Golden Age Greats! The 1944 Captain America Serial

[@kchishol1970]

I remember seeing this serial in on the Canadian show, Magic Shadows, when I was a kid and one thing question came to mind, "Where is his shield?!"

[@jamessimms3449]

Superbly researched. Interestingly, the character of Gail was used as Cap's girlfriend in the Ultimate comics. Nice little nod there. Also, I've recently discovered Lionel Atwell. Fantastic actor. All these stories are fascinating. Thank you for this video.

[@garrettgriffin4974]

This works if I treat it as Yet Another Alternative Universe, where Grant became Cap instead of Steve...

[@joerogers9413]

Timely: This movie has nothing to do with Captain America! Republic: Who's Captain America?

[@LungsOutJem]

Cap was one of the major influences that convinced America to get involved in WW2, and these guys didn't even have him fighting Nazis. 🤦‍♂️

[@davidam9454]

In reality as well as storyline WW2 was already underway when the supersoldier program, (Captain America), began

[@LungsOutJem]

@@davidam9454, absolutely, but America had not yet joined the fight. Cap's creators used him as a way to shame the American leaders keeping us out of the war, and to encourage the average citizen to see how important being involved was.

[@grantbaugh2773]

​@@davidam9454WW2 may have been underway, but the US wasn't fully involved. Sure, we gave assistance to the allies through stuff like the cash and carry policy, but the attack on Pearl harbor came almost a year after Captain America was introduced.

[@MementoMorituri]

I'm impressed at how much talent was behind this seemingly average serial.

[@nighttigercomics7323]

A great in depth history of the Captain America serial.

[@jwrush]

This was probably Stan Lee's first experience with Hollywood, and that long and interesting relationship will no doubt be closely studied by film historians in the years to come

[@jwrush]

... Or was he in the military at that time?

[@FizzFop1]

Stan Lee was in the military when this serial came out. He was stationed in Hollywood. He was assigned to the Hollywood Film unit. They made propaganda and training videos for the U.S. military. That would have been Stan Lee's first taste of Hollywood. I believe that unit was led by Jack Warner (President of Warner Brothers) and Oscar winning director Frank Capra. I also think I heard somewhere that Dr. Suess was also assigned to that unit.

[@mikedestazador5116]

Hermano, don't make us wait for so long your videos make my week please

[@charlesgrybosky1916]

I was right! I called repurposed script when I read about this serial! Usually when producers of serials rewrite origins or premises of adaptation it’s due to budget constraints. There was nothing about Cap that needed to be rewritten, and all they had to do plot wise was give him Nazis to fight. Any hack writer could churn out a plot like that in his or her sleep! I usually like Republic serials but they really dropped the ball on this one. If I was a 10 year old Captain America fan when this aired back in the day I would have been very disappointed.

[@FizzFop1]

I agree. There's no good excuse for this. The comic book story line is far superior.

[@charleshodgdon6168]

I have this serial. It definitely is not Captain America. I like the show, but I try to imagine a different hero name.

[@CountryBwoy]

Love the Golden Age serials!

[@tikidino]

Copper Head was the first VHS movie serial I bought and loved it. I grew up on afternoon Charlie Chan, Mr Moto and Sherlock Holmes. They would have movie serial and Three Stooges shorts recreateing the old time movie experience. I remember seeing the Captain America serial and my reaction was pretty much the same as the Reb Brown version……”Huh, what? This isn’t Cap.” I still watched it because that was all we had. Thanks for making this video

[@GleeChan]

I can't believe that costume still exists.

[@FizzFop1]

I couldn't believe it either when I came across it.

[@angelenacrowder6408]

the captain america costume still exist and has not expired yet???????????

[@ShotDownInFlames2]

Thanks for the excellent research. I always wondered why the changes were made. Sometimes Grant takes time to change into costume before a fight and sometimes he just fights as himself. They could have called it the Fighting D.A. As both a Cap fan and a serial fan, I think it's a great serial, even though it doesn't follow the comic. Serial Squadron does a great job restoring the old serials.

