Flash Gordon (I) (1936) 7.2
Three earthlings visit the planet Mongo to thwart the evil schemes of Emperor Ming the Merciless. Director:Frederick Stephani |
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Flash Gordon (I) (1936) 7.2
Three earthlings visit the planet Mongo to thwart the evil schemes of Emperor Ming the Merciless. Director:Frederick Stephani |
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| Buster Crabbe | ... | ||
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Jean Rogers | ... | |
| Charles Middleton | ... | ||
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Priscilla Lawson | ... | |
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Frank Shannon | ... | |
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Richard Alexander | ... | |
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Jack 'Tiny' Lipson | ... | |
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Theodore Lorch | ... |
High Priest #2 [Chs. 8-11, 13]
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Richard Tucker | ... |
Professor Gordon
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George Cleveland | ... |
Professor Hensley
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James Pierce | ... | |
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Duke York | ... |
King Kala [Chs. 2-5]
(as Duke York Jr.)
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Muriel Goodspeed | ... |
Zona [Ch. 4]
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Earl Askam | ... |
Officer Torch
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House Peters Jr. | ... |
Shark Man [Chs. 3-4]
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A rogue planet is 'rushing madly toward the earth.' Impending doom creates worldwide pandemonium. But maverick scientist Dr. Zarkov hopes to stay disaster by travelling to the new planet in his experimental rocket. Two chance-met strangers, athletic Flash Gordon and damsel in distress Dale Arden, go with him. Arrived, the trio find Mongo to be a planet of wonders, warring factions, and deadly perils, its orbit controlled by Emperor Ming who has his own sinister plans for earth. Can our heroes, armed only with science and sex appeal, stop him? Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
The Standard bearer of all movie serials, the definite good guy - Flash Gordon - versus Bad Guy - Ming the Merciless. Though the special effects seem awful by today's standards, for 1936 they were top notch. But the essence of the story is the battle between Earthman Flash Gordon (Buster Crabbe) versus Emporer Ming of Mongo (Charles Middleton). Crabbe and Middleton are terrific in their parts. And the supporting characters playing Dale Arden, Dr. Zarkov, Princess Aura, Prince Barin, Vulcan, and the rest are all very good. This serial is far superior to the 1980 movie, basically because Crabbe is much much superior to Sam J. Jones as Flash Gordon.
This serial is the standard bearer for all movie serials. No question about it.