in Mongolia is typical of the racist attitude Hollywood had towards Orientals in those days. Directed by Ford Beebe and Cliff Smith, this Universal serial runs 260 minutes and features Jackie Morrow as Billy Meredith, Noah Beery Jr as Jerry, James B. Leong as Henry Kee, Al Bridge as Wyckoff, Guy Bates Post as the High Lama, and Lon Chaney, Jr. as Ivan. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

This is the best of the Flash Gordon serials
"Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" was the third and best of the serials starring Buster Grabbe. This 12-part serial finds Alex Raymond's science-fiction hero battling Ming the Merciless (Charles Middleton). Flash has to save the earth from a mysterious plague known as the Purple Death. When Dr. Zarkov (Frank Shannon) finds one a spaceship from planet Mongo seeding the atmosphere it is clear that Ming the Merciless is back to his old tricks. Flash is aided by old friend Prince Barin of Arboria (Roland Drew) as they head to Frigia, where our heroes will find polarite, the antidote to the plague, and some really interesting locking rock people. Of course, Ming is going to go out of his way to stop Flash and his friends. My only real complaints are that the costumes look like leftovers from "Robin Hood" and that Carol Hughes replaced Jean Rogers as Dale Arden. Oh, well, life is full of disappointments. This DVD not only includes an interview with Crabbe, but footage of him winning the 1932 Olympic Gold Medal in the 400 meter swim event and three of his later TV commercials. Ideally you want to watch the three Flash Gordon serials in order, but if you start with this one you will certainly be able to follow the fun without any problems.

Go get 'em Flash
Flash Gordon is certainly the true precursor to "Star Wars." Image Entertainment is distributing four feature length titles edited down to about 90 minutes from the original four hour serial length. Zippy plots, lots of action, clever sets and surprisingly strong scripts do justice to "THE PERIL FROM OUTER SPACE," "THE PURPLE DEATH FROM OUTER SPACE," "SPACE SHIP TO THE UNKNOWN" and "THE DEADLY RAY FROM MARS."

Good stuff that looks even better when cut down to the central plot. The action does not let up. See the whole series in order.

Larry "Buster" Crabbe is charismatic and strangely beautiful as the lead in this beguiling comic book space opera from the late 30s.

For die hard fans of this series, the full length, uncut serial "FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE" is also available.

Nice for the Price
This DVD is nice for the price. The description says Region 1, but its region 0. The video and audio are about the same as others on the market, but the menus are well designed (very retro!) All 12 chapters are on one dual layered disc and the layer change doesn't interfere with the movie. There are no extras, but hey for the price, what do you expect?

Excellent for the price
This DVD is great for the price. The video and audio are comparable to other copies that I've seen (for over double the price). It's, also, nice to see all 12 episodes on one disc.

Save your money!!
I bought this on DVD and expected a professional package I expect of any DVD package. Here's the news...terrible packaging, no extra features, no cinemascope so you can't even read the credits, the poorest quality I have seen and overall unwatchable product. I feel as if I was robbed of my money. The people that made this product wanted to sell you something but you will never buy anything else. I say wait for someone who cares to release these great serials. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Dull, poorly produced serial
This serial is an outstanding example of why so many of the Universal serials of the 1940-1944 period were inferior to their Republic counterparts. In this case much of the Universal formula for making inferior serials is evident: intensive use of stock-shots, very poor production values, dull writing, continuous use of Mendelssohn's Fingal Cave Overture which is completely unrelated to the action that is going on screen. Universal's good serials in the forties are few and far between. This is one of their worst. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

This is the best of the Flash Gordon serials
"Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" was the third and best of the serials starring Buster Grabbe. This 12-part serial finds Alex Raymond's science-fiction hero battling Ming the Merciless (Charles Middleton). Flash has to save the earth from a mysterious plague known as the Purple Death. When Dr. Zarkov (Frank Shannon) finds one a spaceship from planet Mongo seeding the atmosphere it is clear that Ming the Merciless is back to his old tricks. Flash is aided by old friend Prince Barin of Arboria (Roland Drew) as they head to Frigia, where our heroes will find polarite, the antidote to the plague, and some really interesting locking rock people. Of course, Ming is going to go out of his way to stop Flash and his friends. My only real complaints are that the costumes look like leftovers from "Robin Hood" and that Carol Hughes replaced Jean Rogers as Dale Arden. Oh, well, life is full of disappointments. This DVD not only includes an interview with Crabbe, but footage of him winning the 1932 Olympic Gold Medal in the 400 meter swim event and three of his later TV commercials. Ideally you want to watch the three Flash Gordon serials in order, but if you start with this one you will certainly be able to follow the fun without any problems.

