 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE CAPTAIN VIDEO SERIAL! |
|
|
|
The only one of the live space-hero TV adventure series to spin off a movie serial was CAPTAIN VIDEO, the subject of a 15-chapter Columbia serial released to theatres in 1951. In some respects, the serial follows the TV series fairly closely, in overall plot, costumes and set design. Books on movie serials generally expend large numbers of adjectives in describing just how bad this particular example is, and it is certainly disappointing in several respects, including a complete lack of imaginative chapter endings, and the absence of CV regulars such as Dr. Pauli and Tobor the robot. [It doesn't help a bit that the serial's Dr. Pauli clone is called Dr. Tobor! That just reminds the knowledgeable viewer of what he's missing out on.]
The plot is simple. The evil dictator of the dirigible planet Atoma, known as Vultura, is also a great (but mad!) scientific genius. With the collaboration of Dr. Tobor, a traitor to earth, Vultura plans to conquer our planet and enslave its people, just as soon as he finishes with the planet Theros.
Clearly only another great scientific genius can save our earth and Theros, and defeat Vultura (Gene Roth) and Dr. Tobor (George Eldredge) and naturally that's Captain Video (Judd Holdren), aided by his loyal juvenile sidekick, The Video Ranger (Larry Stewart) and lab assistant Gallagher (Don Harvey).
It's an ultra-low-budget outing, and that may be part of its charm today--- and after all it was based on a TV series also known for an ultra-low budget. In any event, the serial is fairly readily available on video and is worth a look--- if only to experience the one and only serial ever based on a TV series. It is no coincidence that the serials pooped out in 1955, at just the time the Golden Age of live television was also dying. |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
A rare color image from the serial; Captain Video and the Ranger prepare for not-so-swift action with the trusty Cosmic Vibrator pistols.
(To work, the pistols must actually be pressing up against the target!) |
|
|
|
|
The colorful poster for the serial promised much more action and excitement (not to mention special effects) than any early 1950s serial ever delivered. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Entering Vultura's underground base, Captain Video and the Ranger naturally have their vibrators at the ready! |
|
|
|
|
|
The evil dictator Vultura has nearly as many inventions as Captain Video himself. But will that be enough to conquer two planets at once? |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 chapters meant a lot of lobby cards, and quite a few turn up today--- yet there are surprisingly few good stills around from this serial. (For more on the serial, click on this photo.) |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
One of Vultura's many weapons is the fearful "metal men"--- robots that would have been very familiar to singing cowboy Gene Autry 20 years before. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
There's never much fistic action in Columbia serials, unlike the Republic serials which had two or three massive fistic encounters per episode. In CAPTAIN VIDEO one has to settle for a still of Judd Holdren unconvincingly pounding one of Vultura's tights-wearing troopers. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
When the role of Captain Video was cast for the serial, the television Video was Richard Coogan, whom Judd Holdren somewhat resembles. It's fascinating to speculate what actor would have been cast with Al Hodge in mind! The serial Video spends far more time in the small sports car he's standing in in this shot, than in any space-going or air-flying vehicle. |
|
|
|