Location: Neuchâtel, Switzerland (Canadian from Montreal)
Posts: 6,950
Quote:
Originally Posted by Montana Smith
A condition sadly suffered by many Indy fans as well.
Unfortunately...
Another aspect of "Star Wars" that seems to have been inspired by the serials are its funky screenwipes. Some Republic serials often used a "clock hand" wipe to change to the next scene and this type of thing can be seen in "Star Wars".
Another aspect of "Star Wars" that seems to have been inspired by the serials are its funky screenwipes. Some Republic serials often used a "clock hand" wipe to change to the next scene and this type of thing can be seen in "Star Wars".
Perhaps, but it's also a signature technique of Kurosawa's, who we know was an influence on Star Wars.
Location: Neuchâtel, Switzerland (Canadian from Montreal)
Posts: 6,950
Quote:
Originally Posted by Attila the Professor
Perhaps, but it's also a signature technique of Kurosawa's, who we know was an influence on Star Wars.
Nice observation, Attila. It's been quite awhile since I've watched any Kurosawa films and don't remember any funky screen-wipes. The last one I watched was, "Dersu Uzala". Which films are you referring to? "Hidden Fortress"? "Throne of Blood"? "Yojimbo"?...or more obscure stuff?
Location: Neuchâtel, Switzerland (Canadian from Montreal)
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Air Canada added the next 2 chapters of "S.O.S. Coast Guard" to their Classics choices so I watched them 2 days ago. (I rewatched Chapter 1 just to see the melting effect again.) Because Larry Byrd plays Lt. Kent, at times it feels like another Dick Tracy serial.
The solution to the 1st cliffhanger was pretty good, with Lt. Kent & Jean finding an underwater, air pocket in the ship. Later on in Chapter 2, I laughed when Kent is trying to free his tied hands by cutting the ropes with the boat's wildly spinning throttle dial.
The ending of Chapter 3 is a nail-biter. The laboratory is melting with Lt. Kent and Snapper McGee trapped inside, about to meet the same fate! Let's hope Chapter 4 is playing when I fly back in 2 weeks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Montana Smith
Fighting Devil Dogs was made a year later, and according to this page,
Quote:
Originally Posted by serialexperience.com
"The cliffhanger from Chapter Three involving the motorcycle chase is lifted bodily from “S.O.S. Coastguard”
My intuition was correct! Yet another source uncovered for the cut'n'paste production of "Fighting Devil Dogs".
Air Canada added the next 2 chapters of "S.O.S. Coast Guard" to their Classics choices so I watched them 2 days ago. (I rewatched Chapter 1 just to see the melting effect again.) Because Larry Byrd plays Lt. Kent, at times it feels like another Dick Tracy serial.
The solution to the 1st cliffhanger was pretty good, with Lt. Kent & Jean finding an underwater, air pocket in the ship. Later on in Chapter 2, I laughed when Kent is trying to free his tied hands by cutting the ropes with the boat's wildly spinning throttle dial.
The ending of Chapter 3 is a nail-biter. The laboratory is melting with Lt. Kent and Snapper McGee trapped inside, about to meet the same fate! Let's hope Chapter 4 is playing when I fly back in 2 weeks.
It was a surpisingly good serial, with such an innocuous title. If it hadn't been for reading reviews beforehand I'd never have chosen it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stoo
My intuition was correct! Yet another source uncovered for the cut'n'paste production of "Fighting Devil Dogs".
Yes, they cheaped out with that one.
However, there was some good original bits, like more interior shots of the Dick Tracy Flying Wing, the "pipsqueak" proto Vader, plus archive footage of the '37 Japanese attack on Shanghai.
It was fun skimming back through these pages. I use them as an aide-mémoire since I watched so many in a short time they tend to blend together!
Location: Neuchâtel, Switzerland (Canadian from Montreal)
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Two days ago, I watched chapter #4 of "S.O.S. Coast Guard" while flying back to Switzerland. The nail-biting climax of #3 was resolved with a typical solution, one so obvious that I didn't see it coming! The magic of the cliffhanger still works all these decades later. (In early September, I'll be flying overseas again and will watch chapter #5 then. Can't wait.)
