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Post by robsuperfriend63 on Jan 26, 2015 19:33:55 GMT -5
The Spirit? It was a 2 hour TV movie. |
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Post by robsuperfriend63 on Jan 26, 2015 20:01:25 GMT -5
You might like THE DRUMS OF FU MANCHU, a serial starring one of prose-lit's best "supervillains." The 1932 MASK OF FU MANCHU is often cited as the best of the "devil doctor" films, but I like Henry Brandon's Fu-performance more than I do Karloff's. They're racist as all get out but I'll be darned if they aren't pretty well made films which makes my feelings on them pretty conflicted. I can understand how they can be considered as racist today. However, in fairness to the times when they were made, with some of the titles like the first Batman serial it was made at wartime when the Japanese were our enemies. And don't miss understand, I'm not saying it's ok to make fun of another race or resort to name calling, but when these films were made, it was partly done to support the war efforts and the troops. However, now I believe or at least when the first Batman serial was on VHS they changed/dubbed some of Batman's dialog in the last chapter. In the original confrontation between Batman & the main villain, Batman yells him "You Jap Devil" for turning his girlfriend into a mind controlled zombie. BUT in the dubbed version the line was change to "You ville Devil". I don't know if this was done for the DVD release, I have to look at it again. But the fact that the line was changed in a video release means that someone was thinking that they didn't want to send kids the wrong message if it was viewed at home by a child. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 26, 2015 20:14:56 GMT -5
They're racist as all get out but I'll be darned if they aren't pretty well made films which makes my feelings on them pretty conflicted. I can understand how they can be considered as racist today. However, in fairness to the times when they were made, with some of the titles like the first Batman serial it was made at wartime when the Japanese were our enemies. And don't miss understand, I'm not saying it's ok to make fun of another race or resort to name calling, but when these films were made, it was partly done to support the war efforts and the troops. However, now I believe or at least when the first Batman serial was on VHS they changed/dubbed some of Batman's dialog in the last chapter. In the original confrontation between Batman & the main villain, Batman yells him "You Jap Devil" for turning his girlfriend into a mind controlled zombie. BUT in the dubbed version the line was change to "You ville Devil". I don't know if this was done for the DVD release, I have to look at it again. But the fact that the line was changed in a video release means that someone was thinking that they didn't want to send kids the wrong message if it was viewed at home by a child. I can look past it a little, but even for the time they were considered racist. The Chinese embassy, for instance, issued a formal complaint to the US government in 1932 over the films and later the US government would put serious pressure on the studio forcing them to stop production on any further films. |
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Post by robsuperfriend63 on Jan 26, 2015 20:15:38 GMT -5
So, on prince Hal's recommendation, I found the original Captain Marvel serial on youtube today. I've been waiting nearly ten years to see this thing and am thrilled its now readily available (just try finding a reasonably priced copy of the dvd!). The special effects were even more breath-taking than I'd imagined, and the stunts were first rate as well, but the story, itself, bores me to tears. I'm sorry to say I honestly don't know if I'll stick around for the next chapter  Still, I'm so glad I finally got to see it. Thanks, prince hal! I love this serial the best! I have it on DVD! The only thing that bothered me about this version of Captain Marvel was that as you see in this first chapter, he has no problem with killing a bad guy. He does it again in the 4th chapter where he picks up a thug and throws him from the roof of a tall building. I know what you mean about the first chapter being boring, but I do recommend you at least watch the next chapter before you decide. The story does get better once the main characters get back to America and the other chapters are shorter. |
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Post by robsuperfriend63 on Jan 26, 2015 20:30:12 GMT -5
Here is another serial, CAPTAIN AMERICA:
This was the first time Cap was live action. The 2 differences in this version was Cap uses a gun instead of a shield (I guess back then they couldn't make one.) And Cap's name was Grant Gardner instead of Steve Rogers.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Jan 26, 2015 21:11:52 GMT -5
I know what you mean about the first chapter being boring, but I do recommend you at least watch the next chapter before you decide. The story does get better once the main characters get back to America and the other chapters are shorter. Oh! I thought they were going to spend the entire serial at or near that digging site. Okay, I'll give the next chapter a try. |
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shaxper
