Did you know that the Green Hornet was actually a descendant of the Lone Ranger [both characters were created for the radio by the same people]? This is one of several interesting factoids that fill Gripping Chapters, a fond look back at the wonderful cliffhanger serials by an obvious admirer. There are looks at cliffhangers from various sources, comparing the serial with the original (comic, radio show, work of fiction, pulp story etc,), as well as chapters on types of cliffhangers and "cliffovers" [where somebody or something goes over a cliff], stock footage and bloopers, familiar faces in the serials, prominent directors, and so on. There are lots of illustrations as well. The best thing about the book is that I learned about quite a few movie serials that I was unfamiliar with [and I thought I had a list of every one ever made, poor fool I!] Although movie serials died out in the 1950's, it's wonderful that they are probably more widely seen than ever, thanks to DVDs. Thanks to this book, I can catch up with even more of them.
Verdict: Anyone who loves cliffhanger serials ... ***
Thanks for recommending this Bill, I just found a copy on the cheap at Ebay and am really looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it. I found a cheap copy on amazon myself. Bill
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