Welcome to the Serial Squadron Clubhouse, since 1998, the best place to visit to read or share information about silent and sound cliffhanger movie serials and home of the internet's first most comprehensive radio/TV/movie Cliffhanger Forums (now alphabetized for easy reference), new free member photo albums, the world's only annual all-cliffhanger film festival, the sharpest and highest quality classic movie serial DVDs sold anywhere!

A N N O U N C I N G

THE LONE RANGER (1938) on DVD
Featuring Lee Powell, Herman Brix and Victor "Chief Thunder Cloud" Daniels -- Complete, Unsubtitled, and in English -- Yes, it really is what you think it is! Click here for detailed information about the release or below to order by PayPal. Click "Orders" at left then "Mail Order Form" to order THE LONE RANGER DVD by mail.

Hallelujah, "Llanero Solo" is no more. The Lone Ranger is excellent. Watched it over 2 days, and enjoyed the heck out of it. -- Felix Lynx

What a hoot! I have to say it's, perhaps, the best serial I've ever seen, and I'm a huge fan of Flash Gordon! And your restoration is topnotch. -- Todd VanSlyke, IL

I recieved my copy of the restored Edition of the original Lone Ranger serial and I loved it . . . one of the best serials I have ever seen. Your crew did a great job piecing together this lost treasure and I highly recommend it to anybody interested in classic cliffhangers. -- Herb Dierking

I received my LONE RANGER serial today; I have thus far viewed the first 3 chapters. All I can say to this is WOW! It is exactly as you promised it----flawed in places, but definitely intact, and very viewable . . . your efforts in restoring this serial for us fans deserve a standing ovation. BTW, you may be interested in knowing I viewed these 3 chapters on my computer 22 inch HDMI monitor---and I still found them extremely viewable. You cannot help what wasn't there but thank God I now have this complete edition. Once word gets out, you should sell plenty of this set. Great job, Eric. I doubt anyone else could have done any better. . . I hope all you guys will get a chance to see a remarkable adventure and I do mean SEE IT as complete now as it can possibly be. -- Dr. Tobor

it is exactly as Doc wrote. I did watch it on a large screen TV, and it still looked good. While it isn't close to being like a studio release print, it is miles ahead of what we have seen before. -- Pa Stark

Received my copy today and am VERY pleased, a great improvement over what we've had for so many years . . . It's so good that I can now see which actor is playing the Lone Ranger, as well as Yak's saggy rear end. What fun. -- Kane Richmond

HI folks~ Thanks very much Doc!!!! I've only watched 4 chapters so far, and I have not experienced any disappointment at all seeing it on a 36" TV . . . Great fun. I felt like I was 10 years old again. Thanks again for a job well done. I'm going to take my time with this one and savor every moment. -- WillieJG

WOW ! ! What a difference ! I can finally see clearly what's going on. I just finished watching the first three chapters, because I had to control myself. Although I watched it on my 52" HD TV, I was not disappointed with the quality, and noticed there was not any annoying artifacts or distractions to really complain about. Considering this is made up of pieces of the only existing elements, it is AWESOME ! Doc, you once again outdid yourself. On behalf of all serialdom, Thank you for your efforts on this exciting serial, and keep up the good work. -- The Lightning

Dr. Grood has once again delivered the goods. Looks great. Many thanks! --ADCHIMP

Very nice job -- Chuck Anderson, B-Westerns.com

More Squadron DVD Releases Shipping Now

THE EAGLE in "THE VIGILANTES ARE COMING," the first Republic masked-hero serial and precursor to THE LONE RANGER, starring Robert Livingston, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams and Ray Hatton in an unlikely story about Cossacks trying to take over California. Livingston dons a mask and cape and engages in all sorts of derring-do to try and defeat a would-be dictator and is supported by genuinely funny friends "Salvation" and "Whipsaw" (Williams and Hatton). This new typically clear and high quality Squadron version includes restored sound which has removed crackle and hiss that has been present on the audio track since 1936. 2-DVD set, 12 episodes, black and white. It is amazing what a difference good quality sound makes. $11.95 View Chapter 1 Reel 1.
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The fourth issue of the SERIALFEST DVD MAGAZINE, a 2-DVD collection full of ultra-rare serial chapters, many never before on DVD, that you can watch at home with your serial pals. This issue featuring the hugely entertaining second "round" of THE LEATHER PUSHERS featuring Reginald Denny ON VIDEO with a new full score and sound effects, BEATRICE FAIRFAX Episode 9: "Outside the Law," Chapter 4 of THE VOICE FROM THE SKY: "Danger Ahead", Chapter 6, "The Prey of Sharks" translated and restored of ISLE OF SUNKEN GOLD, new chapters of THE MASKED RIDER, THE MYSTERY TROOPER, ADVENTURES OF THE FLYING CADETS, THE PHANTOM EMPIRE, a Ralph Byrd short ROAD TO BERLIN and the "lost" Lone Ranger home movie cartoon. No serial fan should be without this great collection! 2-DVD set $19.95 See a video excerpt from THE LEATHER PUSHERS | See the VOICE FROM THE SKY trailer | See the MASKED RIDER trailer
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Order by mail: SerialFest DVD Series Issue #4 (Aug 2009) BACK ISSUES of the SerialFest DVD Magazine are available also; see www.serialfest.org for more information.