Go get 'em Flash
Flash Gordon is certainly the true precursor to "Star Wars." Image Entertainment is distributing four feature length titles edited down to about 90 minutes from the original four hour serial length. Zippy plots, lots of action, clever sets and surprisingly strong scripts do justice to "THE PERIL FROM OUTER SPACE," "THE PURPLE DEATH FROM OUTER SPACE," "SPACE SHIP TO THE UNKNOWN" and "THE DEADLY RAY FROM MARS."

Good stuff that looks even better when cut down to the central plot. The action does not let up. See the whole series in order.

Larry "Buster" Crabbe is charismatic and strangely beautiful as the lead in this beguiling comic book space opera from the late 30s.

For die hard fans of this series, the full length, uncut serial "FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE" is also available.

Nice for the Price
This DVD is nice for the price. The description says Region 1, but its region 0. The video and audio are about the same as others on the market, but the menus are well designed (very retro!) All 12 chapters are on one dual layered disc and the layer change doesn't interfere with the movie. There are no extras, but hey for the price, what do you expect?

Excellent for the price
This DVD is great for the price. The video and audio are comparable to other copies that I've seen (for over double the price). It's, also, nice to see all 12 episodes on one disc.

Save your money!!
I bought this on DVD and expected a professional package I expect of any DVD package. Here's the news...terrible packaging, no extra features, no cinemascope so you can't even read the credits, the poorest quality I have seen and overall unwatchable product. I feel as if I was robbed of my money. The people that made this product wanted to sell you something but you will never buy anything else. I say wait for someone who cares to release these great serials. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

wacky editing mania
This tape is nuts. When it arriaved at my house I was very dissapointed to find that it was only 80minutes long. The other version said that all the twelve episodes fill about 200 minutes. So i was bummed that i only got volume one out of 3 or something. But It turns out that this tape is a compilation of the best moments throughout the serial. This procedure of turning 200 and something minutes into 80 minutes a fun and wacky ride. There are so many jambled up plot lines, people running into scenes then back out in a cut, and then peopleliving through speeding plane wrecks and car explosions (With no explination). Over all the tape is rockin and I highly recommend it. A Cheasy Good Time!

Creepy Bela
The Phantom Creeps was Bela Lugosi's last serial. Lugosi is Dr. Zorka another mad scientist looking to take over and control the world. He tries to achieve this World domination with a number of gadgets. He has built an 8-foot robot, a belt that makes him invisible, and a gas that suspends animation, which he delivers with mechanical spiders. Through the 12 episodes an Army intelligence officer and a newspaperwoman chase him.

The 12 episodes are:

1) The menacing Power
2) Death Stalks the Highway
3) Crashing Timbers
4) Invisible Terror
5) Thundering Rails
6) The Iron Monster
7) The Menacing Mist
8) Trapped in the Flames
9) Speeding Doom
10) Phantom Footprints
11) The Blast
12) To Destroy the World

I purchased this DVD because Bela Lugosi was in it. I was not disappointed - I have really enjoyed it. The quality is not bad. There are options to play each episode or play all 12 continuously.

Good Serial, Bad DVD
The Phantom Creeps, Bela Lugosi's final movie serial, holds a special place in my memories for being the first complete chapterplay I had seen. I had seen portions of others but never a complete one before this. Lugosi steals the serial as Doctor Alex Zorka, a brilliant scientist who has made a series of inventions from a meteorite he found in Africa--via footage from "The Invisible Ray" for the Africa sequence. He wants to sell his secrets to the highest bidder, but the US Government wants to stop him. What is unusual for this serial is that I feel that Zorka was initially the good guy of the story before the US and a spyring start looking for his secrets and thus hounding him into insanity. The DVD for this is painful. The print used retains the Commonwealth (TV?) logo instead of the normal Filmcraft or Universal logo. Sound is muddy at quite a few places. Picture will be dark in a few places--sometimes in a daytime scene. They use only one set of opening credits for the 12 chapters. Normally, Universal would use a opening which showed the main cast for its first 3 episodes while the remaining episodes would use an opening that merely lists who the actors were. It is this second opening that is on the DVD and is only used once for all 12 chapters. There are no extras on this disc, such as a trailer, although you can choose to play it all at once or select an individual chapter. There is an insert with information on Lugosi. There are better VHS copies out there and in my own collection at one time I had an actual film print which had the Universal logo. I can't really recommend this DVD unless you don't have a copy of this serial at all. I wouldn't buy another disc from Whirlwind Media, the releasers of the disc, unless it was an extremely rare serial that probably would not be released any other way. Now if only Universal would get off its duff and start releasing their own serials instead of letting people with Public Domain prints do it, I might be a little bit more happy.

