Two-Fisted Serial Adventure.
by grendelkhan | created - 23 Nov 2014 | updated - 28 Nov 2014 | PublicFor an entire movie generation (several, actually), movie serials dazzled the audience weekly, with stunts, thrills, mystery, and plenty of action and cliffhangers. Some are classics, some are head scratchers. I'll also throw in some films (and a bit of tv) that took their cues from the cliffhangers. Will our hero survive? Come back next week to this same cinema.
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101. The Purple Monster Strikes (1945)
Passed | 201 min | Action, Sci-Fi
A Martian spacecraft crash-lands near the observatory of Cyrus Layton, designer of Earth's first spaceship. The survivor, forerunner of an invasion, can assume the form of any earthman. ... See full summary »
Directors: Spencer Gordon Bennet, Fred C. Brannon | Stars: Dennis Moore, Linda Stirling, Roy Barcroft, James Craven
Votes: 209
An alien crashes to Earth and then steals secrets to try to build a new spaceship and conquer the planet.
102. Hop Harrigan America's Ace of the Airways (1946)
Approved | Action, Adventure, Drama
Hop Harrigan (William Bakewell) and his pal "Tank" Tinker (Sumner Getchell) operate a small airport and flying service, and are hired by J. Westly Arnold (Emmett Vogan) to fly an eccentric ... See full summary »
Director: Derwin Abrahams | Stars: William Bakewell, Jennifer Holt, Robert 'Buzz' Henry, Sumner Getchell
Votes: 89
The aviation hero from All-American Comics (sister company to DC) comes to life in this so-so serial. Not much of note here.
103. The Phantom Rider (1946)
Approved | 167 min | Action, Adventure, Western
A reservation's new doctor masquerades as the legendary Indian god, "the Phantom Rider", to catch gang looting the reservation, unaware the leader is a phony Indian Agent.
Directors: Spencer Gordon Bennet, Fred C. Brannon | Stars: Robert Kent, Peggy Stewart, LeRoy Mason, George J. Lewis
Votes: 55
After trying to create a police force on a reservation, Jim Stirling must adopt the costumed identity of The Phantom Rider to fight a crooked Indian Agent. Pretty much straight out of the Lone Ranger bag, with a bit of Zorro.
104. Daughter of Don Q (1946)
Approved | 167 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
When unscrupulous Carlos Manning discovers an old Spanish land grant recently unearthed will leave a huge section of California real estate to heirs of Don Quantero.
Directors: Spencer Gordon Bennet, Fred C. Brannon | Stars: Lorna Gray, Kirk Alyn, LeRoy Mason, Roy Barcroft
Votes: 71
Lorna Gray stars as the descendant of Don Quantero, a Zorro-esque hero. She stands to inherit a land grant the gives her title over much of the city. A rival tries to gain the documents by murdering her family.
105. The Crimson Ghost (1946)
Approved | 167 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
A criminal mastermind known as the Crimson Ghost is out to steal a device called the Cyclotrode, which can short-circuit every electrical current on the planet.
Directors: Fred C. Brannon, William Witney | Stars: Charles Quigley, Linda Stirling, Clayton Moore, I. Stanford Jolley
Votes: 527
A masked villain attempts to steal an atomic device. The serial is most notable for it's visually striking villain (which makes you wonder why they didn't use the Red Skull in Captain America), which was later used for an Iron Maiden album cover and as the monogram for The Misfits.
106. Son of Zorro (1947)
Approved | 100 min | Western
Young cavalry officer Jeff Stewart returns to his home in the west after the Civil War to find that a ring of crooked politicians has taken over the county, bleeding the citizens with 50% ... See full summary »
Directors: Spencer Gordon Bennet, Fred C. Brannon | Stars: George Turner, Peggy Stewart, Roy Barcroft, Ed Cassidy
Votes: 132
Another western Zorro, where a returning Civil War hero tries to free his home from corrupt politicians.
107. Jesse James Rides Again (1947)
Approved | 180 min | Western
On the run from Missouri, outlaw Jesse James and his friend ride into a town where a gang is trying to drive area ranchers off their land because oil is underneath it. They take particular ... See full summary »
Directors: Fred C. Brannon, Thomas Carr | Stars: Clayton Moore, Linda Stirling, Roy Barcroft, John Compton
Votes: 169
Clayton Moore stars as outlaw Jesse James, who is a hero, here (influencing the future Bobby Brady, no doubt). Serial queen Linda Stirling is also here.