ISLE OF SUNKEN GOLD Vol. 2 (Mascot 1927) is complete now and on its way to Prince Barin for shipping to you. This DVD includes restored English versions of the recently discovered lost middle chapters (4, 5, 6) of the serial with a lush score of natural sound effects and native drums. Stars Anita Stewart, Bruce Gordon, Curtis "Snowball" McHenry and Kong the fanged ape, with a brief appearance by Duke Kahanamoku. Also includes the reel from Chapter 7 unrestored and as discovered for comparison. There may neve be a volume 1 or 3 in this set but at least we are able to see these episodes, which may actually be the only examples of silent Mascot serial chapters in existence. View Chapter 4 Reel 1 | Chapter 4 Reel 2
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Excellent service, amazing products!" -- customer David Carroll, Massachusetts

We offer the sharpest and best versions of many classic serials to be found anywhere! And, lucky you, here they are! See their individual pages for more information, sample chapters, framegrabs, reviews and lots more!

"It's always a pleasure trading with you guys. Quality product and quick efficient service. I always appreciate the little extras you include on your restorations. I especially loved the bull session you guys included on THE LONE RANGER [RIDES AGAIN] serial. It reminded me of my old convention attending days . . . Thanks again for your efforts." -- Customer G.A. Still, Tennessee

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED GANG BUSTERS restored to premium sharpness

The FIGHTING MARINES the last Mascot serial, featuring the villainous Tiger Shark!

HOLT OF THE SECRET SERVICE with Squadron member commentary on all chapters

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED KING OF THE MOUNTIES with restored music and sound effects, and reconstructed missing sequences and dialogue

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THE LONE RANGER RIDES AGAIN with restored chapter openings/closings, cliffhangers and subtitle-free for the first time since 1939; 30-minute commentary by Squadron members

THE MYSTERY SQUADRON with restored sound, picture and chapter endings

THE PAINTED STALLION with play-as-feature option, 3-color alternate version of Chapter 1

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THE PHANTOM EMPIRE with period score, sepia/silver tones, extras.

THE SIGN OF THE WOLF in light sepia tone with optional period score

NEW! S O S COAST GUARD special edition with restored sound, original theatrical trailer, and alternate edition with warm/cool toned Chapter 1.

UNDERSEA KINGDOM black and white with cool black and white toned underwater scenes

THE VANISHING LEGION in warm and cool black and white tones; restored sound and picture

ZORRO RIDES AGAIN with excellent quality (booming!) restored sound

ZORRO'S BLACK WHIP with Linda Stirling swimsuit slideshow, EL COYOTE TV pilot

ZORRO'S FIGHTING LEGION with stills, original script pages

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED LOST SERIAL COLLECTION (Anthology) 2 DVDs of incredibly rare scenes, trailers, and chapters from dozens of lost serials, featuring Pearl White, Ruth Roland, Warner Oland, Eddie Polo, and many more

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ADVENTURES OF TARZAN with TARZAN OF THE APES prologue, new score, color tints

BEATRICE FAIRFAX 5 episodes of 1916 girl reporter series, restored, new score, original color tints

The JUNGLE PRINCESS 4-chapter condensation with new score and color tints

THE MASKED RIDER the amazing find from 1919, in process of being reconstructed and restored

MALA, Secret Agent of the South Seas 7-chapter condensation of ROBINSON CRUSOE OF CLIPPER ISLAND in color, minus repeated footage and a few cheater chapter endings

ROCKET SHIP Flash Gordon feature version in experimental color and alternate widescreen versions; commentary by Ace Drummond & Dr. Grood

What's an audio DVD? Well, it's like a DVD entirely composed of extras that are audio-only. They hold dozens of hours worth of material, and are great to play on portable DVD players in the car or at home in your DVD player while you work or relax! You see the title of what's playing on the illustrated menu while it plays, and can refer to the printed list of contents on the convenient DVD insert. Many of the following titles have been restored to the best quality possible, and some of them contain up to 50 hours worth of content! The HORROR ARCHIVE, a 5-DVD set, contains 220 hours worth of audio horror -- that's almost 10 days worth of shows, if played straight through!