[@loanaoftheshellpeople5627]

Very Informative Documentary on the 1940s Captain America Serial. This was the first Marvel Character to Crossover into Other Media.

[@AaronSpielman]

I really enjoyed this one; very different from your usual output but in a good way (I appreciate the digressions, too).

[@rebelbear816]

Same shit happens today. The “Joker” script was written as “comedian “ years before they got the idea to use the DC character The Joker and do that weak ass tie in to the DC universe. Hollywood is TRASH

[@angusmacfrankenstein7227]

Hunh. Did not know that! I never watched _Joker_ -the story didn’t feel right in the trailers…well, now I know!

[@rclark777]

I've never heard of this.

[@vaughanb1963]

A new Fizzfop video on serials? Terrific!

[@darkwolf-22]

This is Technically Marvel's First Superhero To Crossover Into Live Action Media.

[@kali3665]

I actually LIKED this serial - I think it's one of the better serials. As a Captain America adaptation, it doesn't hold up -- since it isn't one -- but you've got Lionel Atwill outacting pretty much everyone in the cast, and that is never a bad thing. I look forward to hearing what you have to say about it. Thank you!

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Kali! It was fun to watch. I go into the back stories on the three main actors/directors/stunt people/special effects...I think they all had interesting stories. Atwill is a great actor...he is head and shoulders above the other actors in this. In the video, I go over his downfall in Hollywood--but there's a lot more about him I had to edit out.

[@kali3665]

@@FizzFop1 Great! I promise no spoilers from me, and I have my reminder up. Not that KZbin will remember to send it to me, but then.... 😋

[@busterggi1]

Crazy history - Superman turned in Captain Marvel turned into Copperhead turned into Captain America! Don't believe the studio didn't look at the pages they were sent, the action scenes are VERY Kirby-esk, not like any other serial before or after.

[@dravenvandross8281]

Great video man I am a huge Captain America fan I believe my dad told me something about this I definitely got to check this out I do love the classics.

[@quesoblanco444]

As a comicbook loving kid in the 60s I was obsessed with the old superhero serials, especially Capt America and Capt Marvel (From pics in a library book). I was so excited when I finally got the interweb and got to actually watch them all. I still find these old serials super entertaining.

[@FizzFop1]

Me too Queso Blanco! I love watching them.

[@awesomeatronik]

I wasn't aware that I would learn so much about early Hollywood from a video about the captain America serial. Unfortunately the only thing that will stay with me till the day I die, is the thought of a bunch of Hollywood perverts scattering out of a house, getting busted by the cops.

[@rclark777]

Perverts are everywhere, it isn't just a Hollywood thing.

[@edwardbeaty8899]

I actually have this serial. Captain America is pretty wimpy, he has trouble fighting 2 normal guys, even 1 guy. Nowadays he plows through 20 trained SHIELD/Hydra Agents like they were rag dolls!

[@angelenacrowder6408]

thats how heroes fought in movie serials

[@manuelcantu8572]

This was amazing. Great work! Cheers!!!

[@cj854]

enjoyed these golden age serial adaptation videos, the captain marvel one also

[@edwardbeaty8899]

Yes, I do own this, and the 2 Batman serials and Blackhawk! There are not many Science Fiction movies and things before the 1960s, so I put these and the Flash Gordon's and the Buck Rogers into my Classic Science Fiction section Pre-1960s.

[@davidlsmith3864]

The Dick Purcell "Captain America" tunic, cowl, and belt buckle from the Captain America Serial sold for $39,000.00 at Heritage Auctions June 29, 2016.

[@FizzFop1]

Thank You David! You're the first person to get back to me on that.

[@pictureel5863]

Your content is great and we want to see more!

[@FizzFop1]

Thanks Pictureel! I'm working on more videos! Hope to have them out soon.

[@markmolino679]

It's nice to have you back bro and great video .

[@nigelwalker6103]

This serial was pretty good and is a cut above some of the other serials of the era.

[@FizzFop1]

Thanks for watching Nigel! I agree. I think a large part of that is Elmer Clifton's directing. If you look at his poverty row work versus his contemporaries, his movies are still very watchable. He understood filmmaking at a high level.

