Product Details

• Actors: Don Terry, Walter Sande, John Litel, Wade Boteler, Samuel S. Hinds
• Directors: Ford Beebe, Ray Taylor
• Writers: Frank V. Martinek, Griffin Jay, Morgan Cox, Paul Huston
• Producers: Henry MacRae
• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 2
• Studio: Vci/Ffi
• VHS Release Date: July 15, 1992
• Run Time: 265 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300267342
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,040 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Once outside the burning...., March 23, 2009

By 

Hal Owen (Burbank, California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Don Winslow of the Navy - Volumes 1 & 2 (Complete Serial) (2-DVD) (DVD)

For anyone old enough to remember the Saturday afternoon matinee movie experience, the action/adventure serial was usually the highlight of a weekly theater line up that might start with six to eight cartoons and end with another gang of cattle rustlers and varmints either behind bars or at least being run off the range by the likes of Gene Autry or William "Hopalong Cassidy" Boyd. While the cartoons were mostly fantasy fun, (except for the sing-alongs which seemed out of place in a auditorium screaming with the manic energy of hundreds of sugar-jazzed kids,) and the westerns rarely reached for anything more symbolic than crime doesn't pay horse opera story lines, the serials helped define the real world as a place full of dangerous men who sometimes wore very elaborate costumes or at least off the rack ill-fitting suits with hats that never blew off their well oiled hair while driving cars with fancy hood ornaments that could serve as the perfect paint spray applicator when a color change was deemed essential to loose a tail. Over the years, the movie serial evolved into a multi chaptered series of adventures that usually opened showing just how the hero manages to escape certain doom by some trick of fate or clever editing to live and fight his way towards the concluding episode. Which brings us to the 1942, twelve chapter, classic, "Don Winslow of the Navy," starring the rugged and genuine man of the world, Don Terry. Terry was perfectly cast to fight villians, as he had at one time been a boxer among other things and was under contract at Universal when preproduction for this serial began. First released some two months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, "Don Winslow of the Navy" quickly became a symbol of the matinee-militia in short pants resolve to see that the Pacific theater of World War Two included military victory over the land of the rising sun. But I'm getting ahead of the story for here we have presumably the timeless beauty of the Universal City palm-leafed backlot to suggest a more dangerous pre war South Pacific along with a fair amount of U.S.Navy approved stock footage serving as the backdrop to a tale of "a ruthless gang of saboteurs who seek to destroy supply ships carrying rations and equipment for the troops and undermine the entire United States' war effort." If you want to see what we as kids saw, minus the political correctness and superb special effects of today's filmakers, "Don Winslow of the Navy" might be for you. Yes it looks and feels like film making of another era but, for better or worse, it's the real thing. My only serious complaint has to do with the sometimes poor print quality through out the twelve chapters on two seperate DVDs. Otherwise, grab the Milk Duds, the popcorn and the soda and brace yourself for an afternoon of high and wide movie watching the likes of which you may not have experienced in quite some time.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The King of Serials...VCI Entertainment ~ Don Winslow of the Navy (1942)", November 25, 2005

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don Winslow of the Navy Volume 2 (Chapters 7-12) (DVD)

VCI Entertainment and Universal Pictures present "Don Winslow of the Navy" (1942) (Dolby digitally remastered), the first and best serial in this series adapted from your favorite King Feature Syndicate with 12 Chapters of vintage serial episodes loaded with action sequences...story line involves saboteures, enemy agents and villains galore...can Don Winslow our hero and US Naval Commander discover in time the plans and plot to destroy our supply ships for the troops...will "The Scorpion" succeed with his ring of evil henchman to confuse Cmdr. Winslow...can we depend on the production crew of Universal Pictures to bring home a winner within the 12 Chapters allowed...watch out for all concerned on the island of Tongita as Winslow keeps you guessing until the final chapter "The Scorpion Strangled"...just remember double thrills, chills, mystery and suspense...hitting the bull's eye with excitement...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's Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor, two of the best in the Serial genre, producer Morgan B. Cox, adaption by Morgan B. Cox, screenplay by Paul Huston and Griffin Jay, story by Frank V. Martinek, music score by Frank Skinner, Charles A. Zimmerman (Anchors Aweigh), Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (from "Fingal's Cave)...the cast include Don Terry (Cmdr. Don Winslow), Walter Sande (Lt. 'Red' Pennington), Claire Dodd (Mercedes Colby), Anne Nagel (Misty Gaye), Wade Boteler (Mike Splendor), John Litel (Spencer Merlin), Samuel S. Hinds (The CINC-US), Kurt Katch (The Scorpion), Ben Taggart (John Blake), Lane Chandler (Corley-henchman), Iron Eyes Cody (Native thug at mill), Jack Rockwell (Butch Clint-henchman)....stunt doubles are none other than Ken Terrell and Dale Van Sickel...back to the feature as Universal Pictures is always good till the last drop 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. The Human Torpedo
2. Flaming Death
3. Weapons of Horror
4. Towering Doom
5. Trapped in the Dungeon
6. Menached by Man-Eaters
7. Bombed by the Enemy
8. The Chamber of Doom
9. Wings of Destruction
10.Fighting Fathoms
11.Caught in the Caverns
12.The Scorpion Strangled