Unfathomable phantom
I bought this DVD to replace a Beta tape version I had made several years back. I like my tape better. This is a great, campy serial, but the terrible source quality of this DVD version makes it a poor choice. The original film (16 mm.?) jumps in spots; the dark contrast makes some scenes impossible to fathom; and the soundtrack is muffled and uneven.

Lugosi Destroys the Hindenburg!
"The Phantom Creeps" (1939) is 12 chapters of Universal serial hokum. In other words, it's a lot of fun. Bela Lugosi plays Dr. Zorka to the hilt, ably assisted by Universal's vast catalog of stock footage and classic music scores. The final chapter is particularly memorable, as mad scientist Lugosi gleefully brings down the Hindenburg. Universal did not make the best serials, but "The Phantom Creeps" is one of the studio's better efforts with Lugosi in top form. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Spoilt by transfer
Very interesting to see a serial 70 years old, particularly as
it's shot mostly outdoors. A great pity this is spoilt by tape
2 which has projection shudder (not video shudder) .
Apparently no one was watching when this was being transfered from film. Very poor work. Not customer orientated at all.
Advice give it a miss.

A Mohican Must
If you enjoyed the Randolf Scott movie version of The Last of The Mohicans, then you must own this literate scripted serial version. My own copy is failing from repeated use. Loaning this serial to friends has become a habit. It is surrounded by an almost captivating style of directing which brings , you into the action. This ranks as an early great, and consequently is a must see for the beginning collector. Watch it alone in order to give it your undivided critical attention. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

VCI edition just fine
As I've been trying to collect some classic serials, I've been frustrated by the lack of specific information on the various editions. So let me first say that while the print is far from pristine, for the price this VCI edition is hard to beat.

Second, let me say that I am astonished--to the point of feeling like my 10-year old self was had--how much of "Star Wars" Lucas lifted almost whole-cloth from this serial. Even the prologue as a steeply pitched crawl comes from Buck Rogers, not to mention countless scenes in the Millennium Falcon as the ship is chased by an evil-empire-like force of villains.

So here's the advice I would have been happiest to have had a few days ago when I was trying to decide whether to buy this disc: if you love science fiction on film, or are interested in the popular culture of the late 30's and early 40's, BUY THIS DISC.

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
I think the whole sereise should come out on DvD do you have any ideas westher they are trying tro get permission to bring out the whole sereis please write me back at Silverdolphine@comcast.net.com

Worthwhile follow-up to the FLASH GORDON serials
Buck Rogers was the earlier space hero, first appearing in two featured novellas in Hugo Gernsbach's AMAZING STORIES, the earliest science-fiction pulp magazine. Then of course, he became a comic strip hero who was quite popular until the FLASH GORDON comic strip with superior illustrative art started competing.

Universal did well with Buck, though the serial didn't have the appeal of the Flash Gordon serials. It's not as imaginative, but it is a good action serial. Buster Crabbe shows a little of the calmer nature of the hero, compared to Flash Gordon's impetuousness.

If you don't have any of them, get especially FLASH GORDON: SPACE SOLDIERS and FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE first, but then be sure to get BUCK ROGERS.

A True THRILL-O-RAMA
The 12 chapter BUCK ROGERS serial, was shot between the Flash Gordon serials "Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars" and "Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe." Audiences seemed indifferent to it, so the plans for a sequel were scrapped in favor of continuing the Flash Gordon series. While the Flash Gordon serials are probably better, I really enjoy the Buck Rogers serial too.

Buck Rogers has STYLE. Not to say that Flash didn't, but the Buck Rogers serial has:

The Art Deco Headquarters of Killer Kane, with it's convenient topiary shrubs for hiding behind.

The swirling mirror pool monitor screens.

The equally Art Deco space ships, with sparklers as exhaust and that sound, something like a microwave oven and a car missing a muffler. These ships were so advanced, all they needed was a simple door with handle.

A future full of wimps. Flash and Buddy easily push away or tackle anyone who they clash with.

The groovy De-Gravity belts and the transporter.

The Saturnian tram system.

The exotic terrain of the planet Saturn, which in no way looked like a California desert.

The Saturnian MUGGS, who should have all been nominated for academy awards.

Okay, I'm being a little sarcastic. But I really do have a great love for this serial, even with all its many flaws. Terrible performances by some of the supporting characters, a few cases of severely bad stunt doubling, and the effects, well......they did their best with what they had to work with. I love the little dolls in the Saturnian tunnel trams.

And Buck himself--Larry "Buster" Crabbe was so handsome. That wavy hair and that killer smile were all he needed. I wonder if the producers ever realized what kind of confusion they would cause in the years that followed, by casting the same actor for both Flash and Buck. It's always interesting to see a VHS version of Buck Rogers with a picture from Flash Gordon on the cover, and vice versa.

