Description

Criminal genius Lex Luthor has Metropolis at his mercy. Can he crush Superman with his fiendish inventions? Find out as this live-action, 15 chapter serial whisks you breathlessly along. Kirk Alyn stars. Year: 1950 Director: Spencer Gordon Bennet Starring:Kirk Alyn, Tommy Bond, Noel Neill ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Super Exciting
Okay, with the Superman movies and Smallville this seems a little cheesy. The special effects are a little cheesy, Kirk Alyn is a little cheesy Superman with a goofy smile, but a pretty good Clark Kent. Then why did I give this five stars, because it is very entertaining. The 40's Superman is not the one I know, but good story telling and cliff hangers make this worth wild. Second all, this may be the best incarnation (at least pre-crisis) Lex Luthor ever one on screen. A great buy!

A serial sequel that's better than the first
ATOM MAN VS. SUPERMAN (1950), the second of two 15-chapter Superman serials, is far superior to its predecessor, SUPERMAN (1948). For one thing, it drops the ridiculous Spider Lady idea and gives Superman a formidable comic book-style villain in his familiar archnemesis, Lex Luthor (well-played by Lyle Talbot). Luthor keeps Superman and the Daily Planet constantly on their toes, coming up with inventive new threats in every episode. If it isn't a "directional cyclotron" causing earthquakes in one, it's an atomic missile headed for Metropolis in another. And Superman gets to do a lot more Superman-like feats of derring-do in this serial. In an ingenious touch, the makers incorporate all sorts of actual disaster footage into the action--flood, fire, earthquake, bridge collapse--and have Superman plunge in to rescue victims.

As in the previous serial, the super effects are created using cartoon animation, so whenever Superman takes off to fly he becomes a cartoon figure. This animation is used more imaginatively and in a wider set of actions than in the first one. In one spectacular moment, an animated Superman picks up a live-action miniature truck from a raging flood. And there's one jaw-dropping sequence in outer space that relies on animation.

The same actors return to play Superman/Clark Kent (Kirk Alyn), Lois Lane (Noel Neill), Jimmy Olsen (Tommy Bond) and Perry White (Pierre Watkin). Unlike the first serial, the spunky Lois gets some costume changes this time around. She also goes to work at a Metropolis TV station at one point, serving as on-camera talent doing man-on-the-street interviews in the early days of the medium! Overall, it's so filled with clever and imaginative touches that it ranks not only as one of the finest serials this reviewer's ever seen, but as one of the best examples of filmed Superman ever.

ATOM MAN VS. SUPERMAN
A good action serial with the KING of super heroes, SUPERMAN! The second of two Superman serials with KIRK ALYN as Supes, wearing a costume reminiscent of the later TV George Reeves'. The title being that of the RADIO show's story that in many ways is better than this serial or ANY screen work of Superman. The Atom Man in the RADIO story was a kryptonite powered Nazi who could create kryptonite lightning from his hand, nearly killing Superman several times. In THIS SERIAL, he's LEX LUTHOR who has a teleportation machine, that smacks of STAR TREK in a way, YEARS BEFORE Trek was thought of! NOT that people ' glitter ' when they teleport in or out in this movie. The criminals use this ability to escape Superman. There's super feats here too. FLYING is shown as a satisfactorily cartooned figure for long shots that some think is garbage and others like myself think is COOL. Think of this serial as a long 50's TV Reeves episode with similar level effects. The theme music is cool too. Alyn looked more like Superman than any screen actor one except for Christopher Reeve, the blockbuster movie guy. If you just want modern COLOR and blockbuster effects, this is'nt for you. It's a gem though and no one should miss KIRK ALYN as Superman, the FIRST actor in the role. Lois Lane is played by NOEL NIEL who was TV's main Lois later and she plays it even more as a weak, girl in trouble who could'nt rip her way out of a wet paper bag than she did in the TV series! Other reviews here probably tell you who else was in it, so I won't repeat it here.

SUPERMAN FANS MUST SEE THIS FILM!
One of the greatest of the classic serial films, ATOM MAN VS SUPERMAN has it all: space ships, evil criminals, action packed cliffhangers, and "the empty Doom" weapon. This movie shows the Man of Steel against Lex Luthor in a top notch adventure. Kirk Alyn is the best as Superman(next to Christopher Reeve)and Lyle Talbot steals the show as the mad genius-Lex Luthor. My only complaint is that the title villain never actually fights Superman, he just appears in a couple scenes. However, this classic is a valuable addition to any Man of Steel fan's collection.

WELL WORTH OWNING
400% BETTER THAN THE FIRST SUPERMAN SERIAL. IF THE SPECIAL EFFECTS WERN'T SO CHEESY, THIS WOULD BE 5 STARS. LYLE TALBOT AS LUTHOR STEALS THE SHOW. AFTER HEARING KIRK ALYN SAY "THIS LOOKS LIKE A JOB FOR SOOOOOPERMAN" A FEW TIMES YOU'LL REALIZE WHY GEORGE REEVES IS THE DEFINITIVE SUPERMAN. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wild Bill's first ride at Republic
After Gordon Elliott starred as Bill Hickok in a Columbia serial and then some Columbia features, his name got changed to "Wild Bill" Elliott -- and that was who he played in his first series at Republic, before becoming "Red Ryder" in yet another series and then moving up to A-budget westerns as "William Elliott." This movie introduces the new character, teams him with George "Gabby" Hayes, the best sidekick in show business, drops in perky Ann Jeffreys as the leading lady, pits him against a crooked territorial governor with Roy Barcroft as his chief henchman, and then we can just stand back and enjoy the fireworks. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

fun fun fun
serials were never known for great acting, writing or much of anything else. However there are excetions to the rule, and this is one of them. The plot may not be the freshest, and the nazis are about as stereotypical as they come, but some of the ideas that the writers came up with are quite amusing. I especially enjoyed the fake German graveyard in Morrocco loaded with explosives. Also, predictable as every fight scene is, the stunt coordinators and cameramen went out of their way to let everything look just a little bit different (my dad's got about forty serials, and Manhunt has by far the best fights of any of them, it's also in the top five for most amusing cliffhangers). No other serial has the actors fighting at the camera (pardon the grammar, but there's no other way to put it). The sets are also quite remarkable in that a large number of items are placed around for the actors to use. Again don't be looking for a great story or good acting. Just sit back and enjoy what passed for gratuitous violence in the 1940s. It's definitely a winner.

