From the comics page to the silver screen
These are film and tv adaptations of comic strips and comic books. The sole criteria is that it had to appear in the comic page first. It's by no means a complete list. I have tried to use debuts or notable adaptations. With respect to film and tv based on manga, due to the anime boom, there are dozens of OVAs, tv series, and films. I have stuck with notable ones or those that have had influence in the West. I haven't seen enough to give the field justice. The same is true with European comics. I have included notable examples and those based on highly regarded series. I have tried to include as many others from around the world but I'm sure I have missed plenty. Comments are only my opinion; your mileage may vary.
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- DirectorGeorge Albert SmithMan dresses up as a woman, and the film is reversed.Very early film featuring the star of the UK proto-comics.
- Early short film featuring the little stinkers. There were several others and they would pop up in later cartoons, including a tv series in the late 80s.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterScene I of the Buster Brown Series. The opening scene shows Bridget asleep at the kitchen-table, and Buster enters on tip-toe. After tying her apron over her head and to the back of the chair, he tries to reach a jar of jam on the top shelf of the pantry. After several futile attempts, he gives up. His attention is now attracted by a tramp at the window. Buster beckons the fellow to come in through the window, and asks "Weary Willie" to get jam for him. The tramp secures the jam, he places the jar on the table, and proceeds to enjoy the sweets, but neglects to give Buster his share. Whereupon Buster angrily gets up from the table, shakes his finger threateningly at the tramp and goes out, but almost immediately comes back with his mamma and his dog Tige. Buster's mamma is greatly shocked at the sight, while Buster now sets Tige on the tramp, and in the mêlée Bridget wakes up, and falls over backwards, chair and all. Buster's mamma releases Bridget from her predicament, and the tramp, with Tige holding on to his coat-tails, makes a hasty retreat through the window. Bridget succeeds in getting hold of her broom and helps him a little. Buster is rewarded by his mamma for getting rid of the tramp, and is given permission to eat all the jam he wants.One of several Buster Brown shorts, based on RF Outcalt's seminal strip. Buster Brown would later be associated with Children's shoes.
- 19117mNot Rated7.1 (1.9K)ShortDirectorWinsor McCayJ. Stuart BlacktonStarsWinsor McCayJohn BunnyMaurice CostelloCartoon figures announce, via comic strip balloons, that they will move - and move they do, in a wildly exaggerated style.Not so much an adaptation as McCay bringing his drawings to life, within a film. It's a key moment in animation history, that used the comic strips as a launching point.
- StarsBud DuncanMutt and Jeff decide to go to work. Automobile driving seems to appeal to their roving dispositions. Mutt and Jeff accordingly take automobile lessons. The former successfully passes the examination and poor Jeff is told to "try again." The lanky chauffeur answers an advertisement and makes a decided hit with Banker Russell and his family. Mutt appears to have settled the ticklish problem of making a living by becoming chauffeur for Mr. Russell. With little Jeff, things are quite different. He roams about the streets in an aimless fashion. Helen Russell, who owns autos of every description, is a good pedestrian. She takes a ramble in the park and for a moment rests upon a bench. When she leaves, she forgets her well-filled purse. Jeff, still wandering, finds it. The young lady's visiting card leads Jeff to her palatial home, where he is received with joy. Helen takes him for a spin in her auto, with Mutt doing the "wheeling." Fifty miles from the city limits, the snorting thing stops and Mutt makes a tour of investigation. When under the auto, Jeff decides to take the wheel in his own hands. He does and the "Yellow Dash" zig-zags away, leaving Mutt behind. Helen and Jeff reach home safe and happy. Mutt manages to reach a pole bearing the legend, "Ten miles to the city limits." and collapses.First of several short live action films based on the comic duo. The series would eventually pioneer the technique of subtitles appearing simultaneously with the pictures, rather than cuts to dialogue cards. A series of animated shorts would follow, starting in 1916.
- DirectorAlfred E. GreenStarsColleen MooreLloyd HughesVera LewisElla Cinders, oppressed and abused by her stepmother and stepsisters, wins a contest for a film role in Hollywood. When the contest turns out to be fraudulent, she determines to stay and achieve Hollywood stardom the hard way.Film version of the popular comic strip heroine.
- DirectorHobart HenleyStarsMarion DaviesMatt MooreHarry CrockerTillie the Toiler is a 1927 silent film comedy produced by Cosmopolitan Productions and released through Metro Goldwyn Mayer studios. It is based on Russ Westover's popular comic strip Tillie the Toiler. The film was directed by Hobart Henley and stars Marion Davies.Early film based on the comic strip. There was another about 20 years later. The strip's popularity was based around the latest fashions, but the theme fell out of favor after WWII and the strip came to an end.
- DirectorMervyn LeRoyStarsArthur LakeMary BrianLucien LittlefieldFarmboy Harold moves to the city and there attends high school. Soon he is very popular, his spirited nature causing much excitement on the campus. He joins a fraternity, goes out for football, and directs his class theatrical effort.Silent film, based on the popular teen strip, one of the first to focus on a teenaged character. A musical would follow in the 30s. The strip died with its creator in 1959. Star Arthur Lake would later play Dagwood in the film and tv series based on Blondie.
- DirectorNorman TaurogStarsJackie CooperRobert CooganMitzi GreenSkippy, the mischievous son of a wealthy doctor, meets Sooky in poverty-ridden Shantytown, and together they try to save Sooky's pet from a cruel dogcatcher.This strip was a bit of an ancestor to Calvin and Hobbes, in terms of imagination, and was highly regarded. Wonder if the film does it justice?