Click on the DVD links to hear sample stories from each DVD!

NEW ALL-STAR WESTERN THEATER (Archive Edition) 41 hours (85 episodes) of original stories featuring Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage with guests Johnny Mack Brown, Ken Curtis, Allan Lane, Dale Evans, Don "Red" Barry and many more.

The AVENGER(Restored Edition) Mysterious Shadow-like crime-fighter, written by Walter Gibson!

The Complete BLUE BEETLE (Restored Edition) Complete restored collection of one of the first super-heroes of the air!

NEW GREEN VALLEY LINE Serial (Archive Edition) Featuring Rollon Parker and John Todd. 26-episode old-time railroad serial in which big business and a crooked gang try to take over the railroad line that keeps Morristown alive. Bill Reed, the hero, must find out if his father Jacob is involved in the plots while keeping the Green Valley Line running. His girl Kerry and her Pop help out. Highly recommended for railroad buffs who'd like to spend a pleasant afternoon with the friendly folks down at the station.

The Amazing Colossal HORROR ARCHIVE (Archive Edition) Unspeakably huge collection of horror stories, 5 DVD set

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED MASTERS OF HORROR (Restored Archive Edition) Fantastic collection of radio appearances of Karloff, Lugosi, Lorre, Price and Rathbone. One of our best-selling and most entertaining titles.

MONSTERS (Restored Archive Edition) The complete radio FRANKENSTEIN serial, werewolves, vampires, and much more

NEW MOON OVER AFRICA Serial (Restored Edition) The atmospheric adventures of Professor Anton Edwards, his daughter Lorna, her fiance Jack Martin and Masai Prince N'Guru in the lost jungles of French Equatorial Africa. Presented complete in 13 double-length 20 minute chapters. Written by Talbot Mundy. Sound completely restored for the best-quality version of this serial available anywhere. Also includes restored versions of other African adventures including She, The Green Goddess (featuring Orson Welles), Obgobi, Pollock and the Porroh Man, and the classic Leinengen vs. the Ants (featuring William Conrad).

PIRATES - SEA ADVENTURES Treasure Island, the complete Voyage of the Scarlet Queen, MAGIC ISLAND, CRUISE OF THE POLL PARROT, PORTS OF CALL series and much more

NEW THE ROY ROGERS SHOW (Archive Edition) 35 hours of original radio programs, including Night Riders, Black Gold, The Mysterious Puppet, Diamond Smuggling, Lawman's Badge, Roar of the River, and many more, from 1951-1953 featuring the admirable cowboy hero and his companions Dale Evans and Gabby Hayes, and Roy's trusted mount Trigger. Lots of music here also by the top-notch Western quartet the Sons of the Pioneers. 76 programs.

THE SHADOW OF FU MANCHU (Restored Edition) 63 Programs

SWORDS OF ADVENTURE / THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL Robin Hood, Three Musketeers, Knights of the Round Table and more swashbuckling adventures, including 63 Programs from the 1950s syndicated radio series starring Marius Goring, who also played the title character on TV. It is 1792 and the streets of Paris are awash in blood. Sir Percy Blakeney, an English gentleman who poses as a fop assembles a secret society to rescue the falsely accused from the guillotine during the "reign of terror." His identity known only to his agents, the rest of society, and his arch enemy, French Republican Chauvelin -- know of him only as "The Scarlet Pimpernel."

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CASEBOOK OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (Archive Edition) Basil Rathbone (and sometimes Tom Conway) and Nigel Bruce in half-hour Holmes stories

TARZAN AUDIO DRAMA COLLECTION: RADIO SERIALS & TARZAN, LORD OF JUNGLE (Archive Edition) TARZAN OF THE APES, and two other serials, one featuring James (King Thun) Pierce, and the more sophisticated 1950s half-hour TARZAN, LORD OF THE JUNGLE programs.

NEW TALES OF THE TEXAS RANGERS (Archive Edition) 59 programs, 29 hours of crime dramas featuring the Texas Rangers.

