Adventures of Captain Marvel (Republic, 1941), Chapter 1, Curse of the Scorpion:
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Adventures of Captain Marvel
1941 Action/Adventure/Fantasy/Sci-Fi 216 minutes
First Episode 30 minutes
StoryLine
On a scientific expedition to Siam young Billy Batson is given the ability to change himself into the super-powered Captain Marvel by the wizard Shazam, who tells him his powers will last only as long as the Golden Scorpion idol is threatened. Finding the idol, the scientists realize it could be the most powerful weapon in the world and remove the lenses that energize it, distributing them among themselves so that no one would be able to use the idol by himself. Back in the US, Billy Batson, as Captain Marvel, wages a battle against an evil, hooded figure, the Scorpion, who hopes to accumulate all five lenses, thereby gaining control of the super-powerful weapon.
Release: 28 March 1941
Director: William Witney, John English
Writers: Ronald Davidson (original screenplay), Norman S. Hall (original screenplay)
Filming Locations: Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California
First Billed Cast:
Tom Tyler ... Captain Marvel
Frank Coghlan Jr.... Billy Batson
William(Billy)Benedict... Whitey Murphy (as William Benedict)
Louise Currie ... Betty Wallace
Robert Strange ... John Malcolm
Harry Worth ... Prof. Luther Bentley
Bryant Washburn ... Henry Carlyle [Ch. 1-3]
John Davidson ... Tal Chotali
George Pembroke ... Dr. Stephen Lang [Ch. 1-9]
George Lynn ... Prof. Dwight Fisher [Ch. 1-6] (as Peter George Lynn)
Reed Hadley ... Rahman Bar [Ch. 1,11-12]
Jack Mulhall ... James Howell [Ch. 1]
Kenne Duncan ... Barnett - Chief Henchman [Ch. 2-10] (as Kenneth Duncan)
Nigel De Brulier... Shazam [Ch. 1]
John Bagni ... Henchman Cowan [Ch. 2-10]
Viewer Review: Probably the best serial ever made [echoes comments by T-Bob]
This is a thoroughly enjoyable serial. The special effects in this film are extraordinary, especially the "flying sequences" and especially considering that this was done in 1941 (as a comaprison, watch the two Superman Serials, shot serveral years later, with the late Kirk Allen, where suddenly Allen turns into a cartoon when he takes off). Tom Tyler was perfect as "The World's Mightiest Mortal" (aka "The Big Red Cheese" as Marvel was known in the comics), properly stoic. This is definitely the best of the "super hero" serials. This should be enjoyed by young and old alike. A definite 5 star serial. Highly recommended!!!