Spy smasher is a 12episode 1942 republic movie serial based on the fawcett comics character spy smasher. In 1942, republic pictures created a series of spy smasher serial episodes that were. Spy smasher in the comics and the movies by eric stedman. The serial was directed by william witney with kane richmond and. This is the feature version of what most serial afficianados consider the best action serial ever done, the 1942 republic pictures spy smasher. Spy smasher is alan armstrong, a legacy hero working for the government who fights to protect american interests. Spy smasher is considered one of republics best, if not the best, serial. The serial was directed by william witney with kane richmond and marguerite chapman as the leads. Spy smasher stars lanternjawed kane richmond as alan armstrong, a reporter who was believed killed investigating nazi spies in europe. Apr 10, 2019 i watched spy smasher for the first time just a few months ago via youtube, as if it were one 3 12hour movie. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing spy smasher near you. He has also been a member of the squadron of justice.
You can use the picture, zoom, or aspect button on your tv remote to watch the serial in either widescreen or normal 4. Spy smasher 1942 is a republic movie serial based on the fawcett comics character spy smasher, which is now the property of dc comics. It was the 25th of the 66 serials produced by republic. Spy smasher bluray spy smasher dvd featuring kane richmond marguerite chapman hans schumm as the mask. Spy smasher is an intelligent scientist and inventor, a master detective and a skilled handtohand combatant. The serial squadron cliffhanger movie serial archive. In spy smasher, all the action occurs at a human scale.
The stunts, special effects, imagination and fast moving story combine to make spy smasher not only a great serial but as good an action movie as was being made by any studio, major or minor, at the time. One of the best serials ever made, spy smasher has managed to find favor even among non serial aficionados. Serial squadron hopes to release the dvd this fall, and depending on resolution, may also offer a bluray edition. Spy smasher is the name of two fictional characters appearing in comics published by fawcett and dc comics. The first is a superhero that was formerly owned and published by fawcett comics. By 1940, republic was recognized as one of the major studios. Produced shortly before the united states entered the war, but released in 1942, the movie follows lone operative alan armstrong kane richmond who, as spy smasher, well, smashes spies trying to undermine the united states. The complete history of comicbook movies, chapter 2. The new spy smasher is described in supplementary text as this update of the oftforgotten fawcett character and movie serial hero is intended to be a combat equipped, postcold war indepenent. Kane richmond stars as the comic hero spy smasher in this exciting twelve chapter republic serial. Ive never read any golden age spy smasher comics, but his serial captures the manic, exuberant. When you see spy smasher jump from a cruising motorcycle, its because stuntman dave sharpe jumped from a cruising motorcycle. Twelve chapters 214 minutes on two dvds or one bluray.
Cant recommend this product highly enough, a must for any serial or action movie fan. Considered by most one of the best serials ever made. An abridged version was later cut for tv release in 1966 as spy smasher returns. Spy smasher takes place in the days before pearl harbor, when america had not yet entered the war but was growing increasingly concerned with axis activity abroad the serial was nearly completed when america entered world war 2, which. The opening music in this serial is from beethovens fifth symphony. Spy smasher serial three sheet poster republic, republics twentyfifth serial was a fastpaced, available at 2012 november vintage. While not the ideal way to take a serial in, the fact that spy smasher still works so well is a testament to the job that republic did for their second adaptation of a. Hakes spy smasher 1942 republic movie serial linen. When nazi agents, lead by the mask, threaten american shores, a new hero springs into action. His secret identity is district attorney grant gardner rather than u.
Nov 20, 2018 spy smasher is a 12episode 1942 republic movie serial based on the fawcett comics character spy smasher. This 12 part serial with noteworthy as it is the first american film production to use a fight coordinator to give the physical battles a more. Spy smasher s secret identity is alan armstrong, so they gave him a brother named jack. This book has 69 pages and was uploaded by goldenager on july 5, 2012. Apr 10, 2012 alan armstrong, aka spy smasher, battles a nazi villain known as the mask, who heads a gang of saboteurs determined to spread destruction across america. Twelve episodes were filmed, each one running approximately eighteen. The differences between the comic book and film versions of the title character in this serial are more extreme than with other republic comic adaptations, such as adventures of captain marvel and spy smasher.
