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    The Phantom Empire

    • 19351935
    • ApprovedApproved
    • 4h 5min
    IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    422
    YOUR RATING
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    The Phantom Empire (1935)
    Sci-FiWestern

    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 benea... Read allWhen 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 telev... Read allWhen 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 su... Read all

    IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    422
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Otto Brower
      • B. Reeves Eason
    • Writers
      • Wallace MacDonald(story)
      • Gerald Geraghty(story)
      • Hy Freedman(story)
    • Stars
      • Gene Autry
      • Frankie Darro
      • Betsy King Ross
    Top credits
    • Directors
      • Otto Brower
      • B. Reeves Eason
    • Writers
      • Wallace MacDonald(story)
      • Gerald Geraghty(story)
      • Hy Freedman(story)
    • Stars
      • Gene Autry
      • Frankie Darro
      • Betsy King Ross
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 27User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Photos30

    Gene Autry in The Phantom Empire (1935)
    Gene Autry, Dorothy Christy, Frankie Darro, and Betsy King Ross in The Phantom Empire (1935)
    Gene Autry, Frankie Darro, and Betsy King Ross in The Phantom Empire (1935)
    Gene Autry in The Phantom Empire (1935)
    Gene Autry and Dorothy Christy in The Phantom Empire (1935)
    Frankie Darro and Betsy King Ross in The Phantom Empire (1935)
    Edward Peil Sr., Jack Carlyle, and J. Frank Glendon in The Phantom Empire (1935)
    Frankie Darro, Wheeler Oakman, Betsy King Ross, and Jay Wilsey in The Phantom Empire (1935)
    Gene Autry in The Phantom Empire (1935)
    Gene Autry in The Phantom Empire (1935)
    Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Aleth Hansen, Jack Jones, Frankie Marvin, Peter Potter, Harry Blaeholder, and Jad Dees in The Phantom Empire (1935)
    Frankie Darro and Betsy King Ross in The Phantom Empire (1935)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Gene Autry
    Gene Autry
    • Gene Autryas Gene Autry
    Frankie Darro
    Frankie Darro
    • Frankie Baxteras Frankie Baxter
    Betsy King Ross
    Betsy King Ross
    • Betsy Baxteras Betsy Baxter
    Dorothy Christy
    Dorothy Christy
    • Queen Tikaas Queen Tika
    Wheeler Oakman
    Wheeler Oakman
    • Lord Argoas Lord Argo
    Charles K. French
    Charles K. French
    • Malas Mal
    Warner Richmond
    Warner Richmond
    • Rabas Rab
    J. Frank Glendon
    J. Frank Glendon
    • Professor Beetsonas Professor Beetson
    • (as Frank Glendon)
    Smiley Burnette
    Smiley Burnette
    • Oscaras Oscar
    • (as Lester 'Smiley' Burnett)
    Peter Potter
    • Peteas Pete
    • (as William Moore)
    Edward Peil Sr.
    Edward Peil Sr.
    • Doctor Cooperas Doctor Cooper
    • (as Edward Piel Sr.)
    Jack Carlyle
    • Saundersas Saunders
    Chuck Baldra
    • Deputyas Deputy
    • (uncredited)
    The Beverly Hillbillies
    • Radio Ranch Bandas Radio Ranch Band
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Blaeholder
    • Fiddle Player - Radio Ranch Bandas Fiddle Player - Radio Ranch Band
    • (uncredited)
    Stanley Blystone
    Stanley Blystone
    • Gaspar - Television Operatoras Gaspar - Television Operator
    • (uncredited)
    Don Brodie
    Don Brodie
    • Radio Technicianas Radio Technician
    • (uncredited)
    Bob Burns
    Bob Burns
    • Muranian Citizenas Muranian Citizen
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • Otto Brower
      • B. Reeves Eason
    • Writers
      • Wallace MacDonald(story)
      • Gerald Geraghty(story)
      • Hy Freedman(story)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>
    b moviecliffhangertreacherywestern bandwestern music16 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A NATION 20,000 FEET UNDERGROUND! (original three-sheet poster-all caps)
    • Genres
      • Sci-Fi
      • Western
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Screenwriter Wallace MacDonald said in an interview that he dreamed up the film, complete with character names, plot ideas, costumes, etc., after he was sedated by nitrous oxide while undergoing dental work. When he awoke he went directly home, put everything down on paper, and brought it to producer Nat Levine at Mascot Pictures, who loved the idea and approved the production.
    • 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.

    • Crazy credits
      Opening Credit: Featuring the Scientific City of Murania.
    • Alternate versions
      Re-edited into a 70-minute feature released as _Men With Steel Faces (1940)_
    • Connections
      Edited into Men with Steel Faces (1940)
    • Soundtracks
      Uncle Noah's Ark
      (uncredited)

      Written by Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette and Nick Manoloff

      Performed by Gene Autry and band

    User reviews27

    Review
    Top review
    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
    helpful•25
    1
    • qtika
    • Jan 5, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 23, 1935 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Golddukaten des Gespenstes
    • Filming locations
      • Griffith Observatory, 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Mascot Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $70,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 4h 5min
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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