The Adventures of Captain Marvel
Spy Smasher
An essential part of the early moviegoing experience was the film serial. Also known as chapter plays, these short films were often adapted from comic books and provided endless entertainment until television emerged as the new forum for this episodic format. Republic Pictures produced some of the most well regarded examples of this genre thanks to the skillful work of directors like William Witney. The Adventures of Captain Marvel chronicles the adventures of cub reporter Billy Batson who transforms into the aforementioned superhero to face off against criminal mastermind The Scorpion. The abridged Spy Smasher (condensed from an original twelve-part serial released in 1942) presents the perils of the D.C. Comics secret agent who seeks to foil the Nazis in occupied France.
PROGRAM
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The Adventures of Captain Marvel (AKA The Return of Captain Marvel)
Directed by John English and William Witney.
With Tom Tyler, Frank Coghlan Jr, William "Billy" Benedict.
US, 1941, 35mm, black & white, 240 min.
(12 episodes @ 20 minutes each)
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Spy Smasher
Directed by William Witney.
With Kane Richmond, Marguerite Chapman, Sam Flint.
US, 1966, 35mm, black & white, 100 min.
Part of film series
Screenings from this program
The Single Standard / Carnival in Flanders
Dumbo / He Who Gets Slapped
The Marriage Circle / The Merry Widow
The Cat and the Canary / And Then There Were None
