Reviews (1)

Enjoyable 1950s Adventure Series
Jon Hall stars as Dr. Tom Reynolds, or "Ramar" in this jungle adventure series set in Africa and, later, India. The series ran 52 episodes over a two year period from 1952 to 1954 and was broadcast well into the 1960s in syndication. The stock scenes of wildlife were good, but didn't always mesh well with scenes set in obvious studio "jungles." Besides Hall, also in the weekly cast were Ray Montgomery as Professor Howard Ogden and Nick Stewart as their native guide, Willy-Willy. Look for Woody (billed as "Woodrow") Strode in two of the four episodes on this DVD.

Alpha Video's DVD presentation is reasonably good, considering the age of the broadcasts; video contrast is, for the most part, good and the audio is clear throughout all four episodes. The show isn't great, but it's enjoyable enough on its own terms and will certainly bring back lots of memories for Baby Boomers and those who enjoy television from the early days. Alpha has also released a second volume on DVD with an additional four episodes. Episode titles on this first volume include "Dark Venture," "Voice of the Past," "King of the Watus," and "Lady of the Leopards."

My rating is closer to *** & 1/2. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Round Two of Ramar
Here's another four episodes of the 1950s jungle adventure series that starred Jon Hall as Dr. Tom Reynolds, Ray Montgomery as Professor Howard Ogden, and Nick Stewart as their guide Willy-Willy. All four episodes are, again, set in Africa. If you already have Volume 1 of Ramar, you will undoubtedly enjoy these four additional episodes. The audio/visual quality of this set is on a par with Volume 1 . . . audio is clear and the video portion is relatively defect free, though I doubt that Alpha Video did anything in the way of digital restoration. Woody Strode does not appear in any of the episodes on this set as he did on Volume 1, but look for a young Bernie (billed as "Bernard") Hamilton in the "Savage Challenge" episode. Hamilton went on to a long career in television and films; this is one of his earliest appearances. Nick Stewart, from the Amos and Andy television series, seemingly adds a little more humor to these episodes than those in Volume 1.

The episodes included in Volume 2 include: "Idol Voo-Doo," "Mark of the Bola," "Curse of the Devil Doll," and "Savage Challenge."

As was the case with Volume 1, my rating is closer to *** & ½ stars. It would be interesting to see some of the Ramar episodes that were set in India; hopefully Alpha Video will consider releasing some of the Indian episodes if there is ever a Volume 3 release. ... Read more

Amazon.com

There's no Batmobile, and Robert Lowery looks a bit, ahem, well-fed as the Caped Crusader, but Columbia Pictures' 1949 black-and-white serial Batman and Robin is up to its cape and cowl in cliffhangers, crime capers, and good old-fashioned rock-em-sock-em action. Directed at a breakneck pace by serial vet Spencer Gordon Bennett, the Complete 1949 Movie Serial Collection's 15 episodes pits Lowery's Batman and Johnny Duncan as the Boy Wonder against arch-villain The Wizard, who has designs on a remote-control device that doubles as a death ray. Jane Adams's Vicki Vale is on hand to fall into peril at least once per episode, while Ed Wood regular Lyle Talbot looks on sternly as Commissioner Gordon. Viewers weaned on Tim Burton's dark, sleek interpretation of the Batman mythos will undoubtedly groan over the creaky dialogue and performances (creator Bob Kane was no fan, either), but fans with designs on absorbing every bit of Bat-trivia possible will probably get a kick out of this well-intentioned attempt at bringing the Dark Knight's adventures to screen. The episodes are divided onto two DVDs, which offer no extras. --Paul Gaita ... Read more

Reviews (24)

This dvd edition does include more footage
In response to another review below, someone mentioned that he remembered the first episode being about 10 minutes longer than the VHS release.I have seen both the VHS release and the dvd and can verify that, yes, the first episode of the dvd edition is about 9 or 10 minutes longer.The additional footage helps it make a bit more sense, though nothing critical was left out.

