10pc Box: Cliffhangers the Epi

Years after I saw the "Spy Smasher" video, I found a reprint of one of the comic books that inspired it. To my surprise, the comic wasn't that good. Republic improved the character vastly, even giving us two heroes for one (Kane Richmond, an earlier hero of one of the worst serials ever made, "The Lost City," redeems himself playing twins in what is arguably the best serial of all time). Direction by that unsung titan of action film, William Witney, and spectacular stunts by the likes of David Sharpe and Tom Steele don't hurt, either.

This must have the most exciting first chapter of all time. It doesn't waste time with exposition but gets right into the action with two or three jaw-droppers right off the bat. And it never lets up in a single chapter. William Witney, easily the all-time best serial director, really outdoes himself here, even without his long-time associate Jack English. Maybe this was his going-away present to serial fans as he had enlisted in the Navy and was waiting to be called up, or maybe he was getting his licks in on the Germans before he left. He lets it all hang out here, that's for sure. As soon as we think we know where he's headed, we don't. He eschews cliches and constantly surprises us. When we think a cliffhanger is imminent, it isn't. And the cliffhangers are just terrific. The fire chasing Spy Smasher as he races through the tunnel on a hand-car at the end of Chapter One is a classic, as is the way he deals with it. And Chapter Two. And Chapter Three. I could go on. They're imaginative and clever, and they leave you truly wondering how in the world he's going to get out of this one.

"Spy Smasher" was yet another comic book hero brought to life in the serials. Republic didn't pay the big bucks necessary to obtain the rights to the most popular ones, so it didn't get the big names like "Superman," "Batman," et al; it just did a much better job with the ones it did bring to the screen than Universal or Columbia did. This has great camera work by Witney's long-time cinematographer Reggie Lanning, and Mort Glickman's music is also terrific, including his lively treatment of Beethoven's Fifth (which was the musical symbol for Allied victory in WWII) at the beginning and end of each chapter. Howard Lydecker is better than ever with his special effects miniaturization. As usual Witney has Davy Sharpe doing the brunt of the stunt work, and Davy is elegant in the fight scenes with his flying leaps and efficient dispatching of the enemy. His athleticism is amazing to watch. The fight in the wine cellar at the Acme Cafe at the end of the first chapter is a wonderful portent of things to come, such as Chapter Eight where he takes on four opponents in a warehouse and bests them all through sheer cleverness.

Kane Richmond has the ironic distinction of having starred in the best (this one) and worst ("The Lost City," 1935) serials of all time. He's just about perfect here in the dual role of Allen Armstrong, the dashing, cape-clad Spy Smasher, and his twin brother Jack (another irony, as "Jack Armstrong" was mediocre at best), and manages to give each brother a slightly different air. Richmond starred in many B-movies in the 1930's and 40's, including several "Green Hornet" films (but not the serial). He retired from acting in 1948, then went on to make a fortune in the fashion business.

Marguerite Chapman (1918-1999) was a discovery of Howard Hughes. As a younger variation of the boozy broad character usually portrayed by Claire Trevor, she worked steadily at 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, and especially Columbia. She popped up all over the place in the first decade of television, and for her TV work she is recognized in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Sam Flint played lots of doctors and fatherly types in his career, and he's very good as the heroine's father, Admiral Corby. Hans Schumann, born in Stuttgart, was in great demand during the War for his German accent and fierce looks, and he's a fine villain as The Mask. Tristram Coffin as Drake, a TV broadcaster (yes, TV in 1942!) who's actually one of the spies, adds to his long career in which he appeared in hundreds of movies (including "Nyoka and the Tigermen.") All three were excellent character actors for many years, and are used to good advantage here.

A couple of other things to look for: Notice how clevery Witney has a double fill in for one of the brothers when both are in the same scene, so that each one looks exactly like Kane Richmond, never more effectively than in Chapter 9 when they're riding on a motorcycle together. Also in Chapter 9, look for the fake billboard that advertises another of Witney's serials, "Dick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc."!

If this isn't the best serial ever made, I don't know what is. Everything comes together to make one terrific serial that even manages a message beyond simply good versus evil: Self-sacrifice for a higher cause.

The number one serial from Republic the best serial maker of them all. In 1942 I saw the chapter that Spy Smasher is about to be torpedoed and guess what: the dictator of Brazil, my country, prohibited admission for children in the movie theatres and I waited up to 1951 to review it. In 1966 I rented it from MGM in 16 mm but shortly after they expired the licence and destroyed the copy. Kane Richmond is the best good guy ever.As bad guy I elect Anthony Warde and as bad girl Carol Forman, good girl is Kay Aldrich and the four best serials are: 1-Spy Smasher, 2-The adventures of Captain Marvel, 3-Perils of Nyoka,4- The Black Widow. Please open a new site only for serials lovers at amazon.com.