Flash Gordon (1936)

Directors: FREDERICK STEPHANI, RAY TAYLOR. Screenplay: Frederick Stephani, George Plympton, Basil Dickey, Ella O'Neill. Based on the comic strip "Flash Gordon" (or "Speed Gordon" as it was known in Australia) created and drawn by Alex Raymond. Photography: Jerome "Jerry" Ash, Richard Fryer. Film editors: Saul Goodkind, Edward Todd, Alvin Todd, Louis Sackin. Art director: Ralph Berger. Special effects: Norman Dewes. Music adapted from Franz Waxman's score for The Bride of Frankenstein. Producer: Henry MacRae.A Universal serial in 13 chapters of two reels each. U.S. release: 6 April 1936. Copyright by Universal Productions, Inc. Chapter titles and copyright dates: The Plant of Peril, 18 March 1936; The Tunnel of Terror, 23 March 1936; Captured by Shark Men, 9 April 1936; Battling the Sea Beast, 17 April 1936; The Destroying Ray, 23 April 1936; Flaming Torture, 30 April 1936; Shattering Doom, 6 May 1936; Tournament of Death, 14 May 1936; Fighting the Fire Dragon, 20 May 1936; The Unseen Peril, 27 May 1936; In the Claws of the Tigron, 3 June 1936; Trapped in the Turret, 10 June 1936; Rocketing to Earth, 17 June 1936.The serial was cut down to a 97-minute feature version called ROCKET SHIP. I have also seen this listed as Spaceship to the Unknown and Atomic Rocketship. TV title: Space Soldiers.SYNOPSIS: Flash Gordon, Dr Zarkov and Dale Arden blast off to Planet Mongo where they encounter Ming the Merciless, who seeks to conquer the entire universe.NOTES: Sequels are Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars (1938) and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (1940).COMMENT: This legendary serial is still great fun today. Of course it doesn't have its original impact. Although the sets are still impressive (some refurbished from Bride of Frankenstein), the special effects and props look more than a bit tacky. Instead of breathtaking wonder, they now inspire amusement. Many of the thrills that once brought audiences out in a sweat, now bring chuckles and campy laughter. But there's no denying the pace and sheer energetic gusto of Flash Gordon. This was writer Frederick Stephani's first and last directorial assignment. Ray Taylor had to be called in to help him out, whilst no less than four film editors worked on assembling the footage - which now truly moves with a speed Flash would have been proud of. There are no seams. Stephani's visual flair admirably complements Taylor's vigorous action staging.The players may lack subtlety, even finesse, but Crabbe certainly looks the part, while Jean Rogers makes an attractive heroine. And who could fail to enjoy Charles Middleton's Ming and Priscilla Lawson's Aura?

This thing is awful but so much fun. Anyone who grew up in the '50's remembers when this production was re-broadcast (and fer free!!!!) Dear old Dale is still a glowing beauty and is one reason all the guys loved this serial. Charles Middleton is his same wonderful self and shines as he does in any production in which he appears. Abandon logic, all who enter here as much of what is said and done defies the most basic common sense. Regardless, rejoining this group of saviors of the earth is a wonderful experience even if the reaction to Jean and Pricilla is somewhat muted because of the passage of time. One thing I've noticed is that IMDb is linking to fewer "free" videos, choosing instead to be paid off by Amazon et. al. if you prefer to watch the feature. Too bad!!! It can be found on other sites and one hopes that IMDb decides to satisfy viewers rather than the bean counters.

"Flash Gordon" is another of those serials based on a popular comic strip of the time. It shows its age through the cheaply produced special effects and obvious matte paintings used as back drops. In its' defense one has to remember that this was 1936 and it WAS based on a comic strip.The basic plot has Flash Gordon (a blond Buster Crabbe), his girlfriend Dale Arden (a blonde Jean Rogers) and brilliant scientist Dr. Zarkov (an un-blond Frank Shannon) rocketing off to the planet Mongo to try to prevent it from crashing into the earth. Once there they are captured by Emperor Ming the Merciless (Charles Middleton) and his sinister daughter Aura (Priscilla Lawson).Flash battles the usual array of monsters and soldiers in his on-going battle with Ming and his men while escaping many life threatening cliff hangers in the process. Ming, meanwhile has taken a liking to the lovely Dale and Aura has set her sights on Flash for herself. Dr. Zarkoff has won the favor of Ming for his brilliant scientific discoveries. I mean, is there nothing the man cannot invent to deal with the many life threatening dangers and emergencies that occur over the course of 13 chapters?Other characters in the story include John Lipson as the hilarious winged warrior King Vultan, Richard Alexander as Prince Barin, Theodore Lorch as the evil High Priest and James Pierce (the former Tarzan) as King Thun an ally of Flash.Having been filmed by Universal, the production had access to the studio's large inventory of laboratory equipment and electrical apparatus that had been used in their various horror films such as "Frankenstein" (1931). The special effects, especially the flying sequences, look cheap and unconvincing. The interiors of the space ships are small and bare boned with only one apparent seat for the pilot and he is not even strapped in.Having said all of that, "Flash Gordon" is nonetheless a fast moving entertaining serial that spawned two sequels: Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars" (1938) and "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" (1940).

This serial and also a bit in the next (Trip to Mars) use a large telescope, with a massive tube made with criss crossing steel girders. It was also used in Death from a Distance (1935), and in The Invisible Ray (1936). The Invisible Ray starred Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. I don't know if it actually was functional. Modern designs are much more light weight but rigid. They can use large thin mirrors or even many mirror segments which can be controlled by computers and pushed from underneath to slightly change the shapes. This can correct for temperature changes, position changes, and even correct for the unevenness of the atmosphere (the twinkling). If you wanted to make 1 big, thick mirror the support structure would be so massive that it would be impractical.