I also got the 1945 serial, "Jungle Queen", which will help pass the time vacationing Italy for the next 2 weeks. It has Nazis in the African jungle during the months before the start of WW2. Should be interesting...
I must be missing something. When I watch LC, I don't see that first (1989) top right image of Indy standing on the window ledge outside. Is that from somewhere else? I've seen that in another thread as well, and I thought maybe i'm crazy, but I watched the scene again, and still don't see it.
I must be missing something. When I watch LC, I don't see that first (1989) top right image of Indy standing on the window ledge outside. Is that from somewhere else? I've seen that in another thread as well, and I thought maybe i'm crazy, but I watched the scene again, and still don't see it.
I think it's a publicity still. It doesn't appear in VP's extensive screenshot gallery.
Location: Neuchâtel, Switzerland (Canadian from Montreal)
Posts: 6,950
Quote:
Originally Posted by Me
Two days ago, I watched chapter #4 of "S.O.S. Coast Guard" while flying back to Switzerland. The nail-biting climax of #3 was resolved with a typical solution, one so obvious that I didn't see it coming! The magic of the cliffhanger still works all these decades later. (In early September, I'll be flying overseas again and will watch chapter #5 then. Can't wait.).
Forgot to mention that I did see #5 last month on the plane and, luckily, #6 was playing two weeks later on the return trip. The timing is working out very well since I've managed to see exactly half of "S.O.S. Coast Guard" as in-flight movies without missing any of the chapters.
The cliffhanger for #5 was highly unusual in that the character involved didn't safely escape the danger (an exploding boiler) at the start of #6. He actually got badly injured!
---
I also watched all of "Jungle Queen" two months ago. The format was different from any serial I've ever seen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sakis
Original? Certainly no, far more beautiful? Hell yes!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Montana Smith
Yes, very little new under the sun, but when inspired, Spielberg did make it all look so much prettier!
Because of the many, moronic comments on YouTube, I'm almost afraid to use this scene in a future "Raiders of the Lost Archives" video.
Quote:
Originally Posted by russds
I must be missing something. When I watch LC, I don't see that first (1989) top right image of Indy standing on the window ledge outside. Is that from somewhere else? I've seen that in another thread as well, and I thought maybe i'm crazy, but I watched the scene again, and still don't see it.
Russ, it's actually from a rare, TV version that was only shown in certain countries during the early '90s. (Just kidding! That shot is NOT in the movie.)
Location: Neuchâtel, Switzerland (Canadian from Montreal)
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"Jungle Queen" (1945) - Part 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Montana Smith
In what way?
I just read the synopsis, and for some reason I didn't consider it when I was picking serials.
"Jungle Queen" (from Universal) is not one of the better serials out there but it's still watchable & intriguing. It has Nazi agents, plenty of pith helmets and a jungle setting.
What I found most interesting about this one is that it doesn't follow the standard conventions. For 2 reasons:
1) It doesn't use the typical, title cards at the beginning of each chapter to keep the viewer updated on the story. Instead, the 're-cap' is done with dialogue by characters who aren't involved in the cliffhanger. They are in a completely different location from the action and talk about the events of the previous installment...
2) ...Then it cuts to the cliffhanger situation but (more often than not) it isn't a replay of the same shots from the earlier chapter. The sequences have been re-filmed, using different camera angles and different dialogue.
I've seen a few other Universal serials and they don't use this unconventional format so, "Jungle Queen", seems to be rather unique in this regard (although it's possible that there may be others).
Air Canada added the next 2 chapters of "S.O.S. Coast Guard" to their Classics choices so I watched them 2 days ago. (I rewatched Chapter 1 just to see the melting effect again.) Because Larry Byrd plays Lt. Kent, at times it feels like another Dick Tracy serial.
Not a cliffhanger, but closely connected...