108. The Black Widow (1947)
Approved | 180 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The Daily Clarion hires detective story writer Steve Colt to investigate the deaths of a group of scientists working on an atomic rocket development project. Behind the killings is fortune ... See full summary »
Directors: Spencer Gordon Bennet, Fred C. Brannon | Stars: Bruce Edwards, Virginia Lee, Carol Forman, Anthony Warde
Votes: 401
Carol Forman is the sexy villainess Sombra (and with her chest, it's a fitting name), whose out to steal the secrets of an atomic engine. Criminologist Steve Colt opposes her. Lots of great atnmosphere and mystery here, with spider poisonings as Sombra's MO.
109. Jack Armstrong (1947)
Passed | 279 min | Drama
Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy, battles the evil Dr. Grood, who has placed a death ray aboard his spaceship orbiting Earth.
Director: Wallace Fox | Stars: John Hart, Rosemary La Planche, Claire James, Joe Brown Jr.
Votes: 78
Adaptation of the radio series, with Armstrong helping to find a scientist who has been kidnapped from an aviation company. Jack Armstrong was one of the seminal radio adventure series but the serial didn't do it justice. The character was the inspiration (along with Tom Swift) for Jonny Quest.
110. The Vigilante: Fighting Hero of the West (1947)
Approved | 285 min | Drama, Mystery
The Vigilante, a masked government agent, is assigned to investigate the case of the "100 Tears of Blood", a cursed string of rare blood red pearls sought by a gang led by the unknown X-1 that may have been smuggled into the country.
Director: Wallace Fox | Stars: Ralph Byrd, Ramsay Ames, Lyle Talbot, George Offerman Jr.
Votes: 129
One of Superman's co-stars, from the debut issue of Action Comics, precedes him on the live screen. Ralph Byrd plays Greg Saunders, the singing hero, who rides a motorcycle, instead of a horse. It's barely remembered, these days.
111. Brick Bradford (1947)
Approved | 257 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
An adventurer travels to the moon to stop a madman from getting hold of the Interceptor Ray, a weapon that could destroy Earth.
Directors: Spencer Gordon Bennet, Thomas Carr | Stars: Kane Richmond, Rick Vallin, Linda Leighton, Pierre Watkin
Votes: 96
Low budget Columbia effort at adapting the sci-fi comic strip. A scientist has invented a ray that can intercept and destroy enemy rockets, which the enemy wants for a death ray. Even the strip is largely forgotten, though, in its heyday, it had imagination to rival Flash Gordon.
112. Superman (1948)
Approved | 244 min | Sci-Fi
Superman comes to Earth as a child and grows up to be his home's first superhero with his first major challenge being to oppose The Spider Lady.
Directors: Spencer Gordon Bennet, Thomas Carr | Stars: Kirk Alyn, Noel Neill, Tommy Bond, Carol Forman
Votes: 1,218
Superman was rather late to the movie screen (apart from the Fleischer cartoons). republic lost out to Columbia, who brought the hero to life with Kirk Allyn (who had been a dancer). Noel Neil is here as the plucky Lois Lane (with a giant floppy tam-o-shanter hat) and Carol Forman is the ultra-sexy villainess, the Spider Lady. The serial is notorious for featuring a cartoon for Superman flying. It's a decent serial, though Republic would have made it so much better.
113. Congo Bill (1948)
Approved | 270 min | Action, Adventure, Mystery
A girl is about to inherit a fortune, but she is missing in Africa. Only then, family charges Congo Bill, an adventurer, to find her, and bring her back to civilization. He follows a legend about some White Queen, but his path is full of difficulties, by an inhospitable jungle, and the man who will lose the fortune if the girl is found alive.
Directors: Spencer Gordon Bennet, Thomas Carr | Stars: Don McGuire, Cleo Moore, Jack Ingram, I. Stanford Jolley
Votes: 113
Another Action Comics #1 alum comes to life at Columbia. The character is essentially a knock off of Jungle Jim and was more memorable as Congorilla. Just imagine if that version appeared on screen!
114. Jungle Goddess (1948)
Approved | 62 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
When a plane carrying the daughter of a millionaire crashes in an African jungle, two pilots set out to collect the reward. They discover that she has become the goddess of a primitive tribe.
Director: Lewis D. Collins | Stars: George Reeves, Wanda McKay, Ralph Byrd, Armida
Votes: 857
Geroge Reeves stars in this rather bad jungle serial, which was savaged by MST3K. Ralph Byrd also appears.
115. Bruce Gentry (1949)
Approved | 246 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
Famed aviator Bruce Gentry is working with scientist Andrew Benson, setting out to uncover the origin of a deadly secret weapon---an electronically controlled flying disc which can be ... See full summary »
Directors: Spencer Gordon Bennet, Thomas Carr | Stars: Tom Neal, Judy Clark, Ralph Hodges, Forrest Taylor
Votes: 66
Another lackluster Columbia serial that is most noted for the first screen use of a flying saucer (which is animated).