The picture quality is good for something this old.It's still pretty hokey, but it's good for what it was.It's fun to see Batman in the 1940's, just 10 years after his creation and to see how the character has evolved over the years.

I wonder why they didn't use the box art from the vhs release?

I too would like to see the 1943 movie serials released on dvd, and the 1960's Batman television show as well.With the new Batman Begins movie about to open in theaters, what better time?

Give me these guys over rubber suits with nipples anyday.
Approach serials with this one thought in mind--when they were made, they were the filler before the main event. As a result, no, they didn't have great budgets or highly talented actors. In addition, comic book characters were not approached with the same sense of reverence they are now (perhaps a little TOO much reverence sometimes). There is no batmobile, no Joker or Penguin. Still, this is a fairly typical, and entertaining serial from the 1940's that's a lot more family friendly than some of the other superhero fare being marketed these days. Worth a look, and since it probably won't be around for long, you might want to snatch it up while you can. The sound and picture quality are quite good.

i want my 60s batman please
Mainly just wanted to say that obvious effort was put into the digital transfer.Not Casablanca level but verycrisp.Nice to see where my favorite Batman serial[ 1960s]got some ideas.I Hope that it comes out in this lifetime to.Adam West Rules!

BETTER THAN ANY OF THE BATFILMS FROM KEATON TO CLOONEY
Okay, okay! I know the budget was almost non existant. But I'm referring to the fun, excitement, and adventure! Something modern day film makers have either forgotten or would prefer the special effects tell the story instead. All the shortcomings mentioned in other reviews are true. However the shortcomings are as human as the people involved. You'll recognize OLD CAP from the Little Rascals "When I get my back pension these kids will never have to eat mush again" playing suspect Prof. Hammil. This can be watched almost anytime but my favorite time is on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Robert Lowrey's contrasting portrayal of Bruce Wayne and Batman is still the best on screen performance I've ever seen. Like other reviewers I too hope that the 1943 [The Batman] will be released on DVD (unedited of coarse). I hope our Japanese friends will be forgiving and understand that was only the sentiment of the time. And that we harbor no ill feelings. We only wish that a piece of film history would be maintained. BUT SOMETHING TELLS ME, THEY WON'T RELEASE THAT ONE UNLESS ENOUGH PEOPLE BUY THIS ONE. So if your really into Batman and all his incarnations, buy this. I promise youll enjoy it immensly. It is far more entertaining than the 1997 Clooney, O'Donnell version of the same name.

Priceless inanity -at least as good as anything from Ed Wood
I'll admit I'm not familiar with the 1943 serial. The serials I *am* familiar with (including the creaky Poverty Row Lugosi ones) are really MUCH worse than this, at least for pure **entertainment** value. But perhaps my "entertainment scale" is different - I can't recall such a high knee-slapper/howler ratio in anything other than an Ed Wood movie. The dialogue isn't just stilted - it's moronic on every conceivable level! (After Batman gets the stuffing beat out of him and is picking himself up off the edirt, Robin helpfully points out that the crooks "are getting away in their car". Gee - THAT'S why they call him the "Boy Wonder" (though he looks closer to 30 than 20). Frequently, the actors look as though they are improvising or just saying whatever comes into their head. And although the action is downright FRANTIC (numerous fistfights, burning buildings, spectacular car-off-the-cliff crashes, gunfights, airplanes exploding, etc.), the actual plot never moves forward. Things I learned: radioactive money bursts into flames when removed from it's envelope. Getting a daily beating doesn't affect your handsome good looks. Changing into a bat costume in the back of a convertible doesn't attract any attention. "Remote control" machines run on diamonds. The "Bat Signal" works at high noon. Gotham City doesn't have any buildings - it's out in the middle of the California desert somewhere. Batman's "utility belt" can hold a full-sized acetylene torch, including the tank, without showing. "Wayne Manor" is right next door to the Cleaver's house. The "Bat Cave" is underneath that, but is about the right size for a basement. (And it includes the shadows of rubber bats flitting around, too.) I could go on, but I hope that you get the idea. I was a little worried that I'd be sitting through some "Commando Cody"-style drek, but please, take my word for it - this is some of the best, most riffable material I have EVER seen. My absolute highest recommendation. (If you like that sort of thing, that is!!!) ... Read more