- DirectorJohn S. RobertsonStarsMitzi GreenBuster PhelpsMay RobsonDaddy Warbucks has to go on a long trip, leaving Annie alone. While wandering the street, Sandy leads Annie to discover Mickey, who is crying. Mickey's grandmother recently died, and he is about to be taken away by Mrs. Berger to the orphanage. He chooses to go with Annie to the shack where she and Daddy Warbucks live. She feeds him leftover pig's feet, cream puff and assorted food, but by the next morning he has a stomach ache. Annie takes him to an orphanage where he will be taken care of, but is herself is taken into custody. While in the orphanage, Annie takes care of Mickey. One day, Mrs. Stewart (a rich dowager) appears, wanting to adopt. The children a paraded before her. Hearing of her contrary nature, Annie makes sure that Mickey catches her attention by saying bad things about him, and by the end of the interview, Mrs. Stewart adopts him. In the orphanage, Annie misses Mickey, and although she's written four letters, Mickey has not responded (because he can't write). Meanwhile, in Mrs. Stewart's home, Mickey is happy, but appears to be angry with Annie, for having said the bad things about him in the adoption process. Annie decides to visit Mickey, and appears by his window just after he's been put to bed since Mrs. Stewart is holding a dinner party. Annie tries to reconcile with Mickey who brings Annie into the house. They pass by the kitchen where Annie takes some cheese dip and Sandy makes off with the main course, a roast beef. The dinner party guests tell about their brushes with supernatural apparitions, although Mrs. Stewart doesn't believe a word of it. Meanwhile, Mickey and Annie find themselves in Mrs. Stewart's bedroom, where Sandy performs tricks for Mickey, and Annie does imitations of Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Groucho Marx (from the film Horse Feathers (1932)) and Mrs. Stewart. The dinner party ends with the guests humorously wondering if the missing roast beef was also a supernatural occurrence. Upon hearing them leave, Mickey quickly gets back into bed, Sandy goes into Mrs. Stewart's closet, and Annie is stuck in her room. While Mrs. Stewart reads, she sees what she think is an apparition (really just Annie trying to escape stealthily). Mrs. Stewart makes her way to her room, but as she's preparing for bed she sees a ghostly figure (Sandy in a sheet) escape from the closet it door. After a bit of rambunctious chasing, Mrs. Stewart confronts Annie asking her what she's doing in the house. Annie is ejected, but Mickey now doesn't want Annie to go. As he tries to call to her from his second floor window, Mickey falls out of the window to everyone's horror. After some doubt, the doctor declares he will survives and will be able to remove a brace by Christmas. It's Christmas, Mickey is now back to health, and Mrs. Stewart has thrown a party for all the orphans from the orphanage, including Annie. Suspecting something odd, Annie walks up to Santa and discovers it's really Daddy Warbucks. The film ends happily for all.Long before the sun would come out tomorrow was this adaptation of Harold Gray's strip. Haven't seen it, but Gray's seemingly innocent strip also bore some fairly nasty sentiments from the ultra-conservative cartoonist. The adaptations usually stuck to the adventure parts, though.
- DirectorDave FleischerSeymour KneitelStarsWilliam CostelloWilliam PennellBonnie PoePopeye begins his movie career by singing his theme song, demonstrating his strength at a carnival, dancing the hula with Betty Boop, pummeling Bluto, eating his spinach, and saving Olive Oyl from certain doom on the railroad tracks.Popeye jumped from the pages of Thimble Theater to the movie screen, launching a series of theatrical cartoons and, later, tv cartoon series. The early cartoons are great, with lots of wordplay and inventive gags, though they soon became formulaic.
- DirectorLew LandersStarsMaurice MurphyNoah Beery Jr.Patricia FarrA young mechanic gets a job with a small airline, which he helps win a mail contract. A rival airline plots to destroy it in order to get the contracts for itself.There were at least a couple of films/serials based on this aviation hero.
- DirectorBenjamin StoloffStarsJimmy DuranteLupe VelezStuart ErwinKnobby discovers young hunk Palooka and trains him to fight the reigning champ, also drunken sot, Al McSwatt.First of several films featuring Ham Fisher's boxing champ.
- DirectorFrederick StephaniRay TaylorStarsBuster CrabbeJean RogersCharles MiddletonFlash Gordon, Dale Arden and Dr. Alexis Zarkov visit the planet Mongo to thwart the evil schemes of Emperor Ming the Merciless, who has set his planet on a collision course with Earth.Lavish movie serial from Universal that had a feature budget to do justice to the Alex Raymond strip. Buster Crabbe stars as Flash, with Jean Rogers as Dale and Charles Middleton as Ming. It looks low rent today but it was fantastic in its day. It would go on to inspire Star Wars. The serial is fairly faithful to the first few years of the strip, even in the costumes.
- DirectorFord BeebeClifford SmithStarsJohn 'Dusty' KingJean RogersNoah Beery Jr.This 13 chapter serial is based on the comic strip character Ace Drummond created by Eddie Rickenbacker. Ace is a 'G-Man of the sky' working out of Washington D.C. He is sent to Mongolia to find out why a mysterious villain known only as 'The Dragon' is trying to prevent the newly formed International Airways from setting up an airport there. Ace meets Peggy Trainor (Jean Rogers) who is searching for her archaeologist father who has disappeared. Together they search for answers to the puzzles.An early aviation hero, turned movie serial.
- DirectorAlan JamesRay TaylorStarsRalph ByrdKay HughesSmiley BurnetteA master criminal called The Spider puts the famous detective's brother under a hypnotic spell and turns him against Dick.Outstanding Republic serial, based on the comic strip, by Chester Gould. Ralph Byrd captures Tracy well and the serial has more mystery, suspense, and action than you can shake a wrist-radio at. Footage would later be recycled for the Republic serial Fighting Devil Dogs and some stunts were swiped for Indiana Jones.
- DirectorFord BeebeClifford SmithStarsGrant WithersAdrian MorrisKay HughesA young radio cop and a beautiful girl try to stop an international criminal gang from getting their hands on the formula for a new bulletproof steel.Serial based on the police strip. The strip was popular for a time, though died off in the post-WWII years. It featured a stereotyped Irish police detective pair. It was never as successful as Dick Tracy.
- DirectorFord BeebeWyndham GittensStarsFrankie ThomasFrances RobinsonJack MulhallKind-hearted boy with sturdy character visits Africa to search for his missing father and finds adventures against hard-core criminals and wild animals.Noted adventure film, based on the comic strip.
- DirectorFord BeebeClifford SmithStarsScott KolkJean RogersDavid OliverA secret agent goes after the gang that stole the crown jewels of a European monarchy.One of two films, based on the Alex Raymond strip. Dashiell Hammet wrote the strips, while Raymond handled the art chores. There was another film in 1945.
- DirectorFrank R. StrayerStarsPenny SingletonArthur LakeLarry SimmsDagwood loses his job on the eve of his and Blondie's fifth wedding anniversary.The first in the long running series of Blondie and Dagwood films, starring Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. Lighthearted fun and fairly faithful to the characters, at the time the films were produced.
- DirectorFord BeebeRobert F. HillFrederick StephaniStarsBuster CrabbeJean RogersCharles MiddletonWhen a deadly Nitron ray strikes Earth, Flash Gordon and his friends travel to Mars to battle Ming the Merciless and his new ally Queen Azura.Second serial with Flash Gordon. The story is even more exciting than the first serial.
- DirectorFord BeebeAlan JamesStarsBuster CrabbeFrances RobinsonEdna SedgewickA famous detective sets out to discover who stole $2 million in bonds.Movie serial based on the police detective strip, King Feature Syndicate's answer to Dick Track (along with Secret Agent X-9). Actor Donald Barry would go on to be known as Red Barry after this. There was also a pro wrestler known as Wild Red Barry. The strip was dark and violent, inspired by the Warner Bros. gangster movies.
- DirectorNorman DemingSam NelsonStarsWarren HullDoris WestonAl KikumeMandrake and his assistant Lothar are working the cruise lines and make the acquaintance of Professor Houston who has developed a radium energy machine, which is much coveted by a masked Crime Lord known as "The Wasp".Movie serial based on the polpular Lee Falk strip. Not nearly as good as The Phantom, a few years later. Mandrake's success in the comics spawned dozens of magician heroes, such as Zatara, Ibis, Sargon the Sorceror, and more; but, none held a candle to Mandrake.
