Buck Rogers

 

 

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As I've been trying to collect some classic serials, I've been frustrated by the lack of specific information on the various editions. So let me first say that while the print is far from pristine, for the price this VCI edition is hard to beat.

Second, let me say that I am astonished--to the point of feeling like my 10-year old self was had--how much of "Star Wars" Lucas lifted almost whole-cloth from this serial. Even the prologue as a steeply pitched crawl comes from Buck Rogers, not to mention countless scenes in the Millennium Falcon as the ship is chased by an evil-empire-like force of villains.

So here's the advice I would have been happiest to have had a few days ago when I was trying to decide whether to buy this disc: if you love science fiction on film, or are interested in the popular culture of the late 30's and early 40's, BUY THIS DISC.

VCI Entertainment and Universal Pictures present "BUCK ROGERS:70TH ANNIVERSARY" (1939) (Dolby digitally remastered) --- adapted from Edgar Wallace novel with 12 Chapters of vintage serial episodes loaded with action sequences --- story line involves Buck Rogers (Buster Crabbe) and his young friend Buddy Wade (Jackie Moran) as they both crash land in a trans-polar dirigible flight on an Earth mountain top, will they be killed --- what is this strange gas of suspended animations --- have the years passed so quickly with Buck and Buddy now 500 years into the future --- who now rules the planet Earth with such tyrannical despot --- what can be done to overthrow the leader Killer Kane (Anthony Warde) who wants all under his "Zombie" control and in enslavement --- can Buck, Buddy and Lt. Wilma Deering (Constance Moore) overthrow Killer Kane and his ally Prince Tallen (Philson Ahn) of Saturn --- who will win out on this universal war, watch "War of the Planets" the final chapter of this inter planetary sci-fi exciting adventure.

CHAPTER TITLES:
1. Tomorrow's World
2. Tragedy on Saturn
3. The Enemy's Stronghold
4. The Sky Patrol
5. The Phantom Plane
6. The Unknown Command
7. Primitive Urge
8. Revolt of the Zuggs
9. Bodies Without Minds
10.Broken Barriers
11.A Prince in Bondage
12.War of the Planets

SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. THE STORY OF BUCK ROGERS - 70 years ago and 500 years in the future [8:52 min]
2. BUSTER CRABBE - ALL AMERICAN HERO - recorded 1972 - [25:29 min]
3. PHOTO GALLERY - [4:47 min]
4. BUCK ROGERS RADIO SHOWS EPISODE #1 - aired from 1932 - 1947 - [15:22 min]
5. BUCK ROGERS RADIO SHOWS EPISODE #2 - aired 11/07/1932 - [13:54 min]
6. 2009 COMIC-CON BUCK ROGERS PANEL - [28:58 min]
7. BUCK ROGERS VS. THE TIGER MEN FROM MARS (1935) - [7:59 min]

Special footnote, actor Buster Crabbe graduated from the University of Southern California and won the 400 meter freestyle in which he medaled in the 1932 Olympics, went to work for Paramount in "King of the Jungle" (1933), next role was "Tarzan the Fearless (1933), Crabbe returned to Paramount Pictures was featured in Zane Grey Westerns which were well received, then came the roles that made him a household word "Flash Gordon" and "Buck Rogers" at Universal Picture Serials (1936-1940), meanwhile PRC Studios was looking for a leading hero "Billy the Kid" and "Billy Carson" in the 1940's B-Western series and ran its course for six years, later made several television appearances and appeared in a series "Captain Gallant and the Foreign Legion" (1955-1957).

BIOS:
1. Buster Crabbe (aka Clarence Linden Crabbe)
Date of Birth: 7 February 1908 - Oakland, California
Date of Death: 23 April 1983, Scottsdale, Arizona

2. Constance Moore
Date of Birth: 18 January 1920 - Sioux City, Iowa
Date of Death:16 September 2005 - Los Angeles, California

3. Anthony Warde
Date of Birth: 4 November 1908 - Pennsylvania
Date of Death: 8 January 1975 - Hollywood, California

4. Jackie Moran (aka John E. Moran)
Date of Birth: 26 January 1923 - Mattoon, Illinois
Date of Death: 20 September 1990 - Greenfield, Massachusetts

5. Ford I. Beebe (Director)
Date of Birth: 26 November 1888 - Grand Rapids, Michigan
Date of Death: 26 November 1978 - Lake Elsinore, California

Great job by VCI and their staff, as the digital transfer is a clean, clear and crisp print much better than the other video labels --- This collection is loaded with quality extra bonus features not found in previous collections --- order your copy now from Amazon who has the best for your every growing hobby or addiction.

Total Time: 241 min on DVD ~ VCI Entertainment 8570 ~ (11/03/2009)

I think the whole sereise should come out on DvD do you have any ideas westher they are trying tro get permission to bring out the whole sereis please write me back at Silverdolphine@comcast.net.com

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4.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile follow-up to the FLASH GORDON serials
Buck Rogers was the earlier space hero, first appearing in two featured novellas in Hugo Gernsbach's AMAZING STORIES, the earliest science-fiction pulp magazine. Read more

Published on Dec 23 2002 by Neal C. Reynolds

5.0 out of 5 stars A True THRILL-O-RAMA
The 12 chapter BUCK ROGERS serial, was shot between the Flash Gordon serials "Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars" and "Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe. Read more

Published on Sep 22 2002 by Matthew L. Mutchmore

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Buster' Crabbe was a Superhero
This takes me back to Saturday mornings as a ten year old, in the early 80's, when I first remember seeing Larry'Buster'Crabbe as Flash Gordon/Buck Rogers on the BBC. Read more

Published on July 26 2001 by B. D. Martin

3.0 out of 5 stars Flash Rogers or Buck Gordon?
It's difficult to know what to think of Buck Rogers. In the comics he was the original space-hero whose popularity diminished with the arrival of Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon. Read more

Published on Oct 5 2000 by Steven Bove

4.0 out of 5 stars Original Buck Rogers
Although not as good as Flash Gordon series which also starred Buster Crabbe this is still an enjoyable SCI-Fi classic. Read more

Published on July 13 2000 by carl vanderheyden

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