[@neilbrown9922]

Thanks for the tip on where to find it. I recently saw The Phantom serial (1943). Unfortunately, he wasn't very Phantom-like, although he was presented as the latest in a long line of Phantoms, true to the comic strip.

[@schristy3637]

First I would like to say Jackie Chan should take up the roll as Mr. Moto Peter Lorre played in the 30's. That said. DON"T READ THIS!! This is going to be bore as hell for anyone who reads it. HA!John Hamilton is all over the place till he gets to the TV show Superman,But he is in Mr. Moto's Gamble (1938) playing Philip Benton. A Peter Lorre films from 30's. Lionel Atwill also so played Dr James Mortimer(The Hound of the Baskervilles 1939 film) Dr. Moriarty in Secret Weapon (1943) and George Zucco played(Moriarty)The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939) and Mr. Stanley(Heinrich Hinkel) in Sherlock Holmes in Washington and Henry Daniell played William Easter. But in the one of the last Holmes movies Henry Daniell played Professor Moriarty(Woman in the Green dress).

[@michaelstethem739]

I've heard that there was a Sub Mariner television series pitched in the 50s, guessing becuase of the sucess of the Adventures of Superman show.

[@brettrobson5739]

Great to see you back.

[@daleanderson1727]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@richmcgee434]

Another great vid. Keep 'em coming.

[@greghill00]

Long time no see, welcome back!

[@Cervando]

Two uploads in one day! Awesome!

[@shadowthreat8715]

I miss this channel. 👍😎🙂

[@schristy3637]

Like the vid man... Two in one day FiZZFOP! that is grand. Been watching the Live action Cowboy BEBOP. I my digging it. This is not the place to talk about it.

[@FizzFop1]

I haven't watched it yet. I will eventually.

[@schristy3637]

@@FizzFop1 I like watching your video,because take the time to do the work get them right. have a nice Holiday.

[@tomboughan2718]

I didn't go past the first chapter of the serial.So bad, but Lionel Atwill still shines.

[@FizzFop1]

I struggled at the beginning of this one as well. It does pick up a little. Spy Smasher, Captain Marvel, and the Green Hornet serials are much better.

[@nooctip]

Very interesting background. The serial is pretty good. Though I always thought the Scorpion's Vibrator was poorly named for modern audiences. But after what you said about Atwill....

[@jwrush]

My dream is for a film noir Namor film. I love his second appearance in FF where he's the Hollywood director. Mining that for a film similar and setting it in golden age Hollywood would be just about my perfect film. Love your channel!

[@Jolar70]

I've known about this serial since forever, but I'd never really seen anything from it. This was SO great! I like Cap's suit (no shield, but cool wrestling vibe). I think the stuntman, Dale, should've played Captain America instead. I know there was a big divide between actors and stunt folks, but he was an on-camera talent already, and he could've done it well. Jock Mahoney was a great stuntman first , and then my favorite Tarzan actor! Finally, learning about "Lorna Gray" was awesome! I love that she lived till almost 100!

[@davidam9454]

Side note, The Mysterious Dr. Satan was also a rewritten/ recycled script written for a proposed Superman Serial. National Publications who owned the character at the time chose Columbia instead. Leading to a similar if reverse situation with The Copperhead character.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi David, thanks for watching. I came across an article not too long ago that stated that the contract with the Fliecher Studios wasn't well thought out. Superman was completely tied up for film due to the cartoon and they couldn't move on another film project until the contract date ended.

[@timmarshall2062]

awesome video buddy

[@antonydrossos5719]

I remember watching episodes of the Shazam serial as a kid. I’ll check if you’ve covered it already, but if not, it’d be good content if you did

[@Sir_Soaplo]

New FizzFop video? I thought that only happened once a century!