Description

Ride the trail to whip crackin' excitement with Zorro's Black Whip.This 12-chapter serial is the follow-up to 1940's The Mark of Zorro and the sixth film in the Zorro saga.It's the 1880s and Dan Hammond (Francis McDonald) is hellbent on blocking a proposal for Idaho's statehood.To not be opposed, he murders political rival Randolph Meredith (Jay Kirby).Randolph's sister Barbara (Linda Stirling, Tiger Woman in Perils of Darkest Jungle), stealthy with a bullwhip and six-shooter, dons a black suit and mask, becoming the titular "Black Whip".As the avenging vigilante female succesor to the world-renowned hero Zorro, Barbara sets out to foil the evil Hammond and his henchmen at every turn. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

GREAT SERIL WITH LINDA STRILING AS A FEMAIL ZORRO!!!
THIS SHOW IS EATHER 12 OR 15 CHAPTERS AND A LOT OF FUN!!! SEE IT HAVE YOUR KIDS WATCH IT TOO YOU WILL ALL ENJOY IT!!!!

A very long look back.
Zorro's Black Whip(1944)With Linda Stirling is a (Classic.)The Black Whip inspired me and hundreds of other kids in Trenton.NJ. and surrounding areas in the mid 1940s.It showed at a theater called the Riottoe, later came to be called the Ranch. 11 Pennington Ave, Trenton.NJ. For kids under twelve a nickel over twelve a dime.We never related the Black Whip with Zorro.I am sixty five and I was seven when I first saw the Black Whip,fifty eight years ago and today I still would like to see Zorro's Black Whip. The theater was demolished in 2001.

Linda Sterling at her best
This is among the best of the western serials. It doesn't really follow the Zorro tradition either storywise or in geographical setting. But it has some of the best western serial action you'll find. As far as having a female Zorro type character, why not? Hey, Linda does quite well for herself as a dashing heroine. And the minor characters, such as the newspaper editor, add much to the fun. This is for enjoyment and not for nitpicking.

Republic Pictures Cracks the Whip.
Idaho ~ 1889. While the honest citizens stop growing spuds long enough to foster statehood, dastardly elements in the community try to frustrate the process for their own greedy reasons. Into this conflict rides the Black Whip and saves the day, repeatedly. Let's set the record straight. This 12-chapter serial is guilty of a misnomer. The Black Whip is a mysterious masked rider, but not Zorro. After all, what would Zorro, the hero of Old California, be doing in Idaho territory in 1889? Anyway, Western adventure fans will enjoy the hard-riding, slam-bang action sequences of this breathless serial. The legendary Yakima Canutt is the second unit director, which explains the great stunt work. Typical of all serials, the threadbare plot is merely an excuse for the fast-paced action. George Lewis later played Guy Williams' father in Disney's '50s version of the Zorro legend. Nobody could make Grade B Westerns like Republic Pictures. This may be the only Western set in Idaho. Relax and enjoy the "to-be-continued" nonsense. ;-)

Not Zorro, but good enough
Lovely Linda Stirling, fresh from her starring role in Republic's "Tiger Woman" serial, got to play another athletic female. As noted in other reviews, this serial has nothing to do with Zorro, except mentioning the name in the title and the similarity of outfits for the masked rider. It's a traditional western with a masked hero known as the Black Whip, who is fatally wounded (!) in the first chapter, limps back to his secret cave, and dies -- only to have his sister take over his mission, combating outlaws who are trying to run the territory and keep out statehood. The undercover operative hero is competently played by George Lewis, usually seen as a bad guy (although he was Zorro's sidekick in the future Republic serial, "Ghost of Zorro," and Zorro's father in the Disney TV series). He and Linda Stirling make a terrific team. In the last scene of the first chapter, they save each other's lives about three times in a two-minute wagon chase sequence. ... Read more

