Product Details

• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 2
• Studio: Vci/Ffi
• VHS Release Date: June 26, 1995
• Run Time: 270 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303562302
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #332,662 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Action and More, July 29, 2001

By 

Stephen A. Kallis, Jr. (Tampa, Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Captain Midnight [VHS] (VHS Tape)

One of the most popular of the old-time radio programs was Captain Midnight, which ran from 1938 through 1949. Columbia Pictures created a cliff-hanger serial loosely based on this program, though with differences common to serials of the era. The radio featured Captain Midnight as the leader of a paramilitary aviation-based organization called the Secret Squadron. He had regular companions Chuck Ramsay, Joyce Ryan, and Ichabod Mudd. In the serial, "Captain Midnight" was a secret identity, like a comic-book superhero, rather than a code name, as in the radio show. The film dropped many of the radio-show trappings, leaving just a few items, such as Captain Albright (Captain Midnight's real name) as a skilled aviator. The serial is typical of many of the period, with a relatively thin plot, but lots of action. For a serial, it's not bad, and it doesn't "cheat" (i.e., change the cliff-hanger bridge) though there is one rather remarkable survival of a peril. It's entertaining, though those wanting to find out about the radio show will find little in the serial to enlighten them.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Saved by Craven and Horne....., February 8, 2002

By 

Neal C. Reynolds (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Captain Midnight [VHS] (VHS Tape)

As one who was a loyal Ovaltine drinker (hated the stuff, but I had to be the first kid in my block to get the mugs and decoders!) and CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT fan during the 40's, I was hoping for a better depiction of my childhood radio hero. Yet, sad to say, I can't honestly justify giving this more than three stars.

Indeed, there is a lot here that is enjoyable, and I give credit for that. First, the reasons for a three star rating are mainly a less than faithful portrayal of the main character (Why is he wearing a mask when everyone knows who he is?), the omission of the character's origin and the beginning of the conflict between him and Ivan Shark, and (with the notable exception of chapter 10) basically weak chapter endings and next-week resolutions. Heck, our hero just walks away, albeit rather dazed, from a number of the situations!

However, especially on a repeat reviewing, James Craven as the evil Ivan Shark shines as a villain. His facial and bodily over reactions are a joy to watch, along with his vitriolic tongue lashings of his henchmen. Unexpected dialog, such as his peevish "I don't want to talk about it!" in one aerial scene is well delivered.

And then, there's James W. Horne's direction. Horne directed several classic comedians including the Three Stooges, Laurel & Hardy, and Buster Keaton, and he used this style to pepper the serials he directed such as THE GREEN ARCHER (which also featured James Craven as the bad guy), THE SHADOW, and this one. Scenes such as three of the thugs ending up slugging each other after the hero gets away with their vehicle and one henchman crossing his fingers while the other radios very unwelcome news to Shark are examples. There was one scene that regrettably was edited out though it was shown in the teaser at the end of one chapter that again was prime Horne, with Craven venting his wrath on all in his reach. And the resolution to the very spectacular chapter ending in Chapter 10 is masterful in a comic sort of way. Another Horne touch is the slight hint made that there could be more to the father/daughter relationship between Ivan and Fury Shark than meets the eye, especially when contrasted to the more acceptable relationship between heroine Joyce and her inventor father. Finally, there's the radio serial like narration at the start and end of each chapter. The chapter end narration is standard for Columbia, but the hyperbolic chapter introduction is very reminiscent of the golden days of radio. I do wonder about Joyce's obvious flubbing of her lines when she's on the phone in the first chapter...was that poor editing, or did Horne think that it might be cute to let it stand?

Yes, I would dearly love to see what Republic could've done with the character. But we do have the Columbia version, and despite its several shortcomings, many (certainly not all) serial fans will enjoy this.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More hilarious serial fun from James W. Horne, November 6, 2003

By 

George N. Fabian (Mountainside, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Captain Midnight [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Serial purists will roll over in their graves or fall off their
sofas after viewing this one. James Craven is back again ranting
and raving against his underlings and wearing many ridiculous disguises. One hilarious scene has him arguing with his daughter
over the sillyass disguises he dons--of which she strongly disapproves. In another scene his numbskull thugs knock each other out. Keep your tongue firmly in your cheek and you will have a lot of fun watching this one.