The 2010 Serial Squadron Calendar

featuring 12 original full-quality stills from the Republic serials THE LONE RANGER and THE LONE RANGER RIDES AGAIN from the Lightning and Stringham collections is ready now in printed form for purchase (and free download to all those who bought the Lone Ranger DVD! The secret Squadron password = the last word in the descriptive paragraph on the back of the LONE RANGER DVD cover that begins "The lone survivor . . . ") Click to purchase printed calendar $17.49 from Lulu.com / LONE RANGER DVD owners: Click to download free PDF version

The Serial Squadron interview at Matinee at the Bijou

Dr. Grood is currently working on SERIALFEST DVD MAGAZINE Issue 4 (which is almost ready to go), THE SERIALFEST 2009 ANNUAL, THE MASKED RIDER Vol 2, the ADVENTURES OF HARRY HOUDINI radio serial, THE VOICE FROM THE SKY , THE TRAIL OF THE OCTOPUS, the lost serial novel THE MYSTERY MIND, extra-high quality digital transfers of THE DEVIL HORSE and THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS and a secret Republic serial restoration project!

Some great NEW serials are also in production now by the Squadron. Here's a sneak peek:

ADVENTURES OF HARRY HOUDINI by Greg Gick
What would it have been like if Houdini had had his own radio show in the 1930s? And what if the writers of WEIRD TALES wrote the scripts? A new original 5- Episode Audio Adventure Featuring Brittany Kirkpatrick and Ryan Long

MYSTERIES OF MYRA, a sequel and partial re-creation of the notorious long-lost 1916 occult serial newly realized with a beautiful new star, beginning with Episode 1: The Secret Chamber. Can a girl who may be the modern-day reincarnation of a psychic discover the secrets hidden in the history of a lost 1916 movie serial filmed in Ithaca, New York, beautiful heiress Myra Maynard, paranormal investigator Payson Alden, and a mysterious cult called the Black Order and in doing so survive the terrors of mysterious forces threatening to steal her soul?

THE TRAIL OF THE OCTOPUS, featuring Ben Wilson and Neva Gerber -- A bizarre story of secret passageways with eyes that peer through the dark, an Asian mastermind, a set of crooked daggers, a master sleuth, a mystic and a masked mystery man called Monsieur X. The digital transfer for this serial is now complete and will not need too much restoration work as the original film was in pretty good condition. Only one chapter is entirely missing, 9, for which no script, novelization or other full summary exists, so you will just have to use your imaginations for that one. If you have any lobby cards or stills from this serial please send us high quality scans of them for which in return you will receive a discount or free DVD copy of the serial.

SerialFest 2009 cast & a few attendees after the production of THE BLACK CANYON

Please visit http://www.serialfest.org or click SERIALFEST at left for more information!

WELCOME TO THE SERIAL SQUADRON

The Serial Squadron is a group of hard-working, dedicated staff members and volunteers, supported by film historians and restorers, writers, actors, artists, researchers, collectors and professionals in the current entertainment industry dedicated to releasing as much interesting and sometimes historical cliffhanger-related material as we can provide for fans of fhe serial form.

We do not allow hype, spam, or links to unlicensed DVDs in our forums, or endorse racist, ethnocentrist, misogynist, sadist or hostile points of view here. Nor do we root for the "bad guys." We watch serials in installments as they were meant to be seen and recognize and appreciate them as unique examples of the art of film melodrama which include flaws as did most films of their time but also at first endorsed the rights of women during a time before they even had the vote, then developed into the fantasies of children growing up in a world at war and have continued to influence filmmaking ever since.

We are not so much serial "collectors" here but serial "enjoyers" who in spite of any flaws they may have appreciate the amazing stunt work, innovations in editing, performances of the underpaid actors, and stories about the production of the cinema equivalent of golden age comic books.

We are also here to share, not to take things that don't belong to us or try and dominate the conversation on the forums, in the chat room or elsewhere. Please enjoy your visit with us and help us keep the Squadron clubhouse clean and restore order after having undergone attacks from serial villains by keeping your comments cordial, calm and constructive in the chat room and on the forums.

We are out to show you the best time possible with our restored and remastered DVDs, Audio DVDs, and Books, keeping in mind entertainment value, historical value and also that most serials after 1930 or so were made for children and some could still be watched by them today. We also sponsor and endorse worthy new works that keep the serial form alive in a new milennium.

Thanks for visiting and happy cliffhanging!

