Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to In The Balcony. We hope you enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Plus, you'll be eligible for the monthly $1 million prize. (Not really.)

Join our community!

If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Books on Movie Serials; A Complete Listing
Topic Started: Mar 22 2017, 08:29 AM (3,074 Views)
The Batman
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]
Books on Movie Serials
TitleAuthorPublisherDateNotes
The Big Book of B MoviesRobin CrossSt. Martin's Press1981
Blood 'n' Thunder's Cliffhanger Classics Vol. 1Ed HulseMurania Press2012First volume of serial-related essays reprinted from BnT magazine
Blood 'n' Thunder's Cliffhanger Classics Vol. 2Ed HulseMurania Press2017Second volume of serial-related essays - some are reprinted from BnT magazine, some will be all new
Bound & Gagged: A History of the Silent SerialKalton C. LahueCastle Books1968
Calling Tracy! - Six Decades of Dick TracyJames Van HiseMovie Publisher Services 1990
Classic Cliffhangers: Volume 1, 1914-1940Hank DavisMidnight Marquee Press, Inc.2007
Classic Cliffhangers: Volume 2, 1941-1955Hank DavisMidnight Marquee Press, Inc.2008
CliffhangerAlan BarbourA & W Publishers1977
CliffhangerAlan BarbourCitadel Press1978
The Columbia Checklist: The Feature Films, Serials, Cartoons & Short Subjects of Columbia Pictures Corporation, 1922-1988Len D. MartinMcFarland & Co1991/20071991 (hardcover), 2007 (paperback, two volume set)
Continued Next WeekKalton C. LahueCastle Books1968
Days of Thrill and AdventureAlan BarbourMacmillan1975
Distressed Damsels & Maked Marauders: Cliffhanger Serials of the Silent-Movie EraEd HulseCreatespace2014
Fifty Years of Serial ThrillsRoy KinnardScarecrow Press Inc.1983
Forgotten Horrors: Early Talkie Chillers From Poverty RowGeorge Turner & Michael A. PriceA.S. Barnes19861979 A. S. Barnes & Co. in USA, 1980 Gazelle Book Services Ltd in UK (hardcover), 1986 Eclipse Books (paperback, slightly revised)
Forgotten Horrors: The Definitive EditionGeorge Turner & Michael A. PriceMidnight Marquee Press19991999 (hardcover) and 2009 (paperback)
Forgotten Horrors: The Original Volume - Except More SoGeorge Turner & Michael A. PriceCreateSpace 2012paperback
The Great Movie Serials: Their Sound & FuryJim Harmon & Donald F. GlutDoubleday1972
Handsome Heroes and Vicious Villains: More Cliffhanger Serials of the Silent-Movie Era Ed HulseCreatespace2016
Heroes & Villains: Movie Serial ClassicsMichael BifulcoBifulco Books1989
In a Door Into a Fight, Out a Door Into a ChaseWilliam WhitneyMcFarland & Co.2005
In The Nick of Time: Motion Picture Sound SerialsWilliam C. ClineMcFarland & Co.1984
Lure of the Tropix - A Pictorial History of The Tropic Temptress in Films, Serials and ComicsBill FeretProteus Books1984
Matinee Melodrama: Playing with Formula in the Sound SerialScott HigginsRutgers University Press2016
The Motion Picture Serial: An Annotated BibliographyWayne ShutzScarecrow Press Inc.1992
The Movie Serial Companion Volume 1R.W. StedmanNostalgia League2010
The Movie Serial Companion Volume 2R.W. StedmanNostalgia League2011
Next Time Drive Off The Cliff ! Gene FernettCinememories Pub. Co1968
One Reel a WeekFred Balshofer and Arthur MillerUniversity of California Press1968
Ray Guns, Robots and Rockets - Science-Fiction Serials 1930 - 1953Ken WeissLove's Labor Press2004
The Republic Chapterplays: A Complete Filmography of the Serials Released by Republic Pictures Corporation, 1934-1955R.M. HayesMcFarland & Co1991
Republic Confidential - Vol. 1Jack MathisJack Mathis Advertising1992
Republic Confidential - Vol. 2: The PlayersJack MathisJack Mathis Advertising1992
Republic Confidential - Vol. 3Jack MathisJack Mathis AdvertisingN/AJack Mathis "Republic Confidential Volume 3" was 90% complete per Jim D'Arc, Curator of the Arts and Communications at BYU at the time of his death. Jack Mathis left all of his papers, films etc. about Republic Studios to BYU. Jim visited SerialFest the year Daredevils of the West was shown and told attendees if you visited BYU he would allow visitors to browse the uncompleted manuscript. At this time, there appears to be no plans to complete/release Vol. 3
The Republic Pictures ChecklistLen D. MartinMcFarland & Co1999/2006
Rocket Men of the MoviesMichael BifulcoBifulco Books1991
Saturday Afternoon At The MoviesAlan BarbourBonanza Books19863 volumes in 1, includes Days of Thrills of Adventure
Science Fiction Serials: A Critical Filmography of the 31 Hard SF Cliffhangers; With an Appendix of the 37 Serials with Slight SF ContentRoy KinnardMcFarland & Co2008
Serial Adventures - The Incredible Story of the Superheroes of the Silver ScreenJames Van HisePioner Books1990
Serial Film Stars: A Biographical Dictionary, 1912-1956Buck RaineyMcFarland & Co2005/20132005 (hardcover), 2013 (paperback, two volume set)
Serials & Series: A World Filmography, 1912-1956Buck RaineyScarecrow Press Inc.1999/2010
Serials-ly SpeakingWilliam C. ClineMcFarland & Co2000
The Serials: Volume OneAlan Barbour1967Collection of serial synopses reprinted from original pressbooks. Both were limited editions, with 500 copies printed and numbered. They sold for $9.95 each.
The Serials: Volume TwoAlan Barbour1968Collection of serial synopses reprinted from original pressbooks. Both were limited editions, with 500 copies printed and numbered. They sold for $9.95 each.
The Serials of ColumbiaAlan Barbour1967Lists Columbia's chapter plays chronologically with casts, credits and chapter titles
The Serials of RepublicAlan Barbour1965Lists Republic's chapter plays chronologically with casts, credits and chapter titles
The Serials: Suspense & Drama by InstallmentRaymond W. StedmanUniversity of Oklahoma Press1977
Sinister SerialsLeonard KohlMidnight Marquee Press2000
The Strongman - The Daredevil Exploits of the Mightiest Man in the Movies - Joe Bonomo - A Pictorial AuitobiographyJoe BonomoBonomo Studios1968
Those Fabulous Serial HeroinesBuck RaineyWorld of Yesterday/Scarecrow Press Inc.1990/1991
To Be ContinuedKen WeissCrown Publishers Inc.19721st Edition Hardcover
To Be ContinuedKen WeissStar Tree Press19811st edition, paperback
To Be ContinuedKen WeissLove's Labor Press2000Two-volume version. The 1972 edition written with Ed Goodgold was filled with errors.
To Be ContinuedKen WeissLove's Labor Press20023rd edition hardcover
The Tom Tyler StoryMike ChapmanCulture House Books2005
Valley of the CliffhangersJack MathisJack Mathis Advertising1975
Valley of the Cliffhangers SupplementJack MathisJack Mathis Advertising1995
The Vanishing LegionJon TuskaMcFarland & Co1982
Edited by The Batman, Apr 17 2017, 12:57 PM.
Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Batman
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]