Manhunt in the African Jungle
This is a typical cliffhanging serial with plenty of action and even good creativity, but "someone forgot the jungle". Its painfully obvious this was shot in the foothills surrounding L.A. and unfortunately every episode winds up in in the same old fistfight, usually between "wolf" the Nazi spy and Rod Cameron, the American hero, not to mention the spear chucking arabs, who also become routine and who are dispatched by the dozen, usually accidentally, by their own kind, during the struggle for the gun during fist fights. Okay, but no prize!

Formulaic and uninspired but decent acting & special effects
If you want to study stock plots, standard characters and typical cliffhangers in Republic chapterplays, this is a good academic excesize. But it is a VERY mediocre example of Republic serials generally.... While ANYTHING from Republic's unit was better than 90% of the serials from other studios, SECRET SERVICE IN DARKEST AFRICA (the original title)was perhaps the beginning of the end of the Golden Age. All but three chapters are carbon-copies of one another: two 4-man fistfights (each beginning with Rex Bennet getting the pistol knocked out of his hand) per episode, one shot of the captive Sultan Ben Ali mocking his Nazi captors, a cross-country chase and an explosion at the end. Sure, these are the staples of serialdom, but here they are presented as "bones without flesh." For wartime Nazi-fighters in the serials, Spy Smasher (or any similar Whitney-directed outing) is a better choice.

Wow! Dynamite!
This breathlessly paced, action-packed serial represents the Republic serial at its apogee! After this one, it was all downhill, especially if you watch the horrendous "King of the Carnival." This last one makes "Plan Nine From Outer Space" by that marvelously inept Ed Wood, look like Spy Smasher, the greatest of all Republic's serials. Rod Cameron is the dashing, courageous hero of "Manhunt". Assisting him is petite but fiery Joan Marsh, whose screams rank with those of Fay Wray. Especially the episode where she is locked up in a metal coffin and nearly burned alive. She can also handle that gun nicely, too. The fight sequences, and serial climaxes are done with great elan and imagination. Rod Cameron proves within just a few scenes why he became such a world favorite of action films. He's also dynamite in another fast-paced Republican serial, "G-Men Versus the Black Dragon" and once more he's lucky in having an unforgettable female sidekick: cool, plucky, voluptuous Constance Moore. Wow, you oughta see that gal handle a machine gun. "Manhunt" is probably the last great serial from Republic. You should see this one and then the miserable "King of the Carnival" and see how fast the movie serial had degenerated because of the advent of television. A real tragedy.

You want action? You GOT action!
This is the high point of Republic serials, with action and special effects like nothing I've ever seen.

It's the fearless American agent matching wits with evil Nazi spies in Africa, and giving Hitler's cronies the kay-o!

True, there are the sterotypical things that come with all serials. The uncanny ability for heroes and villains alike not to be able to hold on to a gun, Califonia doubling for every location on Earth (this time it's Africa, sans black folks), and frequent fights that you KNOW are gonna happen (usually because a cowboy Nazi spy was distracted and dropped his gun), and bad guys never seeming to get captured for good and all until the last chapter. But hey, that's half the fun!

This one is impressive, and shows off the work of the famous effects wizards, the Lydecker Brothers.

If you like serials, this one is action all the way! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

One of Republic's best
This serial finds the Republic cliffhanger machine in top gear with top special effects by the Lydeckers, a pounding musical score by Mort Glickman and the usual knowing direction from ace serial director Witney. It is the better of the two serials with Rod Cameron and while it doesn't have as many slugfests as Secret Service in Darkest Africa (aka Manhunt in the African Jungle) it has much less of the juvenile dialogue of that serial and a much more convincing millieu (Republic's North African settings are not that realistic). Although Nino Pippitone as the Japanese mastermind Haruchi has a very fragile looking frame; he exudes considerable reptilian venom. The Republic Golden Age of Serials had one or two more years to go but after viewing this very entertaining and well-made entry you will wish it never ended.

Great, Greater, Greatest!
Of all my collection of Republic's "Golden-Age" Serials, this is the one I can watch again and again and enjoy it better with each viewing. This serial surely equals the "ultimate" cliff-hanger, "Spy Smasher." For one thing, everything in this stunningly directed, edited, acted, photographed chapter-play is so darn fresh. Only a few stock shots are used. Another great plus is the fantastic cast: Rod Cameron,probably the greatest of all action heroes, and the cool, voluptuous and feisty Constance Worth who isn't afraid to get her hair mussed as she jumps right in with machine guns, revolvers and pluck to help out Cameron. You wonder whatever happened to her? By far the most chilling and inventive cliff-hanger ending comes at the end of Chapter 8 and it features our gal, Constance. I won't tell you what happens but it involves a spear. William Witney proves himself to be a master craftsman, an over-looked genius who was the major force that elevated Republic Studio Serials to great art--and fantastic entertainment that can be seen and enjoyed by modern audiences. Bravo to Rod, Constance and Witney!

As Good As It Gets
The best WWII-themed serial, with directors William Witney and Spencer Gordon Bennett teamed up for the first and last time. Witney was a storyteller and Bennett an action man. Together they mixed up a heady brew. The unique ending of Chapter 8 is often mentioned, but it's the end of Chapter One that stands out, with a strong feel of chaos unleashed upon the earth. From then on Rex Bennett has not one but three bad guys to contend with, and they keep him busy right up to the moment civilization is saved in the rather perfunctory ending. One of the few serials that you wish could have been longer.

My favorite chapter ending in serials....
This is yet another of the greatest serials made. It's interesting to compare this great serial with the earlier Universal serial, JUNIOR G-MEN OF THE AIR. There are several notable similarities between the two, though the Republic serial is obviously far better. The raven with a poisoned beak is one of the greatest touches. The villain has to be one of the top serial bad guys. The lady in peril situations are good variations, and Constance Worth's characterization gives us one of the feistiest heroines in the genre. And then, there's Chapter 8, which has to be one of the greatest cliffhanger endings.

ACTION PLUS!
IF YOU LIKE ACTION THIS IS THE SERIAL FOR YOU GUN FIGHTS, FIST FIGHTS EXPLOSIONS,CAR CHASES,AERIAL ACTION I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SERIAL FOR ANYONE WHO ENJOYS THIS KIND OF ACTIVITY.THE ACTING WAS VERY GOOD AND THE CLIFF HANGERS KEPT YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SET. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

THE FIRST LIVE-ACTION SUPERMAN
THIS 1948 15-CHAPTER SERIAL FEATURES SUPERMAN [PLAYED HERE BY THE LATE KIRK ALYN] GOING UP AGAINST A GANG OF CROOKS. THIS IS A HELL OF A LOT BETTER THAN THE 1950S TV SHOW THAT FEATURED GEORGE REEVES! AT LEAST THIS SERIAL WAS FUN TO WATCH AND AT LEAST YOU CAN GET INTO WHAT'S GOING ON IN THIS MOVIE. YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO FIND THIS SERIAL IN STORES TODAY, BUT, IF, BY SOME CHANCE, YOU COME ACROSS THIS VIDEO, GET IT!!!!!

