SerialFest DVD Magazine Issue #1
January 2009
Beatrice
Fairfax (1916) Episode 6: The
Forbidden Room
Reporter Jimmy Barton (Harry Fox)
investigates the source of counterfeit bills being passed
all over the city, and the trail leads to a mysterious
house with a secret passage and an innocent couple
terrorized and threatened by a malevolent gang of crooks.
Beatrice herself has less to do in this episode than usual,
as Harry takes the lead as head investigator of the case.
Filmed on location in Ithaca, New York. Color-tinted
according to the instructions on the original negative and
restored. New original musical score by Eric Stedman.
The
Leather Pushers (1922) Round 1:
Through the Looking Glass
Audio-book version of the first episode
from the novelization of this very colorful early boxing
series which originally featured Reginald Denny as a
high-class dude forced to enter the ring to try and regain
his fortune and reclaim his girl, read and acted by
Wrangler Rick Deacon.
Listen to
Round 1: "Through the Looking Glass"
Featuring
Wrangler Rick Deacon
as the hard-boiled manager
of socialite-turned-boxer "Kid Roberts" (originally played
by Reginald Denny). This is the unedited text of the
novelization of this tough-guys-only silent series.
The
Liberty Boys (1916): The Blue
Riders
In 1916 German entrepreneurs funded a
short-lived film series which took place at the time of the
American Revolution in order to portray the English in a
negative light for propaganda purposes -- to help
discourage the US from entering the war overseas. They
didn't succeed in doing that, but they did make a few
unique, highly charged and entertaining, if non-PC,
war-action stories. The melodrama is in high gear in this
action-packed and well-shot and edited 20 minute short, in
which the malicious and self-absorbed son of a British
commander is out to see that a "Liberty Boy" never escapes
his capture alive so he can seduce his girl. George
Washington himself makes an appearance in two scenes.
Color-tinted and stabilized, with a new original piano
score by Eric Stedman.
The Masked Rider (1919) Episode 1: The Hole
in the Wall
The violent beginning which set up the
epic and influential long-lost serial filmed originally in
San Antonio, Texas, as re-created from the original script
by modern actors in 2008. Features Allyson Malandra as
Ruth, Adam Nemeth as Harry and Lea Barats as Blanche, with
stunt riding by Caroline Guyer and Ron Blessington.
Note: The inclusion of
this chapter in this issue of the DVD magazine does NOT
mean there will be any delay or change in the plan to
release the collected MASKED RIDER DVD edition and
accompanying book as announced. In fact, revenue from the
sale of the first few issues of the DVD magazine will be
applied exclusively to the MASKED RIDER project and so will
actually help speed up release of the collected edition.
The Voice from the Sky (1930) Chapter 1: Doomed
The very first sound cliffhanger serial,
which was originally filmed by Ben Wilson (who died soon
after it was first presented), and given limited
distribution, presented once again from all the authentic
original material that's left of it. And no we are not
going to tell you "what we have," or give away the plot on
this one, because if we don't, we won't ruin the surprise
of your being able to experience this historic story for
the first time "cold" and without knowing what's happening
in advance!
The
Mystery Trooper (1931) Chapter 1: The
Trap of Terror
Another very early sound serial, the
original material of which exists in very poor condition.
But with new Squadron restoration techniques, the nasty
jitter originally present has been minimized, and
absolutely awful quality original sound brought back to at
least reasonably listenable condition. Enjoy a new,
refreshed version of this chapter in the best condition
possible!
"The Eagle" in
The Vigilantes are Coming (1936) Chapter 1: The
Eagle Strikes
Robert Livingston first appeared on the
serial screen as the Zorro-like masked avenger "The Eagle"
in this serial, which was released by Republic with a noisy
soundtrack. The nasty audio buzz has been removed in this
new restored presentation.
To order
the SerialFest DVD Magazine Issue #1 online using the
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"This collection offers a single chapter from [seven] serials, almost all of which are pull-out-your-wallet fantastic." -- The DVD/Laserdisc Newsletter, June 2009
SerialFest DVD Magazine Issue #2
February 2009
Beatrice Fairfax (1916) Episode 7: A Name for a Baby
Unwed mother Madge Minturn writes
Beatrice asking her for help in getting her newborn child a
last name. Her wealthy boyfriend Waldo (Allan Murnane)
would rather pay her off to go away than marry her, so he
can wed beautiful, unspoiled Margaret instead. When that
doesn't work, things turn a bit nasty as Waldo hires a
local outcast to kidnap the child and force Madge to his
will. A very interesting episode, including themes quite
daring for their time. Apparently the leading female
character in this episode was cast based on her winning a
contest, the prize of which was her role in the episode.
Harry Fox as Jimmy the reporter actually ends up in a real
fist-fight in this episode. Filmed on location in Ithaca,
New York. Color-tinted according to the instructions on the
original negative and restored. New musical score by
compiled exclusively from vintage piano roll music.
