The Phantom Empire (1935)

When the ancient continent of Mu sank beneath the ocean, some of its inhabitant survived in caverns beneath the sea. Cowboy singer Gene Autry stumbles upon the civilization, now buried ... See full summary »

Directors:

Otto Brower, B. Reeves Eason

Writers:

Wallace MacDonald (story), Gerald Geraghty (story),

Stars:

Gene Autry, Frankie Darro, Betsy King Ross

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gene Autry	...	Gene Autry
Frankie Darro	...	Frankie Baxter
Betsy King Ross	...	Betsy Baxter
Dorothy Christy	...	Queen Tika
Wheeler Oakman	...	Lord Argo
Charles K. French	...	Mal
Warner Richmond	...	Rab
J. Frank Glendon	...	Professor Beetson (as Frank Glendon)
Smiley Burnette	...	Oscar (as Lester 'Smiley' Burnett)
Peter Potter	...	Pete (as William Moore)
Edward Peil Sr.	...	Cooper (as Edward Piel Sr.)
Jack Carlyle	...	Saunders

Storyline

When the ancient continent of Mu sank beneath the ocean, some of its inhabitant survived in caverns beneath the sea. Cowboy singer Gene Autry stumbles upon the civilization, now buried beneath his own Radio Ranch. The Muranians have developed technology and weaponry such as television and ray guns. Their rich supply of radium draws unscrupulous speculators from the surface. The peaceful civilization of the Muranians is corrupted by the greed from above, and it becomes Autry's task to prevent all-out war, ideally without disrupting his regular radio show.

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Plot Keywords:

ranch | radium | singing cowboy | contract | death ray | 

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Taglines:

A Nation 20,000 Feet Underground

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Genres:

Musical | Sci-Fi | Western | Family

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 February 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gene Autry and the Phantom Empire

Filming Locations:

Agoura Ranch, Agoura, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$70,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mascot Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

245 min 245 min (12 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The main role was meant for Ken Maynard, but he dropped out.

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Quotes

Queen Tika: Gene Autry! How do you like our world?
Gene Autry: I think the dampness and dead air of your land is more suited for rats and moles.

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Connections

Referenced in Sierra Sue (1941)

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Soundtracks

"Uncle Noah's Ark"
(uncredited)
"Uncle Noah's Ark"
(uncredited)
Written by Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette and Nick Manoloff
Performed by Gene Autry and band

User Reviews

A most unique combination of SciFi and the Cowboy Musical

I first saw Phantom Empire back in the 1970s when it was included in a local museum series of vintage films. I was totally enthralled by it and the incredible underground world below Gene Autry's "Radio Ranch". (The ranch was the site of weekly broadcasts of great oldtime cowboy music.) I'm more a fan of old cowboy movies than I am of science fiction, but I was really taken by the sci-fi set, with wacky multi-story elevators, ray guns, and metal robots. I was particularly smitten by the beautiful but evil Queen Tika, ruler of Murania, who had a magical spinning circle on the floor which she would visit and ask to show her anything she wished. The wheel would spin, complete with a spiraling graphic, which then turned into a real-time view of -- Gene Autry, of course, and his whereabouts, providing the Muranians the opportunity to capture him. (Seeing the spinning circle reminded me that as a six year old, I conjured up similar powers from spinning circle, and had forgotten all about it. Since then, my alter ego is. . Queen Tika!) I recommend the Phantom Empire series as an experience in true, though "kitschy", entertainment! Sincerely yours, Queen Tika