Mandrake the Magician and his assistant Lothar battle the evil criminal the Wasp, who is trying to steal a newly-developed radium energy machine -- and we all know that bad things will happen if bad guys ever get ahold of radium energy machine!
Mandrake the Magician was a popular comic strip created by Lee Falk (who would go on to create the comic strip The Phantom) in 1934 and would continue for 79 years, ending in 2013. Some historians consider Mandrake to be the first comic strip superhero. This 12-part serial was the only authorized Mandrake film ever produced (there was an unauthorized Turkish film in then 1960s); at least four other films were attempted but were unproduced. A Mandrake radio show ran non the Mutual Broadcast Network for just over 14 months in the early 1940s, and a Mandrake television show mad it to the pilot stage but no further. Mandrake had better luck in animated television, appearing as a character in at least three series. A Mandrake musical play was produced in thee late Seventies. The character has also been the target of numerous parodies.
Warren Hull, who has also played the Green Hornet and the pulp hero the Spider in films, stars as Mandrake the Magician. Al Kikume, a Hawaiian-born actor who had a long carerr both playing native roles (Tarzan the Fearless, Jungle Girl, Perils of Nyoka) and as a stuntman, took on the role as Lothar, Mandrake's assistant. Forbes Murray (whose lengthy career consisted of mainly uncredited roles) is the scientist who has invented the radium energy machine. Eye candy in this production was provided by Doris Weston (The Singing Marine, Delinquent Parents, Chip of the Flying U) as Murray's daughter Betty. The Claw was played by Edward Earle, who has an astonishing 452 acting credits on IMDb, including East Lynne, Scattergood Baines, and The Harvey Girls; of course, thee Claw also had a secret identity, which was obvious from the get-go but was revealed as a "surprise" in thee last episode.
The episodes were directed by Norman Danning and Sam Nelson, and were scripted by Joseph F. Poland, Basil Dickey, and Ned Dandy.
Here's everything you could ask for in a 1930's serial -- thrills, danger, excitement, suspense, cliffhangers (eleven of 'em!), and some pretty stiff acting! All twelve episodes are here. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCO0aAqSZpU&list=PLL3oll31FNtKednhdpIObwuQICV00qOX8
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