Republic Movie Serials

Darkest Africa

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:37:05 GMT

1936. Genre: Jungle.

Sequel of sorts to The 1934 Mascot Pictures Corporation serial The Lost Jungle. Mascot was a minor film company that in 1935 was one the six Poverty Row studios that merged to form Republic Pictures.

Darkest Africa was re-released in 1966 for televison renamed as Batmen of Africa, to capitalise on the Batman craze of the time.

Undersea Kingdom

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:37:41 GMT

1936. Genre: Science Fiction.

Undersea Kingdom was intended to rival Universal's Flash Gordon & the star of the serial was named Crash Corrigan because it sounded similar to Flash Gordon.

The serial is parodied in the Star Trek: Voyager episode; The Adventures of Captain Proton.

The Vigilantes Are Coming

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:39:24 GMT

1936: Genre: Western.

Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:41:49 GMT

1936. Genre: Maritime.

This was the first Republic serial to feature a 'Re-cap Chapter' in which events of the previous chapters are repeated & possibly the first instance of this concept now prevalent in modern TV shows such as '24'.

Dick Tracy

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:42:53 GMT

1937. Genre: Crime.

Based on the comic strip 'Dick Tracy'.

There were three sequels to this serial. They were all permitted by an interpretation of the original contract, which allowed for a "series or serial". That meant that Dick Tracy creator, Chester Gould was only paid for the rights to produce this serial but not for any of the sequels!

The Painted Stallion

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:43:53 GMT

1937. Genre: Western.

S.O.S. Coast Guard

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:45:14 GMT

1937. Genre: Maritime & Science Fiction.

Zorro Rides Again

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:46:02 GMT

1937: Genre: Western.

Based on 'Zorro' created by Johnston McCulley.

The Lone Ranger

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:47:33 GMT

1938: Genre: Western.

Based on the radio series 'The Lone Ranger'.

The Fighting Devil Dogs

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:48:53 GMT

1938. Genre: Science Fiction.

The Fighting Devil Dogs features The Lightning, the very first costumed supervillain.

Dick Tracy Returns

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:50:10 GMT

1938. Genre: Crime.

Based on the comic strip 'Dick Tracy'.

As with the other three serials in the Republic series, Tracy is depicted as a West Coast FBI agent rather than the local police detective for a large Midwestern city he is in the original comic strip.

Hawk of the Wilderness

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:52:23 GMT

1938. Genre: Jungle.

Based on the novel by William L. Chester.

The Lone Ranger Rides Again

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:53:53 GMT

1939. Genre: Western.

Based on the radio series 'The Lone Ranger'.

Daredevils of the Red Circle

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:55:09 GMT

1939. Genre: Crime.

Dick Tracy's G-Men

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:56:37 GMT

1939. Genre: Crime

Based on the comic strip 'Dick Tracy'.

'G-Man' is a contemporary slang term for an agent of the FBI. In the comic strip, Dick Tracy is actually a detective in the police force of an unnamed Midwestern city resembling Chicago. This was changed for the serial.

Zorro's Fighting Legion

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:57:18 GMT

1939. Genre: Western.

Based on 'Zorro' created by Johnston McCulley.

This is the serial that featured an identical death each episode. Each informant, trying to reveal the identity of the main villain would utter the phrase "Don del Oro is..." and then be shot by a golden arrow (wielded by Don del Oro himself, hidden behind a curtain) and die with a grunt before being able to name the villain's alter ego.

Drums of Fu Manchu

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:58:14 GMT

1940. Genre: Yellow Peril.

Based on Fu Manchu created by Sax Rohmer.

Adventures of Red Ryder

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:59:51 GMT

1940. Genre: Western.

Based on the comic strip 'Red Ryder'.

King of the Royal Mounted

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:01:10 GMT

1940. Genre: Northern.

Based on the comic strip 'King of the Royal Mounted'.

Northern genre films are similar to Westerns but the action occurs in the Canadian North and typically features Mounties instead of, for example, Cowboys or Sheriffs.

Opening caption, "Although the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are few in number, they successfully guard a vast dominion of the British Empire. From the United States border to the Arctic ice pack and from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the red coat of the Mountie is the symbol of law and order and a promise that justice will prevail. To these gallant men, "King of the Royal Mounted" is respectfully dedicated."

Mysterious Doctor Satan

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:02:16 GMT

1940: Genre: Superhero.

Originally intended as a Superman serial but DC Comics withdrew permission because of changes Republic incorporated into their character's backstory. This was the first original Superhero film.

Adventures of Captain Marvel

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:34:52 GMT

1941. Genre: Superhero.

Based on the Fawcett Comics character 'Captain Marvel'. This serial was the first film adaptation of a comic book superhero.