First live-action Superman has good opening, but bogs down
The best parts of SUPERMAN (1948), a 15-chapter serial produced by Columbia Pictures, are found in the first three or so chapters when we see a lot of Superman lore adapted to film, including the destruction of Krypton, young Clark growing up on a farm with the Kents, and Clark coming to Metropolis and joining the staff of the Daily Planet. We also get to see Superman do lots of superheroic deeds such as rescuing people from disasters. Afterwards, however, it settles into a standard cliffhanger formula with Superman battling the Spider Lady (Carol Forman), a conventional serial villainess and criminal gang leader who sends her standard-issue thugs and henchmen (middle-aged guys in suits, ties and fedoras) out to kidnap Lois and knock out Jimmy Olsen with growing monotony in every episode.

On the plus side, the Superman flying effects are carried out through cartoon animation. This enables Superman to be seen flying through a variety of locales. (If Republic Pictures had shot this, they would have repeated the same shot over and over of a stuntman in costume flying on a wire strung from one rock in the San Fernando Valley to another.) Also, Noel Neill's Lois is as spunky here as the character ever got. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, the ever-smiling Lois plunges into the action wholeheartedly time and time again, frequently making Superman look weak and overly cautious in comparison. Neill played the part again in the sequel, ATOM MAN VS. SUPERMAN, and later in all but the first season of the TV series.

A word about the sequel: ATOM MAN is far superior to this one, with a stronger, more comic book-appropriate villain in Lex Luthor, many more clever and imaginative sci-fi twists, and a more carefully devised script and structure. Superman also gets to do many more heroic feats of strength and the animated effects are more plentiful too.

IN DVD
Please..some body can tell me why WARNER STUDIO dont launch the original serie in DVD???? Why??? thanks any information.

One of the greatest things I have ever seen!
A week ago I bout the 1948 Superman serial here from Amazon and I loved it! It is powerfully charming and fun to watch! There is a total of 15 chapters on the tapes and they are each 20 minutes long and end with a very suspenseful cliff hanger! I have showed it to my friends and there families my family and everyone loves it! I think you should buy it today! No one should have to live and not watch this! It is a must have! Now I'm going to give you a summary of the first three chapters:
Chapter 1 - Superman Comes To Earth: Galaxies far from ours there is the blue planet Krypton. Krypton is a world of advanced science and mystery. One day Jor-EL a member of Krypton's council board and one of the brilliant scientist on Krypton, makes a startling discovering! He learns that the mighty Krypton is coming upon its last hours, Krypton is being drawn into its red sun and will explode! He tells the rest of Krypton's council leaders this and tells them that all of Krypton's population must flee to the planet Earth, in spacecraft! The council leaders laugh at his discovery and vote to stay on Krypton; Jor-EL calls them fools and leaves! At Jor-EL's home he tells his wife what just happened, they both agree to send their baby boy Kal-EL on Jor-EL's experimental rocket and send it to Earth. After Kal-El is put into the rocket and lunched into space, the planet Krypton explodes, killing all of its people except Kal-EL! On Earth in a small town a farmer and his wife witness some sort of spacecraft come out of the sky and land on the ground! The farmer opens the spacecraft and finds a baby boy raped in fireproof blankets, the farmer and his wife adopted the boy that came out of the sky and name him Clark Kent. It's not long after Clark starts to grow, he learns he is no ordinary boy and can perform impossible deeds! When Clark grows up he vow's to his foster parents that he will use his powers for truth justice and the American way! His foster mother give's him a suit that she made from the blankets Clark was raped in when he first came to Earth. He tells them he will wear it only when he is SUPERMAN!
Chapter 2 - Depths Of The Earth: There is a mine disaster and reporters from the Daily Planet in Metropolis are sent on a train to cover the story. But a track is broken and the engineer of the train is not warned in time and is going to crash! Before a train goes over the broken track, a man in a cape and a giant "S" symbol on his shirt, comes out of the bushes and fixes the track with his bare hands. The train is safe but the queer man who help has run off. In Metropolis Clark Kent is in a cab and asks to go to the Daily Planet, on the way Clark sees a building on fire and asks the cabby to pull over! Clark gets out and use's his x-ray vision and sees a women inside the building, Clark say's to himself, "This looks like a job for Superman!" and changes into a suit with a cape and a giant "S" symbol on it. In an instant flies into the building grabs the women flies back out with her in his arms, next he drops her off safely and runs off. At the Daily Planet Clark asks Perry White the chief editor at the Daily Planet, if he can have a job. Perry is about to say no but gets a phone call instead. On the phone are Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen they were sent to do a story on the mine disaster but the police won't let them in. Clark say's to Perry that if he could get in and get the story, if he could have a job, Perry agrees. At the mine disaster Lois finds a way into the mine but gets caved in and now is left to die by dangerous fumes!
Chapter 3 - The Reducer Ray: Superman comes to the rescue and brakes through the mine and saves Lois and the miners and then runs off again! When Lois and Jimmy get back to the Daily Planet they are mocked because someone else got the story and Lois is really mad! Next her and Jimmy meet the newest member at the Daily Planet, Clark Kent! In a secret hideout the Spider Lady ruler of the underworld of crime want's to steal a very powerful weapon called the Reducer Ray, it can blow up any thing with a blast bigger then a the atomic bomb. Her first plot to steal it is unsuccessful for Superman stops her. That night a meteor crashes near Metropolis. At the Metropolis Museum Professor Leeds wants show reporter Clark Kent the meteor. It is in a lead box, Leeds tells Clark that it is very strange and thinks that it comes from the planet Krypton that exploded many years ago! When Leeds takes off the lid the meteor glows green and Clark falls down dead!

THANK YOU FOR THE TRIBUTE TO FLEISHER SUPERMAN CARTOONS
The Superman serials from Columbia had cartoons in tribute to the Fleisher cartoons of a few year before. It was very creative and thinking out of the box. ~*~ Carol Forman is great in her continuing quest to take over the world. This serial is a hoot. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

THE MAKSED MARVEL
This was the first serial I ever saw as a kid, and it's one of the best I have seen. The plot is about a masked agent and his attempts to thwart the diabolical Sakima and his thugs. Along the way are plenty of action packed fights and suspensful cliffhangers to keep you coming back for more! This is a great movie for the kids, who will especially love the tense action.

Thrills! Chills! Action!!! One of the best serials ever made
Recently, I was lucky enough to be presented with a copy of this 1943 classic. Made during the dark days of W.W.II, this fast moving espionage thriller is a first rate example of the serial format at it's best.

