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Watching Any Good Serials?
Topic Started: Apr 12 2006, 09:28 AM (88,405 Views)
Laughing Gravy
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And today, the penultimate episode of Scouts to the Rescue, which contained the one line I never thought I'd hear one serial guy say to another serial guy: "Would it help if I rubbed your knee?"

I plan on asking that a lot to strangers and acquaintances from now on.
"I'm glad that this question came up, because there are so many ways to answer it that one of them is bound to be right." - Robert Benchley
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Sgt Saturn
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Just remember to "Be Prepared." ;)
The Ol' Sarge
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rodney
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Just watched chapter 12 of Captain America (which is a very good serial, I don't care what anybody says) and I'm wondering if this has a recap chapter. I'm surprised I haven't come across one yet.
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Pa Stark
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CAPTAIN AMERICA does not have an economy chapter. Republic discontinued them from DRUMS OF FU MANCHU in 1940 until HAUNTED HARBOR in 1944. The first three serials of 1944, CAPTAIN AMERICA, THE TIGER WOMAN, and HAUNTED HARBOR all went way over budget, so they really cut back for ZORRO'S BLACK WHIP. Chapters were shortened, lead player opticals in chapter one were eliminated, and the economy chapter was re-introduced. That was the start of Republic serials decline.
Honest and Lovable Pa Stark
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Black Tiger
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I think where they saved money on Captain America was with the suit!
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Sgt Saturn
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Quote:
 
Just watched chapter 12 of Captain America (which is a very good serial, I don't care what anybody says)


If the hero were named anything besides "Captain America" everybody would say this was a great serial. Cap's fans have a problem with the major changes from the comic book portrayal. Few people have a problem with the serial per se.
The Ol' Sarge
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Laughing Gravy
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Well, I have a problem with it. I think it's a good serial, but Dick Purcell, had he been called The Green Llama or Mr. Terrific or Captain Awesome would still not be a good super-hero. It's a typical 15 episode Republic serial, meaning it's too long. Still, for the period in which it was made, it's one of the better Republics.
"I'm glad that this question came up, because there are so many ways to answer it that one of them is bound to be right." - Robert Benchley
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Black Tiger
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Watching Scouts to the Rescue myself and also heard a line I never thought I would in a serial. In chapter 4, a scrawny boyscout shouts: "Oh boy! Beaver!"
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AndyFish
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Dick Purcell is a great second banana-- as he was in the Academy Award nominated KING OF THE ZOMBIES-- or as a villain like he was in one of the Nancy Drew movies, but as a hero?? Not really my first choice.

But when you think about it, it reminds me of Tim Burton's pick of Michael Keaton as Batman back in '89. I met Keaton at a fundraiser a number of years ago and I was a good few inches taller than him (I'm 5'10") and had a frame like Don Knotts-- not exactly perfect casting for the Dark Knight-- but Burton's reasoning was this is the reason he needs the whole Batsuit-- if he was 6'1 220lbs he might be imposing enough already.

Now having argued all that-- I'm not sure I agree. Bruce Wayne is supposed to be obsessed with getting himself in shape, so he should be at least built like Bruce Lee and not the deputy of Mayberry.

Same deal goes with Captain America-- the whole idea is that he took the super soldier serum and became the perfect male specimen. Dick Purcell the perfect specimen?

Hardly.

In fact I think my father is in better shape than he is, and I can't picture him puttin on the the Cap suit.

All this goes out the window though, when you realize you aren't watching Captain America but Mr. Scarlet, which is who the serial was written for with Cap being subbed at the last second. So goodbye super soldier serum-- heck he's not even a soldier.

In the end, though, despite all its flaws and it's ridiculous casting, I really like this serial. It's even one of my favorites. Atwill is great. There are some really funny scenes-- like Cap shooting a guy with a pistol who is about 40 floors up-- and he hits him!

It's loaded with action and a fun effort. I perfect compliment to a Captain Marvel double feature.

Purcell may not be physically up for the role-- he dies of a heart attack shortly after the film wraps up-- but he makes up for it in attitude.
Andy
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rodney
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...........and this is why it really is better here In The Balcony. I never had any idea that my remarks would in turn create such interesting comments from others! Good stuff!

I'll be watching The Master Key next. Any gems that I should watch for?
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Laughing Gravy
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What I remember most from that serial is that to get to the secret room, you go into a little closet-like space, then through a hidden door, then down a hallway, then through another closet, then into the hidden room. And the two closets are clearly the very same space. It's disconcerting, and I found myself fascinated by it.
"I'm glad that this question came up, because there are so many ways to answer it that one of them is bound to be right." - Robert Benchley
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Black Tiger
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I like "Captain America", but have some reservations about it as well. The villains (Lionel Atwill, George J Lewis and John Davidson) are great. The heroine (Adrian Booth) is beautiful. Dick Purcell is seriously miscast as Cap. My choice would have been more along the lines of a Herman Brix. Considering the year this was made, I'm surprised the fight scene stuntwork isn't as smooth as serials that came before and after it. It had the weakest fights of the era.

There is always some inherent resistance to film projects that are loosely-adapted from another media. Sure you miss some of the things that made the character popular in the first place, but if the story is well-told and executed, it can stand on its own. "Adventures of Red Ryder" and the "Dick Tracy" serials come immediately to mind. Liberties were taken with the characters, but they were still entertainingly presented.

The bottom line is that I enjoyed "Captain America" as a good serial, but an opportunity was lost to make a great serial.
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Laughing Gravy
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BT, would it help if I rubbed your knee?
"I'm glad that this question came up, because there are so many ways to answer it that one of them is bound to be right." - Robert Benchley
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Laughing Gravy
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We enjoyed the second episode of The Spider's Web a great deal. It was 22 min. long -- seems awfully lengthy for a non-chapter-one to me.

I also began watching King of the Mounties. I didn't think much of the first one, King of the Royal Mounted, but the first episode of this was a corker. Too bad it was almost entirely silent & subtitled. With a Japanese, German, and even an Italian villain lurkin' around, I would've liked to hear what their faux accents sounded like. Particularly Nestor Paiva, who plays the Italian guy. I don't think there were many Italian fascist villains in the movies, probably because every kid had an Uncle Looie or a Cousin Pauly.
"I'm glad that this question came up, because there are so many ways to answer it that one of them is bound to be right." - Robert Benchley
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Black Tiger
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"BT, would it help if I rubbed your knee?"

Errrr... no. As a matter of fact, I don't even have a knee!
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