The Phantom - Serial
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Movie Reviews of The Phantom - Serial
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.
Movie Review: Good Serial
Summary: 4 Stars
-This is one of the better serials I have collected. I really dig the whole Phantom deal and they did it justice with this series. I watched it from begining to end over a period of 2 days.
-It is a two disc collection of all 15 weekly episodes that explore a couple different cross story lines wrapped around one main story. It is in BLACK&WHITE but it is easy to imagine the scenes in color. The only reason I gave it 4 as opposed to 5 stars, and this is being real picky I know, is that I couldn't forward past the opening credits at the begining each episode at the touch of a button. I had to do the fast forward review thing.
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: "Based on Lee Falk's comic strip character ~ The Phantom (Tom Tyler)"
Summary: 5 Stars
VCI Entertainment and Columbia Pictures present Lee Falk's comic strip "The Phantom " (1943) (Dolby digitally remastered), 15 Chapters of vintage serial loaded with action sequences...story line has the successor to the old Phantom with his son and our new hero Tom Tyler aka The Phantom, Tyler looks great in the costume and the action sequences...with two expeditions seeking the lost city of Zoloz, who will get there first to claim the treasure...a foreign power is trying to build a hidden airport, can they pull it off...how many pieces of the ivory map is missing...will The Phantom escape every dangerous trap that is set for him avalanches, poison gas, flaming pyres and explosions...keep that thought as each chapter is more exciting than the previous one...stayed tuned and don't miss one exciting chapter.
Under director's B. Reeves Eason with screenplay by Morgan Cox, Lee Falk (comic strip), Ray Moore (comic strip), Sherman L. Lowe, Victor McLeod, Leslie Swabacker...the cast Tom Tyler (The Phantom), Jeanne Bates (Diana Palmer), Kenneth MacDonald (Dr. Max Bremmer), Ace the Wonder Dog (Devil), Jay Silverheels (Astari Warrior ), Kermit Maynard (Drake - Henchman), George Chesebro (Marsden - Henchman), Edmund Cobb (Grogan - Henchman), Dick Curtis (Tartar chieftain), Anthony Caruso (Count Silento), Knox Manning (Narrator (voice), I. Stanford Jolley (Watson - Henchman)...watch for some fine veteran character actors like Edmund Cobb, George Chesebro, I. Stanford Jolley, Anthony Caruso, Kermit Maynard and a favorite of mine Jay Silverheels, who was my number one Native American hero in "The Lone Ranger" series as Tonto the faithful Indian companion.
CHAPTER TITLES: (Disc One)
1. The Sign of the Skull
2. The Man Who Never Dies
3. A Traitor's Code
4. The Seat of Judgement
5. The Ghost Who Walks
6. Jungle Whispers
7. The Mystery Well
8. In the Quest of the Keys
9. The Fire Princess
10,The Chamber of Death
SPECIAL FEATURES: (Disc One)
1. Special Commentary by Max Allan Collins
2. Comic Book Art & Lobby Cards
3. Photo Gallery (stills from The Phantom)
BIOS: (Disc One)
1. Tom Tyler
2. Kenneth MacDonald
3. Jeanne Bates
4. B. Reeves Eason (Director)
CHAPTER TITLES: (Disc Two)
11.The Emerald Key
12.The Fangs of the Beast
13.The Road to Zoloz
14.The Lost City
15.Peace in the Jungle
If you crave action, drama and plenty of adventure then this is the place for all of the above...if you enjoyed this serial check out another release from VCI Entertainment and Columbia Pictures present "Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere" (1951) (digitally remastered), 15 Chapters.finally for the first time on video the really great Columbia Serial that broke the mold...we have everything a serial fan would want...the tinted sequences by Cinecolor and unique inventions that were unlike any other serial out there in the '50s...get out there as they're going fast, this is the one you've been waiting for.
Great job by VCI Entertainment for releasing the digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more of the same from the '40s vintage serial era...order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment, stay tuned once again with a top notch serial from VCI...just the way we like 'em!
Total Time: 299 mins on DVD ~ VCI Entertainment 8268 ~ (1/30/2001)
Movie Review: An Excellant Movie Serial
Summary: 4 Stars
The Phantom is one of the better movie serials put out by Columbia. It stars frequent movie serial hero, Tom Tyler. It is an excellant serial from beginning to end. It does tend to drag in places because of Columbia's strict fifteen chapter format.
I would highly recommend this serial to anyone who loves the genre. And, also, to those who are just discovering it.