- DirectorFord BeebeSaul A. GoodkindStarsBuster CrabbeConstance MooreJackie MoranA 20th Century pilot named Buck Rogers and his young friend Buddy Wade awake from 500 years in suspended animation to find that the world has been taken over by the outlaw army of Killer Kane.Buster Crabbe brings the comic hero to life in this exciting serial. A scene would later be used by George Lucas for the opening moments of THX 1138. Buck was one of the better strips, in terms of merchandising, which included a Daisy pistol, rocket skates, and a Buck uniform.
- DirectorJames W. HorneStarsWilliam TracyJeff YorkJoyce BryantDr. Herbert Lee (John Paul Jones), an archaeologist seeking to decipher ancient Mara inscriptions, is aided by his son, Terry (William Tracy), and Terry's pal, Pat Ryan (Jeff York), and Normandie Drake (Joyce Bryant). Fang (Dick Curtis), a jungle pirate and warlord, plots to kill The Dragon Lady (Sheila Darcy), Queen of the Temple of Mara, and seize the treasures of her ancestors. Both Fang and The Dragon Lady have sworn death to any foreign intruders.Movie serial based on the Milton Caniff classic. Haven't seen this one, but the comic strip defined adventure in the 30s and 40s. Caniff, along with Hal Foster and Alex Raymond, would be the primary influence upon a generation of comic book artists.
- DirectorFord BeebeRay TaylorStarsBuster CrabbeCarol HughesCharles MiddletonA ravaging plague has struck the Earth threatening no less than global extinction. This alien disease is believed to be the evil spawn of Ming, the merciless Emperor of Planet Mongo. The world's only hope now rests with Flash Gordon.Once again, Flash does battle with Ming, while helping Queen Fria of Friggia. This one had the deepest impact on George Lucas, right down to the episode opening title crawls.
- DirectorJohn EnglishWilliam WitneyStarsAllan LaneRobert StrangeRobert KellardCanadian Tom Merritt has discovered a substance, Compound X, that will cure infantile paralysis, which he extracts from a mine at Caribou, Canada. A country at war with Canada (unnamed because while Canada and the British Empire were at war with Germany, the USA "officially" wasn't in 1940) discovers that Compound X also contains magnetic properties which will make their mines effective against the British fleet, and dispatch one of their intelligence officers, John Kettler, to work undercover to ensure a steady stream of Compound X for the Fatherland. RCMP Major Ross King is killed in a fray against Kettler's henchmen, and his son, RCMP Sergeant Dave King continues on in his place in command of the Mountie post. The foreign agents open a "sham" sanitarium, supposedly to help paralysis victims, but actually to ship the gathered quantities of Compound X abroad to their warring country. Sergeant King discovers the fraud and exposes "Dr. Shelton", the sham head of the hospital. The Mounties also secure some fuse caps which will provide proof that Kettler and his men are saboteurs. In an effort to recover the fuse caps, the enemy agents kidnap Linda Merritt, sister of RCMP Corporal Tom Merritt,Jr.. King and the Mounties eventually put an end to the enemy agents in chapter 12, "Code of the Mounted", but not without a great personal sacrifice by one of their own.Better known of two films/serials, based on the Mountie strip.
- DirectorJohn EnglishWilliam WitneyStarsDon 'Red' BarryNoah BeeryTommy CookChapter One MURDER ON THE SANTA FE TRAIL - Mesquite banker Calvin Drake (Harry Worth) plans to profit from the Santa Fe Railroad's acquisition of right-of-way by gaining control of the land in the territory. In the ensuing war of intimidation against the ranchers, Ira Withers (Edward Cassidy) is killed and Red Ryder (Don 'Red' Barry) and his father, Colonel Tom Ryder (William Farnum), form an organization to drive the gunmen and outlaws out of the territory. Colonel Ryder is killed by One-Eye Chapin (Bob Kortman) and Red vows vengeance. Sheriff Dade (Carleton Young) is in league with the Drake faction, including Ace Hanlon (Noah Barry). The Duchess (Maude Pierce Allen), Red's aunt, is about to lose her ranch. Red learns of a plan to dynamite a dam providing the water supply, and saves Beth Andrews (Vivian Austin), daughter of the former sheriff, Luke Andrews (Lloyd Ingrahan) who was also murdered by Drake's men.Ralphie's favorite range-riding hero came to life in this feature and would go on to star in a string of westerns and a tv series. Young Robert Blake appeared in several later Red Ryder films, as Little Beaver.
- DirectorDave FleischerSteve MuffatiStarsBud CollyerJoan AlexanderJackson BeckThe Man of Steel fights a mad scientist who is destroying Metropolis with an energy cannon.Theatrical cartoon series produced by the Fleischer Bros. These were things of beauty, with the theatrical cell ratio giving a fluidity to the action. Superman was not yet all-powerful, so he has to struggle with many of his super feats. No villains carry over from the comics, but the ones presented are very much in keeping with the four-color works. Bud Collier would provide the voice, as well as on radio.
- DirectorArthur DreifussStarsBilly LeeCarl 'Alfalfa' SwitzerBuddy BolesBased on the comic strip by Gene Byrnes, the "Reg'lar Fellers", and one girl-feller, tinker with building a land/water machine, form a kid-band and go on the radio, celebrate a birthday, get involved with gangsters...and reunite a wealthy recluse with her baby granddaughter and estranged daughter-in-law.This strip was hugely popular in the years between Word Wars, but would die out a few years after the end of WWII. The strip is considered a classic in its depiction of its child protagonists and would influence things like the Our Gang shorts and other "kid gang" properties, especially Jack Kirby's early work (along with the Dead End Kids). This film version came during the later years of the strips popularity.
- DirectorJohn EnglishWilliam WitneyStarsTom TylerFrank Coghlan Jr.William 'Billy' BenedictTo protect a magic talisman from being used for evil, a teenage boy named Billy Batson is given the power to become an adult superhero, Captain Marvel, with a single magic word: "Shazam!"Probably the single greatest action serial ever created. The Big Red Cheese is ably portrayed by Tom Tyler, with Frank Coughlin as Billy Batson. The character is tweaked a bit and played straight, with a standard masked serial villain. However, the Egyptian hooks make it intrgiuing and it features some of the best stunt fighting in the serial age. The Egyptian elements would later appear in the comic, in Jerry Ordway's Power of Shazam.
- DirectorWilliam WitneyStarsKane RichmondMarguerite ChapmanSam FlintAlan Armstrong, aka Spy Smasher, battles a Nazi villain known as The Mask, who heads a gang of saboteurs determined to spread destruction across America.Second only to the Adventures of Captain Marvel for thrills. Lucas and Spielberg stole the fight around the flying wing from this serial. Based on the popular Fawcett Comics character, who at one point (in the comics) was brainwashed into committing sabotage, leading to battles with Captain Marvel.