[@serialsquadron]

A lot of what is said here at the beginning is just wrong. Republic had an open contract with Fawcett comics after the success of CAPTAIN MARVEL which allowed them to decide to schedule an adaptation of any Fawcett comics character without notice to Fawcett in exchange for Fawcett's permission to use any content from the serials in their comics. After the success of CAPTAIN MARVEL Republic scheduled serials for Spy Smasher, Bulletman and Mister Scarlet, and developed scripts for all of them. But when DC comics sued Fawcett and tried to put Captain Marvel out of business, saying he was a copy of Superman, Republic abruptly pulled the plug on the Bulletman and Mister Scarlet serials because one of the characters flew and the other wore a cape and a red suit. The scripts for Bulletman and Mister Scarlet were used pretty much as is afterward with name replacements for the D. A. who was Brian Butler in the Mister Scarlet comic and his secretary in MISTER SCARLET, and Bulletman's script was reworked as KING OF THE ROCKET MEN. No sequel to MYSTERIOUS DOCTOR SATAN was ever planned; there's no evidence for that whatosever. It's a fan legend. The MISTER SCARLET script sat around for several years until Republic decided to re-use it and the license for the use of the Captain America character was agreed upon over the telephone, very hastily. Timely asked that Republic simply pay for some ads in their comics and that was that. CAPTAIN AMERICA the serial was the Republic Mister Scarlet script with names changed, that's all there was to it. I really don't get why people make these pseudo-documentaries with made-up "facts" included and lack of research. If you make a "documentary" but make up half the information in it yourself you're not doing anyone a service. And you're welcome for the use of the Serial Squadron restoration of the serial in this video.

[@williamtodd6614]

Thank you for that info. I Still don’t think it Excuses republic for not being accurate like the Lone Ranger serial

[@BladeStar-uq6xe]

I have this. I hunted this down in DVD. Poor Captain America could barely beat 1 Villain! Nowadays Captain America could stomp 20 trained Hand Ninjas without breaking a sweat! I am trying to collect the various Super Hero serials. I have the 2 Batman, the Blackhawk, the 3 Flash Gordon, the Buck Rogers, and the Captain America. Still need the Superman and Captain Marvel.

[@timmarshall2062]

excited buddy boy i get an episode of fizzfop for my birthday

[@FizzFop1]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM!!! Hope you are watching!

[@timmarshall2062]

@@FizzFop1 i will be thanks buddy

[@shidiwen9329]

Stoked

[@markdibuo3756]

This film serial could have been on Disney Plus.

[@manliolopezvelasco5072]

Look like the Shield of Archie comics. Captain America doesnot have shield, why? But I want to see his movie classic 1944. Wow it was working dangerous of stunman.

[@robshimer]

In the comics Steve Rogers had a job drawing Captain America comics. I THINK the secret identity was FBI agent. I THINK.

[@larrygorlitz]

Maybe I missed it you reference an homage to the serial in First Avenger but what is it?

[@EWH3]

👍

[@Dariushellstrome]

She was great in those Stooges films

[@FizzFop1]

Yes she was. Great actress. I've been looking for some of her other performances. I think she was way underused in this serial.

[@roguegallery7519]

The truth is that the Captain America serials look better than every movie and series from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

[@masterpainter72]

I heard rumors of the Submariner becoming part of the MCU,along with the Fantastic Four and the X-Men.Also the Human Torch was an "easter egg" in Captain America the First Avenger...!

[@henrygambles3652]

Wasn’t Gail Richards later the name of his girlfriend in the Ultimates? If so Mark Millar really dug deep for inspiration!

[@FizzFop1]

I was not aware of that...great catch.

[@henrygambles3652]

@@FizzFop1 No worries, Big Fan of yours and Not a fan of the Ultimates series but just noticed that detail and wondered about it

[@jakeproven256]

Cooperhead was also the name of a DC comics villain and a G.I.Joe villain.

[@FizzFop1]

I was not aware of that Jake! Thanks!

[@helious5056]

Recently starting to revisit this serial since from what i gather grant gardener is in the public domain and that gives me ideas

[@ulises4241]

Which scene from the first avenger is he talking about is he talking about

[@FizzFop1]

The movie serial scene. They cut back to Steve Rogers sitting in the audience watching the audience cheer.

[@MrTimelord77]

Sounds like a fun serial to check out. Was Lorna the voice of Lois Lane in the old cartoons.