I was bored and decided to start a list of the books on movie serials. It's not complete yet, I haven't even finished adding the ones I know of (got to go to lunch), so the list will be updated this afternoon.

Also, any and all additions/recommendations are welcomed.

Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Barcroft
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]
Bats,
Jack Mathis "Republic Confidential Volume 3" was 90% complete per Jim D'Arc, Curator of the Arts and Communications at BYU at the time of his death. Jack Mathis left all of his papers, films etc. about Republic Studios to BYU. Jim visited SerialFest the year Daredevils of the West was shown and told us if you visited BYU he would allow visitors to browse the uncompleted manuscript.
Barcroft
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
rodney
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]
I just (well, an hour ago) bought a McFarland tome called The Republic Pictures Checklist. Not strictly serials, but certainly has some crossover interest. I just wanted a complete list of films from my favorite studio.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Batman
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]

Bart - thanks, that explains why volume 3 wasn't listed on GoodReads. I will add your info to the notes on that volume. Much appreciated.

Rodney - Another thanks. I will add the book and, not being aware of it until now, am interested in checking it out, also much appreciated.

Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Frank Hale
Balcony Gang, Foist Class
[ *  *  * ]
I didn't cross-reference Goodreads, but:



The Great Movie Serials: Their Sound and FuryJim Harmon and Donald F. GlutDoubleday & Co., Inc. 1972

To Be Continued… Ken Weiss and Ed GoodgoldCrown Publishers, Inc.1972

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bert Greene
Balcony Gang, Foist Class
[ *  *  * ]
What about "Serials-ly Speaking," which was a collection of columns by William Cline? I think it was put out by McFarland.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Batman
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]

Mr Hale & Bert:

Thanks for all, I did have them on my personal list, just didn't get to transfer them to the Balcony list before lunch. But, rest assured, they are on there now.

Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Batman
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]

Any feedback on any of these titles (is it a must read? is it obsolete with new publications out? is it full of errors?) is appreciated.