- DirectorEdward F. ClineStarsBud DuncanEdgar KennedySarah PaddenSnuffy Smith, moonshining hillbilly, grows tired of dodging revenue agents, headed by Cooper, and decides to take the army up on their offer of free clothes, food and $21.00 a month. Once enlisted, he finds that revenue agent Cooper is his sergeant. Don, a hillbilly soldier friend of Snuffy, has invented a range finder, but it is stolen by some fifth columnists and hidden in Snuffy's bag. Snuffy decides he has all the army discipline he cares for and heads back to Smokey Mountain, followed closely by the enemy agents.The hillbilly character comes to life in this comedy. Snuffy debuted as a secondary character in Barney Google, but would soon get equal billing and surplant the horse racing enthusiast.
- DirectorFord BeebeRay TaylorStarsDon TerryWalter SandeJohn LitelUS naval officer Don Winslow is given command of the islands near Pearl Harbor. He discovers that there is a ring of saboteurs and enemy agents who are trying to destroy ships carrying supplies to the troops stationed in the islands and sabotage the war effort. He sets out with his trusted assistant and two beautiful women to find the mastermind behind these nefarious activities.Serial version of the popular comic strip. Our hero is an agent for Naval intelligence, fighting wartime saboteurs. It did well enough to spawn a sequel, Don Winslow of the Coast Guard. I guess if they had continued making films, he would have hit all of the branches of the armed forces. I would have held out for Don Winslow of the USO!
- DirectorB. Reeves EasonStarsTom TylerJeanne BatesErnie AdamsThe Phantom's clan has ruled the jungle tribes for centuries. He battles Dr. Bremmer who plans to build an airfield and gets greedy when Professor Davidson and his niece Diana arrive to search for the treasure of the lost city of Zoloz.Adaptation of the popular comic strip and one of Columbia's best serials. Tom Tyler stars as the Ghost Who Walks, in a relatively faithful and fairly exciting story. It competes well with the Weismuller Tarzans. The Phantom predated the costumed heroes of comic books and was swiped by everyone under the sun. A sequel was developed, but the rights were pulled, so they morphed it into Captain Africa. I doubt it fooled anyone.
- DirectorMichael PowellEmeric PressburgerStarsRoger LiveseyDeborah KerrAnton WalbrookFrom the Boer War through World War II, a soldier rises through the ranks in the British military.Interesting film based on the satirical Colonel Blimp cartoons, which had a decidedly anti-war slant. The film has an original story, about a young officer who believes in duty and honor, but sees that the rest of the world thinks differently. It is a rather dark comedy and probably wouldn't appeal to many, especially those on the right.
- DirectorLewis D. CollinsRay TaylorStarsTom BrownRose HobartEdgar BarrierJust before World War II, the Chinese and American governments mount a joint operation to prevent the Germans and Japanese from taking over the strategic island of Mandon.Movie serial based on the newspaper aviation hero, who bore a bit of a resemblance to Clark Cable.
- DirectorLambert HillyerStarsLewis WilsonDouglas CroftJ. Carrol NaishThe very first serial to adapt the comic book character of the Batman. In it, the Batman is a secret U.S. government agent, attempting to defeat the schemes of Japanese agent Dr. Daka operating in Los Angeles at the height of World War II.Batman beat Superman to the live action screen, though Supes got there first in animated form. This Columbia serial features Batman and Robin vs a Japanese saboteur, with plenty of wartime stereotypes. Lewis Wilson makes for a decent Bruce Wayne, and is ok as Batman. There is a cave, but the Batmobile is a standard sedan, with a white top! It's a decent story, but 15 chapters was a bit too long for the plot. Wilson gets to do some undercover work and actually does some decent character acting.
- DirectorElmer CliftonJohn EnglishStarsDick PurcellLorna GrayLionel AtwillSuperhero Captain America battles the evil forces of the archvillain called The Scarab, who poisons his enemies and steals a secret device capable of destroying buildings by sound vibrations.Republic serial based on the Timely (later Marvel) Comics character. However, the character is completely different from the original, apart from costume, which only has stripes on the front of the shirt. There is some belief amongst serial fans that the script was originally meant for Fawcett Comics' Mr. Scarlet, but either the deal fell through (as happened with Superman) or they cancelled it after Mr. Scarlet lost his feature at Fawcett. Mr. Scarlet was a crusading district attorney who donned a costume and carried a pistol to fight crime, which is the premise of this Captain America. The villain is a standard masked serial villain, not the Red Skull or any other character from Timely. It has excellent action, though Dick Purcell makes for a rather pudgy super-soldier. It's a good serial, just not a good Captain America.
- DirectorWallace FoxStarsJoan WoodburyKane RichmondErnie AdamsChapter 1 finds Daily Flash newspaper reporter Brenda Starr (Joan Woodbury), and her photographer, Chuck Allen (Syd Saylor), assigned to cover a fire in an old house where they discover the wounded Joe Heller (Wheeler Oakman),a gangster suspected of stealing a quarter-million dollar payroll. The dying Heller tells Brenda that someone took his satchel of stolen money and he gives her a coded message. Kruger (Jack Ingram), the gangster who shot Heller, escapes to his gang's hideout with the bag but discovers it is filled with paper rather than money. The gang, knowing Heller gave Brenda a coded message makes many attempts on her life to get her to reveal where Heller hid the payroll money. But thanks to Chuck and Police Lieutenant Larry Farrel (Kane Richmond), she evades them for thirteen weeks/chapters, until Pesky (William 'Billy' Benedict), a Daily Flash office boy manages to decode the Heller message.First attempt at bring the comics character to life; though not the last. None were particularly successful.
- DirectorEdward F. ClineStarsJoe YuleRenie RianoTim RyanMaggie and her snooty society friends fool Jiggs and his buddies down at Dinty's tavern into not only signing a petition to close the bar, but they also trick them into taking the "temperaance" pledge to forsake all alcohol.Adaptations of the popular George McManus strip of the same name. The strip followed the adventures of the nouveau riche couple Maggie and Jiggs. Maggie is a social climber but Jiggs is happier to spend time in his favorite tavern and live out the same life he always had. The film presents a typical storyline, where Maggie's goals of society acceptance clash with Jiggs' desire to have a drink with friends. There was a whole series of Maggie and Jiggs films.
- DirectorDerwin AbrahamsStarsWilliam BakewellJennifer HoltRobert 'Buzz' HenryHop Harrigan (William Bakewell) and his pal "Tank" Tinker (Sumner Getchell) operate a small airport and flying service, and are hired by J. Westly Arnold (Emmett Vogan) to fly an eccentric inventor, Dr. Tabor (John Merton), to his secret laboratory where he has a revolutionary new power unit. However, a mysterious character known as the Chief Pilot is interested in the invention and uses a destroying ray to cripple Hop's airplane and kidnap Tabor. Hop and "Tank", aided by Gail Nolan (Jennifer Holt and her younger brother, Jackie (Robert 'Buzz' Henry), finally overcome the villains - and, then, Tabor goes mad and decides to blow up the world. There is still work to be done.A serial adaptation of an All-American Comics back-up feature. Fairly standard fare. The character was one of a long line of aviation heroes, but didn't survive the war years.