116. Batman and Robin (1949)
Approved | 263 min | Action, Adventure, Family
Second serial featuring the comic book character Batman. In it, Batman, together with his sidekick Robin, face off against the Wizard, a hooded villain with an electronic device that remotely controls vehicles.
Director: Spencer Gordon Bennet | Stars: Robert Lowery, Johnny Duncan, Jane Adams, Lyle Talbot
Votes: 2,109
It took several years for Columbia to return to Batman. This time it is Robert Lowry, as he tries to track down The Wizard, a generic hooded villain. The serial is okay; but, is best noted as inspiring the Adam West tv series. Again, the Batmobile is another run-of-the-mill sedan and it looks like Bruce Wayne lives in the suburbs.
117. The Adventures of Sir Galahad (1949)
Approved | 252 min | Adventure
Sir Galahad, a knight of the Round Table, searches for the legendary sword Excalibur.
Directors: Derwin Abrahams, Spencer Gordon Bennet | Stars: George Reeves, Charles King, William Fawcett, Pat Barton
Votes: 110
Superman's George Reeves stars as the Arthurian hero, who must reclaim Excalibur form the Black Knight. Rare medieval serial.
118. Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc. (1949)
Passed | 167 min | Crime, Drama
The female leader of an international crime ring steals a valuable artifact that can give her the power to control men's minds. Federal agents are dispatched to get it back and stop her evil plans.
Director: Fred C. Brannon | Stars: Kirk Alyn, Rosemary La Planche, Roy Barcroft, Carol Forman
Votes: 241
A Middle Eastern criminal teams up with an American criminal, to create a super mafia. They seek to fund it with hidden treasure and kidnap a professor who is translating tablets that carry the secret. Enter Hoover's finest to try to stop them. Stars Kirk Alyn and Carol Forman, fresh off of Superman.
119. Ghost of Zorro (1949)
Approved | 167 min | Family, Western
It is 1865 and the telegraph is heading west. George Crane, wanting to keep law and order out of his territory, is out to stop the construction. The engineer on the job is Ken Mason and he ... See full summary »
Director: Fred C. Brannon | Stars: Clayton Moore, Pamela Blake, Roy Barcroft, George J. Lewis
Votes: 180
A crook tries to stop the building of a telegraph line, to keep the law out of his territory (um, yeah...). One of the engineers just happens to be yet another descendant of Zorro (The hero must have used his other sword just as much).
120. King of the Rocket Men (1949)
Passed | 167 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
Jeff King in his experimental rocket suit battles the evil Dr. Vulcan.
Director: Fred C. Brannon | Stars: Tristram Coffin, Mae Clarke, Don Haggerty, House Peters Jr.
Votes: 965
Probably the last really great Republic serial, revolving around a scientist who has developed a rocket pack. He is opposed by Vulcan, who seeks to use a death ray to conquer the globe. there are a lot of great stunts and exciting action. It would spawn the Commando Cody series, which is used in the sequel, Radar Men from the Moon.
121. Captain Video and His Video Rangers (1949–1955)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Action, Sci-Fi, Adventure
"Guardian of the Safety of the World", private citizen-scientist Captain Video, assisted by his teenage helper The Ranger and an army of Video Rangers, preserves the peace in the far-off ... See full summary »
Stars: Don Hastings, Al Hodge, Hal Conklin, Ben Lackland
Votes: 135
122. Atom Man vs. Superman (1950)
Approved | 252 min | Family, Sci-Fi
Superman battles Lex Luthor who is using a teleportation device and a new identity as Atom Man in his criminal plans.
Director: Spencer Gordon Bennet | Stars: Kirk Alyn, Noel Neill, Lyle Talbot, Tommy Bond
Votes: 833
Superman is back and he gets to fight one of his own villains this time, Lex Luthor (Lyle Talbot). It's not as lively as the previous entry but it's decent. If only Luthor had been as conniving as in the comics.
123. Flying Disc Man from Mars (1950)
Passed | 136 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
A hero single-handedly sets himself against Martians trying to assume control of Earth.
Director: Fred C. Brannon | Stars: Walter Reed, Lois Collier, Gregory Gaye, James Craven
Votes: 290
Martians invade to prevent the Earth from endangering them with the new atomic weapons, before The Day The Earth Stood Still. It also reuses footage from King of the Mounties.
124. Mysterious Island (1951)
Approved | 252 min | Action, Family, Sci-Fi
Union prisoners use a balloon to escape a Southern prison camp near the end of the Civil War and end up marooned on a mysterious volcanic island with very unusual inhabitants.
