Dick Tracy: Saga Of A Crimefighter

DICK TRACY - SAGA OF A CRIMEFIGHTER

Disc 1

Dick Tracy - Saga of a Crimefighter 1990 * 48 minutes
This is the story of cartoonist Chester Gould's famous, hard-boiled police detective, from his pen and ink origins as a newspaper comic strip, through his many incarnations in movies, radio and television. Featuring rare photos, artwork, radio broadcasts and film clips, Dick Tracy - Saga of a Crimefighter explores the history of one of the most popular characters ever to make the leap from comics to the movie screen.

Shaky's Secret Treasure 1950 * 25 minutes
A criminal recently released from prison searches for the loot he hid before being incarcerated, with Dick Tracy watching his every step.
Starring Ralph Byrd as Dick Tracy.

Hi-Jack! 1950 * 25 minutes
Dick Tracy and Sam Catchem investigate a series of car thefts and discover a gang who specialize in changing the appearance and serial numbers of the vehicles they've stolen.
Starring Ralph Byrd as Dick Tracy.

B.B. Eyes 1950 * 25 minutes
After a wealthy widow (who has invested $10,000 in Vitamin Flinthearts acting school) gets suspicious and calls the police, B.B. Eyes arranges a scenario where Vitamin thinks he has killed her. Two of B.B. Eyes henchmen (Twister and Knuckles) try to get a murder confession from Vitamin, but Dick Tracy is suspicious of B.B. Eyes' story.
Starring Ralph Byrd as Dick Tracy.

The Mole 1950 * 25 minutes
Dick Tracy and Sam Catchem investigate the murder of a counterfeiter and trace the engraving plates to the lair of a hoodlum known only as "The Mole". While the Mole hires a crook to run his counterfeiter operation, Dick Tracy draws his net around the gangster's operation.
Starring Ralph Byrd as Dick Tracy.

Dick Tracy Meets Heels Beals 1950 * 25 minutes
Two jewel thieves hire out as furniture movers to gain access to the homes of the rich, and Dick Tracy investigates.
Starring Ralph Byrd as Dick Tracy.

Dick Tracy and Flattop 1950 * 25 minutes
Dick Tracy is kidnapped from his home by Flattop, who in turn tells Namgib he will kill Tracy if he is paid $50,000. Tracy escapes, however, and takes Flattop out.
Starring Ralph Byrd as Dick Tracy.

Disc 2

Dick Tracy 1945 * 61 minutes
A crime thriller based on the comic strip, in which Dick Tracy is up against a series of murders and all the victims have no ties to one another.
Starring Morgan Conway as Dick Tracy.

Dick Tracy vs. Cueball 1946 * 62 minutes
A crime thriller based on the comic strip in which Dick Tracy is up against an ex-con Cueball, who is stealing gems and murdering people.
Starring Morgan Conway as Dick Tracy.

Dick Tracy's Dilemma 1947 * 60 minutes
A crime thriller based on the comic strip, in which there is a series of fifteen murders where the victims are slashed. They are all from different social and economic backgrounds and Dick Tracy is on the trail of the murderer.
Starring Ralph Byrd as Dick Tracy.

Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome 1947 * 65 minutes
A crime thriller based on the comic strip, in which Dick Tracy battles "The Claw".
Starring Ralph Byrd as Dick Tracy.

Disc 3

Dick Tracy (15 Episode Serial) 1937 * 290 minutes
In this 15 episode serial, Dick Tracy, played by Ralph Byrd, is up against a master criminal called The Spider. Based on the cartoon strip by Chester Gould, it also stars Kay Hughes and Smiley Burnette.

Episode List:
1. The Spider Strikes
2. The Bridge of Terror
3. The Fur Pirates
4. Death Rides the Sky
5. Brother Against Brother
6. Dangerous Waters
7. The Ghost Town Mystery
8. Battle in the Clouds
9. The Stratosphere Adventure
10. The Gold Ship
11. Harbor Pursuit
12. The Trail of the Spider
13. The Fire Trap
14. The Devil in White
15. Brothers United

I'm a fan of movies, serials, and TV shows based on comic-book characters. When I discovered "Dick Tracy: Saga of a Crimefighter", I was excited. Here were the original 15 chapter serial, the four RKO movies, several episodes of the Ralph Byrd TV series, and a documentary, all packaged together. Unfortunately, the quality of the DVDs themselves wasn't worth the price. The box art is the best part of this set, which include 3 slimcases in a cardboard sleeve. I don't know what was used as source material for these DVDs, but they appear to be poor VHS transfers. I gave "Dick Tracy: Saga of a Crimefighter" 2 stars because, if you are a collector, it is better than nothing. But if you want good transfers, the RKO Dick Tracy double-features by Critic's Choice are digitally restored. Get these, forego the documentary, and wait on the upcoming VCI Dick Tracy serial release. Dick Tracy Double Feature #1, Dick Tracy Double Feature #2.

› Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews  3.5 out of 5 stars