Description

In new twist on the classic tale, Zorro's Black Whip is wielded by a strong-willed woman, Barbara Meredith (Linda Stirling), who dons the famous black outfit to stop the gang who killed her newspaper editor father. Filled with derring-do, close calls, and white-knuckle escapes, these are two adventures you'll want to relive again and again! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

GREAT SERIL WITH LINDA STRILING AS A FEMAIL ZORRO!!!
THIS SHOW IS EATHER 12 OR 15 CHAPTERS AND A LOT OF FUN!!! SEE IT HAVE YOUR KIDS WATCH IT TOO YOU WILL ALL ENJOY IT!!!!

A very long look back.
Zorro's Black Whip(1944)With Linda Stirling is a (Classic.)The Black Whip inspired me and hundreds of other kids in Trenton.NJ. and surrounding areas in the mid 1940s.It showed at a theater called the Riottoe, later came to be called the Ranch. 11 Pennington Ave, Trenton.NJ. For kids under twelve a nickel over twelve a dime.We never related the Black Whip with Zorro.I am sixty five and I was seven when I first saw the Black Whip,fifty eight years ago and today I still would like to see Zorro's Black Whip. The theater was demolished in 2001.

Linda Sterling at her best
This is among the best of the western serials. It doesn't really follow the Zorro tradition either storywise or in geographical setting. But it has some of the best western serial action you'll find. As far as having a female Zorro type character, why not? Hey, Linda does quite well for herself as a dashing heroine. And the minor characters, such as the newspaper editor, add much to the fun. This is for enjoyment and not for nitpicking.

Republic Pictures Cracks the Whip.
Idaho ~ 1889. While the honest citizens stop growing spuds long enough to foster statehood, dastardly elements in the community try to frustrate the process for their own greedy reasons. Into this conflict rides the Black Whip and saves the day, repeatedly. Let's set the record straight. This 12-chapter serial is guilty of a misnomer. The Black Whip is a mysterious masked rider, but not Zorro. After all, what would Zorro, the hero of Old California, be doing in Idaho territory in 1889? Anyway, Western adventure fans will enjoy the hard-riding, slam-bang action sequences of this breathless serial. The legendary Yakima Canutt is the second unit director, which explains the great stunt work. Typical of all serials, the threadbare plot is merely an excuse for the fast-paced action. George Lewis later played Guy Williams' father in Disney's '50s version of the Zorro legend. Nobody could make Grade B Westerns like Republic Pictures. This may be the only Western set in Idaho. Relax and enjoy the "to-be-continued" nonsense. ;-)

Not Zorro, but good enough
Lovely Linda Stirling, fresh from her starring role in Republic's "Tiger Woman" serial, got to play another athletic female. As noted in other reviews, this serial has nothing to do with Zorro, except mentioning the name in the title and the similarity of outfits for the masked rider. It's a traditional western with a masked hero known as the Black Whip, who is fatally wounded (!) in the first chapter, limps back to his secret cave, and dies -- only to have his sister take over his mission, combating outlaws who are trying to run the territory and keep out statehood. The undercover operative hero is competently played by George Lewis, usually seen as a bad guy (although he was Zorro's sidekick in the future Republic serial, "Ghost of Zorro," and Zorro's father in the Disney TV series). He and Linda Stirling make a terrific team. In the last scene of the first chapter, they save each other's lives about three times in a two-minute wagon chase sequence. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

GREAT SERIL WITH LINDA STRILING AS A FEMAIL ZORRO!!!
THIS SHOW IS EATHER 12 OR 15 CHAPTERS AND A LOT OF FUN!!! SEE IT HAVE YOUR KIDS WATCH IT TOO YOU WILL ALL ENJOY IT!!!!

