antonio1952 Reviews

The Spider's Web (1938)

Columbia's Best Serial

[13 November 2001]

This serial is as action packed a serial you will ever find from start to finish with wonderful performances all around especially Warren Hull who essays three roles brilliantly. Add Keene Duncan's turn as Ram Singh one has a hall of fame serial. The music adds to the excitement. The Octopus is a masked villain set on destruction and Richard Wentworth sceretly The Spider and Blinky McQuade leads a loyal group in an effort to stop him. For 15 pulse pounding episodes The forces of evil are attacked by a hero who shoots first and asks questions later, The Spider.

I hope one day Sony sees fit to release this serial because it matches Republic's best. It was ranked by The Serial Squadron 10th best out of 266 sound serials.

Gaucho Serenade (1940)

Sweet Road Western

[21 February 2001]

As Gene and Frog cross the USA they meet up with 2 sets of stowaways, two sisters running away from a wedding ceremony and a boy being chased by criminals. As Gene sings several pleasant songs the movie moves at a rapid pace never dragging and includes a great railroad hijacking sequence. The new print from the Autry museum is perfect in every way and makes this movie indeed a serenade As b-westerns go this a 10.

Daredevils of the Red Circle (1939)

Top of the line serial

[10/10 · 19 February 2001]

This serial made at the peak of Republic's serial making may be the finest serial ever made. It has the best music score of any serial and a great serial cast including Charles Middleton, Herman Brix, C. Montague Shaw, David Sharpe and Charles Quigley. Also pretty Carole Landis and Miles Mander and you have one of the most energetic serials you will ever see. If you have never seen a serial and want to see one this may be the one to watch. It has been voted in the top 10 of an expert panel of serial fans appearing on all 25 panelist's lists.

Bells of Capistrano (1942)

Good Fun

[13 February 2001]

Gene Autry has a special talent that makes his movies so appealing. A warm voice and a honest performance and Republic's skill at action makes this a winner. Virginia Gray is very good looking and talented actress to boot.

You can't go wrong with this one. 7 out of 10

Deadwood Dick (1940)

Humor Laced Action Western

[24 January 2001]

Deadwood Dick is available from collectors at The Serial Squadron. It pits Deadwood Dick against the evil Skull in a fast paced western of 15 chapters. It features Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock characters as well. This a very good effort from Columbia studios and is directed by Laurel and Hardy director James Horne. There is humor but it goes hand in hand with the action.

Superman (I) (1948)

SUPERMAN THE SERIAL

[9/10 · 1 April 2000]

A great serial especially in noting this was made 6 years after the golden era of serials. This serial features an outstanding and large serial cast led by Kirk Alyn as Superman. Mr. Alyn played the role in fine fashion and though he lacked the Roman jaw of George Reeves he easily makes a favorable impression. The rest of The Daily Planet crew also are quite good especially Noel Neill who is as feisty as Lois Lane as Kidder or Coates in later versions. Villains Carol Foreman and Charles Quigley both are memorable. The flying sequences are animated. I think it gave the screenwriters much more flexibility to the character than an actor or dummy on wires would have. This a film that is fun to watch more than once. It has a lot of spunk and humor as well as action.

The Last of the Mohicans (1932)

The Worst Version of this story

[1/10 · 1 April 2000]

This antique serial stars Harry Carey as Hawkeye. It is a chore to watch this film because it is as slow as molasses. Some video versions have added some equally dull music. A couch potato may wear out his rewind button on his remote because this version induces sleep. It does not come close to being faithful to the novel. One of the only serials I have bought and erased, one one should stick to the great 1992 version or the good Randolph Scott version.

Spy Smasher (1942)

The best serial ever made!

[29 March 2000]

This is the finest serial ever made. Kane Richmond plays twin brothers battling Nazi agents in America. With expert casting, stunt work and direction this is Republic's finest hour in cliffhangers. The serial never drags and the camera work and doubling creating the illusion of twin is peerless.