The story: The film opens with a series of very impressive explosions and fires carried out by a saboteur by the name of Sakima in order to hurt the US war effort. Not only are these acts of espionage causing problems for America on the home front, but they are also costing the World-Wide Insurance Company hundreds of thousand of dollars. The president of World-Wide, Warren Hamilton, informs the press that he has been contacted by the Masked Marvel and that he is willing to help stop the saboteurs. Hamilton also states that he will be meeting with Marvel to give him some important documents about the case.

Sakima, in league with a traitor within World-Wide's ranks, knows where and when to stop Hamilton from delivering the papers. Two of his henchmen confront Hamilton while he is on his way to meet the Masked Marvel. The thugs are successful in stealing the documents, but they gun down Hamilton in front of his daughter and World-Wide's VP, Martin Crane, in the process.

The murdered man's daughter, Alice, is contacted by the Masked Marvel, his face hidden beneath a black mask. The Masked Marvel offers his assistance in capturing Sakima and his espionage ring and explains that he will be sending four special agents (Bob Barton, Frank Jeffers, Terry Morton, & Jim Arnold) to help out on the case. Only Alice is to know that he is one of the four young men.

After many more breathtaking perils and major revelations, the Masked Marvel is finally able to track Sakima to his hidden headquarters. Forcing his way past one of Sakima's remaining henchmen, the Masked Marvel enters Sakima's secret lair and confronts the spy chief. Sakima quickly douses the lights and a shoot out begins. The Masked Marvel positions himself behind a very large urn while Sakima finds himself pinned behind his large desk. The Masked Marvel shoots off six quick rounds, and Sakima, believing his nemesis is out of ammunition, triumphantly steps from behind his desks and slinks toward the unarmed hero, and then...

Well, you wouldn't want me to spoil the ending for you, would you?

While sticking to the long established serial formula for the most part, this film does very in one unique way. Rather, than was the case in many cliffhangers, the villain being a masked or unknown character in the story, in The Masked Marvel, it is the hero who remains unknown until the final chapter.

This is an interesting and effective story devise, even if the studio didn't play fair with the audience. Whereas the Masked Marvel was suppose to be one of the four young insurance agents in disguise, all of the Masked Marvels scene, except for the unmasking in CHAPTER TWELVE: THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK were played by an uncredited Tom Steele.

Tom Steele, born Thomas Skeoch on June 12th, 1909 in Scotland, was a legendary stunt man whose career stretched from stunt doubling on Flash Gordon (1936) through Mel Brook's Blazing Saddles (1974). Not only did Steele play the Masked Marvel in this film; he also doubled three other characters and played a bit part as one of the heavies, all while he was also stunt coordinator and 'ramrod' (boss) of the stunt organization at Republic. Steele held that a post he held from June 1943 through June 1944.

While some of the acting in The Masked Marvel may not be completely first rate, I can guarantee to you that all of the fights and action sequences certainly are.

Behind the camera was a talented and efficient crew, lead by longtime director Spencer Gordon Bennet.

Bennet, born on January 5th, 1893, started his career in film as a "stuntman and bit part player in Edison action pictures." Eventually, Bennet began directing serials, beginning with 1925's Play Ball. In all, Bennet is reported to have directed fifty-two serials by the time he retired in the mid sixties, including such classics as Zorro's Black Whip (1944), Son of Zorro (1947), Superman (1948), Batman and Robin (1949), Atom Man Vs. Superman (1950) and Captain Video, Master of the Stratosphere (1951).

Bennet's experience is an obvious asset, and his skill truly shows with smoothness and self-assuredness in the way this film is directed. Truly journeyman directing at it's very best.

Along with an effective script, first rate cinematography and musical score, fantastic SPFX by the gifted Lydecker brothers, fast moving editing, all of the behind the camera workers truly pulled together to help make The Masked Marvel into a top rate cliffhanger that surely ranks among the best serials ever made.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend this film to anyone interested in serials and old movies. The Masked Marvel is both an excellent film for experienced serial watchers looking for an action packed cliffhanger to add to their collection, as well as being one heck of a joyride for the serial novice looking for that special first cliffhanger to give serials a try.

the masked marvel
For thrills it rocks! It had even my wife, who can't take anything comic booky stuck to the end. Like who is the masked Marvel? How does he fight and still keep is had on? The stunts are top notch Republic(ah, what they could have done to Superman) expose this to your kids in small doses or one a night. they will really dig it -if they can get past the black and white. I really liked the actor Richard Farnum as "the know it all guy".

It's Tom Steele's film
The late Tom Steele was one of those great stuntmen who made action actors look good, and here he stars as "The Masked Marvel" -- and doesn't even get screen credit. The masked nemesis of World War II saboteurs is supposed to be one of four insurance investigators (Republic used the same gimmick in its 1938 "Lone Ranger" serial, with five heroes, one of which is the title character, but the audience has to wait until the last chapter to find out which; this was a reversal of the usual serial practice of trying to guess the masked villain). Steele also doubles a couple of the investigators in their unmasked action scenes and, on top of that, appears as TWO of the bad guys. During a guest appearance at a film festival in Knoxville, he said stunters didn't care about screen credit, but serial buffs all know this chapter-play owes its exuberance to him.

BRINGS BACK THE MEMORIES
From 1970 to 74 my family was stationed in Germany. My father was a thirty-year army man and this was our second tour in europe. I was grade school age and just about the only american entertainment around was the base movie house. Anyway, every saturday afternoon they showed a couple of serial chapters with a feature. The Masked Marvel was one of the ones I remember most. However, on the day that the last chapter was to be shown I had the flu and i never did get to see how it ended. THANK GOD FOR VIDEO! It's still great after all these years. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Rick Vallin
As I saw Rick Vallin tonight Dec 30, 2003 in The Quick Gun with Audie Murphy, I remembered seeing Rick way back in the Blackhawk Serial over 50 years ago when I was 12.

Less enchanting with age, but still worth it
I saw the Blackhawk serial when it first came out about 50 years ago. The only disappointment I remember was that on screen we do not see all seven Blackhawks going around together and attacking the Commies and other enemies simultaneously, which they do in the comic books.

In the serial, only five of the Blackhawks are on active duty: Blackhawk himself (Kirk Alyn, Chuck (John Crawford), Olaf (Don Harvey, Andre (Larry Stewart) and Stan (short for Stanislaus; Rick Vallin). None of them has a foreign accent like in the comics.

Chop Chop is not the short, toothy, pigtailed comic relief that we see in the comics. He is dignified and soft-spoken, He stays behind at headquarters and operates the radio. Even 50 years ago I saw this as an improvement. He looks authentically Chinese, but the actor's name is Weaver Levy. Never figured that out.