- DirectorClaude MisonneStarsA. CharlesR. ChrusR. DarvèreIn pursuit of mysterious boxes of crab, Tintin will meet the one who will become his inseparable friend: Captain Haddock.First film adaptation of Tintin.
- DirectorSpencer Gordon BennetThomas CarrStarsKane RichmondRick VallinLinda LeightonAn adventurer travels to the moon to stop a madman from getting hold of the Interceptor Ray, a weapon that could destroy Earth.Another serial based on a comic strip. This time, it was the time-travelling Brick Bradford, one of the rivals of Flash Gordon. The serial couldn't match the scope of the strip.
- DirectorWallace FoxStarsRalph ByrdRamsay AmesLyle TalbotThe Vigilante, a masked government agent, is assigned to investigate the case of the "100 Tears of Blood", a cursed string of rare blood red pearls sought by a gang led by the unknown X-1 that may have been smuggled into the country.Ralph Byrd (Dick Tracy) stars as the DC modern western hero. Most of the elements are there, though the serial is an odd mix of a singing cowboy and mystery man.
- DirectorSpencer Gordon BennetThomas CarrStarsKirk AlynNoel NeillTommy BondSuperman comes to Earth as a child and grows up to be his home's first superhero with his first major challenge being to oppose The Spider Lady.The Columbia movie serial, starring Kirk Alyn and Noel Neil. The villain, the Spider Lady (played by a very sexy Carol Forman) is fairly standard for the movie serials and had no comic basis. The serial is notable for using animated footage of Superman flying. The actors do a decent job and the cliffhangers are exciting enough to spawn a sequel.
- DirectorSpencer Gordon BennetThomas CarrStarsDon McGuireCleo MooreJack IngramA girl is about to inherit a fortune, but she is missing in Africa. Only then, family charges Congo Bill, an adventurer, to find her, and bring her back to civilization. He follows a legend about some White Queen, but his path is full of difficulties, by an inhospitable jungle, and the man who will lose the fortune if the girl is found alive.Serial version of the DC Comics character, a backup feature in Action Comics. Congo Bill covers fairly standard jungle tales and he is a poor man's Jungle Jim or Allan Quatermain. In the comics, he would later transform into a gorilla, called Congorilla!
- DirectorWilliam BerkeStarsJohnny WeissmullerVirginia GreyGeorge ReevesLady scientist, Hilary Parker is searching for a rare drug to help combat polio. Opportunist Bruce Edwards joins the quest but is actually after gold and buried treasure.First in a series of films and then a television series, starring Johnny Weismuller as Alex Raymond's jungle hero. Jungle Jim was King Feature's answer to Tarzan, though nowhere near as popular.
- DirectorEdward G. WhitingAlfred J. GouldingStarsChristabel Leighton-PorterStanelliMichael HogarthJane is given a bracelet by an elderly admirer. He is in league with Cleaver, a suave crook, and the two plan to use Jane and the bracelet to smuggle diamonds into England.Lighthearted British film, based on the popular newspaper comic. Jane is a beautiful young woman with a habit of losing her clothes. It was enormously popular during the war years, in the UK, leading to this movie adaptation and a sequel. It looks rather sexist now, but it is done without malice.
- DirectorSpencer Gordon BennetThomas CarrStarsTom NealJudy ClarkRalph HodgesFamed aviator Bruce Gentry is working with scientist Andrew Benson, setting out to uncover the origin of a deadly secret weapon---an electronically controlled flying disc which can be directed at moving or stationary targets. The disc was master-minded by an enemy agent known only as "The Recorder" because...he speaks entirely via recordings. Aided by rancher Frank Farrell and his sister Juanita "Nita" Hodges, Gentry consistently foils "The Recorders" schemes, which are carried out by "The Recorder's" henchmen, Krendon, Allen and Chandler, including an attack on the Panama Canal.Columbia serial, based on the short-lived aviation strip. The strip was noted for artist Ray Bailey's technical skill, but it never caught on as well as strips like Skorchy Smith or Terry and the Pirates. The serial features one of the earliest depictions of a flying saucer in movies.
- DirectorSpencer Gordon BennetStarsRobert LoweryJohnny DuncanJane AdamsSecond serial featuring the comic book character Batman. In it, Batman, together with his sidekick Robin, face off against the Wizard, a hooded villain with an electronic device that remotely controls vehicles.Second outing for the dynamic duo, with Robert Lowery taking over the role. Again hampered by budget and imagination. One wishes that Republic had produced these to create livelier serials.
- StarsRalph ByrdJoe DevlinWilliam WoodsonIntrepid detective Dick Tracy tangles with a bizarre rogue's gallery of villains. But as always our stoic officer of the law, virtuous to a fault, proves himself up to the task of putting the criminals behind bars.After a series of serials and B-movies came the tv series, again with Ralph Byrd. Decent, though not up to the movie standards.
- DirectorSpencer Gordon BennetStarsKirk AlynNoel NeillLyle TalbotSuperman battles Lex Luthor who is using a teleportation device and a new identity as Atom Man in his criminal plans.Second serial outing for Superman , pitting him against Lex Luthor. Despite the addition of a comic villain, the action is pretty run-of-the-mill. Lyle Talbot makes a good Luthor, though.
- DirectorEdward BerndsStarsScotty BeckettJimmy LydonSusan MorrowThe popular Frank O. King comic strip characters go from newspaper page to screen in this 1951 feature film from legendary comedy director Edward Bernds (of Three Stooges and Bowery Boys fame). Scotty Beckett and Jimmy Lydon are Corky and Skeezix, half-brothers who find themselves in the restaurant business until complications and some family conflicts arise.One of two films based on the influential strip, featuring Walt and Skeezix. The strip was one of the first to feature characters who aged, which would influence Lynn Johnston's For Better or For Worse. The strip is the second oldest American comic strip, after Blondie.
- DirectorAlexander HallStarsDavid WayneTom EwellMarina BertiBased on the famed World War II cartoons, lowbrow G.I.s Willie and Joe, on the Italian front, are good soldiers in combat, but meet the antics of gung-ho Captain Johnson and other military SNAFUs with a barrage of wry comments. On a 3-day pass in Naples, Joe's penchant for wine and women involves the pair with luscious Emi Rosso and her moonshiner father, whose tangled affairs land them in ever deeper trouble.First of two movies based on Bill Mauldin's seminal GI cartoons. Mauldin was loved by the troops and hated by the brass. He would later go on to share root beers with Snoopy, on Veterans Day.
- DirectorLee SholemStarsGeorge ReevesPhyllis CoatesJeff CoreyWhen underground beings explore the surface world from a deep oil well and inadvertently cause a panic, only Superman can prevent a tragedy.Theatrical pilot for the George Reeves tv series, with a deep oil well drilling project clashing with an underground race. Interesting element is that the mole-men aren't really portrayed as the villains.
