Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975)

Director:

Michael Anderson

Writers:

Lester Dent (novel)
Joe Morhaim (screenplay)

Release Date:

June 1975 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure

Plot:

Doc and the Amazing Five battle Captain Seas and "the green death" for control of a fabulous resource.

Plot Keywords:

Beautiful Woman | Murder | Based On Pulp Magazine | Based On Novel | Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Ron Ely	...	Clark 'Doc' Savage Jr.
Paul Gleason	...	Maj. Thomas J. 'Long Tom' Roberts
William Lucking	...	Col. John 'Renny' Renwick (as Bill Lucking)
Michael Miller	...	Lt. Col. Andrew Blodgett 'Monk' Mayfair
Eldon Quick	...	William Harper 'Johnny' Littlejohn
Darrell Zwerling	...	Brig. Gen. Theodore Marley 'Ham' Brooks
Paul Wexler	...	Capt. Seas
Janice Heiden	...	Adriana
Robyn Hilton	...	Karen
Pamela Hensley	...	Mona
Bob Corso	...	Don Rubio Gorro
Carlos Rivas	...	Kulkan
Chuy Franco	...	Cheelok
Alberto Morin	...	José
Victor Millan	...	King Chaac

Runtime:

112 min | USA:100 min | UK:100 min | 94 min (Fan Edit)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG | USA:G | Germany:12

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

To put out the fire in Doc's residence, "extinguisher globes" are used. In reality, such globes were marketed in the nineteenth century. They were made of glass and filled with water or some other fire suppressant. Though they had a long shelf life and are now collectibles, they were only minimally effective against fires.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During the scene where Doc Savage and his comrades are pursuing the sniper, modern (1970s vintage) automobiles can be seen in one of the aerial shots. The film is set in 1936.

Quotes:

Doc: Before we go... let us remember our code. Let us strive every moment of our lives to make ourselves better and better to the best of our abilities so that all may profit by it. Let us think of the right and lend our assistance to all who may need it...

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XIV (#15.1)" (2003)

Perfect camp

Outragously entertaining period piece set in the 30s, it is a spin on the classic cliffhanger series, as much as "Raiders of the Lost Ark", only done on a low budget and much campier by director Michael Anderson. The opening scenes laces liberal amount of gothic art nuveau, predating Batman by two decades. Starring Ron Ely (Tarzan) as a perfectly cast hero and the gorgeous Pamela Hensley as the local latina Mona tagging on to our hero on a goldhunt in the non-existent latin american country of Hidalgo. Best line, our hero to Mona, holding a fist to her chin just as you expect him to be tender with her and give her a hug: "Mona, you're a brick!"

Paul Wexler's ham-and-cheese blackhat, Captain Seas is a an absolute delight. Expect a little "Raiders..", a dash of "Batman", a little "The Lost World", a little "Lost Horizons" and a whole lot of campiness and you'll get it just right. Watch out for cult favorite Michael Berryman in a small part as undertaker and enjoy the campy use of John Philip Sousa's patriotic music. A prime candidate for DVD release, it is certainly overdue. An unmissable treat for the whole family. 9/10