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Summary: Long lost Phantom 1940's serial found & restored now on DVD!
Review: ...These Saturday morning matinee serials are great fun (before television).Well "The Phantom" 1943 serial was once one of these long lost films rediscovered, digitally remastered and thanks to VCI Entertainment is now on DVD. This 2 DVD set gives us 15 action packed chapters introduces us to this mysterious character. This is fun stuff. Summary: Tom Tyler plays "The Phantom" and this serial introduces us to this mysterious family who for generations has played "The Phantom" the man who never dies. It seems that a descendent male member must perpetuate the "Phantoms" existence. Why, because the "Phantom" is the law of the African jungle & keeps the peace among more than 50 native tribes. In 15 chapters the Phantom is poisoned to death,(because he knows of the Lost city of Zolov). His son replaces him before he actually dies. (therefore keeping the legend of the man who never dies going.) Privateers want the hidden treasure of Zolov. Mysterious nation wants to build secret air field at Zolov. Phantom is in the middle. Everyone tries to kill the man who never dies. For 15 exciting chapters we see how the "Phantom" eludes death and escapes periless traps. The extras include; a One Chapter commentary by famous comic strip writer Max Allan Collins, Biographies, and comic book art. This is a great secret serial rediscovered for us to watch once again. Enjoy.
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Summary: If you are a fan of the Phantom, you have gotta watch this!
Review: Being a huge fan of Lee Falks' Phantom, I have tried to track down this seriel for quite awhile. I was able to obtain from a collecter who had this seriel before it was made available again to the public. Let me just say that Tom Tyler does a great job of playing the Phantom! Obviously this seriel does not have the production value of the Adventures of Captain Marvel, but it does have an excelent storyline that could fit into any Indiana Jones movie. This seriel does a much better job of establishing the mystique of the Phantom with the natives of Bengali and the mystery of the Phantom, the Ghost Who Walks. This has alot of action with the Phantom and Devil and the Phantom battles a gigantic gorilla. This ends up being a guy in an ape suit but it is a pretty cool looking menacing suit and not just a cheesy gorilla outfit. It is overall fun and a blast to watch if you are a Phantom fan. Anyone who enjoys old movie seriels knows the formulas used so don't expect groundbreaking cliffhangers. This may not be the best seriel ever made but it is a very well done seriel and one I recommend if you like action/adventure heroes.
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Summary: One of Columbia's Better Serials
Review: Columbia Pictures never produced a movie serial comparable to the best Republic cliffhangers. However, "The Phantom" (1943) survives as one of the studio's better efforts, thanks to Tom Tyler's memorable presence in the title role and the assured direction of B. Reeves Eason. Unlike Republic, the Columbia serials were more faithful in terms of comic-strip adaptations. "The Phantom" is no exception. Unfortunately, Columbia lacked the solid production values and crisp pacing of the Republic serials -- further hindered by the studio's excessive 15-chapter length. Still, "The Phantom" makes the most of Columbia's low-budget shortcomings with its effective jungle setting and above-average cliffhanging exploits. As "The Ghost Who Walks," Tyler is a terrific action hero and does not rely on a stunt double during the fight scenes. Fans of Lee Falk's comic-strip creation will not be disappointed.
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Summary: Columbia or not, I LIKED IT!
Review: I generally agree that Columbia did not turn out a lot of the best serials, but they did a good job, IMHO, on this one. Well, maybe Tom Tyler couldn't act, but he was good enough. There's much to recommend this. The most interesting facet to me was that, unlike most serials, the main character is, in the minds of the bad guys, dead at the end of about nine of the fifteen chapters. This, of course, reinforces the idea of "The man who can not die", or "The Ghost Who Walks". The chapter endings in all serials show the hero in extreme peril, but not usually and continually as a result of a "death trap" plotted by the villains. And so, by the last chapter, even the primary villain is wondering if the Phantom is immortal or not. I also enjoyed the use of Ace, "The Wonder Dog", as the Phantom's dog, "Devil". I am glad that they didn't try to have the main character's white horse featured in the comic strip as part of this serial. The plot was better than average, a bit more complicated. The chapter endings weren't spectacular, but the action was continuous. So I recommend this, especially to those familiar with the comic strip.
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Summary: Columbia or not, I LIKED IT!
Review: I generally agree that Columbia did not turn out a lot of the best serials, but they did a good job, IMHO, on this one. Well, maybe Tom Tyler couldn't act, but he was good enough. There's much to recommend this. The most interesting facet to me was that, unlike most serials, the main character is, in the minds of the bad guys, dead at the end of about nine of the fifteen chapters. This, of course, reinforces the idea of "The man who can not die", or "The Ghost Who Walks". The chapter endings in all serials show the hero in extreme peril, but not usually and continually as a result of a "death trap" plotted by the villains. And so, by the last chapter, even the primary villain is wondering if the Phantom is immortal or not. I also enjoyed the use of Ace, "The Wonder Dog", as the Phantom's dog, "Devil". I am glad that they didn't try to have the main character's white horse featured in the comic strip as part of this serial. The plot was better than average, a bit more complicated. The chapter endings weren't spectacular, but the action was continuous. So I recommend this, especially to those familiar with the comic strip.
