ALL SCI-FI

[Bud Brewster]

[Also released as: "The Return of Captain Marvel"]

Considered by many fans to be one of the best serials ever made, despite a lack of the kind of monsters, costumes, and big sets that make serials like "Flash Gordon" such a treat.

But Captain Marvel excels in acting, production values, and stunts. The major special effects pertain to Captain Marvel's flying scenes, which are definitely a cut above the ones done in the old "Superman" TV show. The hero is young Billy Batson (Frank Coghlan, Jr.), who says the magic word -- Shazam! -- and he becomes Captain Marvel (Tom Tyler).

Tyler is built for the superhero part, and the uniform fits well. The villain is the evil Scorpion, who seeks five fabled lenses which, when used together, can transmute common metals into gold.

Ironically Captain Marvel and the Scorpion both come into existence during an archeological expedition which penetrates an ancient tomb in Siam. Billy encounters the spirit of Shazam, who tells the boy that he alone is worthy of receiving the powers of Captain Marvel.

Meanwhile, one of the other members of the expedition turns evil when he learns about the powers of the ancient lenses. He adopts the name and disguise of the Scorpion, and he plots to take over the world. The rest of the story takes place in both America and Siam, with plenty of action provided by veteran co-directors John English and William Witney.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[orzel-w]

Here's another lobby card showing the flying stunts.



Now that's stylin'!

Incidentally, the image Bud posted has the colors all wrong. Cap's costume is red with a white cape and gold trim and appointments. I think the cape design is cool, slung over one shoulder, with the big collar and held on by a thick cord.

Here's a publicity photo I colorized.



Uh... oops, wrong head...


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...or not...

WayneO
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[Bud Brewster]

Behold! Captain Marvelous!

"It is better to LOOK marvelous while fighting crime than to FEEL marvelous."



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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[orzel-w]

And you look Marvelous!

A couple more colorized images...




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...or not...

WayneO
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[Bud Brewster]

Great job! Are you using Photoshop? If so, I'm impressed with it as well as with you.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[orzel-w]

Strictly speaking, Photoshop Elements. The one I sent you my older version of in which you couldn't see the command icons on the screen.
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...or not...

WayneO
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[ralfy]

Serial in HD 1080p quality:

________a-________ Captain Marvel Full Movie


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[Bud Brewster]

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Thanks. Ralfy!

That version looks good, but the audio seems low. I found another one which looks good too, and the audio is a bit better.

___________ The Adventures of Captain Marvel


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Gord Green]

In my humble opinion this was the best serial ever produced (Although some of the later chapters are a bit slow...) There are a few other serials that are a lot of fun and could be considered for future chats (Like the three ROCKETMAN ones!)
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There comes a time, thief, when gold loses its lustre, and the gems cease to sparkle, and the throne room becomes a prison; and all that is left is a father's love for his child.

[Pow]

"Adventures of Captain Marvel" was filmed from December 23, 1940 to January 30, 1941.

The budget was $135,553 but ultimately cost $145,588.

Released on March 28, 1941.

The legendary Howard & Theodore Lydecker brothers created the special effects.

The the flying scenes for Captain Marvel were done via a 7' dummy made of paper mache and weighing 15 lbs.

The uniform was made of thin silk and a cotton jersey.

Four pulleys were connected to each shoulder and leg calf.

Strung on two wires, the dummy moved along them on its own weight.

The rig was originally created for the "Superman" serials but never utilized.

Pity. Those scenes of Superman flying in those two serials where he goes from the live actor Kirk Alyn, and morphs into animation really are jarring and take you out of your willing suspension of disbelief during those sequences.

While the CM flying scenes are superb looking even today.

Captain Marvel's tunic appears as a costume for one of the members of the Kryptonian Science Counsel on the very first episode of the "Adventures of Superman" titled "Superman on Earth" from September 19, 1952.

The tunic's lightning bolt is partially concealed by an oversize neck collar on the Kryptonian member.

I believe that Kal-El's father Jor~El wears the tunic that Buster Crabbe wore in either the "Flash Gordon" or "Buck Rogers" movie serial.

Two CM tunics were worn in early episodes of the SF TV show "Space Patrol."

THe Science Fiction Museum & Hall of Fame located in Seattle, WA has a CM tunic from the serial on display.

The CM costume is red, yellow, and white in the comic books.

For the black & white film in order for the costume to photograph well, the costume was blue & gray.

[Bud Brewster]

[Bud Brewster]

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IMDB has several interesting trivia items for this production, several of which have already been presented by Pow in this post above.
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~ Superman was originally considered for this project, however, when National Periodical Publications (now known as DC Comics) turned Republic down, the producers made the offer to Fawcett Comics for its top character and was accepted.

Note from me: In view of the superior way Captain Marvel's flying scenes were done in this serial, it's a shame that DC turned Republic down.

~ Billy Batson becomes Captain Marvel by speaking the name of the wizard Shazam: S = The Wisdom of Solomon; H = The Strength of Hercules; A = The Stamina of Atlas; Z = The Power of Zeus; A = The Courage of Achilles; M = The Speed of Mercury.

Note from me: An interesting mixture of fictional characters.

~ The effect of Captain Marvel flying was achieved by filming an oversized dummy that was slid along a fine wire.

Note from me: The FX looks terrific.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[PumamanRedux]

ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN MARVEL was released in 2017 on bluray and dvd by Kino Lorber ..

The title's current price on bluray is $17.97.

The title goes on sale occasionally at

https://kinolorber.com/product/adventures-of-captain-marvel-12-chapter-serial-blu-ray

Product Extras :
Audio Commentary by Film Historians Jerry Beck, Chris Eberle, Shane Kelly, Boyd Magers, Leonard Maltin, Adam Murdough, Constantine Nasr, Donnie Waddell, Tom Weaver and J.D. Witney

Booklet essay by Matt Singer, editor-in-chief and film critic of ScreenCrush.com

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FOR those who prefer to buy from amazon the title is currently priced at $16.97 on bluray at

https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Captain-Marvel-Chapter-Blu-ray/dp/B073LWR973/

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ON kino lorber the title is currently priced at $11.97 on dvd at

https://kinolorber.com/product/adventures-of-captain-marvel-12-chapter-serial-dvd/

[Bud Brewster]

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Hey, thanks for the info, PR!

I noticed the the DVD price is $11.49. I suspect the picture quality of the DVD would be about the same as the BD on my older 50 inch television, so I might get that instead.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[PumamanRedux]

Did you buy the dvd set, Bud?