Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 2 Quiz

Answer: The Shadow of the Eagle

"The Shadow of the Eagle" was John Wayne's first serial after his feature debut in the 1930 box office flop "The Big Trail". It was also featured in a 1992 documentary entitled "Action Heroes of the Cliffhanger Serials".

Answer: The Last of the Mohicans

In this version of "The Last of the Mohicans", Dulac the French spy, who does not appear in the novel, is created. Natty is renamed Nathaniel Poe in the 1992 feature version which was the 20th remake of it. Mark Twain commented on the author, JFC: "Cooper hadn't any more invention than a horse, and I don't mean a high-class horse, either."

Answer: The Three Musketeers

"The Three Musketeers" was reedited and released in 1946 as "Desert Command" because of Wayne's popularity. Yakima Canutt performs stunts and Kermit Maynard plus Noah Beery Jr. appear briefly.

Answer: Tarzan the Fearless

"Tarzan the Fearless" was released in 1933 as both a 12 chapter serial and a four chapter feature film followed by the other eight. The 'yell' is believed to be 1) of the person first cast as Tarzan, 2) from the semi-talkie "Tarzan the Tiger", 3) a film cutter. Your pick!

Answer: The Lost Jungle

A 13 year old Mickey Rooney is in this 1934 Mascot release of "The Lost Jungle". Before he was "Gabby", George Hayes appeared in a comic role in the first chapter as a doctor. As one might envision, wild animals hinder Clyde and heroine Ruth (but not a lot) in their quest to evade gold hunters and rescue her dad.

Answer: Pirate Treasure

Opening each chapter of "Pirate Treasure" is the film's version of "Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum" which immediately puts you in the mood for some 'shiver me timbers' action. Francis Ford, elder brother of director John Ford, appears as a minor character. More island action in this 1934 film with buried treasure and the pirates trying to get it by stealing Talmadge's map.

Answer: Tailspin Tommy

"Tailspin Tommy", the first serial based on a comic book/strip character, was produced by Warner Brothers in 1934. Walter Brennan, Jane Withers, and Slim Whitaker all appear but uncredited. As you may have guessed from the question, it's all about flying. A rival airline company hopes to sabotage Tommy and friends from keeping and getting future contracts to deliver the mail.

Answer: Burn 'Em Up Barnes

"Burn 'Em Up Barnes" is a remake of a 1921 film of the same name and released in the same year as a 68 minute feature film. The plot is simple - Lola Lane owns a bus company that sits on land that is valuable and you know that some unscrupulous folks want to get their hands on it. Enter Barnes and his ward who thwart the baddies ad nauseum.

Answer: The Galloping Ghost

"The Galloping Ghost" was produced by Mascot Pictures and all football scenes were filmed at Clay College in L.A. Lon Chaney Jr. and Yakima Canutt both appear uncredited as henchmen. Red narrowly wins a game which the gamblers, who bet on the opposing team, do not like. Chapter one takes us from here to accusing Red of throwing a later game and for 11 chapters Red tries to clear his name.

Answer: The Phantom of the Air

"The Phantom of the Air" is a super plane which is used to protect an anti-gravity device. Walter Brennan (39 years old) and Tom Tyler, known mostly for B-Westerns, collide in mid-air whereupon Brennan remarks (if you've seen him, picture him saying this in his squeaky voice), "That Raymond guy must be crazy-rammin' his plane into me!"