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Did Barbour Even Like Serials? And Other Books On Cliffhangers...
Topic Started: Mar 30 2018, 09:55 AM (755 Views)
AndyFish
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Saturday Afternoon at the Movies is one of my favorite books.
The thread title should have been "Did Barbour like any serials other than Republic?"

I understand and respect the reverence he had for them as do many of you-- but let's take the often maligned BATMAN serial for an example and compare it to the highly regarded MASKED MARVEL released around the same time;

Lew Wilson was no slouch as an actor-- he gets the foppish Bruce Wayne character right, his affluent sounding Boston accent works for the blue blood nature of the character and in some shots and angles he doesn't look bad in the suit. He gets annoyed at Robin as anybody would who has a 14 year old assistant. He seems to genuinely care about Linda Page (note the scene where he gently lifts her out of the zombie chair), and speaking of Page-- she shows an emotional range of caring and desperation not seen in many other more highly regarded serials like MASKED MARVEL where the four leads are as wooden as Kevin Costner at a wax museum display.

I get the love of the constant fight scenes and action, keeps things moving. But even something like CRIMSON GHOST which is one of my favorite Republic's features a lead character who is little more than a cartoon do-gooder.

I'm often accused of being biased because I'm a Batman fan-- and there is some truth to that-- but I think BATMAN AND ROBIN is terrible and ANY Batman film made past the 1966 feature never gets more than two stars in my book whether it be Keaton in a costume he can't turn his head in or Bale doing such a ridiculously silly voice he needs subtitles. I've not seen the last three films featuring Batman and have no intention of it, so maybe I'm not as biased as even I think.

For my money, Columbia had as many good serials as Republic and Universal was no slouch either. All Three Flash Gordon's are good and Buck Rogers is fun, I also like Red Barry and Mysterious Mr M.

But to each his own, it just seemed with Barbour (who I am infinitely greatful that he even got these books published in the first place) it seemed he would instantly dismiss anything that wasn't Republic.
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Sgt King
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I wanted to like so many Columbia serials, but they, almost always, turned out bland and disappointing . . . that overall I can't deny my feeling with every Columbia serial: "My God, I'm glad that's over!" Did not feel that way with most Universal and Republic's.
Columbia was so cheap and haphazard - they padded about 98% of their serial output (with endless talk, overly detailed plot points and constant - meaningless running or driving back-n-forth) to 15 chapters just to get a few more dimes on extended weeks.
Columbia's sets were shoddy, with interesting locations and decent special effects - non-existent. Most fight scenes were riduclous. Their chapter endings were mostly cheat, laughable or just plain uninteresting. And hey . . . we just acquired one of the most prized subjects in all of pop culture: "Superman!!!" Why don't we show him flying via cartoon??? And don't forget - stretch to 15 chapters and always make that poster really pop and promise much more than we'll deliver! Hey - Columbia was the inventor of "bait-and-switch."
Come on . . . one of Columbia's supposed (missing) holy grail's: "Brenda Starr, Reporter" that came out, to much fan fare 10 years ago, had only one (repeat: ONE) fight in the entire serial!! Explain that Columbia lovers . . . oh yea - in movies action and locations equals expense. Talk is cheap.
"Hail Columbia" indeed. They barely even tried and boy - does it show!
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rodney
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I noticed another of his volumes, Cliffhanger, on my shelf last night. I don't think I've opened it before.

Also, I like Columbia as a serial studio more than Universal.
Edited by rodney, Apr 4 2018, 03:33 AM.
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The Batman
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rodney
Apr 3 2018, 04:00 AM
I've not read Barbour either, so I just bought a copy of Saturday Afternoon At The Movies. It was only $6 with shipping, so why not?

You guys are so lucky when it comes to buying used books on Amazon. Up here, on Amazon North, these types of books are always overpriced.

No Canadian sellers are offering this one, for example, and the cheapest one from a U.S. seller is $25 plus $15 for shipping. For a used book, so no guarantees on the condition.

Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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Laughing Gravy
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I found all Barbour's books in used bookstores. Tell ya what, Bats, I'll keep my eyes open for ya.

Funny, I never considered Columbias to be "talky," what with everybody runnin' around willy-nilly to get anywhere.
"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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The Batman
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Thank you, LG, that would be most appreciated. I would like to sample Mr. Barbour's output.


Also, meant to mention that I enjoy Columbia's serials, too. They seem to have the most character and heart of any of the three main serial studios.

Republic's are the Kings of Action, love them, too, though they can get repetitive.

Universals are the best at a B-movie quality storyline, love 'em, but sometimes they can feel a little sterile.

But, to be honest, my favourite serial studio is probably Mascot. The little studio that could.

Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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mort bakaprevski
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I first read Barbour when I was a young adult. Couldn’t figure out how someone who wrote so poorly & childishly could ever get published. Finally decided the publishers must have figured that particular style fit the subject matter.
"Nov Shmoz Ka Pop."
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Frank Hale
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That was presumably during your early Cahiers du Cinéma years, Mort.

Apparently you've matured, since you hang around here.
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mort bakaprevski
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Senility takes its toll!! :P
"Nov Shmoz Ka Pop."
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rodney
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Andy, what books did you order? Did they show up yet? Thought and such?
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