Director: Spencer Gordon Bennet | Stars: Richard Crane, Marshall Reed, Karen Randle, Ralph Hodges
Votes: 234
Adaptation of the Jules Verne novel, which is largely faithful to the source. One of Columbia's better efforts.
125. Government Agents vs Phantom Legion (1951)
Passed | 167 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Two federal agents battle a gang that hijacks trucks carrying materials vital for the security of the country and sells them to foreign powers.
Director: Fred C. Brannon | Stars: Walter Reed, Mary Ellen Kay, Dick Curtis, John Pickard
Votes: 224
Two government agents must stop a group of hijackers who are stealing defense material for a foreign power. The ring leader is secretly one of four members of a trucking association.
126. Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere (1951)
Approved | 287 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi
Space hero Captain Video battles the evil Vultura on the planet Atoma.
Directors: Spencer Gordon Bennet, Wallace Grissell | Stars: Judd Holdren, Larry Stewart, George Eldredge, Gene Roth
Votes: 141
Only serial based on a tv show, instead of the reverse. The popular and pioneering tv series comes to the screen as this effort from Columbia.
127. Blackhawk: Fearless Champion of Freedom (1952)
Approved | 242 min | Action, Adventure, Family
Based on a successful comic book that began in 1941, the Blackhawks were seven flyers who banded together during WW II to fight the Nazis. After the war, they continued to fight evil where ... See full summary »
Directors: Spencer Gordon Bennet, Fred F. Sears | Stars: Kirk Alyn, Carol Forman, John Crawford, Michael Fox
Votes: 214
Kirk Allyn returns to comics, as he essays Blackhawk, the leader of the Foreign Legion of the air, the Blackhawks. Most of the gang are here though the story mostly features Blackhawk, Stan, and Andre. Unfortunately, the gruman Skyrockets aren't here, even in model form. Instead, we get generic aircraft, which really lets this down. Also, we don't get too much gunplay and commies were a poor substitute for the Nazis. this one should have been done during wartime.
128. Radar Men from the Moon (1952)
Approved | 167 min | Action, Family, Sci-Fi
Strategic targets on Earth are being destroyed by an unknown weapon. Government security head Henderson suspects it's an "atomic ray" originating from the moon.
Director: Fred C. Brannon | Stars: George D. Wallace, Aline Towne, Roy Barcroft, William Bakewell
Votes: 1,181
Sequel for the Rocket Man, now called Commando Cody. This one drags in spots; but has enough imagination that you don't mind as much. The villain is a low-rent Ming the Merciless. Chapters of it were savaged by MST3K.
129. Zombies of the Stratosphere (1952)
Passed | 167 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The invaders come to Earth to create an H-bomb to blast Earth out of orbit so that Mars can take its place.
Director: Fred C. Brannon | Stars: Judd Holdren, Aline Towne, Wilson Wood, Lane Bradford
Votes: 481
Third Rocket Man serial, with alien invaders, including a pre-Spock Leonard Nimoy. Again, not one of the best.
130. King of the Congo (1952)
Approved | 252 min | Adventure
An Air Force captain is assigned to find some missing top-secret microfilm.
Directors: Spencer Gordon Bennet, Wallace Grissell | Stars: Buster Crabbe, Gloria Dea, Leonard Penn, Jack Ingram
Votes: 43
Serial notable for being the last of Buster Crabbe. Buster plays yet another Tarzan knock-off, though this one is an Air Force captain, who crashes in the jungle.
131. Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (1953–1955)
30 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Dangerous climate changes are ravaging Earth and the U.S. government requests an investigation by masked super-scientist Commando Cody. He discovers that the disasters are being caused by space-alien forces from unknown planetary origins.
Stars: Judd Holdren, Aline Towne, Gregory Gaye, Craig Kelly
Votes: 204
Intended for television but a union contract led it to be shown first in theaters. However, since it was filmed for television, it had no cliffhangers.
132. The Lost Planet (1953)
Approved | 246 min | Family, Sci-Fi
Two newspaper reporters battle a plot by the evil Dr. Grood to conquer the world.
Director: Spencer Gordon Bennet | Stars: Judd Holdren, Vivian Mason, Ted Thorpe, Forrest Taylor
Votes: 89
Basically a sequel to Captain video, minus the characters, though using the costumes and props. It also adds a chick!
133. Canadian Mounties vs. Atomic Invaders (1953)
Approved | 167 min | Drama, Western
A villain named Marlof attempts to set up secret missile bases inside Canada so he can launch missiles at the U.S. The Canadian Mounted Police dispatch agents to try to stop him.
