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| FNF Serials | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 13 2009, 10:03 PM (214 Views) | |
| Laughing Gravy | Sep 13 2009, 10:03 PM Post #1 |
Revered in the UK
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Still countin' down as we get ready for our 24th season, here's a review of the serials we've seen since moving to California... 1999-2000 I wanted to start off with something strong since nobody out here had ever SEEN a movie serial before, but Flash Gordon was rumored to be out on DVD soon so I started instead with Zorro's Fighting Legion. Surprisingly, it didn't go over that well: I think the kids were puzzled by its weird villain and put off by the fact that there was a cliffhanger every week. They just weren't used to it. Next, we did indeed show Flash Gordon, which was a triumph; they "got it" and loved it and as you'll see, we returned several times. The third one, I wanted a strong female serial, and so opted for Perils of Nyoka (a/k/a Nyoka and the Tigermen). Again, they loved it. 2000-01 Adventures of Captain Marvel Batman Undersea Kingdom Well, again, I went with some of my favorite serials, and they liked 'em, too. Frankly, they were disappointed with Batman, probably because it was so far removed from the big-screen films they'd seen, but they liked the others, particularly Undersea Kingdom. 2001-02 Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars The Secret Code Hawk of the Wilderness After bringing back Flash and introducing them to the Secret Code (which they loved; they especially enjoyed the coded messages at the end) I decided it would be nice to see a serial I'd never seen before, hence, Hawk. It was very popular. BTW, they thought "Mars" was a big step down from the first Flash. 2002-03 The Crimson Ghost Jungle Jim Zorro’s Black Whip Three more very popular serials; I knew they'd like the first one, I'd never seen the second one but we all enjoyed it, and the third one... I got the DVD from overseas so we watched it. I was always lukewarm about this one, but it turned out to be one of the most popular serials with the kiddies. They just loved Linda Stirling as the Whip. 2003-04 The Phantom Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe The Tiger Woman Showed these as they came out on DVD. The first one was very popular, the second was "Where is the REAL Dale and Barin?!?!?" and the third was well-liked. 2004-05 Batman and Robin The Spider’s Web As the kids got older and their sports events got more frequent, we cut down to only 2 serials most years because of all the Friday nights the theatre was dark. Batman & Robin was very, very popular, but the first serial they actually made fun of. The Spider they liked a lot, particularly things like Ram Singh and Jackson; dunno why, but they thought the hero having capable assistants was pretty cool. 2005-06 Spy Smasher Jungle Girl Spy Smasher was, hands down, one of the 3 most popular serials, along with Flash Gordon and Zorro's Black Whip, with the kids. They absolutely loved it. I showed Jungle Girl 'cause TWife wanted to see it. I have no great memory as to how anybody liked it. 2006-07 Radar Men from the Moon Daredevils of the Red Circle No real accolades for Radar Men, altho they liked it well enough and got some laughs out of it. Daredevils they thought was fabulone of the best. 2007-08 The Spider Returns Flash Gordon The Phantom Empire Because we had so many new kids join us over the years, I thought it time to revisit Flash Gordon, and it went over as well this time as it had the first time. The other two serials were also well-liked, a good combination of genuine thrills, imagination, and goofy fun. 2008-09 The Adventures of Captain Marvel Mysterious Island Marvel was liked, but not as much as Spy Smasher. The other one was not so liked; it was appreciated for its goofiness but considered rather dull by most of the attendees. 2009-10 Mysterious Doctor Satan I thought it best to follow up a considered-dull Columbia with one of the best and most exciting Republic serials. Our Famed FNF Crack Selection Committee has made no decision yet as to what the second serial of the season may be, but is leaning to Terry and the Pirates or Captain Midnight or maybe The Shadow. |
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| Pa Stark | Sep 14 2009, 09:42 AM Post #2 |
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Charter Member
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Your screenings must be a blast. How many decades from now will it be before showing YOUNG EAGLES, THE CLUTCHING HAND, QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE, or CHICK CARTER, DETECTIVE? |
| Honest and Lovable Pa Stark | |
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| Chandu | Sep 14 2009, 10:18 AM Post #3 |
Knowledge Seeker and rascal at large
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As long as it took him to post his Balcony commentary of Young Eagles, I doubt we'll live that long, Pa. I wouldn't look for a rerun of Mysterious Island anytime soon either, if his commentaries are any kind of measuring stick. |
| Not plane, nor bird, nor even frog. It's just little ol' me... | |
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| panzer the great & terrible | Sep 14 2009, 11:31 AM Post #4 |
Mouth Breather
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Oh, show 'em Terry. They've already seen The Spider Returns, so they'll get it. |
| We Wear Short Shorts Flying Purple People Eater | |
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| Don Diego | Sep 14 2009, 02:10 PM Post #5 |
Balcony Gang, Foist Class
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I would put in a vote for THE GREAT ADVENTURES OF WILD BILL HICKOCK or THE MONSTER AND THE APE |
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| Stony Brooke da Mesquiteer | Sep 15 2009, 05:23 AM Post #6 |
Balconeer Creeper
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The Shadow would be a good 'un to show, but I'd go with Gangbusters or The Drums Of Fu Manchu. |
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"She's got style, she's got grace She's got long, long legs, she's got... Savoir Faire" | |
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| panzer the great & terrible | Sep 15 2009, 08:19 PM Post #7 |
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Mouth Breather
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Have you used Gangbusters? It's one serial most people like. It nosed Flash out for my #2, and it's gunnin' for Drums, currently #1, but maybe not for long. As soon as I figure out what's wrong with my sound, they're going nose to nose, chapter by chapter. It's been too long since I saw a good serial, and it's one way to fix that situation. I'm enjoying Radio Patrol too, but this confounded sound problem has me stymied. I've decided to throw in the towel and phone a company called Nerds on Call tomorrow. Yeah, that's the ticket. |
| We Wear Short Shorts Flying Purple People Eater | |
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7:54 PM Nov 25