Buck Rogers is a true pleasure to watch. It's so much fun, and it's the perfect length. It's over before it has worn out its welcome. And if you want more, then watch the next chapter. The menu screens are fun too, with the ships swinging around on visible wires. If only they would have included a booklet instead of advertising.

This is well worth checking out, especially if you enjoy the Flash serials. Like the cover proclaims, it's a 12 chapter Thrill-O-Rama!

'Buster' Crabbe was a Superhero
This takes me back to Saturday mornings as a ten year old, in the early 80's, when I first remember seeing Larry'Buster'Crabbe as Flash Gordon/Buck Rogers on the BBC.

So the wooden actors made local amateur dramatics look professional and the space ships looked like something made on Blue Peter, but it didn't matter because 'Buster' Crabbe WAS a Superhero.

Who cares about comparisons of productions and making analysis between Buck & Flash, they weren't meant for that, they're just pure fun and were made to be watched and enjoyed.

So anyone who saw these and enjoyed them, buy the DVDs, you'll be ten all over again. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

This is the best of the Flash Gordon serials
"Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" was the third and best of the serials starring Buster Grabbe. This 12-part serial finds Alex Raymond's science-fiction hero battling Ming the Merciless (Charles Middleton). Flash has to save the earth from a mysterious plague known as the Purple Death. When Dr. Zarkov (Frank Shannon) finds one a spaceship from planet Mongo seeding the atmosphere it is clear that Ming the Merciless is back to his old tricks. Flash is aided by old friend Prince Barin of Arboria (Roland Drew) as they head to Frigia, where our heroes will find polarite, the antidote to the plague, and some really interesting locking rock people. Of course, Ming is going to go out of his way to stop Flash and his friends. My only real complaints are that the costumes look like leftovers from "Robin Hood" and that Carol Hughes replaced Jean Rogers as Dale Arden. Oh, well, life is full of disappointments. This DVD not only includes an interview with Crabbe, but footage of him winning the 1932 Olympic Gold Medal in the 400 meter swim event and three of his later TV commercials. Ideally you want to watch the three Flash Gordon serials in order, but if you start with this one you will certainly be able to follow the fun without any problems.

Go get 'em Flash
Flash Gordon is certainly the true precursor to "Star Wars." Image Entertainment is distributing four feature length titles edited down to about 90 minutes from the original four hour serial length. Zippy plots, lots of action, clever sets and surprisingly strong scripts do justice to "THE PERIL FROM OUTER SPACE," "THE PURPLE DEATH FROM OUTER SPACE," "SPACE SHIP TO THE UNKNOWN" and "THE DEADLY RAY FROM MARS."

Good stuff that looks even better when cut down to the central plot. The action does not let up. See the whole series in order.

Larry "Buster" Crabbe is charismatic and strangely beautiful as the lead in this beguiling comic book space opera from the late 30s.

For die hard fans of this series, the full length, uncut serial "FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE" is also available.

Nice for the Price
This DVD is nice for the price. The description says Region 1, but its region 0. The video and audio are about the same as others on the market, but the menus are well designed (very retro!) All 12 chapters are on one dual layered disc and the layer change doesn't interfere with the movie. There are no extras, but hey for the price, what do you expect?

Excellent for the price
This DVD is great for the price. The video and audio are comparable to other copies that I've seen (for over double the price). It's, also, nice to see all 12 episodes on one disc.

Save your money!!
I bought this on DVD and expected a professional package I expect of any DVD package. Here's the news...terrible packaging, no extra features, no cinemascope so you can't even read the credits, the poorest quality I have seen and overall unwatchable product. I feel as if I was robbed of my money. The people that made this product wanted to sell you something but you will never buy anything else. I say wait for someone who cares to release these great serials. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A classic John Wayne
It is great to see John Wayne in the early years . It was both funny and action packed and comsidering it was 70 years ago it was of a great quality .

A collecter of John Wayne films on VHS ( PAL )
This 1932 12 chapter film is a very good for the year it was made.The thing that appeals to me is that these types of films never had to put up with sensorship.

private collector of all john wayne filme on VHS ( PAL )
This 1932 12 chapter film is very good for its time.The thing that appeals to to me is there was no sensorship in those days.That means (in my view ) they are more entertaining to watch.

Not the serial
If you are a true serial fanatic you won't like this DVD. It's the feature version. I was surprised because there is a full 12 chapter VHS version.

some second thoughts
After getting in touch with Marengo they explained to me that more viewers prefer the featurized-versions. That's why they've done it that way. But by mistake they forgot to mention it on the cover. A correct serial-version is in consideration for sometimes in the future. So my anger is calmed down - especially after checking my old tape of this serial - it has all the cliffhangers but picture and sound are far below that of the Marengo-DVD. So until a definitive versions turns up let's say: better than nothing. ... Read more