- StarsGeorge ReevesNoel NeillJack LarsonThe Man of Steel fights crime with help from his friends at the "Daily Planet."George Reeves shines as Superman, while he departs from the comics a bit by presenting a Clark Kent who isn't a complete whimp. That portrayal would influence the revamp of the comics, in the mid-80s, where Clark is made an ex-football hero in high school and a hard charging investigative reporter. Phyllis Coates is Lois in Season 1, but Noel Neill returns for the rest of the series, portraying Lois as a career woman and perpetual snoop. Jack Larson makes for a fine, if a bit naive Jimmy Olsen.
- DirectorSpencer Gordon BennetFred F. SearsStarsKirk AlynCarol FormanJohn CrawfordBased on a successful comic book that began in 1941, the Blackhawks were seven flyers who banded together during WW II to fight the Nazis. After the war, they continued to fight evil where ever they find it. In this movie, they are battling a group of spies and saboteurs bent on destroying democracy. The Blackhawks foil a succession of plots, with a cliff hanger ending in each episode.Columbia adaptation of the highly popular Quality Comics series, featuring a foreign legion of the air. Kirk Alyn stars as the leader, Blackhawk. Rather than fighting Nazis, the Blackhawks face Commies, in a so-so adventure. The serial is hurt by budget and lack of imagination, as the Blackhawks fly civilian aircraft, not fighter planes and most of the intrigue of the comics is absent. There were rumors of a Spielberg film in the 80s and early 90s, but they never went beyond script phase. It's a shame, as the Blackhawk concept would make for a great throwback film, ala Indiana Jones.
- StarsJohn BaerJack ReitzenGloria SaundersColonel Terry Lee travels to the orient in search of a gold mine left to him by his grandfather. While searching, he is a pilot employed by a "no questions asked" airline run by Chopstick Joe. His friend and co-pilot is Hotshot Charlie. His love interest is a girl named Burma. He and his friends are constantly in hot water, thanks to the mysterious Dragon Lady, as they fly from one exotic location to the next.Early tv series based on the popular adventure strip. There's no way early tv could ever do this justice.
- DirectorHenry HathawayStarsJames MasonJanet LeighRobert WagnerA young Viking prince strives to become a knight in King Arthur's Court and restore his exiled father to his rightful throne.Hal Foster's Prince Valiant is one of the most spectacular adventure comics in history. His work influenced whole generations of artists. This film, not so much. It's a pretty cookie-cutter medieval romance/adventure film, typical of the era, but without the spark of something like Ivanhoe. Robert Wagner is laughable as Val, starting with the ridiculous wig and ending with his wooden delivery. The other element that struck me was the overly large swords, which makes it look like a high school production. Definitely not on anyone's top ten list.
- CreatorChic YoungStarsArthur LakePamela BrittonAnn BarnesArthur Lake had played Dagwood in a long series of "Blondie" movies. This show, retelling stories and situations familiar to readers of the comic strip, lasted one year.Tv version of the popular comic strip, picking up where the movie series left off. Penny Singleton is still the definitive Blondie.
- DirectorGeorge MarshallStarsJerry LewisPhyllis KirkDavid WayneA bumbling hero with a photographic memory winds up in Morocco as a private in the French Foreign Legion. He still hasn't adjusted after 18 months. Among other things, he's lost a tank.Jerry Lewis film, based on the strip and comic book by George Baker. Baker began the strip in the army magazine Yank, in 1942, then continuing it as a newspaper strip. When the strip was cancelled, he continued it as a comic book at Harvey, which lasted for years.
- StarsPaul FreesJacques MarinFernand FabreTintin and his dog, Snowy, embark on wild adventures with the help of Thompson and Thomson, Captain Haddock, Professor Calculus, and others.After a series of movie adaptations came this early tv series.
- StarsDean FredericksJackson BeckPaul FreesAir Force pilot Steve Canyon, the commander of Big Thunder Air Force Base, travels from base to base as an all-around trouble-shooter, when he's not dealing with the the personal and military problems of his own everyday life.Tv series based on the other Milton Caniff classic, featuring Steve Canyon, pilot and troubleshooter. I haven't seen it, but have heard good things about it. Episodes have been released on dvd.
- CreatorKôhan KawauchiStarsKôichi ÔseMike DanningJapan's first superhero TV show, in which a caped/masked avenger fights assorted evil in modern-day Tokyo.This tv series debuted in the same year as the manga that spawned it. The series features a masked motorcylce-riding hero Gekko Kamen (Moonlight Mask), who fights evil wherever he finds it. It was in many ways the precursor to the even more popular Toei series Kamen Rider, in the 70s. The tv theme song became a pop hit.
- StarsHerbert AndersonJay NorthGloria HenryTelevision episodes built around the same sorts of incidents found in Hank Ketcham's long-running comic strip.Hugely popular tv series based on everyone's favorite newspaper troublemaker. Jay North is terrific as Dennis and the rest of the cast is first rate. I loved watching reruns of this when I was a kid; good, clean, family fun that still holds up as a comedy. In the early strips, Dennis is a pretty rotten kid, who earned his epithet. In later years, he is just cute but annoying. There was a British Dennis who was a real little thug.
- DirectorMelvin FrankStarsLeslie ParrishStubby KayePeter PalmerAs Sadie Hawkins Day approaches, Daisy Mae hopes to win the hand of Li'l Abner by catching him in the traditional race.Previously featured in a 1940 film that is less well known and admired. This version is a technicolor adaptation of the Broadway musical. Wild and lively, though it departs a bit from the strip.
- StarsJack MercerMae QuestelJackson BeckThe continuing animated adventures of Olive Oyl, Wimpy, Swee'pea and Popeye.One of several Popeye cartoon shows over the years, featuring new cartoons, while the theatrical cartoons appeared in syndication.
- DirectorAlbert ZugsmithStarsDavid JanssenPatti PageWalter WinchellSix American GIs stationed in Italy befriend an orphaned boy, but the soldiers remain unaware that the lad has stowed away with them when they return to the U.S.Film adaptation of the once-popular strip. The story focuses on war orphan Dondi, who is adopted and brought to America. The original strip mixed humor and drama, as early stories tugged at heart strings with the plot revolving around Dondi staying in the US. The film covers the same ground, though with more comedy than the strip. Not particularly well known today, but available via the Warner Archives.
- DirectorHarold DanielsStarsRoger CreedPaulette GoddardLon Chaney Jr.The Phantom, along with canine companion Devil, investigate wicked doings at the plantation of Mrs. Harris.Pilot for a tv series, based on the Phantom comic strip. Notable for the appearance of Lon Chaney Jr; but, otherwise, it's a fairly humdrum feature. A series did not follow.
- StarsJerry HausnerBenny RubinMel BlancCartoon series produced by UPA, in which Dick Tracy (voiced by the distinguished film and stage actor Everett Sloane) played more or less of an incidental role. Most of the crime fighting was left to his assistants, all originals created for the series: Hemlock Holmes (an English bulldog who talked like Cary Grant), the calorically challenged beat cop Heap O'Calorie (who talked like Andy Devine), and the offensively (today) stereotyped Latino and Asian characters Go-Go Gomez and Joe Jitsu, respectively. Most of the familiar Tracy villains from the comic strip (Flattop, Mumbles, Pruneface, etc.) were featured here, as well. In addition to Sloane, such talented voice persons and character actors as Benny Rubin, Paul Frees, and Mel Blanc handled much of the voice-work for this series.Cartoon series featuring the newspaper detective and his adversaries. Very stylized.
