MANDRAKE, THE MAGICIAN (1939) Starring Warren Hull, Doris Weston, Al Kikume, Rex Downing, Kenneth MacDonald, Edward Earle, Forbes Murray, Don Beddoe and Dick Curtis. Directed by Sam Nelson and Norman Deming. 12 chapters. VCI Entertainment (800-331-4077, www.vcientertainment.com)
By Bob Bloom Journal and Courier
Among serial fans, the chapterplays from Columbia Pictures usually are considered below par when compared to the cliffhangers produced by Republic and Universal.
But between 1938 and 1939 Columbia did offer some top-notch adventures that drew young audiences back week after week. Among them was Mandrake, the Magician, based on the then-popular comic strip.
And while star Warren Hull looks nothing like Lee Falk's character, this 1939 serial provides enough thrills to keep any serial fan well satisfied.
The sound and picture quality of VCI's transfer in this two-disc DVD offering is superb. The only jarring note concerns the voice dubbing during some scenes in the first chapter. Anyone familiar with Hull and especially character actor Kenneth MacDonald, most recognizable as the comic foil in many Three Stooges shorts as well as Columbia's perennial heavy in many B-Westerns and serials, will immediately know they are not speaking their dialogue.
VCI makes no mention on the DVD packaging of the dubbing, perhaps thinking no one will notice. Nor is any reason given why this was necessary.
Otherwise, Mandrake continues VCI's winning streak of releasing quality serial entertainment.
Those who enjoy the mystery villain serials will have a good time trying to figure out the identity of The Wasp, the madman after a radium machine invented by a scientist friend of Mandrake's.
Among the package's extras are the usual trailers from other serials and biographies of the main cast members. Chapter stops also are provided, allowing you to pick up the serial from any point.
Mandrake, the Magician is a fun-filled, campy introduction to the serials of Columbia. And VCI's fine transfer will help heighten your enjoyment.
Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, IN. He can be reached by e-mail at bbloom@journalandcourier.com or at bobbloom@iquest.net. Other reviews by Bloom can be found at www.jconline.com by clicking on movies. Bloom's reviews also appear on the Web at the Rottentomatoes Web site, www.rottentomatoes.com and at the Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Bob+Bloom
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