The Phantom - Serial
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Movie Reviews of The Phantom - Serial
Movie Review: Pretty Darn Nifty
Summary: 5 Stars
Republic was certainly best known for serials, but other studios often got into the act. One of these was Columbia Pictures. In truth, Columbia's serials weren't anything to write home about--but there was one exception: the 1943 THE PHANTOM, which cracks along at a memorable pace with an entertaining storyline, some excellent fight choreography, visually interesting set pieces, and a truly fine performance from Tom Tyler in the title role.
Tom Tyler (1903-1954) was a handsome, well-built man who played in well over 150 films between 1924 and 1953--but whose final years was marred by rheumatoid arthritis that reduced him to small supporting roles. But he was very much at his peak in 1941 when he appeared in the legendary Republic serial THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN MARVEL--and no less so for the 1943 THE PHANTOM. Seen today, many serial "super heroes" of the 1930s and 1940s look more than a little chubby in their skin-tight costumes, but not Tyler: he had the body to carry it off, and if his acting chops weren't up to the standards of Hollywood's A-List actors they were perfect for this sort of comic book fun.
The story finds the peace of jungle tribes threatened by the evil Dr. Bremmer (Kenneth MacDonald), who seeks to create an airbase for use by an unfriendly country at the long-lost jungle city of Zoloz. But in order to locate the hidden city, Bremmer must obtain "the keys"--pieces of a puzzle-like map--from newly arrived Professor Davidson (Frank Shannon) and his party. Can the Phantom, with the aid of his clever dog Devil, foil Bremmer, protect Davidson, and bring peace to the jungle once more?
You better believe it, but before he does there are crocodiles, lions, tigers, a "fire princess," and booby-traps galore to overcome, most of them cleverly imagined and all of them expertly performed. Director B. Reeves Eason keeps everything moving at a sharp pace, and if the dialogue and cinematography are seldom inspired they are never less than entertaining, and there's not a dull moment in all fifteen chapters.
Like many serials, THE PHANTOM does adopt certain racial sensibilities that will cause modern viewers to roll their eyes from time to time. It is actually a bit difficult to tell where this film is supposed to be set: at times the script seems to imply Africa, at other times it seems to imply South America, and the "natives" are pretty much clumsy white men in dark make-up who look silly in diaper-like costumes. Even so, the thing goes like a house afire, and if you're interested in the serial genre this is one you can't afford to miss.
The VCI DVD edition features a nice commentary by Max Allan Collins on "Chapter One," a handful of biographies, and samples of comic book art and lobby cards; the real plus, however, is the quality of the film itself, which is quite fine--and this in spite of an instance where the soundtrack was lost and had to be re-created by modern actors. The picture quality is very good and the sound is more than adequate. Recommended to serial fans everywhere!
GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Movie Review: The Phantom-The Man Who NEVER Dies-I Hope!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Phantom is one of the finest serials released by Columbia Pictures. Who else is in this movie besides Tom Tyler & Jeanne Bates? The opening credits give us their names. The audience is left to figure out for themselves who else is in this movie? The story about the lost city of Zoloz is great. On the tech side of things this is a very good print. Chapter 11 has some sound problems. VCI Video has done a very good job of repairing this as best they could. My first time learning of any Phantom movies was through the book Serial Adventures by James Van Hise(Pioneer Books 1990). The author discusses the Phantom & other serials thoroughly. He also notes that the fight scenes in the Phantom are not staged as well as the serials by Republic Pictures. I don't mean to make this review into a comparison of studios & their films. But a couple of key points are raised. While it's true Republic Pictures did offer better fights in their serials they weren't faithful when adapting superheroes from newspaper strips comic books novels & radio programs. For proof of my statement watch the serials the Lone Ranger(1938) Dick Tracy(1937) Adventures Of Captain Marvel (1941) Spy Smasher (1942) and Captain America (1944). Republic adapted all these characters from comics. The origins or beginnings of these heroes were changed entirely from the stories in the comics. Republic was known to take liberties by changing names & other things in their films. For a good example read my review of Captain America on Amazon.com. Getting back to the Phantom his name was changed from Kit Walker to Geoffrey Prescott in this film. Nothing else major or minor about the Phantom was changed. If you're a Phantom-or serial fan like me you'll love it!Movie Review: Long lost Phantom 1940's serial found & restored now on DVD!
