Customer Reviews

Buck Rogers

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The 12 chapter BUCK ROGERS serial, was shot between the Flash Gordon serials "Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars" and "Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe." Audiences seemed indifferent to it, so the plans for a sequel were scrapped in favor of continuing the Flash Gordon series. While the Flash Gordon serials are probably better, I really enjoy the Buck Rogers serial too.

Buck Rogers has STYLE. Not to say that Flash didn't, but the Buck Rogers serial has:

The Art Deco Headquarters of Killer Kane, with it's convenient topiary shrubs for hiding behind.

The swirling mirror pool monitor screens.

The equally Art Deco space ships, with sparklers as exhaust and that sound, something like a microwave oven and a car missing a muffler. These ships were so advanced, all they needed was a simple door with handle.

A future full of wimps. Flash and Buddy easily push away or tackle anyone who they clash with.

The groovy De-Gravity belts and the transporter.

The Saturnian tram system.

The exotic terrain of the planet Saturn, which in no way looked like a California desert.

The Saturnian MUGGS, who should have all been nominated for academy awards.

Okay, I'm being a little sarcastic. But I really do have a great love for this serial, even with all its many flaws. Terrible performances by some of the supporting characters, a few cases of severely bad stunt doubling, and the effects, well......they did their best with what they had to work with. I love the little dolls in the Saturnian tunnel trams.

And Buck himself--Larry "Buster" Crabbe was so handsome. That wavy hair and that killer smile were all he needed. I wonder if the producers ever realized what kind of confusion they would cause in the years that followed, by casting the same actor for both Flash and Buck. It's always interesting to see a VHS version of Buck Rogers with a picture from Flash Gordon on the cover, and vice versa.

Buck Rogers is a true pleasure to watch. It's so much fun, and it's the perfect length. It's over before it has worn out its welcome. And if you want more, then watch the next chapter. The menu screens are fun too, with the ships swinging around on visible wires. If only they would have included a booklet instead of advertising.

This is well worth checking out, especially if you enjoy the Flash serials. Like the cover proclaims, it's a 12 chapter Thrill-O-Rama!

As I've been trying to collect some classic serials, I've been frustrated by the lack of specific information on the various editions. So let me first say that while the print is far from pristine, for the price this VCI edition is hard to beat.

Second, let me say that I am astonished--to the point of feeling like my 10-year old self was had--how much of "Star Wars" Lucas lifted almost whole-cloth from this serial. Even the prologue as a steeply pitched crawl comes from Buck Rogers, not to mention countless scenes in the Millennium Falcon as the ship is chased by an evil-empire-like force of villains.

So here's the advice I would have been happiest to have had a few days ago when I was trying to decide whether to buy this disc: if you love science fiction on film, or are interested in the popular culture of the late 30's and early 40's, BUY THIS DISC.

Chances are, if you're here, you've already made up your mind. People don't just stumble across a 1930s serial. So you're probably a fan of this kind of stuff.

Which means we aren't going to judge this like we would a new, slick, Hollywood release with top-notch actors. This is budget sci-fi made for kids of the 1930s. It's not sophisticated, the acting is a little stilted, and the science laughable. But if you wanted that stuff, you'd buy something else, right?

Comparing this to other serials, I think it's one of the best. Like all serials, it tends to bog down a bit after the first half. That's because most of the really new ideas get presented in the first chapters.

However, the inventive approach to effects and matte painting are really enjoyable. The story is just silly fun. The presence of a fairly non-stereotyped Asian actor is interesting (even though his acting's as bad as everyone else's).

If you're adding to your archive, don't miss this one. Cool ray guns, gravity belts, transporters...

I've watched three of the episodes so far. The picture quality is a HUGE improvement over the original VCI release which I found to be murky, dark and blurry at times. The remastered image of the new release blows the old one away by miles. It is consistently sharp and bright. The audio quality is also very good.

The 2 disc set also includes a bunch of extras including a brief history of Buck Rogers, an audio speech given by Buster Crabbe about his career, 2 radio episodes of Buck Rogers, and an old Buck Rogers short form the 30's with different actors.

If you enjoy this serial, this is well worth the upgrade.

Although not as good as Flash Gordon series which also starred Buster Crabbe this is still an enjoyable SCI-Fi classic. Long before Star Trek and Starwars were Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon. I used to enjoy each episode back in the 50's when I was alot younger. There was only one Buck Rogers serial made and it followed the success of the first two Flash Gordon serials. Buck Rogers never had the popularity Flash Gordon, probably because it was an imitation. The charectors were never developed as well. Killer Kane was no where near as intimidating as Charles Middleton's great performance as Ming the Mercilous. Wilma Deering is just there and doesn't stand out as much as Jean Rogers does as Dale Arden in the Flash Gordon series.Charectors aside there is still plenty of adventure,space battles and unique effects to make this a worth while video for any one interested in early sci-fi. A classic and until recently very hard to find.