While spy smasher is certainly one of the top 5 adventure serials ever made at republic, it also is a rousing ww2 propaganda film. Twelve episodes were created, each one running approximately eighteen minutes in length, the first of which was released on april 4th of 1942. Alan armstrong, aka spy smasher, battles a nazi villain known as the mask, who. I watched spy smasher for the first time just a few months ago via youtube, as if it were one 3 12hour movie. Kane richmond performance may be the all time best in a serial. With kane richmond, marguerite chapman, sam flint, hans schumm. The bluray and dvd include the complete 12episode serial, rerelease trailer and. In the resolution spy smasher has time to knock out the pilot, put on a parachute, and still have enough altitude to safely bail out. The score for spy smasher, a variation on beethovens fifth symphony, is a fabulous reminder of the era in which this classic serial was made. Terrific action and amazing miniature effects by the lydecker brothers. Spy smasher 1942 fantastic movie musings and ramblings. Spy smasher serial hey kids comics wiki fandom powered. Get it jack armstrong ha,ha very funny, a great in joke likewise, spy smasher returns, the feature edited down from the serial is a neatly constructed 100 minutes, which does not look like a cut down version. There are over 200 titles of movie serials, that are public domain.
He also possessed a number of gadgets and a specialized vehicle. The series was directed by william witney with writing credits attributed to ronald. Released over 12 chapters, movie goers saw the theatrical debut of spy smasher on april 4th, 1942. While not the ideal way to take a serial in, the fact that spy smasher still works so well is a testament to the job that republic did for their second adaptation of a fawcett comics character. Buy spy smasher in the comics and the movies by eric stedman paperback online at lulu. Spy smasher is a 12episode 1942 republic movie serial based on the fawcett comics character spy smasher which is now a part of dc comics. A unique serial, the only one ever done in robinhood style.
He was an ordinary guy who became a costumed vigilante, taking on the nazis before america had even entered wwii. Kane richmond played alan armstrong in the 1942 serial and, when the reedited serial was screened as a feature film in 1966, spy smasher reached an entirely new generation of fans. The second is a female antiterrorism government agent often featured as an antagonist of the vigilante team birds of prey. Jul 31, 2019 spy smasher is a 12episode 1942 republic movie serial based on the fawcett comics character spy smasher which is now a part of dc comics. Constant defeats at the hands of spy smasher, with support from jack armstrong and admiral corby, also leads the villain to take the fight back to the masked hero. The lone ranger, captain marvel, spy smasher, dick tracy, zorro and red ryder see above. Throughout its history, republic was responsible for bringing the following to life in serials.
When the bat plane is destroyed spy smasher and the pilot are fighting as the plane crashes. This is stabilized and fully shotbyshot restored and very high quality presentation of this serial, with restored audio as well. This serial was chapmans big break into a career in movies and television. A freelance american agent sets out to smash a german spy ring headed by the sinister mask. A freelance american agent sets out to smash a german spy ring headed by. Oct 28, 2014 spy smasher 1942 is a republic movie serial based on the fawcett comics character spy smasher, which is now the property of dc comics. While the cgenhanced feats of todays action movie heroes are visually stunning, i dont actually believe what im seeing. Spy smasher played by kane richmond leaps from the pages of fawcett publications whiz comics into a thrillaminute liveaction serial considered one of the best ever made. The serial was chapmans big break into a career in film and television.
Starring kane richmond, marguerite chapman, sam flint, hans schumm, tristram coffin, paul bryar, tom london. Spy smasher serial wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. I still wouldnt argue with anyone rating this serial a 10. Spy smasher is a costumed vigilante acting independently of the us while it remains out of world war ii.
After discovering information about nazi activities in occupied france he is captured and executed. The pacing is fast and furious and the production quality is as good as it gets. However, spy smasher s brother jack armstrong was also killed by the nazis earlier in the serial. Spy smasher classic cliffhanger serial movie dvd kane. Alan armstrong, aka spy smasher, battles a nazi villain known as the mask, who heads a gang of saboteurs determined to spread destruction across america. Like his fellow masked avenger, batman, spy smasher possessed no superhuman powers but was a mere mortal of flesh and blood. Spy smasher is a republic movie serial based on the fawcett comics character spy smasher. Kane richmond stars as alan armstrong, aka the spy smasher, in whats considered by many to be the greatest movie serial ever made. In the end, the villain is killed aboard his own uboat in a sea of flaming oil. Edited version of the 1942 republic serial spy smasher. Kane richmond delivers two charged performances in this serial, as the superheroic neversaydie spy smasher and as his less super but equally heroic twin brother jack. I havent seen this one recently but i believe it is a 4 star serial. The movie serial bluray dldvd featuring bob shaw, daun kennedy, buzz henry, charles king and wheeler oakman this is the first of the arrows of vengeance which shall find their marks in the oppressors of freedom. The hero of spy smasher was an inspiration to a lot of american guys.
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