Director: Franklin Adreon | Stars: William Henry, Susan Morrow, Arthur Space, Dale Van Sickel
Votes: 156
Dudley Doright vs aliens; well, maybe not. One of Republic's better post-war serials, with a fast pace and some inventive cliffhangers.
134. Rocky Jones, Space Ranger (1954)
26 min | Family, Sci-Fi
Cruising the galaxy in his space ship "The Orbit Jet" Space Ranger, Rocky Jones, Vena Ray, and 10 year-old Bobby defend the Earth and themselves against space-bound evil doers.
Stars: Richard Crane, Sally Mansfield, Scotty Beckett, Robert Lyden
Votes: 237
Early 1950s sci-fi serial tv series, featuring a space faring hero. Most of the stories were told across 3 30-minute chapters, with a few single episode stories. It lasted for two season. A few episodes were edited together as mini-features, which were later fodder for the gang on MST3K.
135. Panther Girl of the Kongo (1955)
Passed | 167 min | Action, Sci-Fi
Jean Evans of an international wildlife foundation has made herself at home in Africa as the elephant-riding, vine-swinging, miniskirted 'Panther Girl.' On safari to film animals, Jean ... See full summary »
Director: Franklin Adreon | Stars: Phyllis Coates, Myron Healey, Arthur Space, John Daheim
Votes: 183
Phyllis Coates (original tv Lois Lane) stars as the heroine, in this serial made with stock footage from Jungle Girl. It's not particularly memorable, apart from the reused footage.
136. Adventures of Captain Africa: Mighty Jungle Avenger! (1955)
Approved | 225 min | Action, Adventure, Family
Trapper Nat Coleman and government agent Ted Arnold come upon a plot to take over an African nation. Its leader, Caliph Abdul el Hamid, has been exiled from his country and replaced by a ... See full summary »
Director: Spencer Gordon Bennet | Stars: John Hart, Rick Vallin, Ben Welden, June Howard
Votes: 77
Intended as a sequel to the Phantom, but King Features said no. After a bit of retooling, we get John Hart (second tv Lone Ranger) as the jungle hero. I'm surprised King Features didn't sue.
137. Clutch Cargo (1959–1960)
4 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The adventures of a pilot who takes on dangerous assignments.
Stars: Richard Cotting, Hal Smith, Margaret Kerry
Votes: 282
Animated series from Cambria, about the adventures of an international troubleshooter. Cambria used the Sunchro-Vox technique, whee live mouth movements were filmed and superimposed on the animated characters. It created a rather odd effect. The stories were told in 5 minute chapters, each with a cliffhanger.
138. The Bullwinkle Show (1959–1963)
TV-G | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Rocky, a plucky flying squirrel and Bullwinkle, a bumbling but lovable moose, have a series of ongoing adventures.
Stars: Bill Scott, June Foray, Paul Frees, Edward Everett Horton
Votes: 4,594
Jay Ward brought us the adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, as the battle (usually unknowingly) Boris & Natasha and other nogoodniks. The stories would be serialized over several segments and were filled with fun and adventure, with plenty of laughs and bad puns. Very smart and hip show, which was a big influence on The Simpsons and later cartoon shows, like Underdog and King Leonardo.
139. King Leonardo and His Short Subjects (1960– )
30 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
King Leonardo the lion is the inept ruler of the land of Bongo Congo. Aided by the skunk Odie Colognie, Leonardo tried to stop the evil plans of Biggy Rat, who kept trying to install Leo's ... See full summary »
Stars: Allen Swift, Jackson Beck, Kenny Delmar, Ben Stone
Votes: 92
Catoon series from Total Television, which told the adventures of lion King Leonardo and his skunk sidekick, Odie Cologne. The stories were serialized over several segments.
140. Space Angel (1962– )
Not Rated | 30 min | Animation, Family, Sci-Fi
Scott McCloud is the Space Angel, a secret agent for EBI (Earth Bureau of Investigation) on board the spaceship Starduster fighting hard to protect the solar system.
Stars: Ned Le Fevre, Margaret Kerry, Hal Smith, Johnny Coons
Votes: 132
Second cartoon from Cambria, revolving around the exploits of Scott McCloud, agent of the Earth Science Intelligence, who explores strange phenomena, battles evil villains, and seeks to rescue people in danger. Like Clutch Cargo, each story was told in 5 minute chapters, and used the Synchro-Vox technique.
141. Doctor Who (1963–1989)
TV-PG | 25 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
The adventures in time and space of the Doctor, a Time Lord who changes appearance and personality by regenerating when near death, and is joined by companions in battles against aliens and other megalomaniacs.