Summary: 5 Stars
...These Saturday morning matinee serials are great fun (before television).Well "The Phantom" 1943 serial was once one of these long lost films rediscovered, digitally remastered and thanks to VCI Entertainment is now on DVD. This 2 DVD set gives us 15 action packed chapters introduces us to this mysterious character. This is fun stuff.
Summary: Tom Tyler plays "The Phantom" and this serial introduces us to this mysterious family who for generations has played "The Phantom" the man who never dies. It seems that a descendent male member must perpetuate the "Phantoms" existence. Why, because the "Phantom" is the law of the African jungle & keeps the peace among more than 50 native tribes. In 15 chapters the Phantom is poisoned to death,(because he knows of the Lost city of Zolov). His son replaces him before he actually dies. (therefore keeping the legend of the man who never dies going.) Privateers want the hidden treasure of Zolov. Mysterious nation wants to build secret air field at Zolov. Phantom is in the middle. Everyone tries to kill the man who never dies. For 15 exciting chapters we see how the "Phantom" eludes death and escapes periless traps.
The extras include; a One Chapter commentary by famous comic strip writer Max Allan Collins, Biographies, and comic book art.
This is a great secret serial rediscovered for us to watch once again. Enjoy.
Movie Review: THE MAN WHO CAN NEVER DIE not THE GHOST WHO WALKS
Summary: 5 Stars
The Phantom's creater,the late Lee Falk,never had anything good to say about this serial adaptation of his classic comic strip.But for the life of me I can't see why he didn't care for it.This serial is very faithful to the comic strip.Oh to be sure,there are deviations.But what Hollywood comic book adaptation has ever been completely faithful to the source.This movie is great fun.You've got lost cities in the jungle,quicksand pits,collapsing bridges,rock slides,wild animals(including the obligatory man in a gorilla suit),hostile natives and all the other cliches of the "jungle thriller" genre.Tom Tyler wasn't the greatest actor in the world,but he did have the physical presence to play a super hero.As he had already proved when he portrayed Captain Marvel a few years earlier.Kenneth MacDonald is great as the film's villian and Jeanne Bates makes for a lovely damsel in distress.My biggest problem with this film is that the Phantom is very rarely referred to as the "ghost who walks".Instead he is called by his other nickname the "man who can never die".Probally because some Hollywood suit decided that the heroic Phantom should not be referred to as a ghost.Just too spooky for the Saturday matinee crowd.Movie Review: The Ghost Who Walks
Summary: 5 Stars
This is based on Lee Falk's popular comic strip, "The Phantom," who was known as "The Ghost Who Walks," in purple tights yet. Columbia usually had independent producers do its serials but this one was actually produced by Columbia, taking advantage of the studio's extensive facilities. In a world where the best serials were made by Republic, Columbia was second-best. This certainly one of their very best.
Tom Tyler ("Adventures of Captain Marvel") is an excellent Phantom, and B. Reeves "Breezy" Eason, formerly with Republic, did a great job of directing. Frank Shannon must have matured as an actor, because he's much better here than in the Flash Gordon series. Jeanne Bates signed with Columbia in 1942, and was probably best known to aficionados of horror flicks. She had a long movie career, mostly in smaller parts.
One of the best features of this DVD is the first-chapter narration of Max Allen Collins, the writer who took over the Dick Tracy comic strip when Chester Gould retired. He places "The Phantom" in historical context and really sets the scene to help you enjoy the movie. Be sure to see it before going beyond Chapter One.