If you're into vintage serials as I am, why not pick up a copy of the following titles from VCI Home Video:
VCI CLIFFHANGER TRAILERS:
1. Buck Rogers (Buster Crabbe)
2. Adventures of the Flying Cadets (Bobby Jordan)
3. Drums of Fu Manchu (Henry Brandon)
4. Jungle Girl (Frances Gifford)
5. The Phantom (Tom Tyler)
6. Zane Greys "King of the Royal Mounted" (Allan "Rocky" Lane)
7. Secret Agent X-9 (1945) (Lloyd Bridges & Keye Luke)
8. Adventures of Red Ryder (Don "Red" Barry)
9. Secret Agent X-9 (1937) (Scott Kolk & Henry Brandon)
10.Zorro's Cliffhanger Collection (Reed Hadley, John Carroll & Linda Stirling)
11.Dick Tracy's G-Men (Ralph Byrd)
12.Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (Buster Crabbe)
13.Jungle Jim (Grant Withers & Raymond Hatton)
14.Miracle Rider (Tom Mix & Tony Jr)

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 "Don Winslow of the Navy (1942), 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!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The King of Serials...VCI Entertainment ~ Don Winslow of the Navy (1942)", November 26, 2005

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don Winslow of the Navy Volume 1 (Chapters 1-6) (DVD)

VCI Entertainment and Universal Pictures present "Don Winslow of the Navy" (1942) (Dolby digitally remastered), the first and best serial in this series adapted from your favorite King Feature Syndicate with 12 Chapters of vintage serial episodes loaded with action sequences...story line involves saboteures, enemy agents and villains galore...can Don Winslow our hero and US Naval Commander discover in time the plans and plot to destroy our supply ships for the troops...will "The Scorpion" succeed with his ring of evil henchman to confuse Cmdr. Winslow...can we depend on the production crew of Universal Pictures to bring home a winner within the 12 Chapters allowed...watch out for all concerned on the island of Tongita as Winslow keeps you guessing until the final chapter "The Scorpion Strangled"...just remember double thrills, chills, mystery and suspense...hitting the bull's eye with excitement...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's Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor, two of the best in the Serial genre, producer Morgan B. Cox, adaption by Morgan B. Cox, screenplay by Paul Huston and Griffin Jay, story by Frank V. Martinek, music score by Frank Skinner, Charles A. Zimmerman (Anchors Aweigh), Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (from "Fingal's Cave)...the cast include Don Terry (Cmdr. Don Winslow), Walter Sande (Lt. 'Red' Pennington), Claire Dodd (Mercedes Colby), Anne Nagel (Misty Gaye), Wade Boteler (Mike Splendor), John Litel (Spencer Merlin), Samuel S. Hinds (The CINC-US), Kurt Katch (The Scorpion), Ben Taggart (John Blake), Lane Chandler (Corley-henchman), Iron Eyes Cody (Native thug at mill), Jack Rockwell (Butch Clint-henchman)....stunt doubles are none other than Ken Terrell and Dale Van Sickel...back to the feature as Universal Pictures is always good till the last drop 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. The Human Torpedo
2. Flaming Death
3. Weapons of Horror
4. Towering Doom
5. Trapped in the Dungeon
6. Menached by Man-Eaters
7. Bombed by the Enemy
8. The Chamber of Doom
9. Wings of Destruction
10.Fighting Fathoms
11.Caught in the Caverns
12.The Scorpion Strangled

If you're into vintage serials as I am, why not pick up a copy of the following titles from VCI Home Video:
VCI CLIFFHANGER TRAILERS:
1. Buck Rogers (Buster Crabbe)
2. Adventures of the Flying Cadets (Bobby Jordan)
3. Drums of Fu Manchu (Henry Brandon)
4. Jungle Girl (Frances Gifford)
5. The Phantom (Tom Tyler)
6. Zane Greys "King of the Royal Mounted" (Allan "Rocky" Lane)
7. Secret Agent X-9 (1945) (Lloyd Bridges & Keye Luke)
8. Adventures of Red Ryder (Don "Red" Barry)
9. Secret Agent X-9 (1937) (Scott Kolk & Henry Brandon)
10.Zorro's Cliffhanger Collection (Reed Hadley, John Carroll & Linda Stirling)
11.Dick Tracy's G-Men (Ralph Byrd)
12.Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (Buster Crabbe)
13.Jungle Jim (Grant Withers & Raymond Hatton)
14.Miracle Rider (Tom Mix & Tony Jr)

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 "Don Winslow of the Navy (1942), 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!