- CreatorOsamu TezukaStarsBillie Lou WattMari ShimizuEsperanzita MartínezAs long as trouble's brewing across the universe, the small but powerful robot, Astro Boy, will have adventures, assisted by his mentor, Dr. Elefun.TV series, based on the groundbreaking manga Tetsuwan Atom, by Osamu Tezuka. Astroboy is a robot, created in the likeness of the inventor's late son, who fights evil robots. The manga series would influence generations of children in Japan and prove to be highly popular in the US.
- StarsAllan MelvinHoward MorrisJune ForayBeetle Bailey, Private who'd rather drop and nap than drop and do 20, is wise-cracking joker of most famous Army camp, Camp Swampy.Beetle and Sarge got their own series, which was pretty lame, with rather lackluster animation.
- StarsPaul FreesPenny PhilipsDoodles WeaverThere's feudin', fussin' and a whole lot of good ol' fashioned fun goin' on as those back woods rascals, Barney Google and Snuffy Smith, rustle up a rib-ticklin' tub of mountain mirth. Barney and Snuffy are joined by the craziest collection of cantankerous characters ever to come out of them thar' hills, including Loweezy, Jughaid and Jerky Jockey for hours of down home country comedy.Another cartoon series from King Features Syndicate. It wasn't any better than Beetle Bailey.
- CreatorDavid LevyStarsJohn AstinCarolyn JonesJackie CooganThe misadventures of a blissfully macabre but extremely loving family.Charles Addams darkly comic cartoons came to life in this series. Beautifully cast and full of fun, it would influence later versions far more than the cartoons.
- CreatorMitsuteru YokoyamaStarsBillie Lou WattRay OwensPeter FernandezWhen terrorist groups, criminals and aliens become too strong for Earth's overstretched armed forces, the virtually indestructible robot named Gigantor is built to combat them.Animated series, based on the popular manga Tetusjin-28. There was a seuquel series and further updates.
- DirectorGene NelsonStarsJohn SimpsonRoland WintersWilliam SchallertSitcom about comic strip character "Archie "Pilot for a potential tv series, based on the Riverdale gang. It didn't sell, so Archie Comics instead turned to animation.
- DirectorBill MelendezStarsAnn AltieriChris DoranSally DryerDepressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.The special that would launch many more. The cartoon perfectly captures the look and spirit of the beloved strip, with a story created by Charles Schulz. The sentiment is honest and it has earned its place in television and Christmas history.
- CreatorKazumasa HiraiJirô KuwataStarsSandy WarshawJack MetgerJerry BerkeAfter Special Agent Peter Brady of the Metropolitan Crime Prevention Bureau is fatally shot by criminals, Professor Genius transfers Brady's mind into his 8th robot creation, naming him 8th Man. One of the first anime TV series ever made.Animated series, based on the manga 8 Man, about an android hero. The was also a live action movie, which was followed by an OVA sequel, Eight Man After.
- StarsBud CollyerJackson BeckJack GrimesSuperman protects Metropolis and the world from a variety of threats while working at the Daily Planet as Clark Kent.Filmation launched the first of their cartoon series, derived from the DC Comics characters. Bud Collier, voice of Supes on radio and in the Fleischer cartoons, would essay the character here. Fairly faithful to the Weisinger era of Superman, with more violence than would be allowed in later cartoons, like the Super Friends. Filmation would also produce at least one Superman cartoon for use on Sesame Street, in the early days.
- CreatorLorenzo Semple Jr.William DozierStarsAdam WestBurt WardAlan NapierThe Caped Crusader and his young ward battle evildoers in Gotham City.Massively popular in its time, which helped elevate sales of the comics. Many modern comic fans would have you believe that the series nearly killed the character but the truth is far more complex. Batman had experienced years of silly stories, only to begin returning to its more serious roots when the tv series was launched. The series proved popular, so the comics started to adapt the campy tone, but it didn't last and the comics went back to serious, eventually losing any sense of humor in the 80s. The tv series is loads of fun, particularly any episode with the Penguin or Catwoman. the first season scripts are very funny and have some of the most solid stories, but things started to get shakey in the second season. Batgirl was added for the third, but the scripts were rarely up to previous standards. The series is also the poster child for the legal issues in reissuing old tv series on dvd.
- DirectorJoseph LoseyStarsMonica VittiTerence StampDirk BogardeStylish ex-con Modesty Blaise and her partner Willie Garvin are tasked by the British Secret Service with preventing her rival Gabriel from stealing diamonds that are to be delivered to her adoptive father, a Sheikh.Campy adaptation of the British comic strip by Joseph Losey. Most of what made the strip great is jettisoned in favor of 60s camp and weirdness. The film has fans; but, not generally amongst the fans of the strip.
- DirectorBill MelendezStarsPeter RobbinsChristopher SheaSally DryerThe Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween while Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin.Second of the Peanuts specials and second in quality only to the Christmas special. Here, Charlie Brown gets nothing but rocks, while Linus and Sally wait for the Great Pumpkin to rise out of the pumpkin patch and Snoopy tries to get across enemy lines, after being shot down by the Red Baron ("Curse you!"). Loads of fun.
- DirectorLeslie H. MartinsonStarsAdam WestBurt WardLee MeriwetherThe Dynamic Duo faces four supervillains who plan to hold the world for ransom with the help of a secret invention that instantly dehydrates people.Feature film produced between seasons 1 and 2 of the tv series. the film pits the dynamic duo against the 4 biggest baddies: Joker, Penguin, Riddler, and Catwoman (hee played by Lee Merriwether. The film is Batboat-loads of fun, especially the notorious "bomb scene." This was a childhood favorite and holds up pretty well as an action film, assuming you have a sense of humor about the whole thing. The film budget allowed for the creation of the Batboat, Batcopter, and Batcycle; which would all turn up again in the tv series. My only question was how flipping a switch on the way down the Batpoles changed them into costume? When I was young, I thought they stopped somewhere along the way down, at some kind of Bat-dressing room, changed, then jumped back on the poles to the bottom. Made as much sense as anything else.
- DirectorUmberto LenziStarsGlenn SaxsonHelga LinéAndrea BosicA mastermind thief known as Kriminal narrowly escapes execution. He always manages to stay one step ahead of the law with each new crime he commits. Will Kriminal be able to pull of his biggest score yet or will a double cross lead to his demise?Adaptation of the fumetti negri, a more violent rival of Diabolik.
- DirectorYûgo SerikawaStarsHiroyuki ÔtaJudy OnggArihiro FujimuraNine people from different countries are turned into super-powered cyborgs.This popular manga has spawned several films and tv series.