I'm not reviewing this classic serial (nor get into a Buck Rogers/Flash Gordon debate)...but offering a review of the 2 DVD set that I picked up yesterday out of curiosity as it was so inexpensive and I remember seeing many of these episodes as a youngster on Saturday morning tv. The main reason for my review is to say that these are NOT public domain garbage transfers but seemingly first generation prints right off the film and film that is in remarkably great shape! Of course the space crafts are easily identifiable as models but its part of the charm.

Not only are the episodes in great shape but this company has also added some bonus features including an audio history by Buster Crabbe (which they have put great video in support of)..and more, including a 10 minute history of Buck Rogers and several radio shows!

I can't imagine a better looking or more comprehensive set coming out so if this is something you are a fan of this would be the one to purchase.

Buck Rogers has never been held in the same high regard as the Flash Gordon serial but when it comes right down to it, it's really quite good on its own merits. Obviously these two classic serial have one thing in common, and that is its star, Buster Crabbe. Crabbe was a gold medal swimmer in the 1932 Olympics and then became a movie star much like Johnny Weismuller. In fact Crabbe actually was up for the part of Tarzan that went to Weismuller. Crabbe would go on to play Tarzan later as well star in a string of Westerns but he'll forever be remembered as Buck and Flash Gordon by most fans.

In this 12 part serial, Buck and his sidekick Buddy awake from suspended animation in the 25th century to find the world ruled by the nefarious Killer Kane (Anthony Warde). Buck Gets help from Wilma Deering (Constance Moore) and Prince Tallen of Saturn to eventually overthrow the ruthless warlord and bring peace to the world. Filled with classic space opera adventure, spaceships on strings, cardboard sets (and acting) Buck Rogers was a true early sci-fi classic. While almost second rate on everything compared to Flash Gordon, it still rises above most other serials of its day. Wilma Deering was no Dale Arden and Killer Kane no match for the deviousness of Ming the Merciless but this is still a very fun, and nostalgic serial to pop a few bags of popcorn over. Action-packed, and never dull!

For fans of old fashioned science fiction hokum and mumbo-jumbo, this isn't bad. Buster Crabbe (Buck) and his teenage pal Buddy have their blimp lost in the snow for 500 years and are rescued to fight a gangster warlord named Killer Kane (how subtle) who has taken over the earth and wants Saturn to join him.

This is filled with good, hokey fun. Overly hammy acting (with some restraint from Buster Crabbe), chessy special effex, outrageous story (Buck and Buddy wake up 500 years in the future and immediately know how to fly the updated spaceships) and an overall amiable corniness that makes these 1930s-40s serials so much fun if you don't take them too seriosuly. A really interesting aspect is that one of the heroes of this series is played by an actual Asian actor (Philson Ahn as Prince Tallen of Saturn) with no stereotyped dialect and a dignified role. Pretty progressive for 1939 when most Asian characters were played by Whites with stereotyped accents.

The only problem here is that Buck suffers in comparison to the MASTER of sci-fi serials, FLASH GORDON (also starring Buster Crabbe and directed by Ford Beebe). Killer Kane is a dullard compared to FG's delightfully evil Ming the Merciless, and the other villans are no comparison to the ape men, reptiles, and clay people of FG. Nowhere NEARLY as much fun! But for what it is, it's good entertainment for a lazy weekend.

VCI Entertainment and Universal Pictures present "Buck Rogers" (1939) (Dolby digitally remastered), adapted from Edgar Wallace novel with 12 Chapters of vintage serial episodes loaded with action sequences...story line involves Buck Rogers and his young friend Buddy Wade as they both crash land in a trans-polar dirigible flight on an Earth mountain top, will they be killed...what is this strange gas of suspended animations...have the years passed so quickly with Buck and Buddy now 500 years into the future...who now rules the planet Earth with such tyrannical despot...what can be done to overthrow the leader Killer Kane who wants all under his "Zombie" control and in enslavement...can Buck, Buddy and Lt. Wilma Deering overthrow Killer Kane and his ally Prince Tallen of Saturn...who will win out on this universal war, watch "War of the Planets" the final chapter of this double thrills, chills, mystery and suspense...inter planetary sci-fi exciting adventure...don't miss a single spine thrilling episode..return next week to this local theater for another episode of action and adventure that will keep you thrilled until the next chapter.