A very long look back.
Zorro's Black Whip(1944)With Linda Stirling is a (Classic.)The Black Whip inspired me and hundreds of other kids in Trenton.NJ. and surrounding areas in the mid 1940s.It showed at a theater called the Riottoe, later came to be called the Ranch. 11 Pennington Ave, Trenton.NJ. For kids under twelve a nickel over twelve a dime.We never related the Black Whip with Zorro.I am sixty five and I was seven when I first saw the Black Whip,fifty eight years ago and today I still would like to see Zorro's Black Whip. The theater was demolished in 2001.

Linda Sterling at her best
This is among the best of the western serials. It doesn't really follow the Zorro tradition either storywise or in geographical setting. But it has some of the best western serial action you'll find. As far as having a female Zorro type character, why not? Hey, Linda does quite well for herself as a dashing heroine. And the minor characters, such as the newspaper editor, add much to the fun. This is for enjoyment and not for nitpicking.

Republic Pictures Cracks the Whip.
Idaho ~ 1889. While the honest citizens stop growing spuds long enough to foster statehood, dastardly elements in the community try to frustrate the process for their own greedy reasons. Into this conflict rides the Black Whip and saves the day, repeatedly. Let's set the record straight. This 12-chapter serial is guilty of a misnomer. The Black Whip is a mysterious masked rider, but not Zorro. After all, what would Zorro, the hero of Old California, be doing in Idaho territory in 1889? Anyway, Western adventure fans will enjoy the hard-riding, slam-bang action sequences of this breathless serial. The legendary Yakima Canutt is the second unit director, which explains the great stunt work. Typical of all serials, the threadbare plot is merely an excuse for the fast-paced action. George Lewis later played Guy Williams' father in Disney's '50s version of the Zorro legend. Nobody could make Grade B Westerns like Republic Pictures. This may be the only Western set in Idaho. Relax and enjoy the "to-be-continued" nonsense. ;-)

Not Zorro, but good enough
Lovely Linda Stirling, fresh from her starring role in Republic's "Tiger Woman" serial, got to play another athletic female. As noted in other reviews, this serial has nothing to do with Zorro, except mentioning the name in the title and the similarity of outfits for the masked rider. It's a traditional western with a masked hero known as the Black Whip, who is fatally wounded (!) in the first chapter, limps back to his secret cave, and dies -- only to have his sister take over his mission, combating outlaws who are trying to run the territory and keep out statehood. The undercover operative hero is competently played by George Lewis, usually seen as a bad guy (although he was Zorro's sidekick in the future Republic serial, "Ghost of Zorro," and Zorro's father in the Disney TV series). He and Linda Stirling make a terrific team. In the last scene of the first chapter, they save each other's lives about three times in a two-minute wagon chase sequence. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the future, giant submarine liners ferry passengers and freight under the Arctic ice.But someone--or something--has made eight of them vanish without a trace.The U.S.S. Tiger Shark, the most powerful nuclear sub in the fleet, is sent to investigate and uncovers an alien life form that threatens to wipe humans off the face of the earth.This 1959 low-budget sci-fi flick deals with "atomic power" as a menace--and protector--of mankind. The sets and special effects are definitely low-budget, but the filmmakers showed what you can do with a smart script, a solid cast of character actors, a dark soundstage, and some imagination.A veritable crossroads of '50s low-budget filmmaking talent: producer Alex Gordon cowrote Ed Wood's Bride of the Monster, special effects supervisor Irving Block cowrote the classic Forbidden Planet, and composer Alexander Laszlo was a regular on Roger Corman pictures.Includes the original theatrical trailer. --Geof Miller ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Classic BEM attacks! Viewers win...
ATOMIC SUBMARINE is nifty. Here you have a very bad, cyclopean BUG-EYED MONSTER deployed to our ever vunerable Terra to scout its potential as a colonization planet. Its power source is earth's electromagnetic field so it particularly enjoys hanging-out at the North Pole. From its base, the BEM wages war against our "futuristic" submarine fleet. The latter comprises major commerce and transportation agency as well as military forte. The TIGER SHARK is commissioned to hunt the Bad Bug and save mankind (until next time). The FX of this late 50's thriller range from good to laughable. But that is why I consider the film so engaging. Sometimes you're watching stock footage of Admiral Rickover's prize nuclear sub Nautilus diving and surfacing at the Pole. Sometimes you get to see a squadron of bicarbonate of soda-powered toys cruising fish tanks full of plastic cube/glaciers simulating treacherous Polar regions. The reel-deal however, is the Alien craft. It is BIO-ORGANIC. That is, the monster and the space-ship are a singular entity. It may look hokey, but it's a stellar concept. The movie is 50's black-and-white sound stage action with a battle array of well-known monster mash matinee actors. Electronic music adds menace along with the fact that the BEM is genuinely UGLY. ATOMIC SUBMARINE is space monster opera. It's here to kill us. The good guys have to kill it. No quarter asked, none given. The classic BEM attacks...the viewer wins!