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Summary: Republic where are you when we need you!
Review: I have been a Serial nut since I was 6 years old back in 1939.After looking for years for a Phantom print I finally found one with Amazon. Sorry to say I was somewhat sorry with this Columbia Picures product. In all fairness no one could make a Serial with the quality of Republic Pictures. They had the best directors and technicians in Hollywood. The Phantom I have is good with a very good story line. But the special effects are just not there. And that's what makes a Serial. Tom Tyler is one poor actor but that's his charm. When he made Captian Marvel I think in the entire 15 chapters he only spoke a total of 60 words. William Whitney the director once said that those few words were too much for Tyler. But that's OK for Tom I still enjoy watching him.
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Summary: Republic where are you when we need you!
Review: I have been a Serial nut since I was 6 years old back in 1939.After looking for years for a Phantom print I finally found one with Amazon. Sorry to say I was somewhat sorry with this Columbia Picures product. In all fairness no one could make a Serial with the quality of Republic Pictures. They had the best directors and technicians in Hollywood. The Phantom I have is good with a very good story line. But the special effects are just not there. And that's what makes a Serial. Tom Tyler is one poor actor but that's his charm. When he made Captian Marvel I think in the entire 15 chapters he only spoke a total of 60 words. William Whitney the director once said that those few words were too much for Tyler. But that's OK for Tom I still enjoy watching him.
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Summary: A Major disappointment
Review: I'm a longstanding, die-hard PHANTOM fan and collector; so I was praying that this would be a lost gem. Turns out to be more of a lost zircon. Tom Tyler is pretty darn AWFUL as the Phantom--not a single aspect of this film identifies it as a Phantom story, except for the presence of Devil -- who's supposed to be a wolf, not a German shepherd (although I'll admit it's one gorgeous animal they have cast here) -- and the Phantom's father. The bad guys consistently and successfully get the drop on Tyler's Phantom, which is not at all typical of the comic strip character. I mean, the thing about the strip version of the character that's so remarkable is his consistency--he's always smarter, faster, stronger, and cagier than the bad guys. Not Tyler's Phantom. And Tyler's Phantom is a terrible shot to boot; the strip Phantom could hit the sweat off a dung beetle on the back of a rampaging bandicoot at 20 yards. Could they have possibly found a better actor to play the Phantom? Easily. Tyler should have stuck with the 'oaters' and said thanks a heap but heck no to this serial.
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Summary: One of Columbia's best, fun for serial fans, great print
Review: Most Columbia cliffhangers were made by independent producers, but in 1938-39 and 1943-44 Columbia made its own serials, using the studio's many sets, facilities, and contract players. Columbia's home-grown serials are very efficient, and THE PHANTOM is no exception. It's a jungle serial, so this writer expected a lot of pedestrian dialogue scenes embellished with old wild-animal footage. It's true that the first chapter falls into this pattern while the story is being set up, but from there it's a lot of fun, almost all of it staged for this production, with Tom Tyler an ideal Phantom. For some reason the supporting cast was not credited, but fans of Columbia will easily recognize Kenneth MacDonald (terrific as the suave villain), Dick Curtis (great to see him play a benign role, for once), Ernie Adams (in a bigger-than-usual role as the Phantom's pal), and some familiar faces in the goon squad (George Chesebro, Wade Crosby, Kermit Maynard, I. Stanford Jolley, Al Hill). Good stuntwork and brisk direction (by B. Reeves Eason) keep this one moving, with Tom Tyler in there punching through 15 chapters. Ace, the Phantom's handsome dog, later became "Rusty" the German shepherd in Columbia's family series. THE PHANTOM has two pleasant surprises for the Columbia serial fan. The recap narration is exceptionally brief (even though the recap footage is lengthy). And each closing "teaser" of next week's episode does NOT spoil the suspense by showing the imperiled hero out of danger. Every cliffhanger in THE PHANTOM keeps the viewer guessing, for a welcome change. The print is excellent, with fine picture and sound. Only Chapter 11 has soundtrack trouble for a few minutes, and the video producers have remedied it as best they could. The DVD release also includes commentary by Max Allan Collins of "Dick Tracy" fame. Definitely of interest to serial collectors, and fans of Columbia's "B" movies and short subjects will especially enjoy this.
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Summary: can't even watch the tape
Review: My tape was so bad that I can't even watch it to decide if I like the movie or not. Constant scrolling of film that we just cannot adjust. Makes the film unwatchable. Probably too late to return for replacement or credit.
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