[@FizzFop1]

I did not come across anything about her being the voice of Lois Lane.

[@gmmeier321]

No, it was Joan Alexander.

[@kurumais]

hey fizz im trying to find the reason they made rick jones cap's sidekick for all of 5 minutes then made falc his partner. do you know the story behind that?

[@FizzFop1]

I have no idea why they did that. I always thought the Falcon could never reach his potential because he was overshadowed by Cap. Even when they try to turn Falcon into Cap, he's still overshadowed. It's a shame they never gave Falcon a good back story that people could identify with.

[@mikeywood1516]

The DW Griffith films are also INCREDIBLY racist. You neglected to mention that.

[@roguegallery7519]

Does youtube have the Captain America serials?

[@FizzFop1]

Yep, you can find it here on KZbin!

[@jaspermcminnis5538]

Somewhere on here, I found a forgotten Captain America movie that was released in late 80s, early 90s. It's cheesy.

[@a.champagne6238]

@@jaspermcminnis5538 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3-Qqnuwn96bipo Dark Corners review so you don't have so sit through the whole thing.

[@gmmeier321]

And you can watch the serial here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJvOi6B7iL6Jg5Y

[@princeofcupspoc9073]

They "watched her grow up on screen" is fine. To "literally" "grow up on screen" would take over 20 years worth of film. And someone to actually sit there.

[@jonasriehmsrensen9688]

❤

[@AnthonyArena-g7l]

Too much about what other work the people involved in the serial did. Not enough about the actual plot of the Captain America serial, or what other aspects of the comic book character differ from the film character. All you mentioned was the absence of a sheild and soldier motif, and use of a pistol and a district attorney secret identity. Is that all that's different? Also, you said "something happened, and the Copperhead sequel was nixed" without explaining what happened. You also mentioned that Purcell died after production wrapped, but did not explain whether or not that was the reason not other Captain America serials were made (probably not, considering that different actors played Batman & Robin in those two serials) or how well or poorly the Captain America serial was received by critics and audiences and the box office.

[@batwingism]

I am a fan, and I always love these videos you make. But, 1, how you gonna show Perry White at 9 min in, and not mention that cool connection, especially since you showed some Superman footage? And, 2, how can you talk so extensively about Griffith and Birth of A Nation without mentioning its racism and ties to the Klan?

[@FizzFop1]

Yep, my bad all the way around. I dropped the ball on the racism in Birth of a Nation. I decided not to show offensive material from the film and it slipped past me that I didn't mention anything about it until I posted the video and saw viewers commenting on it.

[@TyroneNorwood]

This series was cursed. It's called Karma

[@sandersnoblitt7014]

"Birth of a Nation" shouldn't be referenced without it's racism spoken about.

[@princecharon]

At the very least, it should be mentioned, so that people who don't already know can be informed without starting to watch it and getting blindsided.

[@FizzFop1]

Good point princecharon. I didn't think about that when I wrote the script.

[@123iceboy]

Hey man, I enjoy your videos and I really enjoyed this one, though when mentioning birth of a nation and stating that your audience probably has little to no clue abouth silent era movies, it would be good to talk about both the technical achievements of the movie and the blatant racist plot of it. Just to inform people about it. I don't mean any offense and I bet you just didn't deem it necessary, but just praising the movie for the technical chops of the director can come off as one sided and can give some people the idea you agree with the subject material. Hope you have a wonderful day.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi ice3oy! Thanks for watching. Yes, really did mess up on that. I should have at least mentioned it in passing or at least put up a graphic about it.

[@travishiltz4750]

a great serial, just not a captain America story. Great action scenes, solid cast, one of the prettiest girl sidekicks and alot of unintentional humor from the scientific maguffin, the vibrator! Shame more marvel characters never got serials. DC had enough that you could have created a team, a weird team, but a team nevertheless.

[@jimdotbeep]

Are you seriously going to bring up Birth of a Nation as some historically important movie and *not* acknowledge that it's one of the most infamous racist propaganda films of all time?

[@theflyingninja1]

Calm down.

[@MightyFutz]

I didn’t like the beginning but when you get into it more it’s better.