Isle
of Sunken Gold (1927) Chapter 4: The Volcano's
Pit
Long-thought-lost and frankly totally
unheard-of late Mascot silent jungle/island serial chapter
which begins with a wild thunderstorm at sea, then moves on
to further danger on the beach and the lava pits of the
angry god Pele. Princess Kala and her friend, a seaman,
have a treasure map and a vindictive rival princess, the
chief of an aboriginal tribe, and a gang of mutineers all
want it. A chapter ending on a real cliff winds this one
up. Comedy relief is provided here by Curtis "Snowball"
McHenry and his friend, a chicken. Scored quite thoroughly
and painstakingly with full natural sound effects and
music, and with reconstructed opening titles.
Nick
Carter, Detective: A Cry at Midnight
Tom Carrigan plays Nick Carter in this
detective action short so rare it's not even on the IMDB,
and we don't even know the year it was filmed, either
(probably about 1920). In this episode intrepid detective
Nick survives a waterfall deathtrap and first encounters
his future assistant Chick. New all-piano-roll musical
score.
The Masked Rider (1919) Episode 2: In the
Hands of Pancho
Little Blanche has been abducted and is
dragged away on horseback by Pancho's men and the Masked
Rider in this episode, and Harry, Jack, and Ruth ride
desperately to rescue her. Contains the very first existing
screen appearance of Boris Karloff as a roughneck in a
saloon, where Paul Panzer and Harry Myers spout out some
profound insults at each other and all hell eventually
breaks loose. Featuring Ruth Stonehouse, Harry Myers, Paul
Panzer, George Chapman and Blanche Gillespie. Note: this is
the original Episode 2 as it appeared theatrically with
accurately reconstructed intertitles and original start and
end points.
The Voice from the Sky (1930) Chapter 2: The Cave
of Horrors
The very first sound cliffhanger serial,
which was originally filmed by Ben Wilson (who died soon
after it was first presented), and given limited
distribution, presented once again from all the authentic
original material that's left of it. In this episode we
discover how Jean escaped Ballin and his henchmen and
survived the deadly car crash, the Voice from the Sky
fulfills his threat, and for the first time we meet the
mysterious "Man from Nowhere."
The
Mystery Trooper (1931) Chapter 2:
Path of Peril
Another very early sound serial, the
original material of which exists in very poor condition.
But with new Squadron restoration techniques, the nasty
jitter originally present has been minimized, and
absolutely awful quality original sound brought back to at
least reasonably listenable condition. Enjoy a new,
refreshed version of this chapter in the best condition
possible!
"The Eagle" in
The Vigilantes are Coming (1936) Chapter 2: Birth of
the Vigilantes
Robert Livingston first appeared on the
serial screen as the Zorro-like masked avenger "The Eagle"
in this serial, which was released by Republic with a noisy
soundtrack. The nasty audio buzz has been removed in this
new restored presentation.
The
Phantom Pirate
A
long-lost 1940s or 50s radio show pilot we don't know a
damn thing about but it sure is unusual.
To order
the SerialFest DVD Magazine Issue #2 online using the
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SerialFest DVD Magazine Issue #3
April 2009
The Mission of Mr. Foo (Edison, 1915)
In 1912 a revolution brought to an end
over two centuries of Manchu rule in China. Leaders of the
old regime continued to plot and pray for a restoration of
the old "dragon" dynasty. One of these was "Mr. Foo." But
will his plot to overthrow the Republic be jeopardized by
his desire for a young American girl, to whom he bequeaths
a sacred necklace? What does the Chinese ambassador have to
say about all this? (We will say this: he's not pleased!)
Bizarre rotating-stages and moving walls abound as Mr. Foo
transforms a Chinese laundry into a temple of the Dragon
cult. Another ultra-rare short, now 94 years old but
released here in excellent quality digitally mastered
condition, which features an Asian leading man who strongly
resembles another Fu of the Manchu dynasty we all know and
love. This is a crazy
little gem and perhaps the first "Fu" (though an unofficial
one) ever put on screen, just a few years after the "real"
Fu Manchu novels were serialized in Collier's magazine.
Beatrice
Fairfax (1916)
Episode 8: At the Ainsley Ball
Beatrice and Jimmy go to a ritzy costume
ball to try to prevent the theft of Mrs. Ainsley's valuable
jewels. Clever interplay in this episode as the villains
wear duplicates of the costumes Beatrice and Jimmy wear,
and a very funny moment as Beatrice plugs her ears then
faints when Jimmy plays piano and sings. Filmed on location
in Ithaca, New York. Color-tinted according to the
instructions on the original negative and restored. New
musical score by compiled exclusively from vintage piano
roll music.