- CreatorJack KirbyStan LeeStarsPaul FreesGerald MohrJack DeLeonFour costumed superheroes battle the world's most terrifying villains.This foray into other media for Marvel Comics came from Hanna-Barbera. The whole gang is here, and stories are adapted from the comics, but it doesn't quite have the same punch as Lee & Kirby. Alex Toth created some of the character models (mostly villains), which contributes to the more "DC" look of the cartoons, rather than resembling the Kirby designs. Kirby would get to correct this in the 70s. Not bad, but not much to distinguish it from the other H-B adventure cartoons of the 60s.
- CreatorTatsuo YoshidaStarsKatsuji MoriPeter FernandezCorinne OrrTeenager Gô Mifune aspires to be the world's best race-car champion with the help of his friends, family and his father's high-tech race-car, the Mach 5.Debuting first as a manga series, titled Mach Gogogo, it quickly found itself adapted as an anime series for tv, which proved hugely popular. The series was exported to the US, where it became known as Speed Racer. The series follows the adventures of Speed, his family and friends, as he competes in dangerous races across the globe. Along the way he finds himself embroiled in criminal plots, espionage, revolutions and other drama. One of his rivals, Racer X, is secretly his long lost brother Rex, who is also a secret agent. the series was a favorite of the 60s and 70s, both for its exciting stories and rather fevered English dialogue. It would go on to spawn an American cartoon series and a Japanese revamp, plus a live-action film from the Wachowskis. The live action film took a drubbing at the box office, but is better than many critics would suggest, though not up to the Matrix standards. It's essentially B-movie adventure that just asks you to sit back and enjoy the ride.
- DirectorRay GoossensStarsRoger CarelJacques MorelPierre TornadeAsterix, the most cunning warrior of a Gaulish village resisting Roman occupation, must save their magic potion-brewing druid Getafix when he is kidnapped by a Phonus Balonus.Animated debut of the tremendously popular Gallic warrior. It would spawn a sequal, which also adapted one of the bande desinee stories. Other Asterix properties would follow, though generally not as good as the early ones.
- StarsMitsunobu KanekoToshiyuki TsuchiyamaKôichi ChibaA young boy aids in the fight against a terrorist organization as the sole controller of a prototype giant robot.Known as Giant Robo in Japan and based on the manga of the same name. Johnny aids international security organization Unicorn, in its battles with the Gargoyle Gang, an alien-led group, bent on conquering the Earth. Johnny controls the Giant Robot via a communicator, disguised as a watch. Lots of fun for fans of espionage action and kaiju battles.
- StarsRanfan OuUlf ÔtsukiHarold ConwayGoldar and his family of robots are sent to earth to stop Rodak the conqueror, in his plans of destroy the earth aided by his giant kaijus and shapeshifting minions: the lugo-men.Another Japanese series, Ambassador Magma, redubbed into English. This time, the robot is an alien who comes to protect the Earth.
- CreatorStan LeeSteve DitkoStarsPaul SolesPeg DixonPaul KligmanOriginal cartoon series based on the web-slinging Marvel comic book character, Peter Parker, who, after being bit by a radioactive spider, assumes extraordinary powers.Gantray-Lowell was the studio behind the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. The animation was simpler than even Hanna-Barbera or Filmation, but it served its purpose and many of the villains were along for the ride. The theme song was a longtime comic fan favorite and was wonderfully covered in the 90s by the Ramones.
- StarsHenri GrandsireAlain LeguellecTony FranklinMichel Vaillant, the son of a car builder must learn the tricks of the trade while getting in love with Valérie - a young photographer who helps him- while he participate in races.Popular French tv series based on the equally popular bande desinee. The comics were noted for their accuracy and the tv series used footage from acutal races. It would spawn an animated series and an updated film in 2003.
- StarsJacques SantiChristian MarinValéry InkijinoffIn the 1960s, two fighter pilots are assigned to Dijon air base, France.TV series, based on the popular bande desinee Tanguy et Laverdure, about a pair of pilots. A film version would be released in the new millenium.
- DirectorRoger VadimStarsJane FondaJohn Phillip LawAnita PallenbergIn the 41st century, an astronaut partakes in sexy misadventures while seeking to stop an evil scientist who threatens to bring evil back into the galaxy.Roger Vadim directs wife Jane Fonda in this adaptation of the Jean-Claude Forest bande desinee. Things pretty much follow the comics, which were as campy as the film. Fonda plays it straight, which aids the comedy. the film is a bit too long, though. Costumes and sets are thoroughly psychedelic and the soundtrack is lively 60s pop. Loads of fun if you set your brain on neutral.
- StarsDiana MaddoxPat Harrington Jr.Ted KnightThe adventures of the aquatic superhero and his friends.1st appearance of DC's King of Atlantis, also featuring Aqualad. Some of the villains made it over from the comics, but it lacked the appeal of Superman or Batman. The series was paired with Superman, later, and also featured individual cartoons with Green Lantern, Flash, Hawkman, and Atom, as well as the group combined as the Justice League. There were also Teen Titan cartoons, though minus Robin.
- StarsBud CollyerBob HastingsJackson BeckThe animated debut of Batman & Robin brings the Dynamic Duo to animated life in Filmation's cult classic take on The Dark Knight and The Boy Wonder, defending Gotham City from The Caped Crusader's Rogues Gallery, one crook at a time.Batman debuted in new cartoons from Filmation, with a model design that combined the Carmine Infantino revamp and the Adam West tv series. Ted Knight voiced most of the villains and Commissioner Gordon, while Olan Soule and Casey Kasem were the Dynamic Duo. They would continue to do so on Scooby Doo and the Super Friends. The series actually allowed the heroes to punch and kick the villains, though this led to an uproar from parental watchdog groups, eading to the neutering of cartoons and pretty much killing the adventure cartoon genre for many years. As with Superman, there were 2 or 3 Batman cartoons produced for early Sesame Street.
- DirectorMario BavaStarsJohn Phillip LawMarisa MellMichel PiccoliA master thief and his sensual lover pull off heist after heist, all while an envious coalition of cops and gangsters is gunning for them.Mario Bava adapts the fumetti negri from Italy. John Phiilip Law is actually pretty good as the super-thief Diabolik, with Marissa Mel as Eva Kant. Terry Thomas turns up for some fun. Very eye catching visuals and a fun plot, with Thunderball's Adolofo Celli as the villain, Valmont.
- StarsHoward MorrisDal McKennonJohn ErwinThe comedic misadventures and music of Archie Andrews and his friends.First cartoon series to feature Archie and the gang from Riverdale. Filmation did a great job, mixing humorous cartoons with musical segments, launching the hit song, "Sugar, sugar." The success of the series would spawn sequels and lead to Hana-Barbera creating a rival series, Scooby Doo.
- DirectorPiero VivarelliStarsMagda KonopkaJulio PeñaUmberto RahoA withered old hag turns into a beautiful young woman after drinking a youth formula.Yet another fumetti negri; still not as good as Diabolik.