I picked up a DVD today with three films on it:
Dick Tracy v. Cueball (1946, Morgan Conway) Dick Tracy’s Dilemma (1947, Ralph Byrd) Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome (1947, Ralph Byrd)
These were produced by RKO Radio Pictures. The Trivia page on IMDB for Dick Tracy's Dilemma records:
Quote:
Ralph Byrd, who had previously played Dick Tracy in four serials Republic produced in the late '30s and early 40's, was hired to replace Morgan Conway because, after the two previous films (Splitface and Dick Tracy vs. Cueball), exhibitors complained. To them, Byrd was Dick Tracy, and only Byrd would do. RKO accepted this and hired him to finish the series. Unfortunately for Byrd, because of this he spent his career typecast as Dick Tracy.
Location: Neuchâtel, Switzerland (Canadian from Montreal)
Posts: 6,950
Quote:
Originally Posted by Me
Because Larry Byrd plays Lt. Kent, at times it feels like another Dick Tracy serial.
D'oh! I wrote, "Larry Byrd plays Lt. Kent" when I meant, "Ralph Byrd plays Lt. Terry Kent". Guess I had '80s basketball on the brain (Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Montana Smith
I picked up a DVD today with three films on it:
I've seen a couple of the Dick Tracy films ("Meets Gruesome" and the one with Splitface). They were both very good. Enjoy your DVD, Smiffy!
TCM has The Johnny Weismuller Tarzans on DVD. I have Vol. 1 which has 4 movies to a Volume. Vol.1 has Tarzan the Ape Man, Tarzan Escapes, Tarzan Finds a Son, and Tarzan and his Mate. I just watched Tarzan the Ape Man and I haven't seen this in maybe 26 years (someone bought up the rights to these and locked them away until recently). I used to watch these for years on Sunday mornings in the 70's and 80's 'till my local station sold out to Fox like in '87 or something. Something to talk about
D'oh! I wrote, "Larry Byrd plays Lt. Kent" when I meant, "Ralph Byrd plays Lt. Terry Kent". Guess I had '80s basketball on the brain (Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics).
I didn't like to mention it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stoo
I've seen a couple of the Dick Tracy films ("Meets Gruesome" and the one with Splitface). They were both very good. Enjoy your DVD, Smiffy!
Good to hear.
Quote:
Originally Posted by micstream
TCM has The Johnny Weismuller Tarzans on DVD. I have Vol. 1 which has 4 movies to a Volume. Vol.1 has Tarzan the Ape Man, Tarzan Escapes, Tarzan Finds a Son, and Tarzan and his Mate. I just watched Tarzan the Ape Man and I haven't seen this in maybe 26 years (someone bought up the rights to these and locked them away until recently). I used to watch these for years on Sunday mornings in the 70's and 80's 'till my local station sold out to Fox like in '87 or something. Something to talk about
Like those Dick Tracy films, the Weissmuller Tarzans are closely related to the topic of this thread (and included in Stoo's Raiders of the Lost Archives!).
Just over a year ago I got a disc containing the first seven Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan films (1932-1943). There's some great stuff in them:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smiffy
(I didn’t realize that Jungle Girl's Nyoka, Frances Gifford, was in Tarzan Triumphs).
There’s something of the cliffhanger spirit in Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) – darkest Africa with its ever present dangers of a wildlife intent on killing men, giant apes (one played by Ray 'Crash' Corrigan, who almost made a career out his ape suit!), and evil pygmies. Once you get past the out-of-place stock footage used early on the film takes quite unusual turns by modern action adventure standards: Tarzan murdering native bearers one by one; Jane hysterical with fear of being raped by Tarzan... It plays like a more adult version of a matinee serial.
I've now watched the two Ralph Byrd films on the disc. Byrd's back to playing the police detective of Chester Gould's comic strip, as opposed to the FBI 'G-Man' of the serials.
Dick Tracy’s Dilemma (1947) is a fairly standard tale, apart from the slow, lumbering, club-footed, hook-handed Villain. The scene in which where 'The Claw' follows and eventually traps Sightless in the alleyway is pretty tense.