Stars: William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker
Votes: 39,544
Legendary sci-fi series that launched the adventures of the Time Lord, The Doctor, as he and his companions travel across space and time. Each story was told in several chapters, with cliffhanger endings. It was a children's series but drew a sizeable adult audience, especially in later years. Douglas Adams was story editor during the Tom Baker years. It is notable for gripping stories, imaginative plot, rubber suited monsters, Daleks, and lots of running down corridors and quarries and copius amounts of screaming. It was also noted for the various Dcotors' quirky fashion sense.
142. Underdog (1964–1973)
TV-G | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The adventures of a rhyming canine superhero.
Stars: George S. Irving, Wally Cox, Allen Swift, Norma MacMillan
Votes: 2,643
Total Television brought us this cartoon, featuring the exploits of rhyming superhero Underdog, as he battles villains like Riff-Raff and Simon Bar Sinister. It's essentially a Superman parody, complete with canine Lois Lane (Sweet Polly Purebread). Stories were serialized over several segments. Wally Cox was the voice of the hero.
143. Hoppity Hooper (1964– )
30 min | Animation, Comedy
A con man, in the form of a fox named Waldo Wigglesworth, and his stooge Filmore Bear befriend a frog named Hoppity Hooper and convince him that Waldo is his long lost uncle. Together, the ... See full summary »
Stars: Chris Allen, Hans Conried, Paul Frees, Edward Everett Horton
Votes: 104
Another cartoon series from Total television, featuring the adventures of frog Hoppety Hooper. Like Underdog, the adventures were serialized over several segments.
144. Captain Fathom (1965– )
30 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
The adventures of Captain Fathom and his submarine, the Argonaut. His crew-members are Cookie, Ronnie, Scotty, Miss Perkins and Flip the porpoise. Like Cambria's earlier series, Space Angel... See full summary »
Star: Warren Tufts
Votes: 40
Third Cambria cartoon. this one features the exploits of the commander of a high tech sub, following in the same formula as past Cambria cartoons.
145. Danger Island (1967– )
25 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
Stars: Mervyn Joseph, Robert Gillespie, Garard Green, Pearl Hackney
Votes: 28
Live action serial shown as part of the Banana Splits Show. It was split into 36 minute chapters, creating one 3 hour story. Three explorers are searching for a missing relative and a lost city on a mysterious island, where they encounter a shipwrecked sailor and his companion. They are pursued by the pirate Mu Tan and his men. The series featured young Jan Michael Vincent, as well as Rockne Tarkington.
146. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
PG | 121 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.
Director: George Lucas | Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
Votes: 1,450,430 | Gross: $322.74M
Probably the first real throwback to the adventure serials of the 30s and 40s. Star Wars took much of its pace, its villains, and its opening title crawl from several movie serials, as well as elements from westerns, Kurasawa films, WW2 films, and sci-fi literature and comic books. The swing across the open chasm on the Death Star is straight out of multiple serials.
147. Jason of Star Command (1978–1981)
30 min | Action, Adventure, Family
A young Space Command officer fights the evil space lord Dragos and his minions in his jurisdiction of the universe.
Stars: Craig Littler, Sid Haig, Charlie Dell, Susan Pratt
Votes: 407
Live action Saturday Morning sci-fi series from Filmation, which revolved around the exploits of hero Jason, a member of Star Command, who keep the peace in the spaceways. Together with his colleagues, Jason must battle the evil Dragos. Spawned by the success of Star Wars and spun off from Filmation's other live action sci-fi series, Space Academy. Stories were serialized across episodes, for the first season, then complete adventures were done in the second.
148. The Day the Earth Got Stoned (1979)
PG | 73 min | Comedy
Using clips from old Republic Pictures serials, this spoof tells how an evil villain called The Lightning Bug attempts to take over the world by having rock music soundtracks played at a deafening level.
Director: Richard Patterson | Stars: Peter Bergman, Phil Proctor, M.G. Kelly, Jack Angel
Votes: 367
Movie serial parody by Phil Proctor and Peter Bergman, of the Firesign Theater. The movie consists largely of footage from various republic serials, as well as a few other sources. Some of the serial footage that appears came from: Masked Marvel, Spy Smasher, Adv. of Captain Marvel, Captain America, Black Widow, Fighting Devil Dogs, the Crimson Ghost, SOS Coast Guard, King of the Rocketmen, Radar Men from the Moon, Zombies of the Stratosphere, Manhunt of Mystery Island, Daredevils of the Red Circle, Secret Service in Darkest Africa, Mysterious Dr Satan, and the Undersea Kingdom. DJ Mg Kelly provdes the voice of the villain, The Lightning Bug, who appears as various villains from the serials.
149. Flash Gordon (1979–1982)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The adventures of the comic strip space hero and his friends as they battle the tyranny of Ming the Merciless on the planet Mongo.
