scifi reflection
Look! Up in the sky! It’s … Captain Marvel?!?!
As SciFiHistory.Net prides itself on showcasing the actual past, present, and future history of genre entertainment, March 28th gives our audiences yet one more surprising first: on this day back in 1941 (in the U.S.), the very first superhero ever depicted on film – well, the very first live-action superhero adaptation, that is – was released in 12-chapter serialized format when Adventures Of Captain Marvel soared onto the silver screen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here’s the plot summary:
“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!’”
Directed by John English and William Witney with a story from Ronald Davidson, Norman S. Hall, Arch Heath, Joseph F. Poland, Sol Shor, C.C. Beck, and Bill Parker, the film starred young Frank Coghlan Jr. in the role of equally young Billy Batson with Tom Tyler assuming superhero status when called upon in the guise of the mighty Captain Marvel. Also starring in big roles were William Benedict, Louise Currie, Robert Strange, and Harry Worth.
A deep dive into the project via Google.com indicates that the film – while based on the popular comic strip – actually involved an entirely original story, one that had our dynamic duo battling a villain known as The Scorpion (alias Professor Luther Bentley). From what I’ve read, The Scorpion sought to gain ultimate power of the universe by securing the five lenses of an ancient idol called the Golden Scorpion: when combined, these lenses could be used as a death ray powerful enough to destroy all matter. Naturally, Captain Marvel poses the greatest obstacle to this dastardly mission, leaving The Scorpion no choice but to have him eliminated.
This being the first authentic superhero adaptation, Republic Pictures knew it was taking a risk; but the success of such other comic strip properties such as Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers proved that such editions could work. They were proven right when the serial went on to achieve not only commercial rewards but also critical acclaim. It’s been stated that film historians consider it the best serial ever produced, and it’s often cited as the personal favorite of many serial enthusiasts. I’ve read that there are some who assert that Captain Marvel’s stunt work and special effects – particular the film’s flying sequences – are better than those that just over a decade later would bring Superman to live for audiences on television.
As happens with many older films, Adventures Of Captain Marvel did eventually fall into public domain, and this fact alone does allow for the picture to be exhibited for free viewing across the Information Superhighway. Regardless, Google.com reports that in September of 2017 Kino Lorber released an all-new 4K rendering of the classic production; and those in the know cite this as the best way to experience the first time Captain Marvel soared for modern audiences.
-- EZ
As SciFiHistory.Net prides itself on showcasing the actual past, present, and future history of genre entertainment, March 28th gives our audiences yet one more surprising first: on this day back in 1941 (in the U.S.), the very first superhero ever depicted on film – well, the very first live-action superhero adaptation, that is – was released in 12-chapter serialized format when Adventures Of Captain Marvel soared onto the silver screen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here’s the plot summary:
“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!’”
Directed by John English and William Witney with a story from Ronald Davidson, Norman S. Hall, Arch Heath, Joseph F. Poland, Sol Shor, C.C. Beck, and Bill Parker, the film starred young Frank Coghlan Jr. in the role of equally young Billy Batson with Tom Tyler assuming superhero status when called upon in the guise of the mighty Captain Marvel. Also starring in big roles were William Benedict, Louise Currie, Robert Strange, and Harry Worth.
A deep dive into the project via Google.com indicates that the film – while based on the popular comic strip – actually involved an entirely original story, one that had our dynamic duo battling a villain known as The Scorpion (alias Professor Luther Bentley). From what I’ve read, The Scorpion sought to gain ultimate power of the universe by securing the five lenses of an ancient idol called the Golden Scorpion: when combined, these lenses could be used as a death ray powerful enough to destroy all matter. Naturally, Captain Marvel poses the greatest obstacle to this dastardly mission, leaving The Scorpion no choice but to have him eliminated.
This being the first authentic superhero adaptation, Republic Pictures knew it was taking a risk; but the success of such other comic strip properties such as Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers proved that such editions could work. They were proven right when the serial went on to achieve not only commercial rewards but also critical acclaim. It’s been stated that film historians consider it the best serial ever produced, and it’s often cited as the personal favorite of many serial enthusiasts. I’ve read that there are some who assert that Captain Marvel’s stunt work and special effects – particular the film’s flying sequences – are better than those that just over a decade later would bring Superman to live for audiences on television.
As happens with many older films, Adventures Of Captain Marvel did eventually fall into public domain, and this fact alone does allow for the picture to be exhibited for free viewing across the Information Superhighway. Regardless, Google.com reports that in September of 2017 Kino Lorber released an all-new 4K rendering of the classic production; and those in the know cite this as the best way to experience the first time Captain Marvel soared for modern audiences.
-- EZ
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