This one's all wet...
This film stinks. It gives B scifi a bad name -- even makes those Roger Corman movies look stunning. If possible, I would give it a negative rating to balance the positive reviews seen here. If you want cornball underwater action, buy "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea." Provided that your cerebral cortex is active, you'll agree it's a zillion times better.

Atomic Sub on every set at home
I saw this movie on the BIG screen when I was 6, and I was under the seat most of the time back in 1958. My parents lived within a block of the movie theater; thus, you know what I was doing at that age. The music and sound effects really added to the earie atmosphere of this movie; especially, when the beam of light melted the frogmen. The cyclops creature had me under the chair - I now know it's a hand inside the puppet - but on that BIG screen...

What fun...with my own reservations...
I have to admit that a few things about this film disappointed me. The acting was better than expected, and the script was somewhat literate. Other than that, this was all the schlock, bad F/X I expect from films of this genre & time period. It's interesting to know that this film was released by Allied Artists, which was a studio neck-to-neck with American-International for the drive-in crowd. A-I went somewhat legit when they went with the Corman/Poe/Vincent Price movies, later the Beach Party films. Allied Artists went a different route: they picked up the options for the American release of "epics" like EL CID and 55 DAYS AT PEKING. (My vote goes to A-I, for sheer originality...) Enough history... This is a fun film. The special effects are absolutely laughable, my favorite being the alien saucer leaving the polar ice cap, obviously a toy being pulled up through soft wax. A previous reviewer referred to this as "warmly corny"; I couldn't put it better. Bad sets, bad effects...and, of course, after Brett Halsey proves himself to be a hero and not a wimp, his shirt is suddenly open showing lots of manly chest-hair. What a guy! I've always liked Arthur Franz (especially in "Monster on the Campus"). All in all, it's loads of fun for the "bad sci-fi" afficianado. My major disappointment with the DVD, though it has great picture & sound quality, is that it should've been in Widescreen. At the beginning, they show News Headlines declaring horrible stuff, but you could only see the middle of the headline...there was no perifery. As far as sets go, the perifery wouldn't have mattered...but no one can deny that the majestic scenes of the Arctic (few as they were) would have been awesome. Watch this, and keep all of your other guilty pleasures (beverages, junk food, etc.) handy. If you can ignore the good points of the film, the bad points will overwhelm you and entertain.

Deep Sea Cheese
This movie has to be viewed more than once to appreciate it. A plastic submarine in an aquarium is hard to accept but all in all this movie is a pretty enjoyable watch. An alien saucer under the polar ice cap planning the take over of earth. As for the DVD itself the quality is quite good, no extras (other than the trailer/scene selections} but a nice clean picture. ... Read more