And Hendrickson (Frank Ellis) stays behind to maintain the airplanes at the hangar. I wondered then, as I wonder now in middle age, how the Hendrickon with his middle-age spread and less than top physical condition was able to run around anyway.

With maturity, I see many of the holes in the plot and settings. For one thing, it is immediately obvious today that Blackhawk Headquarters has no security. The bad guys can just drive up to it, somewhere in Arizona supposedly but maybe in the San Fernando Valley. Maybe we didn't notice these things back in the 1950s?

It is still gripping and enjoyable today, although maybe less so than before. I assumed when I first saw it that The Leader was Josef Stalin, dictator of the USSR. In the 15th chapter we found out the truth. When I saw it again recently, I of course already knew the ending. So like in other cases like this, the thing to do is look for hints as to how you can first guess what is going to happen.

All in all, this is worth it if you are/were a serial fan. And oneof the handful of Columbia serials actually available through regular commercial outlets.

THIS MOVIE STINKS
I HAVE THIS MOVIE FOR WHICH I SEARCHED FOR YEARS AFTER SEEING A REVIEW IN FAMOUS MONSTERS MAGAZINE (1960'S),AS A TEENAGER. I WAS GREATLY DISAPPOINTED.THE COMICS ARE GREAT BUT THIS COLUMBIA MOVIE FELL WAY SHORT IN PLOT ,ACTION AND ACTING IT'S A HORRIBLE REPRESENTATION OF THE CHARACTERS IN THE COMICS. MY ADVISE, SAVE YOUR MONEY.

BLACKHAWK
Loved the old comic book hero, hated the serial. It was like two hours in a dentist chair having a root canal. I approached this dub with high expectations. They were dashed. Kirk Allyn was wooden in the major role as the leader of this strange group on Polish American flyers. The plot was dumb, even for a serial. Save your money. If you like flying serials try THE SHADOW OF THE EAGLE or ACE DRUMMOND.

Kirk Alyn flies for the last time
This 1952 serial adventure stars Kirk Alyn (famous as Superman of the serials) as the head of a flying squadron. The bad news is that there is surprisingly little airborne footage in this, and nothing much happens for several chapters. The good news is that the serial wakes up later on, with plenty of action and well-staged stunt work by David Sharpe. And for those who enjoy the peculiar lapses of logic found only in Columbia serials, there are a few uninentional laughs (two pilots bail out of an airplane and shut the door BEHIND them). This video will appeal most to fans of Kirk Alyn and to kids. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

So bad it's good
This is a horrible serial. The special effects are laughable, the characters are ridiculous, and the plot is insane. If you want a serious scifi movie, go elsewhere, but if you're the type of person who's seen Plan 9 from Outer Space more than once, who delights in the truly awful, then this is for you. The repeated elements do get a bit tedious, and it's hard to watch more than three or four episodes at once (remember, people originally had to wait a week to see the next installment), but it's a lot of fun. I only wish it were available on DVD.

Cheaply Made With No Imagination
This is without a doubt one of the dullest, most unimaginative serials I have ever viewed. If you can stay awake past the same old standard fist fight at the end of each chapter then you must be on caffine i-v. There are much better serials than this, spend your money elswhere.

second time around
I first saw all fifteen chapters at the Fairbanks Theatre in Springfield, Oh, when I was about ten, and it scared me to death. Fifty years later I saw it again, and could not believe that Dennis Moore beat the crap out of the same four guys in every episode. Nonetheless, Roy Barcroft is the ultimate bad guy, and anything he's in is worth having.

Not up to the usual Republic standards!
This was a very disappointing serial. The story and effects are average at best, and that's only once in a while.

The story involves a plot to take over the Earth by the evil Purple Monster, the henchman of the Martian Empire. For some reason, even though the Martians have mastered the abillity to take over humans by "merging" with their bodies, and have learned English and determined how to go from Mars to a precise location on the Earth and locate a specific person driving down the road at night, they have yet to figure out how to build a rocketship that doesn't blow up. If a Martain comes to Earth, it's a one-way trip.

Add to that the fact that a Martain can effortlessly use a handgun and other Earth tools (in fact, they have none of their own, apparently), this serial is going a bit beyond the suspension of disbelief.

The Purple Monster wants to take over the rocket project being worked on by the puny, backwards Earthmen. If they can steal the rocket, they can go back to Mars, and learn how to build more. Then a fleet of rockets can take over the Earth.

If these guys are so advanced, why do they need an Earth rocket? The thing wasn't even built!

I know it sounds good on paper, but this serial is far from good.

Usually, Republic serials kick butt. This one only stubs a toe. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Turning into Roy Barcroft
Richard Bailey didn't cut the most heroic figure among Republic's serial heroes, and his voice sounds a tad on the sissy side. But he was built like stuntman Tom Steele which is what counts, because Steele made his character look like quite a battler. Even so, heroine Linda Stirling saves the life of Bailey's criminologist character about as many times as vice versa in this exciting chapter-play, about one of a group of suspects on an island who has developed a Frankenstein-like spark-throwing transformation machine which can literally turn him into another person, the physical personification of his pirate ancestor, played by Roy Barcroft. It is said that this was one of Barcroft's favorite roles, because it was something different from western heavies. Indeed it was, and Barcroft revels in it.

Great Serial to enjoy...
This serial is a good one in that it stars the great Roy Barcoft as the villian. Followers of serials know that he was one of the best and gives a first rate performance here. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not the worst, but the dullest
This isn't the worst serial I've ever seen (WINNERS OF THE WEST gets that honor), but this is easily the dullest. Even the mountains of stock footage from earlier (and much better) Zorro serials can't alleviate the sheer tedium of George Turner, the world's most non-descript Masked Avenger. Opt for ZORRO'S BLACK WHIP, ZORRO RIDES AGAIN or ZORRO'S FIGHTING LEGION instead. And hey, Artisan, where's the DVD releases of the Republic serials????????