Stars: Robert Ridgely, Alan Oppenheimer, Diane Pershing, Allan Melvin
Votes: 1,067
Filmation brought Flash Gordon back to tv, in the form of a multi-part serial. Stories generally ran across two episodes, though they were all chapters of a bigger saga. At one point, there was even a recap episode, to catch you up on the plot so far. Problem was, they went back to the beginning, rather than continuing onwards. The serial format was abandoned for the second season.
150. The Secret Empire (1979)
20 min | Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
In 19th century Wyoming, a U.S. marshal discovers a secret futuristic underground city run by a supervillain bent on conquering the surface. Originally aired as part of NBC's Cliffhangers TV series which featured three revolving serials.
Stars: Geoffrey Scott, Carlene Watkins, Tiger Williams, Pamela Brull
Votes: 63
NBC launched Kenneth Johnson's Cliffhangers tv show, designed as a modern take on the old serials. This was the most serial-like segment. It's essentially a remake of the Phantom Empire, minus the singing and the kids riding around with buckets on their heads (and Gene Autry). The scenes in the above world were shot in "glorious black & white," while those in the underground city were in color.
151. Stop Susan Williams (1979)
20 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
A plucky female reporter uncovers a global conspiracy and becomes the conspirators' prime target. It originally aired as part of NC's "Cliffhangers" TV series which featured three revolving serials.
Stars: Susan Anton, Ray Walston, Michael Swan, John Hancock
Votes: 52
Second segment in Cliffhangers, starring Susan Anton. Anton is a journalist trying to uncover a secret conspiracy. Even the exact target is unknown until the later chapters. The story was rather weak, with little plot to drive things. Susan just escapes from the deathtrap, goes to another location and falls into a different trap. She never really seems to learn much.
152. The Curse of Dracula (1979)
TV-PG | 172 min | Horror, Romance, Thriller
Count Dracula is alive and well and teaching college in 1979 under false identity. However, someone is still trying to stop his evil plans. Originally aired as part of NBC's Cliffhangers TV series which featured three revolving serials.
Stars: Michael Nouri, Carol Baxter, Stephen Johnson, Bever-Leigh Banfield
Votes: 170
By far the best component of Cliffhangers, centering around the hunt for Dracula in modern San Francisco. Dracula masquerades as a teacher of Eastern European history, while hiding from a Van Helsing descendant. Van Helsing's aid tries to go undercover, but is torn betwee her mission and attraction to Dracula. Dracula was played as more tragic than evil, and wonderfully so by Michael Nouri.
153. Matinee at the Bijou (1980–1988)
90 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
In the 1930s, 40s and 50s, going to a movie matinee was an event. In those days, moviegoers were treated to more than a movie: there were coming attractions, cartoons, newsreels, comedy shorts, serials and feature films.
Star: Scott DeVenney
Votes: 56
PBS series that featured chapters from serials, cartoons, and other short subjects, much like the old Saturday matinees. This is where I first saw The Phantom Empire.
154. Mystery Island (1980)
G | 95 min | Drama
When their boat runs out of gasoline, four children land on what they believe to be a deserted island. They discover an old pirate who lives there, and come upon a cache of phony money that... See full summary »
Director: Gene W. Scott | Stars: Jayson Duncan, Niklas Juhlin, Michael McGlinchey, Melissa Woodhams
Votes: 33
A segment of the Skatebirds Saturday morning show, whihc was a remake of the Banana Splits. This segment was essentially an update of Danger Island, where the evil Dr. Strange seeks to capture POPS the robot form his owners.
155. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
PG | 124 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
After the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.
Director: Irvin Kershner | Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Votes: 1,380,561 | Gross: $290.48M
More serial thrills in the next chapter of Star wars. Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe inspires much of the Hoth sequences, while the Cloud City is straight out of Flash Gordon.
156. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
PG | 115 min | Action, Adventure
In 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.
Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies
Votes: 1,037,256 | Gross: $248.16M
This was the film that really brought back the Saturday matinee thrills. Lucas and Spielberg swiped liberally from the serials, particularly Republic. The fight on the flying wing is from Spy Smasher, Indy trying to get to the German submarine was a stunt in several serials, the whip tricks were used in countless western and Zorro serials. The fight on board the German truck is a recreation of Yakima Canutt's stunt in both Stagecoach and Zorro's Fighting Legion.
157. Tales of the Gold Monkey (1982–1983)
60 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
The adventures of a 1930's Pacific Islands bush pilot and his companions.