Unlike the serials there weren’t any memorable stunts, though Claw vs. Sightless in the alley was a mini-cliffhanger.
Tracy's comic relief sidekick, Pat Patton, is a replacement for the similarly bumbling Mike McGurk character of the serials.
Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome is more fun, mainly due to the appearance of Boris Karloff, whom Pat actually name checks:
“He’s weird. I tell you, if I didn’t know better I’d swear we were doing business with Boris Karloff.”
It also has more of the feel of the serials, with the science fiction immobilizing gas; the car chase, which ends by crashing through the window of the 'Y. Stuffum' taxidermist shop; and the mini-cliffhangers at the end: a gas-immobilized Dick Tracy about be put into a blazing furnace; then Tracy trapped in room with Gruesome outside and a gas bomb about to go off inside.
Other gags include the character names Dr. A. Tomic and his assistant, I.M. Learned:
While the bar in Gruesome was called The Hangman's Knot,
Dick Tracy v. Cueball (1946) starts well down on the dockside introducing us to Harry 'Cueball' Lake:
Dick, played by Morgan Conway, reminded me a little of Humphrey Bogart in voice and look:
Murder, intrigue, a secret passage, and a more serious looking Tracy than Byrd's portrayal merge with comic book character names such as Jules Sparkle the jeweller, Percival Priceless the antique dealer, the comical Pat Patton and the return of Junior, who appeared in some of the serials.
There's a car chase that ends with a crash through a shop window, but not as well done as in Gruesome.
Cueball meets his demise in what might have been a twisted homage to the classic rail line cliffhanger.
In keeping with the other two films, the bar in this one is called The Dripping Dagger:
Location: Neuchâtel, Switzerland (Canadian from Montreal)
Posts: 6,950
Quote:
Originally Posted by micsteam
TCM has The Johnny Weismuller Tarzans on DVD. I have Vol. 1 which has 4 movies to a Volume. Vol.1 has Tarzan the Ape Man, Tarzan Escapes, Tarzan Finds a Son, and Tarzan and his Mate. I just watched Tarzan the Ape Man and I haven't seen this in maybe 26 years (someone bought up the rights to these and locked them away until recently). I used to watch these for years on Sunday mornings in the 70's and 80's 'till my local station sold out to Fox like in '87 or something. Something to talk about
Quote:
Originally Posted by Montana Smith
Like those Dick Tracy films, the Weissmuller Tarzans are closely related to the topic of this thread (and included in Stoo's Raiders of the Lost Archives!).
Just over a year ago I got a disc containing the first seven Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan films (1932-1943). There's some great stuff in them:
Nice to see another Tarzan fan at The Raven, Micsteam! Considering the vast number of Tarzan films, etc. it would be preferable to only talk about his serials here. Maybe I will start that general Tarzan thread afterall...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Montana Smith
Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome is more fun, mainly due to the appearance of Boris Karloff, whom Pat actually name checks:
“He’s weird. I tell you, if I didn’t know better I’d swear we were doing business with Boris Karloff.”
Did you notice that Tess Trueheart was played by that saucey minx, Anne Gwynne, from Flash Gordon? (Who we briefly discussed in posts #211 & #212.) The ambulance driver was played by Lex Barker, who would soon replace Johnny Weismuller as Tarzan.
That Karloff line was neat. Ralph Byrd must've been pleased to have worked with both Boris Karloff in this and Bela Lugosi in "S.O.S. Coast Guard".
Some of the dialogue in, "Dicky Tracy Meets Gruesome", is pretty snappy. One memorable exchange is:
Waiter: "Somebody wants to see you, Melody." Melody: "Then tell him to look."
Did you notice that Tess Trueheart was played by that saucey minx, Anne Gwynne, from Flash Gordon? (Who we briefly discussed in posts #211 & #212.)