Thrills and Spills!
This l947 Republic actioner moves at jet-speed pace, thanks mainly to great performances by Peggy Stewart, as Postmistress "Kate," and her co-star George Turner. This is basically a standard westerner but the epidode endings are wonderfully inventive--especially the one where Kate and zorro are trapped in a cave with a wall of water racing toward them. Peggy is the perfect serial heroine: feisty, gutsy, and she looks great in her cowgirl outfit and does most of her own stunt work. She began making westerns in l937 with "Wells Fargo" and has appeared recently in "Seinfeld" and often guest-starred on the old Gunsmoke series. This can't compare with Republic's greatest serial: "Spy Smasher" but then few can. Still, this one is worth your money and terrific performances of Peggy, George and the others. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Batman on a Low Budget
Upon viewing the first chapter, it's obvious that "Batman and Robin" (1949) will not emerge as one of the all-time great serials. With producer Sam Katzman at the helm, it's bargain-basement all the way -- right down to the cheap costumes and an incredibly poor excuse for a Batmobile. Despite low-budget shortcomings, there's plenty of hokey fun as Batman and Robin face one contrived cliffhanger after another. The mysterious Wizard makes for an interesting villain, since he never was featured in the comic books. Robert Lowery does a good job as Batman, but John Duncan makes the Boy Wonder look like a juvenile delinquent. It's also nice to see character actor Lyle Talbot as Commissioner Gordon, even though he has a tendency to activate the Bat Signal in broad daylight. Flaws and all, "Batman and Robin" is an undeniable guilty pleasure.

Best of the 2 BATMAN Serials!
Despite what some BATMAN Serial bashers have said here, this is the better of the two Columbia Movie serials based on BATMAN. Robert Lowery (BATMAN) became quite a movie star in many other films and John Duncan (Robin) worked in many classic films of the day as well... This is the most entertaining BATMAN serial with the WIZARD and holds your interest from chapter to chapter with GREAT cliffhanger endings! Of course this is LOW BUDGET as were all the serials of the time! If you want fun, just watch these tapes.

Good, but something's missing
It was good to get the 1949 Batman & Robin serial in a fairly high-quality VHS reproduction. But here's something known to only a few fans: There are about 10 minutes missing from the first chapter.

You can watch this several times without ever realizing that something is missing. Then you get to see the thing in it's entirety elsewhere, and at least two stars get lost immediately for the way we got cheated.

Hope to see this in DVD someday, with the missing parts restored.

A little long, but good
This does go on a bit, but it's still quite good. The Wizard is a great villan who probably wouldn't have worked in the films but could have been done in a multi-part cartoon or even the Adam West tv series. I agree it is a little bit of a stretch for Batman to be driving Bruce Wayne's car and no one questions it. I'm not positive, but I think there was another Batman movie serial like this done before or after this one, but I've never seen it advertised for sale. I would recomend this for a rainy day afternoon viewing with the whole family.

Not Bad!
I can only recall having seen two 40's era movie serials, CAPTAIN MARVEL-1941 (CM) and BATMAN & ROBIN-1949 (BM&R) and so can only base my opinions on serials made during this time based on these two films. Both films followed the same premise of having the hero(s) track down a mysterious masked villan who through the use of advanced technology, technology which doesn't even exist today, and an endless supply of thug labor attempts to exert control over others. CM has 12 chapters and BM&R has 15 chapters. One chapter would be shown each week with a cliffhanger ending until the final chapter ends the serial by unmasking the villan and ending the crime spree. Both serials come across as a mix of mystery, action and suspense. Although the mystery of trying to figure out who is the masked villan is not a true mystery. A true mystery leaves clues so that the viewer can possibly figure out the mystery. In these serials clues are withheld until the villan is unmasked and the viewer finds out it is someone to whom the given clues did not point.

I think CM was the better of the 2 serial but BM&R was enjoyable. In each episode Batman & Robin would track down the masked villan known as the Wizard. The Wizard was able to control any moving vehicle with a machine he stole. He needed diamonds to power the machine. The Wizard also attempted to steal an experimental explosive. The Wizard also had a machine that could see anywhere. He could view his hired help, follow the Batman and Robin and other such things. However, he never used it to alert his thug help that Batman & Robin were approaching or to track Batman & Robin to their hideout. The Wizard could also hypnotize people with his blinking eyes. From a childs perspective the Wizard is very deadly and powerful. From an adults perspective The Wizard is too powerful to be believed and isn't smart enough to use the power effectively.

Batman & Robin have what would be considered by modern standards as lame costumes. Robin has a descent costume but the Batman costume looks as though it were made from pajamas and a devils mask. It is obvious to all that have seen both Bruce Wayne & Dick Grayson and Batman & Robin that they are are the same persons. They don't even try to mask their voices. The Batcave is very cheezy and the Wayne Manor looks less like a mansion and more like a middle class home in the Gothem suburbs. Why Batman and Robin even wear utility belts is beyond me as they seldom use them. The less said about the Batcar the better. Also there are no super villans so Batman & Robin beat up the same thugs over and over in each chapter.

Having said all this I must end it by saying the serial is highly enjoyable. No one watches this expecting to see award winning acting or a story that will be nominated for an Oscar. The viewer just enjoys the story for what it is. A way to escape for a short while. Looking for the flaws in the serial is as much fun as watching the story itself. The cliffhanger endings usually show the certain demise of the hero(s) and even though you know they survive you can't help but to look forward to the next chapter to see by what implausible means they were able to escape death.

So if your a fan of old serials or Batman & Robin this would probably be worth watching and is available on VHS. Due to the many chapters and that the entire serial takes up 2 VHS tapes it would be nice if this came out on DVD. The entire serial would fit on 1 DVD and the DVD chapters would make it easier to pick up the viewing where you last left off. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Way more enjoyable than expected...
I was supprised at the quality of this serial. It is a bit corny and unbelievable at times, but in all an excelllant addition to any serial collection. I've not been too huge on cowboys and indians until now. Even though the indians aren't indians for what I can see. Well worth watching....

Not So Believable
Even though we never questioned it at the time this one was not as believable as others. As nieve as we were the situations and cliffhangers didn't hold up on this one. They cheated on this as well on the cliffhangers. We still enjoyed, and it belongs to entertainment of the time. A good, but thin story line. We took them for what they were. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

THE MAKSED MARVEL
This was the first serial I ever saw as a kid, and it's one of the best I have seen. The plot is about a masked agent and his attempts to thwart the diabolical Sakima and his thugs. Along the way are plenty of action packed fights and suspensful cliffhangers to keep you coming back for more! This is a great movie for the kids, who will especially love the tense action.

Thrills! Chills! Action!!! One of the best serials ever made
Recently, I was lucky enough to be presented with a copy of this 1943 classic. Made during the dark days of W.W.II, this fast moving espionage thriller is a first rate example of the serial format at it's best.

The story: The film opens with a series of very impressive explosions and fires carried out by a saboteur by the name of Sakima in order to hurt the US war effort. Not only are these acts of espionage causing problems for America on the home front, but they are also costing the World-Wide Insurance Company hundreds of thousand of dollars. The president of World-Wide, Warren Hamilton, informs the press that he has been contacted by the Masked Marvel and that he is willing to help stop the saboteurs. Hamilton also states that he will be meeting with Marvel to give him some important documents about the case.

