16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Espionage in Pre World War II China, November 27, 1999
This review is from: Adventures of Smilin' Jack [VHS] (VHS Tape)
One of the better Universal serials. Ranks high with Flash Gordon (1936) and Tim Tyler's Luck(c.1938) for the best serials made at Universal. Selection of Tom Brown to play Zach Moseley's Smilin' Jack was great casting. Brown plays Jack to perfection. As one who read the comic strip during the 40's and 50's I pictured Jack as closely as possible to Brown's portrayal. Jack is in China trying to prevent an Axis agent Fraulein Von Teufel from taking over the island of Mandon. With the help of two friends, Janet and Tommy, Jack is able to destroy the Axis plans. The highlight of this serial is the ending to Chapter 12. To prove that he is an honorable person, Jack has to walk barefoot over a bed of hot coals. He is taught by a Chinese friend how to do this without harm. This serial is full of action and adventure. There is also a mystery as Jack tries to find out who Frauline Von Teufel is. Look for Sidney Tolar (Charlie Chan) playing a Chinese general.
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good war espionage thriller, June 3, 2002
This review is from: Adventures of Smilin' Jack [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Smilin' Jack was a leading comic strip hero during the 40's and 50's, and Tom Brown does a very good job in bringing him to life. The time frame is the year 1941, beginning before the U. S. officially entered the war, and including the attack on Pearl Harbor. There is quite a bit of stock war movie footage here, which is not detriment. It helps tell the story.
This serial could be offensive to those of Japanese or German heritage, because being made during World War II, both races are depicted as inherently evil. That's unfortunate, but it is part of war. Although there are lots of Japanese characters portrayed, there were of course no Japanese actors...they were all in camps (euphanism for prison) at the time.
Among the grand old names of B movies in this serial are Sidney Toler giving a Charley Chan characterization to a Chinese general, Turhan Bey as one of the two principal villains, Keye Luke, Phillip Ahn, and Jay Novello.
One distinguishing element in this serial is the preface to each chapter, quite different from the standard synopsis.
All in all, this is a fast moving and quite enjoyable serial which, once you have the major serials in your collection, will be a welcome adition.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly good Universal serial from the forties, June 29, 2000
This review is from: Adventures of Smilin' Jack [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This is that rarity of rarities--a good Universal serial from the forties. Along with Gang Busters (also 1942) this is Universal's best serial effort from the 1940-46 years. Minimal use of stock footage, an inventive screenplay, a music background that relates to the action going on are some of the assets. An interesting cast also helps particularly Rose Hobart as an icy cold ruthless German agent and the ultra suave Turhan Bey as her Japanese counterpart.
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