Isle
of Sunken Gold
(1927)
Chapter 5: The Hulk of Death
This chapter begins where we left off
last time, with Princess Kala's apparent plunge to doom
into the volcano. Kong, the fanged ape of the secret
island, revives Kala in the secret, treasure-filled "Grotto
of the Ancient Chiefs" and now Kala and Todd must try to
survive him as well as the hostile island tribesemen and
mutineers. But what of the men trapped in the wrecked hulk
of the ship? Only Possum seems to have escaped the
mutineers' plans to destroy them. Will the traitorous
sailors and tribal chieftain blow them up with dynamite
now, since they've acquired the secret of the treasure?
Long-thought-lost and frankly totally unheard-of late
Mascot silent jungle/island serial chapter translated from
Dutch, restored, color tinted, and scored quite thoroughly
and painstakingly with full natural sound effects and
music, and with reconstructed opening titles. Stars Anita
Stewart, star of the early serial THE GODDESS.
The Masked Rider (1919)
Episode 3: A Message in Fire
As we left off last time, Blanche had
been taken away across the river by the Masked Rider to
Pancho's house in Cache Valley. In this episode, Harry
ventures to rescue her on his own, but finds he may have to
sacrifice his own life to do so. He is pursued by his
friends Ruth and Jack who encounter trouble in the hills
with Pancho's armed guards. Will Harry arrive in time to
prevent Blanche from being branded? An action-packed
episode, composed of mostly original footage with the last
5 minutes faithfully re-created from the original script by
the new "Masked Rider" re-creation cast. Featuring Ruth
Stonehouse, Harry Myers, Paul Panzer, George Chapman and
Blanche Gillespie and Adam Nemeth, Lea Barats and Rick
Deacon in the re-created sequence. Note: this is the
original Episode 3, formatted as it appears to have been
released theatrically with accurately reconstructed
intertitles and, as close as we can tell, the original
start and end points in the action. It is entitled "A
Message in Fire" to relate to the action within it. The
original chapter may have been released with the wrong
title, "The Capture of Juanita" by mistake, though we don't
know for sure because no opening titles were discovered
with the original footage.
The Voice from the Sky (1930)
Chapter 3: The Man from Nowhere
In this episode we discover what happened
after the fire in Mentor's house, the Man from Nowhere
appears to Jean and tells her she has the secret to all
electrical energy and Ballin and his men continue to try to
get it from her, this time chasing her over the rooftops!
The very first sound cliffhanger serial, which was
originally filmed by Ben Wilson (who died soon after it was
first presented), and given limited distribution, presented
once again from all the authentic original material that's
left of it. Pictured: Narrator Allyson
Malandra.
The
Mystery Trooper (1931)
Chapter 3: Fighting Fate
The villains (Al Ferguson and Charles
King) in this episode go to elaborate lengths to get Jack's
friend Red Eagle to interpret the map which will lead them
to the rich but secret mine, then leave him in an elaborate
deathtrap, unable to warn anyone who opens the door to the
shack where he's held prisoner that doing so will ignite
enough black powder to blow them both up. White Cloud, the
Wonder Horse, runs to Billy to try and warn him of trouble.
But will he be able to help Red Eagle or are they both
doomed by the deathtrap? Another very early sound serial,
the original material of which exists in very poor
condition. But with new Squadron restoration techniques,
the nasty jitter originally present has been eliminated in
most shots with a new Squadron stabilization technique and
minimized in others, and absolutely awful quality original
sound brought back to at least reasonably listenable
condition. Stars Robert Frazer, Blanche Mehaffey, and Buzz
Barton. Enjoy a new, refreshed version of this chapter in
the best condition possible!
"The Eagle" in
The Vigilantes are Coming (1936)
Chapter 3: Captured by Cossacks
Robert Livingston first appeared on the
serial screen as the Zorro-like masked avenger "The Eagle"
in this serial, which was released by Republic with a noisy
soundtrack. The nasty audio buzz has been removed in this
new restored presentation. In this chapter the Eagle must
prevent the execution of his friends who refuse to betray
his secret.
This issue also includes special complete bonus chapters:
Mala, Secret Agent of the South Seas
Chapter 1: The Mysterious Island
Featuring Ray Mala and Mamo Clark;
presented in thrilling "Malavision" color which especially
enhances fire and torchlight scenes. This spectacular
action-packed opening chapter of one of the most expensive
serials Republic ever made begins with a dirigible crash,
continues as agent Mala goes to a remote island to
investigate sabotage, and ends with a raging fire at sea
that threatens Mala, Rex the Wonder Horse and the saboteurs
alike.
The Blue Beetle
The Origin of the Blue
Beetle
A
truly under-rated superhero origin story with a superb
performance by the leading actor, Frank Lovejoy. And
perhaps the only costumed-hero shtick that ever really made
sense -- if you decided to go out and fight crime
singlehandedly, wouldn't it make sense to wear a suit of
bullet-proof chain mail? Beats the hell out of the idea of
counting on the fact that undoubtedly you will terrify all
crooks you ever meet into submission by wearing a black
cape and bat-ears on your head. From the Serial Squadron
COMPLETE BLUE BEETLE collection
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