Under director Ford Beebe and Saul A. Goodkind, producer Barney A. Sarecky screenplay by Morgan B. Cox, John Cutting, Jesse A. Duffy, music score by Franz Waxman, Karl Hajos, Edward Ward, Clifford Vaughan, Heinz Roemheld, music director Charles Previn, special effects by Ed Keyes...the cast include Larry 'Buster' Crabbe (Buck Rogers), Constance Moore (Wilma Deering), Jackie Moran (George "Buddy" Wade), Jack Mulhall (Captain Rankin), Henry Brandon (Captain Laska), Wheeler Oakman (Lieutenant Patten), Philson Ahn (Prince Tallen), Anthony Warde (Killer Kane), C. Montague Shaw (Prof. Huer), Guy Usher (Aldar), Kenne Duncan (Lieutenant Lacy), Carleton Young (Scott), Richard Alexander (Earth Soldier), Lane Chandler (Army official at Wade's lab), Karl Hackett (Councillor Krenko), Eddie Parker (Council-Room Guard), Stanley Price (Captain Martin/Zugg Man), David Sharpe (Kane Pilot/Hidden City Sentry/Saturnian Lieutenant ), Tom Steele (Kane Pilot/Hidden City Tech/Balcony Guard)...take a note on the stuntwork by Eddie Parker (stunt double for Buster Crabbe), David Sharpe (stunt double for Jack Moran) and Tom Steele (stuntwork)...the music score in this film has some of the cues from "The Bride of Frankenstein" by Franz Waxman, which fits this film like a glove......special behind the scenes note that actor Buster Crabbe graduated from the University of Southern California and won the 400 meter freestyle in which he medaled in the 1932 Olympics, went to work for Paramount in "King of the Jungle" (1933), next role was "Tarzan the Fearless (1933), Crabbe returned to Paramount Pictures was featured in Zane Grey Westerns which were well received, then came the roles that made him a household word "Flash Gordon" and "Buck Rogers" at Universal Picture Serials (1936-1940), meanwhile PRC Studios was looking for a leading hero "Billy the Kid" and "Billy Carson" in the 1940 B-Western series and ran its course for six years, later made several televison appearances and appeared in a series "Captain Gallant and the Foreign Legion" (1955-1957).....meanwhile back to the feature as Universal Pictures always at the top of their game and this serial is no exception...there is a great deal of entertainment here for the cliffhanger fans out there...all courtesy of VCI Entertainment, who in my humble opinion is the best there is in restoring early serials and features.

CHAPTER TITLES:
1. Tomorrow's World
2. Tragedy on Saturn
3. The Enemy's Stronghold
4. The Sky Patrol
5. The Phantom Plane
6. The Unknown Command
7. Primitive Urge
8. Revolt of the Zuggs
9. Bodies Without Minds
10.Broken Barriers
11.A Prince in Bondage
12.War of the Planets

BIOS:
1. Buster Crabbe (aka Clarence Linden Crabbe)
Birth Date: 2/07/1908 - Oakland, CA
Died: 4/23/1983 - Scottsdale, Arizona
2. Constance Moore
Birth Date: 1/18/1919 - Sioux City, Iowa
Died: 9/16/2055 - Los Angeles, CA
3. Antony Warde
Birth Date: 11/04/1908 - Pennsylvania
Died: 1/08/1975 - Hollywood, CA
4. Jackie Moran (aka John E. Moran)
Birth Date:1/26/1923 - Matton, Illinois
Died: 9/20/1990 - Greenfield, MA
5. Ford I. Beebe (Director)
Birth Date: 11/26/1888 -
Died: 11/26/1978 -

If you crave action, drama and plenty of adventure then this is the place for all of the above...check out another release from VCI Entertainment and Columbia Pictures present "Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere" (1951) (digitally remastered), 15 Chapters.finally for the first time on video the really great Columbia Serial that broke the mold...we have everything a serial fan would want...the tinted sequences by Cinecolor and unique inventions that were unlike any other serial out there in the '50s...get out there as they're going fast, this is the one you've been waiting for.

Great job by VCI Entertainment for releasing "Buck Rogers" (1940), the digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage serial era of the '30s, '40s & '50s...order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment, stay tuned once again for top notch action mixed with deadly adventure from the "King of Serials" VCI...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time: 241 mins on DVD ~ VCI Entertainment 8248 ~ (4/27/2004)

Buck Rogers was the earlier space hero, first appearing in two featured novellas in Hugo Gernsbach's AMAZING STORIES, the earliest science-fiction pulp magazine. Then of course, he became a comic strip hero who was quite popular until the FLASH GORDON comic strip with superior illustrative art started competing.

Universal did well with Buck, though the serial didn't have the appeal of the Flash Gordon serials. It's not as imaginative, but it is a good action serial. Buster Crabbe shows a little of the calmer nature of the hero, compared to Flash Gordon's impetuousness.

If you don't have any of them, get especially FLASH GORDON: SPACE SOLDIERS and FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE first, but then be sure to get BUCK ROGERS.