Stars: Stephen Collins, Jeff MacKay, Caitlin O'Heaney, Marta DuBois
Votes: 1,885
Inspired by the success of Raiders of the Lost Ark, this series came to tv. It mixes elements of the adventure serials, pulps, comic strips (especially Terry and the Pirates and several aviation strips) and radio dramas. Stephen Collins stars as Jake Cutter, a pilot for hire, while Caitlin O'Heaney was Sarah, a US intelligence agent and Jake's love interest. Jeff MacKay is mechanic Corky and Roddy McDowell is "Bon Chance" Louie, the owner of the Gold Monkey bar. Lots of fun, but shortlived on tv.
158. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
PG | 131 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
After rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the Rebel Alliance attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to help Darth Vader back from the dark side.
Director: Richard Marquand | Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Votes: 1,121,993 | Gross: $309.13M
Star Wars concludes with the final chapter. Not as many serial stunts here, really, though the spirit is there.
159. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
PG | 118 min | Action, Adventure
In 1935, Indiana Jones is tasked by Indian villagers with reclaiming a rock stolen from them by a secret cult beneath the catacombs of an ancient palace.
Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw, Ke Huy Quan, Amrish Puri
Votes: 535,480 | Gross: $179.87M
There's some serial action here, though probably more from classic movies, like Lost Horizon and Gunga Din. However, the battles inside the mine borrow heavily from several serials, particularly Manhunt of Mystery Island.
160. Romancing the Stone (1984)
PG | 106 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
A mousy romance novelist sets off for Colombia to ransom her kidnapped sister, and soon finds herself in the middle of a dangerous adventure hunting for treasure with a mercenary rogue.
Director: Robert Zemeckis | Stars: Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito, Zack Norman
Votes: 103,374 | Gross: $76.57M
Another film to tread in the footsteps of Indian Jones, with a lighter touch. There's plenty of stunts that mimic a lot of serial action, though on a grander scale. It follows the plot of many jungle serials, with a woman in search of a missing relative, aided by an expert hero.
161. The Republic Pictures Story (1991 TV Movie)
95 min | Documentary
A history of Republic Pictures studios, featuring hundreds of clips plus on-camera interviews with stars, director, stuntman, etc.
Director: Len Morris | Stars: Gene Autry, Frank Coghlan Jr., Dale Evans, Milos Forman
Votes: 33
Documentary about the history of Republic Pictures, the king of the action serials (though Universal had the better budgets).
162. Cliffhangers! Adventures from the Thrill Factory (1993 Video)
46 min | Documentary
A documentary about the Republic serials of the 1930s, '40s and '50s, hosted by Leonard Maltin, and featuring interview segments with a serial writer, director, actors and actresses.
Directors: Bill Coggon, Mark Lamberti | Stars: Gene Autry, Frank Coghlan Jr., Clayton Moore, Barry Shipman
Votes: 13
Documentary hosted and narrated by Leonard Maltin. It's a look at the glory days of Republic and features interviews with Gene Autry, Linda Stirling, Clayton Moore, Frank Coughlin, and William Whitney. It features tons of great clips from the best Republic cliffhangers.
163. The Epic Story of the Cliffhangers (1998 Video)
Not Rated | 54 min | Documentary
The history of Cliffhanger movie serials
Director: Phillip Dye
Another documentary about the great movie serials. not quite as engaging as Maltin's; but, I believe it covered more than just republic, though they were the chief focus.
164. The Rocketeer (1991)
PG | 108 min | Action, Adventure, Family
A young pilot stumbles onto a prototype jetpack that allows him to become a high-flying masked hero.
Director: Joe Johnston | Stars: Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin, Timothy Dalton
Votes: 61,788 | Gross: $46.70M
Adaptation of the cult favorite comic book. The comic was inspired by the Rocket Man serials of Republic, as well as the pulps and other nostalgia from the 30s. The comic had the cliffhanger feel of the serials and the movie carries over some of that. Ironically, the impending movie spawned another comic book company to do an adaptation of King of the Rocket Men, which gave it a cool coda, for future adventures. Funny how this stuff works, sometimes.
165. Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)
PG | 106 min | Action, Adventure, Mystery
After New York City receives a series of attacks from giant flying robots, a reporter teams up with a pilot in search of their origin, as well as the reason for the disappearances of famous scientists around the world.
Director: Kerry Conran | Stars: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi
Votes: 87,494 | Gross: $37.76M
Originally created as a amateur homage to the serials, Kevin Conroy ended up getting studio money thrown at him to do a feature. There was talk of actually using the serial format, complete with chapters, for the film; but, it was abandoned. however, it is paced quite like a serial, going from one cliffhanger to another. Unfortunately, even the serials had better acting and plot. It would have been better served if Conroy had been a producer and a more experienced director helmed the film. It looks great, though, from a visual standpoint.
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