Author Archive: Retro

Egyptian princess is slated for sacrifice by members of a cult, but is shielded from harm by her fianc? Frank Chandler. 12 Chapters. Dir. Ray Taylor.

Universal Pictures 63rd sound-era serial (between “Mystery of the River Boat” and “The Masater Key”) finds that Nazi agents are trying to arouse the tribes of the middle jungle in Africa to revolt against the British. Americans Bob Elliott (Edward Norris) and Chuck Kelly (Eddie Quillan) arrive to help the British agents. Lothel (Ruth Roman), the mysterious Queen of the Jungle, appears and disappears always in the nick of time to save them, and also Pam Courtney (Lois Collier), niece of the explorer Alan Courtney (‘Boyd Irwin’ (q)). Dr. Elise Bork (Tala Birell) and her henchman Lang (Douglass Dumbrille) are the Nazi chiefs, posing as scientists. Lang has great influence on some of the tribesman, especially with Chief Maata (Napoleon Simpson’) who wants to keep Kyba (Clarence Muse) from becoming judge over all the tribes. A Secret Sword is the key to the ruler of the jungles, and the holder of this secret is sought [...]

It is the near future as seen from the perspective of the early 1950s. Earth is in radio contact with civilizations on planets in our solar system, as well as planets in other, distant solar systems, and Commando Cody has just built the world’s first spaceship.

Using a diabolical disguise, Harry Crowel embarks on a vengeful career of destruction…opposed by three heroic daredevils.

A 12-episode serial in which a son avenges the death of his father at the hands of corrupt politicians. He develops a wide variety of complex devices in his crusade . . . ray guns, robots and a ‘vanishing belt.’

To protect a magic talisman from being used for evil, a teenage boy named Billy Batson is given the power to become an adult superhero, Captain Marvel, with a single magic word: “Shazam!”

Alan Armstrong, aka Spy Smasher, battles a Nazi villain known as The Mask, who heads a gang of saboteurs determined to spread destruction across America.