And if I have missed any titles (a definite), please post it and I will add to the list.

Let's use this thread to get a discussion going about these various serial books.

Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
riddlerider
Member Avatar
Balcony Gang, Foist Class
[ *  *  * ]
You missed Blood 'n' Thunder's Cliffhanger Classics, my first volume of serial-related essays reprinted from BnT. And next month I plan to release a second volume, containing reprinted and all-new essays.

http://muraniapress.com/book/blood-n-thunders-cliffhanger-classics/
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Laughing Gravy
Member Avatar
Look for In The Balcony on Facebook!
[ *  *  * ]
You spelled "Sound & Fury" wrong. At least half of it, anyway.

A quick glance at the list indicates it's missing Science Fiction Serials by Roy Kinnard.
"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
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Pa Stark
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]
Also,
THE VANISHING LEGION Jon Tuska 1982 McFarland
SINISTER SERIALS Leonard Kohl 2000 Midnight Marquee Press
TO BE CONTINUED Ken Weiss 2000 two volume version. The 1972 edition written with Ed Goodgold was filled with errors. Love's Labor Press
THE MOVIE SERIAL COMPANION Raymond Stedman (Grood's father) two volumes Nostalgia League
THOSE FABULOUS SERIAL HEROINES Buck Rainey 1990 World Of Yesterday

Bats, don't forget serial magazines.
TEMI
Serial Report
Serial World
Cliffhangers
Serial Quarterly
Honest and Lovable Pa Stark
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Batman
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]

Gentlemen, thank you for your input. Additions and changes have been added.

RR - can you provide the publishing year for Vol. 1 and I will add it.

LG - I checked my dictionary and it says I spelled "Fury" right. I didn't check on the other half.

Pa - Thank you for providing publishers and dates with your titles, saves me from looking them up.

Also, I had THOSE FABULOUS SERIAL HEROINES on the list already, put out by Scarecrow Press in 1991. Is the volume released in 1990, from World of Yesterday, the same book or are there differences between the two?

As for serial magazines, what do you all think? Should they be included on the list?

Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
riddlerider
Member Avatar
Balcony Gang, Foist Class
[ *  *  * ]
Bats, the first volume of Cliffhanger Classics was published in July 2012.

If you're going to include magazines, I think it's vital to list Screen Thrills Illustrated, which was the first newsstand periodical that covered serials with consistency and seriousness. It also established, via the letter column, that there existed a post-theatrical-era serial fandom.

Also missing are several key books compiled and published by Alan Barbour. His early chapbooks, The Serials of Republic (1965) and The Serials of Columbia (1967, I think), were reference works that listed each company's chapter plays chronologically with casts, credits and chapter titles. I bought both from Alan through the mail and used those purchases as the basis for introducing myself to him 50 years ago at the World Science Fiction Convention in New York City. He was one of the dealers and I was a 14-year-old fan. That meeting eventually blossomed into a close friendship that lasted until his death in 2002.

Those chapbooks were incredibly valuable to me. When the "Century 66" feature versions played on New York TV in 1966, I was able to identify most of the actors by comparing the cast and character names in Serials of Republic. The Columbia book came in handy later on, when I began seeing that studio's serials in 16mm.

I bought nearly everything Alan published, including his fanzine Screen Facts and two softcover books titled The Serials: Volume One (1967) and The Serials: Volume Two (1968). The last-named were collections of serial synopses reprinted from original pressbooks. Both were limited editions, with 500 copies printed and numbered. They sold for $9.95 each. I think they should also be included in your list for their value as reference works.

I don't, however, think you need to include the collections of serial ads (most culled from pressbooks) Alan published. Their usefulness, even then, was negligible.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Batman
Member Avatar
Charter Member
[ *  *  * ]

Thanks for the additions, RR, the list has been amended.

As for the serial magazines, I've decided not to include them, for several reasons:

1) My main reason for this list is to see what serial books are worth tracking down to read. Magazines are more work to track down, especially if one wants complete runs. Plus, figuring out which issues might have preferred articles, etc. Too much work.

2) Adding things to this list is a bit time-consuming, I don't relish the thought of adding all those magazines, as well. Too much work.

3) The list hasn't generated the discussion I had hoped for. I have to assume some of you have read some of these books, yet not one of the 170 people who have viewed this thread (at this writing) have even bothered to comment on one book. So I must also assume there is no interest in the thread, and wasting more of my time adding magazines would be, well, a waste of my time. And too much work.

I will continue to add any books that are suggested, if anything, I'm still going to get some use out of this list, even if it is just as a basic reference list.

I guess I should have started this thread in the Arcade Annex.


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Continued Next Week · Next Topic »
Add Reply