Jungle Girl

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:04:47 GMT

1941. Genre: Jungle.

Based on Nyoka the Jungle Girl by Edgar Rice Burroughs but bears almost no resemblance to the novel, which was about an Asian princess, not a white woman living in Africa.

Jungle Girl was the first sound serial to have a female lead.

King of the Texas Rangers

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:05:56 GMT

1941. Genre: Western.

Although the serial's plot involves Nazi agents in Texas, this serial predates America's entry into World War II. The Nazis are never named as such but it is strongly implied within the serial

Dick Tracy vs. Crime Inc.

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:07:44 GMT

1941. Genre: Crime.

Based on the comic strip 'Dick Tracy'.

Spy Smasher

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:08:18 GMT

1942: Genre: Spy & War.

Based on the Fawcett Comics character 'Spy Smasher'.

Perils of Nyoka

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:09:22 GMT

1942. Genre: Jungle.

Sequel to Jungle Girl & loosely based on the book of the same name by Edgar Rice Burroughs. However Republic did not want to pay licensing fees to Burroughs again so it avoided any repetition of the term 'Jungle Girl' to which he had the rights. Instead 'Nyoka' the name of the main character in the first film was placed in the title of the sequel, because that name was an original creation of Republic's writers, not of Burroughs.

King of the Mounties

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:10:35 GMT

1942. Genre: Northern.

Based on the comic strip 'King of the Royal Mounted'.

G-Men vs. the Black Dragon

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:11:49 GMT

1943. Genre: Spy & War.

G-Men vs. The Black Dragon was commissioned based on the success of the serial Spy Smasher, although the production team preferred to have a non-costumed character.

Daredevils of the West

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:12:59 GMT

1943. Genre: Western.

Secret Service in Darkest Africa

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:14:17 GMT

1943. Genre: Jungle.

Sequel to G-Men vs the Black Dragon released earlier in 1943.

The Masked Marvel

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:16:27 GMT

1943. Genre: Superhero.

The Masked Marvel is a reverse of the 'old mystery villain theme.' The identity of the Masked Marvel is kept secret from the audience until the last chapter.

Captain America

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:17:03 GMT

1944. Genre: Superhero.

Very loosely based on the Timely Comics character 'Captain America'. Republic was notorious for making arbitrary changes in their adaptations. This occurred with Captain America more than most.

Timely were unhappy with these changes & the wrangles went on so long that Republic said the serial was well into production and they could not return to the original concept without expensive retakes and dubbing. They also pointed out that they, Republic, was under no contractual obligation to do so.

The Tiger Woman

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:18:58 GMT

1944. Genre: Jungle.

Haunted Harbor

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:20:10 GMT

1944. Genre: Maritime.

Based on the novel by Ewart Adamson. This was the last adaptation by Republic & also the last jungle serial for nine years.

Zorro's Black Whip

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:20:41 GMT

1944. Genre: Western.

Based on 'Zorro' created by Johnston McCulley.

Despite the title the name 'Zorro' does not appear in the film. The Zorro-like character is referred to throughout as The Black Whip and is actually female.

Manhunt of Mystery Island

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:21:43 GMT

1945. Genre: Science Fiction & Pirate.

Federal Operator 99

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:23:13 GMT

1945. Genre: Crime.

The Purple Monster Strikes

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:24:14 GMT

1945. Genre: Science Fiction.

This was the first post-war science fiction serial. The Purple Monster costume was re-used in Flying Disc Man from Mars & Radar Men from the Moon.

The Phantom Rider

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:28:08 GMT

1946. Genre: Western.

King of the Forest Rangers

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:30:08 GMT

1946. Genre: Western.

Daughter of Don Q

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:32:12 GMT

1946. Genre: Crime.

The Crimson Ghost

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:34:19 GMT

1946. Genre: Science Fiction.

Son of Zorro

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:36:31 GMT

1947. Genre: Western.

Based on 'Zorro' created by Johnston McCulley.

Jesse James Rides Again

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:38:36 GMT

1947. Genre: Western.

The Black Widow

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:43:24 GMT

1947. Genre: Science Fiction.

G-Men Never Forget

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:45:38 GMT

1948. Genre: Crime.

Dangers of the Canadian Mounted

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:47:06 GMT

1948. Genre: Northern.

Adventures of Frank and Jesse James

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:48:21 GMT

1948. Genre: Western.

Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:01:41 GMT

1949. Genre: Crime.

Ghost of Zorro

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:02:03 GMT

1949. Genre: Western.

Based on 'Zorro' created by Johnston McCulley.