New Releases:
(1920) Slightly edited version of 15 chapter serial, black and white
Arline Pretty, Henry G. Sell
A WOMAN IN GREY is considered to be one of "the last of the adult serials." A beautifully photographed, edited action melodrama, with excellent acting in all roles. Produced in Wilkes-Barre, PA., it has crisp editing, fast action, and carefully lit and composed interiors and lush pictorial exteriors. This is a serial of great complexity with the director, the photographer and title-maker always in absolute control. There is a hint of Griffith's influence with experimental lighting and camera angles occurring throughout the film. The extraordinary rhythmic momentum of the film is never lost despite the films complex plot turns. 226 Minutes.
Two disc DVD Set; List price $24.95 Special Squadron Member Price $19.95
(1926) Complete 10 chapter serial, color tinted
Charles Hutchison, Sheldon Lewis, Edith Thornton
Transferred from an original 35mm tinted nitrate print. Daredevil and tough-guy Larry Hutchdale (Charles Hutchison) swings into action to prevent the ruthless, wealthy Boris Kosloff (longtime serial villain Sheldon Lewis), who lives on his own island off the California coast, from acquiring the Thornwall poison gas formula and stealing his lovely girlfriend Diane (Edith Thornton). Hutchison's film career lasted from 1914 until 1944. He acted and directed many films in his lifetime, but was best known for excellent stunt work in silent serials. Though Hutchison had been performing for a while when he made LIGHTNING HUTCH (in fact, it was his final serial) some of that early bravado is still in evidence here as Hutchison fearlessly climbs dangerous cliffs to get to Kosloff's creepy island-castle lair, jumps from high staircases onto his enemies to rescue his sweetheart, swings from chandeliers out of windows, and drives his motorcycle off of the edge of a lifting bridge, among other stunts, without even the suggestion of a camera trick or cut. This was made back when it was all "done for real," folks! Other standard serial-deathtraps such as a moving spiked-wall room trap are also in evidence here, and it's kind of fun to see that Hutch is so tough he doesn't look scared a bit, only pissed off by such minor annoyances. The trailer for his earlier cliffhanger HURRICANE HUTCH can be seen in the Squadron's LOST SERIAL COLLECTION DVD, however, this is the only complete Hutchison serial available to collectors, and maybe movie bit player William H. Pratt even got inspired by the villain's name when he saw it in its day. Nicely scored with period ensemble orchestra music.
Two disc DVD Set; List price $29.95 Special Squadron Member Price $24.95
(1926) Complete 10 chapter serial, black and white
Ben Wilson, Neva Gerber, Ruth Royce, Al Ferguson, Jack Mower, Phil Ford, Lafe McKee
The Frog, a freakish limping criminal mastermind who roams street and sewer, is on the loose. Police officer 444 (Ben Wilson) must find him before he can rule the world after stealing and misusing a medical miracle called Haverlyite. The inventor's kidnapped daughter, (Neva Gerber), assorted rogues, and the imprisoned victims of a Dr. Blakeley's medical research keep things busy in the Frog's "cavern." Indeed, Blakeley (Al Ferguson) may BE the Frog -- and so might be Professor Kalium of the International Society of Scientists. Lafe McKee, Wilson, and Jack Mower make police headqauarters a spirited place in the manner of the sergeants in a John Ford cavalry movie, while Ruth Royce is ever-menacing as the Vulture, "subtle aide" to the Frog. Frank Baker plays "Dago Frank," a crooked underling. Appearing "in person" is August Vollmer, Chief of Police in Berkeley, California. Sets are used ingeniously in this serial, the crooks even changing them at one point. Ben Wilson and Neva Gerber starred in a number of serials from the late silent era. This is one of the few that has survived. Luckily it's lively as can be, with fights and macabre insanity abounding, and great fun. If you are a fan of the James Horne serials of the sound era, you need this one too. Scored with sometimes a little too fast and furious but appropriate period ensemble orchestra production music.
Two DVD Disc Set; List price $24.95 -- Special Squadron Member price $19.95
(1914) 9 Episodes, color tinted
Pearl White, Crane Wilbur, Paul Panzer
This groundbreaking episodic serial (originally extended to 20 weeks from the original 13) was the first wildly successful American continued-story serial and influenced many more made in the next decade. Every two weeks Pauline (Pearl White) evaded different murderous attempts on her life. She survives the plots of her dastardly guardian Koerner (Paul Panzer) who wants her inherited fortune for himself and will stop at nothing to get it. The episodes are self-contained but each contains a new cliffhanging peril -- a giant rolling boulder (yep, Pauline was way ahead of Indiana Jones), a deadly balloon, etc., for Pauline to escape. A must for every serious serial collector's library.
Note: This DVD presents the 9-episode version of the serial released in Europe, as found on 9.5mm film, and is an english "re-translation" of the only version of the serial known to exist, so picture quality is less than should be expected of transfers made from 16mm or 35mm prints, but it's still pretty good.
All-new orchestra score.
1 Dual-layer DVD with printed face; List price $24.95 Special Squadron Member Price $19.95
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