Sakima, in league with a traitor within World-Wide's ranks, knows where and when to stop Hamilton from delivering the papers. Two of his henchmen confront Hamilton while he is on his way to meet the Masked Marvel. The thugs are successful in stealing the documents, but they gun down Hamilton in front of his daughter and World-Wide's VP, Martin Crane, in the process.

The murdered man's daughter, Alice, is contacted by the Masked Marvel, his face hidden beneath a black mask. The Masked Marvel offers his assistance in capturing Sakima and his espionage ring and explains that he will be sending four special agents (Bob Barton, Frank Jeffers, Terry Morton, & Jim Arnold) to help out on the case. Only Alice is to know that he is one of the four young men.

After many more breathtaking perils and major revelations, the Masked Marvel is finally able to track Sakima to his hidden headquarters. Forcing his way past one of Sakima's remaining henchmen, the Masked Marvel enters Sakima's secret lair and confronts the spy chief. Sakima quickly douses the lights and a shoot out begins. The Masked Marvel positions himself behind a very large urn while Sakima finds himself pinned behind his large desk. The Masked Marvel shoots off six quick rounds, and Sakima, believing his nemesis is out of ammunition, triumphantly steps from behind his desks and slinks toward the unarmed hero, and then...

Well, you wouldn't want me to spoil the ending for you, would you?

While sticking to the long established serial formula for the most part, this film does very in one unique way. Rather, than was the case in many cliffhangers, the villain being a masked or unknown character in the story, in The Masked Marvel, it is the hero who remains unknown until the final chapter.

This is an interesting and effective story devise, even if the studio didn't play fair with the audience. Whereas the Masked Marvel was suppose to be one of the four young insurance agents in disguise, all of the Masked Marvels scene, except for the unmasking in CHAPTER TWELVE: THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK were played by an uncredited Tom Steele.

Tom Steele, born Thomas Skeoch on June 12th, 1909 in Scotland, was a legendary stunt man whose career stretched from stunt doubling on Flash Gordon (1936) through Mel Brook's Blazing Saddles (1974). Not only did Steele play the Masked Marvel in this film; he also doubled three other characters and played a bit part as one of the heavies, all while he was also stunt coordinator and 'ramrod' (boss) of the stunt organization at Republic. Steele held that a post he held from June 1943 through June 1944.

While some of the acting in The Masked Marvel may not be completely first rate, I can guarantee to you that all of the fights and action sequences certainly are.

Behind the camera was a talented and efficient crew, lead by longtime director Spencer Gordon Bennet.

Bennet, born on January 5th, 1893, started his career in film as a "stuntman and bit part player in Edison action pictures." Eventually, Bennet began directing serials, beginning with 1925's Play Ball. In all, Bennet is reported to have directed fifty-two serials by the time he retired in the mid sixties, including such classics as Zorro's Black Whip (1944), Son of Zorro (1947), Superman (1948), Batman and Robin (1949), Atom Man Vs. Superman (1950) and Captain Video, Master of the Stratosphere (1951).

Bennet's experience is an obvious asset, and his skill truly shows with smoothness and self-assuredness in the way this film is directed. Truly journeyman directing at it's very best.

Along with an effective script, first rate cinematography and musical score, fantastic SPFX by the gifted Lydecker brothers, fast moving editing, all of the behind the camera workers truly pulled together to help make The Masked Marvel into a top rate cliffhanger that surely ranks among the best serials ever made.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend this film to anyone interested in serials and old movies. The Masked Marvel is both an excellent film for experienced serial watchers looking for an action packed cliffhanger to add to their collection, as well as being one heck of a joyride for the serial novice looking for that special first cliffhanger to give serials a try.

the masked marvel
For thrills it rocks! It had even my wife, who can't take anything comic booky stuck to the end. Like who is the masked Marvel? How does he fight and still keep is had on? The stunts are top notch Republic(ah, what they could have done to Superman) expose this to your kids in small doses or one a night. they will really dig it -if they can get past the black and white. I really liked the actor Richard Farnum as "the know it all guy".

It's Tom Steele's film
The late Tom Steele was one of those great stuntmen who made action actors look good, and here he stars as "The Masked Marvel" -- and doesn't even get screen credit. The masked nemesis of World War II saboteurs is supposed to be one of four insurance investigators (Republic used the same gimmick in its 1938 "Lone Ranger" serial, with five heroes, one of which is the title character, but the audience has to wait until the last chapter to find out which; this was a reversal of the usual serial practice of trying to guess the masked villain). Steele also doubles a couple of the investigators in their unmasked action scenes and, on top of that, appears as TWO of the bad guys. During a guest appearance at a film festival in Knoxville, he said stunters didn't care about screen credit, but serial buffs all know this chapter-play owes its exuberance to him.

BRINGS BACK THE MEMORIES
From 1970 to 74 my family was stationed in Germany. My father was a thirty-year army man and this was our second tour in europe. I was grade school age and just about the only american entertainment around was the base movie house. Anyway, every saturday afternoon they showed a couple of serial chapters with a feature. The Masked Marvel was one of the ones I remember most. However, on the day that the last chapter was to be shown I had the flu and i never did get to see how it ended. THANK GOD FOR VIDEO! It's still great after all these years. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

SERIAL-MAKING AT ALMOST ITS PRIME
While many serials from those Golden Days of the 1930s and 1940s had western, war, jungle, or outer space backgrounds, this is one set on and around several islands in the South Seas. A few of the interiors and an occasional seascape impart a South Seas flavor, but much of the scenery has such a "sagebrush" look to it that you expect a stagecoach to come over the hill at any moment. Still, the story-line holds interest throughout 15 chapters and the action, often fast and furious with a heavy reliance on fistfights, always builds to exciting, cliffhanger endings. Kane Richmond (at age 37) plays the sea captain out to clear his name of a false murder charge and as he proved in the earlier (and somewhat superior) "Spy Smasher," Richmond is an ideal serial hero -- handsome without being pretty, likeable, a competent actor, and rugged enough to make all his physical heroics seem plausible. Note how good he looks with his shirt off in Chapter One's boat-rescue scenes. Kay Aldridge makes for a passable heroine though she seems a bit too young and diminutive to carry off some of her action scenes. Roy Barcroft is a suitable villain, heavier on style than sneer. The less said about the sea-serpent monster, the better. While "Haunted Harbor" doesn't quite rank with the serials' finest efforts, it's just half-a-notch below that level. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Tiger Woman
This vhs for Tiger Woman reminds me of when I was young and going to the movies every week to see another chapter I enjoyed it then , but now I can see the art in making this movie> I still think it is the best. R. G. Davis

Linda's first serial
Linda Stirling got to play the title role in two great Republic serials, "Zorro's Black Whip" (yes, under that mask was the petite Ms. Stirling) and this one, her first. She was doubled by a stuntwoman who made her fighting and vine-swinging look quite good; she later confessed to not knowing how to ride a horse or swing on vines. But this is a fun serial, in which she gets support from Allan Lane (a popular serial star himself before going on to make three, count 'em, three, well-received western series) and Duncan Renaldo (another serial regular who gained fame at movie and TV "Cisco Kid"). If you like Indiana Jones, you'll love this.

