The Lost City is an independently made science fiction film serial created and produced in 1935 by Sherman S. Krellberg and directed by Harry Revier. Plot: Scientist Bruce Gordon comes to a secluded area in Africa after realizing that a series of electrically induced natural disasters had been detected in the area. There he finds Zolok, last of the Lemurians,… Read more →
The Phantom is a 1943 Columbia Pictures 15 chapter black-and-white cliffhanger superhero serial, produced by Rudolph C. Flothow, directed B. Reeves Eason, and starring Tom Tyler in the title role. It is based on Lee Falk’s comic strip The Phantom, first syndicated to newspapers in 1936 by King Features Syndicate. The serial also features Jeanne Bates as the Phantom’s girlfriend… Read more →
The Fighting Marines (1935) is a Mascot movie serial. It was the last serial ever produced by Mascot. The studio was bought out and merged with others to become Republic Pictures. This new company went on to become the most famous of the serial producing studios, starting with Darkest Africa in 1936. Future Republic Producer Franklin Adreon first became involved… Read more →
The Hurricane Express is a 1932 American Pre-Code 12-chapter Mascot Pictures film serial starring John Wayne as airplane pilot Larry Baker, who goes after a mystery villain named “The Wrecker”, who was responsible for a train crash that killed Baker’s father. Cast: Tully Marshall as Howard L. Edwards, Railroad manager Conway Tearle as Stevens, Railroad attorney John Wayne as Larry… Read more →
Undersea Kingdom (1936) is a Republic Pictures film serial released in response to Universal’s Flash Gordon. It was the second of the sixty-six serials made by Republic. In 1966 scenes from the serial were edited into a 100-minute television film titled Sharad of Atlantis. Following a suspicious earthquake, and detecting a series of signals, Professor Norton leads an expedition, including… Read more →
The Adventures of Rex and Rinty (1935) is a Mascot film serial starring the equine actor Rex (“The King of Wild Horses”) and canine actor Rin Tin Tin, Jr.. Cast: Rex the king of wild horses as himself Rin Tin Tin, Jr. as Rinty Kane Richmond as Frank Bradley Norma Taylor as Dorothy Bruce Mischa Auer as Tanaga Smiley Burnette… Read more →
The Vanishing Shadow (1934) is a Universal film serial. Plot: Stanley Stanfield is the inventor of the Vanishing Ray, a wearable device which, when active, leaves only the user’s shadow still visible. After meeting with a fellow scientist, Carl Van Dorn, a prototype is built. Stanley intends to sell bonds to finance his invention. He inherited them from his late… Read more →
Holt of the Secret Service (1941) was the 16th serial released by Columbia Pictures. Plot: A murderous gang of counterfeiters has kidnapped John Severn, the U.S. government’s best engraver, who is being held against his will and is forced to print virtually undetectable phony cash. The United States Secret Service sends its toughest agent, Jack Holt, and his female partner,… Read more →
Dick Tracy (1937) is a 15-Chapter Republic movie serial starring Ralph Byrd based on the Dick Tracy comic strip by Chester Gould. It was directed by Alan James and Ray Taylor. In this serial, Dick Tracy is a G-Man (FBI) in San Francisco rather than a Midwestern city police detective as in the comic strip. Most of the Dick Tracy… Read more →
Zorro’s Fighting Legion is a 1939 Republic Pictures film serial consisting of twelve chapters starring Reed Hadley as Zorro and directed by William Witney and John English. The plot revolves around his alter-ego Don Diego’s fight against the evil Don Del Oro. A trademark of this serial is the sudden demise of at least one native informant in each episode…. Read more →