I knew I recognized the name from somewhere, but kept thinking of Fred Gwynne with the obvious Karloff connection:
But Anne Gwynne was much prettier!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stoo
The ambulance driver was played by Lex Barker, who would soon replace Johnny Weismuller as Tarzan.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stoo
Some of the dialogue in, "Dicky Tracy Meets Gruesome", is pretty snappy. One memorable exchange is:
Waiter: "Somebody wants to see you, Melody." Melody: "Then tell him to look."
Yes, there were some neat lines.
Pat Patton: I'm sitting here, see, writing out this report on the stiff. All of a sudden, blackout! Something hit me here: a crowbar or a small bulldozer.
Location: Neuchâtel, Switzerland (Canadian from Montreal)
Posts: 6,950
Quote:
Originally Posted by Me
Forgot to mention that I did see #5 last month on the plane and, luckily, #6 was playing two weeks later on the return trip. The timing is working out very well since I've managed to see exactly half of "S.O.S. Coast Guard" as in-flight movies without missing any of the chapters.
Another overseas flight allowed me to see chapter #7 of "S.O.S. Coast Guard". I re-watched #6 again as a refresher and had forgotten how good it was. Boats, a plane, a train and automobiles. Especially enjoyable was Lt. Kent's ruse with the chemical-filled lightbulb and his solution for dealing with the clouds of melting gas.
Next, chapter #7 ends with a familiar cliffhanger (cut airhose on a diving helmet) so it's semi-predictable how Ralph Byrd will survive. Fingers crossed that they'll be showing #8 on the return trip in 3 weeks.
It's actually fun watching the serial this way because the experience reflects the genre's original intention. Having to wait gaps to see the next chapter instead of watching it back-to-back on a DVD.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Montana Smith
I knew I recognized the name from somewhere, but kept thinking of Fred Gwynne with the obvious Karloff connection:
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But Anne Gwynne was much prettier!
Love "The Munsters"! Re. Anne Gwynne: Of all the actresses from the golden age of cinema, I find her to be one of the prettiest.
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When I go to Toronto this holiday, a visit to the Vintage Video store is definitely on my agenda and "Dick Tracy Returns" is on my shopping list. Must have that Indy-esque truck stunt! (See: Smiffy's post #139)
When I go to Toronto this holiday, a visit to the Vintage Video store is definitely on my agenda and "Dick Tracy Returns" is on my shopping list. Must have that Indy-esque truck stunt! (See: Smiffy's post #139)
SCORE! Last week at Vintage Video in Toronto, I bought a couple of 2-disc sets for $39 each:
- The store's last copy of "Dick Tracy Returns"! (2008 release by VCI Entertainment). The digital print on this is sharp & immaculate. I've never seen a serial in such high quality before. Stunning!
- Finally, at long, long last...EVERY episode of "Spy Smasher"!!! (Now I'll be able to watch the full thing!)
There were about 2 dozen other serials on the shelves, among them were "Tiger Woman" and "Drums of Fu Manchu", but my pile of purchases was getting big enough so those had to be saved for next time. (Without any self-control, one can easily end up leaving with a stack of DVDs piled higher than a Dagwood sandwich. It's dangerous for the wallet to go into that store!)
The owner of Vintage Video is very knowledgable and always a pleasure to talk with about obscure stuff. Believe it or not, he told me that the classic serials were his biggest seller this Christmas season! According to him: For X-mas 2010 it was Hitler, 2011 was ??? (I don't remember) and Christmas 2012 was the serials!
Anyway, I can't rave enough about this place...a genre-film lover's paradise!
It's been quite awhile since I've watched any Kurosawa films and don't remember any funky screen-wipes. The last one I watched was, "Dersu Uzala". Which films are you referring to? "Hidden Fortress"? "Throne of Blood"? "Yojimbo"?...or more obscure stuff?
Let's hope Chapter 4 is playing when I fly back in 2 weeks.
Yet another source uncovered for the cut'n'paste production of "Fighting Devil Dogs".
)
I wrote, "Larry Byrd plays Lt. Kent" when I meant, "Ralph Byrd plays Lt. Terry Kent". Guess I had '80s basketball on the brain (Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics).