Linda Stirling's Best Remembered Role
First things first, this video is not from a television series. It is one of Republic Studios serials from the 1940's. It is full of action and stunts for which Republic was justly famous. Both Allen Lane and Linda Stirling are fun to watch in this 12 chapter serial. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Undeniably fun, but a step down from other Republic serials.
This is a good, not great, chapterplay from their heyday, and will please all serial fans. But it is not among the very best.

The stunts and escapes are, again, fine, but maybe just a notch below those as staged by Witney and English. The fights are tremendous; Bennett sure did enjoy a good knockdown dragout pugilistic bout. Nary a stool or bench or piece of pottery went unshattered in the entire serial. And there are about two of these fights per chapter.

My ambivalence for this serial has much to do with how completely boring the villain is. He is just an average white guy who talks funny. I can overlook a bad accent if "logistical constraints" did not permit the producers to hire someone who was actually of the ethnicity he portrayed, but this dude simply talked funny. For example, he pronounces our hero's name King as 'Keeng,' and the ancient people he was studying (The Towermen) as 'The Tay-hour Mayun.' I expect serial villains to be histrionic madmen with robot killers as bodyguards, or raven-haired leopard-skin clad beauties with pet gorillas named Satan. This man was a slightly ambitious Archaeology 101 professor. At least he wore a fedora.

The treasure hunt plot is not anything groundbreaking but is a good one- expected redundancies aside- although Canada is much less exotic than the jungles of Africa or some tropical isle. It also eliminates the possibility of legions of native or Nazi henchmen helping the villain. Just more interchangeable white guys in flannel.

KotFR is also more straightforward than many of the finest serials, with no double identities and no masked men. This is not necessarily bad, but the narrative is nearly three hours long and kind of repetitive, so any additional story contrivances are welcome. As long as these lead directly toward setting up the next fight...

P.S. Try Daredevils of the Red Circle, S.O.S. Coast Guard, Jungle Girl, Nyoka and the Tigermen, Zorro's Fighting Legion and The Adventures of Captain Marvel. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Enjoyable Serial Of Federal Law Officer vs. Crime Lord
Federal Operator 99 is one of Republic's best serials, combining action-filled cliffhangers with an engaging cast and several good twists.

Marten Lamont is Jerry Blake, Operator 99. Part James Bond (he speaks with a mild English accent, is quite charming looking, and gets into traps worthy of Ian Fleming), part Joe Friday, and part Frank Bullitt, Jerry Blake is after Jim Belmont (George J. Lewis), an escaped crimelord with a unique characteristic; he is a musician with a talent for piano, which he plays incessently for relaxation; his taste for music figures prominently in one of his robberies, when he kidnaps a famed violinest to swipe his expensive Stradivarius.

Both Blake and Belmont are ably backed by two lovely ladies - Joyce Kingston (Helen Talbot) and Rita Parker (Lorna Gray), both of whom get quite involved in the action - at one point both ladies fight for the wheel of an out of control truck. Rita shows herself to be as mean as any gunsel (she calmly sticks a flaming lighter in the face of a kidnapped Countess to make her spill the beans on hidden crown jewels), while Joyce is Cloudy Russo to Jerry's Popeye Doyle (she rescues him from one of Belmont's traps and kills the driver of a car trying to knock them over a cliff).

Both couples become ever more frustrated at the cat-and-mouse game that proceeds; there is a great scene where Belmont is playing piano while Rita glumly stares into space. Jerry Blake, meanwhile, becomes noticably less confident over the course of the story; he records a letter to his superiors in Washington, and displays a very real sense of failure in reporting on Belmont's escapes.

But when Belmont's chief gunman Matt Farrell (Hal Taliafero) is nabbed after the botched Stradivarius heist, Belmont and Rita kidnap Joyce, hoping to trade her for Farrell. Jerry gets the break needed and tracks them down to an abandoned theatre. Rita hides herself and the bound-and-gagged Joyce in a closet, but Blake fools Belmont and a gun battle ensues, in which the closet in hit by Belmont's gunfire and one of the ladies perishes. Blake pursues Belmont throughout the theatre, dodging thrown knives as he closes on his quarry.

If you've never seen an old Saturday serial, this is one to start with. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A low-budget, low on the chills & thrills, Republican serial
"The Black Widow" is a 13-episode serial put out by Republican Pictures in 1947. "The Daily Clarion" hires detective story author Steve Colt (Bruce Edwards) to investigatee the murders of several scientists who were working on an project developing an atomic rocket. Behind the murders is Sombra (Carol Forman), a fortune teller who is also a spy from an unnamed Asian country (how inscrutable, right?). Sombra is trying to steal the atomic rocket and lures the unsuspecting scientists to her parlor where she disposes of them with the venom of (you will never guess) a black widow spider. Virginia Lindley plays Colt's love interest, Joyce Winters. But it is Forman who provides the few meager thrills in this low-budget, uninspiring serial (Scott Rivers nails it on the head). Indeed, there are better examples of this once popular form of Saturday morning movie entertainment than this, which might explain why this two tape set is #5 in the Cliffhanger Series. This was not the "24" of its day, but I still advocate watching these episodes one a week, just to milk it for all it is worth.

Recycled Cliffhanging
When viewing the 13 increasingly lame chapters of "The Black Widow" (1947), it is apparent that the Golden Age of Movie Serials has ended. How could the reliable professionalism of Republic Pictures take such a nosedive? Except for the villainy of Carol Forman in the title role, "The Black Widow" offers few thrills or surprises. Instead, the producers rely on its vast catalogue of Republic serial stock footage to create a "new" chapterplay. The cost-cutting is painfully obvious throughout - made worse by a largely unappealing cast. Don't judge the art of movie serials by this fiasco.

This serial has crunch and pop: dig into Carol Forman (BW)
OK, so you've seen better acting. But that's not what you watch a serial for, is it? I like the 40's flavor and the furious activity. Lots of bizarre stuff in this one with exploding buildings and crashing cars aplenty. I especially enjoyed Carol Forman (the Black Widow) who slinked about as some sort of mystical queen--Madame Sondra. ... Read more