The Phantom - Serial
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Movie Reviews of The Phantom - Serial
Movie Review: Very enteraining superhero cliffhanger
Summary: 4 Stars
I've always been fond of the more out-of-the mainstream costumed heroes--The Shadow, The Green Hornet, and The Phantom among them. This chapterplay is good, clean fun. Tom Tyler is just as convincing and rugged as Lee Falk's jungle hero as he was playing the World's Mightiest Mortal, Captain Marvel. The picture and sound quality on the dvd are better than one might expect, given the age of this relatively forgotten film. Indiana Jones it ain't, but if you approach this serial with the same sense of open-minded excitement that Spielberg & Lucas had when they watched serials as kids, you can easily see why they so influenced these now-great filmmakers.Movie Review: One of Columbia's best, fun for serial fans, great print
Summary: 4 Stars
Most Columbia cliffhangers were made by independent producers, but in 1938-39 and 1943-44 Columbia made its own serials, using the studio's many sets, facilities, and contract players. Columbia's home-grown serials are very efficient, and THE PHANTOM is no exception.It's a jungle serial, so this writer expected a lot of pedestrian dialogue scenes embellished with old wild-animal footage. It's true that the first chapter falls into this pattern while the story is being set up, but from there it's a lot of fun, almost all of it staged for this production, with Tom Tyler an ideal Phantom. For some reason the supporting cast was not credited, but fans of Columbia will easily recognize Kenneth MacDonald (terrific as the suave villain), Dick Curtis (great to see him play a benign role, for once), Ernie Adams (in a bigger-than-usual role as the Phantom's pal), and some familiar faces in the goon squad (George Chesebro, Wade Crosby, Kermit Maynard, I. Stanford Jolley, Al Hill). Good stuntwork and brisk direction (by B. Reeves Eason) keep this one moving, with Tom Tyler in there punching through 15 chapters. Ace, the Phantom's handsome dog, later became "Rusty" the German shepherd in Columbia's family series.
THE PHANTOM has two pleasant surprises for the Columbia serial fan. The recap narration is exceptionally brief (even though the recap footage is lengthy). And each closing "teaser" of next week's episode does NOT spoil the suspense by showing the imperiled hero out of danger. Every cliffhanger in THE PHANTOM keeps the viewer guessing, for a welcome change.
The print is excellent, with fine picture and sound. Only Chapter 11 has soundtrack trouble for a few minutes, and the video producers have remedied it as best they could. The DVD release also includes commentary by Max Allan Collins of "Dick Tracy" fame. Definitely of interest to serial collectors, and fans of Columbia's "B" movies and short subjects will especially enjoy this.
Movie Review: A Major disappointment
Summary: 2 Stars
I'm a longstanding, die-hard PHANTOM fan and collector; so I was praying that this would be a lost gem. Turns out to be more of a lost zircon. Tom Tyler is pretty darn AWFUL as the Phantom--not a single aspect of this film identifies it as a Phantom story, except for the presence of Devil -- who's supposed to be a wolf, not a German shepherd (although I'll admit it's one gorgeous animal they have cast here) -- and the Phantom's father. The bad guys consistently and successfully get the drop on Tyler's Phantom, which is not at all typical of the comic strip character. I mean, the thing about the strip version of the character that's so remarkable is his consistency--he's always smarter, faster, stronger, and cagier than the bad guys. Not Tyler's Phantom. And Tyler's Phantom is a terrible shot to boot; the strip Phantom could hit the sweat off a dung beetle on the back of a rampaging bandicoot at 20 yards. Could they have possibly found a better actor to play the Phantom? Easily. Tyler should have stuck with the 'oaters' and said thanks a heap but heck no to this serial.
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: can't even watch the tape
Summary: 1 Stars
My tape was so bad that I can't even watch it to decide if I like the movie or not. Constant scrolling of film that we just cannot adjust. Makes the film unwatchable. Probably too late to return for replacement or credit.