New Online Serials of Interest
Dr. Horrible | Mercury Men | Angel of Death | Red vs. Blue

Recommended Links
Silent Serials | Silent Era | Western Clippings | Grapevine Video | Matinee at the Bijou
Hollow Earth Expedition role-playing game

SERIALFEST 2010 LOCATION ANNOUNCED!
More info HERE

Chat with other cliffhanger serial fans with other fans in the LONE RANGER'S CAVE (Click to enter) Sundays at 6pm Pacific / 7pm Mountain / 8pm Central / 9pm Eastern time! REAL-TIME SERIAL-VIEWING CHATS will be scheduled when new Squadron DVDs are released!

UPCOMING RELEASES

BEATRICE FAIRFAX Vol. 2
Episodes 6-10 of the groundbreaking 1916 series including the long-unseen "Play Ball" featuring Olive Thomas. Note: BEATRICE FAIRFAX Vol. 2 will be on its way to those who preordered about March 15, at which time it will be put back up for sale.


THE MASKED RIDER Vol. 2
The second of three volumes in the set including the chapters discovered in closest to complete form. "The Fight on the Dam" between Harry Myers and Paul Panzer as Pancho is not to be missed!


THE MYSTERIES OF MYRA
The lost original novelization by Hereward Carrington, with dozens of photos from the serial.


THE MASKED RIDER
Companion book full of incredibly rare photos and background information as well as the original scripts for missing chapters in the serial.


CLIFFHANGER TREASURY
166 pages of comics from the 1930s and 40s inspired by serials or vice versa, including ROCKETMAN, THE MASKED MARVEL, SPY SMASHER, BUSTER CRABBE, ROCKY LANE, THE PHANTOM CREEPS,THUNDA, KING OF THE CONGO, the complete 52-page 6-chapter adaptation of PERILS OF NYOKA and much more!

SHERLOCK HOLMES FANS
Did you enjoy the new movie? Pick up this wonderful Audio DVD collection of 107 additional cases of the super sleuth, as played by Basil Rathbone and others! Only $4.95! Listen to THE CARPATHIAN HORROR!

New Books

THE TOM TYLER STORY Mike Chapman and Bobby Copeland's book on the life and career of Tom Tyler is still available. Written with the help of the Tyler family, the 7 x 10 trade paperback contains about 125 pages and many photos. Most know Tyler made two terrific serials - portraying comic book characters:  The Phantom, and Captain Marvel. In addition he was the hero in many westerns - both silent and sound before becoming an accomplished character actor. The book contains lots of family info and photos; there's lots more detail and photos on Tyler's weightlifting, Los Angeles Athletic Club and AAU period; there's a bunch of photos of Tom and his wife Jeanne Martel, including some marriage photos; there's info on Tom's real estate business; there's a Tyler filmography; and you'll learn the real details about the medical problems which caused his death in 1954. Lots of new and interesting tidbits, and a good read. Regular price $22.00 - now $17.50 - (USA postage paid). Order from: Bobby Copeland, 104 Claremont, Oak Ridge, TN 37830-7114 Autographed by Bobby upon request. bobbycopeland@comcast.net

CAPES, CROOKS & CLIFFHANGERS: Heroic Serial Posters of the Golden Age By John E. Petty and Grey Smith, with a Foreword by Noel Neill Batman! Superman! Flash Gordon! The Green Hornet! Captain Marvel! All of these colorful characters, and many others from the comics, pulps, and radio, made their silver screen debuts as multi-part serials, in which the hero would face certain death at the end of each chapter, urging their fans to return week after week to continue their thrilling adventures. Now, you can relive these hair-raising chapterplays, and thrill to hundreds of images of rare and seldom-seen movie poster material, in this exciting new archival-quality 312-page full color book.
DOWNLOAD SAMPLE PDF
This book is complete and shipping now. $39.95. -- Order from this link

NOW SOME OF THE BEST OF THE ORIGINAL CLIFFHANGER SERIALS CAN BE SEEN AGAIN! The first four Lost Serial Photonovels are finished and shipping now. Note: these are full bookstore-quality publications -- nice books! -- with glossy color covers and contain photographs and illustrations from the original serials in their proper place in the story, so you can experience the closest thing possible to having seen these serials, which now no one still living has, in a theater. An absolute must for serial completists. Click the blue links below for more information on these great lost serials including sample photos, discussion threads, and PDF previews.
THE BLACK BOX (Universal 1915) featuring Herbert Rawlinson
UNDER THE CRESCENT (Universal 1914) starring Ola Humphrey and Edward Sloman
THE STRANGE CASE OF MARY PAGE (Essanay 1916) with Edna Mayo and Henry B. Walthall
THE TREY O'HEARTS (1914) starring George Larkin, Cleo Madison and Edward Sloman