"Flash Gordon" On Comet

Above, Buster Crabbe (center) and Charles Middleton (right) in Flash Gordon.

Not since the 1960s had I the pleasure of watching the old Buster Crabbe Flash Gordon serials of the 1930s. They are based on Alex Raymond's comic strip.

As I now am able to get the Comet TV network here in New Mexico, I am enjoying watching episodes of Flash Gordon (1936). Comet TV plays them on Sunday nights.

They were three serials in all and they were produced by Universal Pictures for Saturday matinees. It is said that these serials inspired George Lucas into creating Star Wars.



Along with Crabbe in the title role, the serial starred Jean Rogers as Dale Arden, Charles Middleton as Ming the Merciless, Priscilla Lawson as Princess Aura and Frank Shanno as Dr. Alexis Zarkov.

Although the effects are primitive and the budgets were on the low side, they are still fun to watch. Since Universal was producing these, stock footage from Frankenstein and other movies were incorporated. Also, music cues from Universal's library were also used. I recognized some from Bride of Frankenstein and The Black Cat.

Quite often, I find watching these old films more entertaining than today's high-tech productions.