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Posts: 22,865
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Post by shaxper on Jan 26, 2015 21:13:11 GMT -5
I can understand how they can be considered as racist today. However, in fairness to the times when they were made, with some of the titles like the first Batman serial it was made at wartime when the Japanese were our enemies. And don't miss understand, I'm not saying it's ok to make fun of another race or resort to name calling, but when these films were made, it was partly done to support the war efforts and the troops. However, now I believe or at least when the first Batman serial was on VHS they changed/dubbed some of Batman's dialog in the last chapter. In the original confrontation between Batman & the main villain, Batman yells him "You Jap Devil" for turning his girlfriend into a mind controlled zombie. BUT in the dubbed version the line was change to "You ville Devil". I don't know if this was done for the DVD release, I have to look at it again. But the fact that the line was changed in a video release means that someone was thinking that they didn't want to send kids the wrong message if it was viewed at home by a child. I can look past it a little, but even for the time they were considered racist. The Chinese embassy, for instance, issued a formal complaint to the US government in 1932 over the films and later the US government would put serious pressure on the studio forcing them to stop production on any further films. Yep. It's pretty obvious that half the success of the Fu Manchu property was that it fed into a widespread anxiety about foreigners already present in the West. It's depiction of the Chinese was pretty universally unflattering. |
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Post by robsuperfriend63 on Jan 26, 2015 23:27:09 GMT -5
I know what you mean about the first chapter being boring, but I do recommend you at least watch the next chapter before you decide. The story does get better once the main characters get back to America and the other chapters are shorter. Oh! I thought they were going to spend the entire serial at or near that digging site. Okay, I'll give the next chapter a try. Nope, they do go back to the site, but not until about chapter 10 and it's a 12 chapter serial.  |
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Post by Prince Hal on Jan 26, 2015 23:33:53 GMT -5
Most first chapters are a bit longer than the succeeding ones, too, Shax.
A couple of recommendations of good serials: Perils of Nyoka (aka Nyoka and the Tigermen; aka Nyoka and the Lost Secrets of Hippocrates); Daredevils of the Red Circle; Zorro's Fighting Legion; The Masked Marvel (with one of the most convincing falls from a building ever);and Spy Smasher.
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shaxper
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Posts: 22,865
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Post by shaxper on Jan 27, 2015 5:55:50 GMT -5
I really hope thwhtguardian goes ahead with serials for next month's theme! Thanks much for the suggestions, Prince Hal!
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Post by Prince Hal on Jan 27, 2015 13:43:56 GMT -5
Took advantage of a blizzard day off and watched "Winter Soldier."
Loved it!
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Post by robsuperfriend63 on Jan 27, 2015 13:45:23 GMT -5
I really hope thwhtguardian goes ahead with serials for next month's theme! Thanks much for the suggestions, Prince Hal! Also, if you are interested in characters like The Rocketeer, I recommend in this order you look for KING OF THE ROCKET MEN, RADAR MEN FROM THE MOON, & ZOMBIES OF THE STRATOSPHERE.  The last one has a very young Leonard Nimoy (Spock from Star Trek) playing a small part as a Martian. |
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Post by robsuperfriend63 on Jan 27, 2015 14:05:55 GMT -5
Most first chapters are a bit longer than the succeeding ones, too, Shax. A couple of recommendations of good serials: Perils of Nyoka (aka Nyoka and the Tigermen; aka Nyoka and the Lost Secrets of Hippocrates); Daredevils of the Red Circle; Zorro's Fighting Legion; The Masked Marvel (with one of the most convincing falls from a building ever);and Spy Smasher. is one of my favs too! |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 27, 2015 14:34:37 GMT -5
I really hope thwhtguardian goes ahead with serials for next month's theme! Thanks much for the suggestions, Prince Hal! Also, if you are interested in characters like The Rocketeer, I recommend in this order you look for KING OF THE ROCKET MEN, RADAR MEN FROM THE MOON, & ZOMBIES OF THE STRATOSPHERE. The last one has a very young Leonard Nimoy (Spock from Star Trek) playing a small part as a Martian. The concept is fun but of those only King of the Rocketmen is worth watching. |
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Post by robsuperfriend63 on Jan 27, 2015 15:02:48 GMT -5
Here is another Marvel made for TV film from 1978 Dr. Strange starring Peter Hooten.
It was a movie that was made as a pilot for in hope of a possible series that never happened.
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Still, I'm so glad I finally got to see it. Thanks, prince hal!
