Serials and Series: A World Filmography, 1912-1956 [Hardcover]

Buck Rainey (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786404493 | ISBN-13: 978-0786404490 | Publication Date: February 1999

While many fans remember The Lone Ranger, Ace Drummond and others, fewer focus on the facts that serials had their roots in silent film and that many foreign studios also produced serials, though few made it to the United States.

The 471 serials and 100 series (continuing productions without the cliffhanger endings) from the United States and 136 serials and 37 series from other countries are included in this comprehensive reference work. Each entry includes title, country of origin, year, studio, number of episodes, running time or number of reels, episode titles, cast, production credits, and a plot synopsis.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Prolific film reference writer Rainey adds another title to his credit with this treatment of more than 750 movie series (unrelated episodes about the same characters) and serials (cliffhangers that were eagerly followed from week to week). About 75 percent of the films are American, with the rest from European countries. Emphasis is on melodrama and action-oriented titles; comedy and feature film series are omitted, because they are well-covered in other sources, according to the author.

Entries, which are arranged alphabetically by series title, note the country (if foreign), studio, beginning date, number of chapters or episodes, number of reels per chapter, and director, screenplay, producer, and story credits. Each has a brief summary of plot and characters, followed by actor credits and episode titles (when known). Some of the more familiar titles are the silent The Perils of Pauline (think damsel in distress tied to the tracks or the mill saw!), as well as The Lone Ranger, Flash Gordon, Dick Tracy, Batman, The Phantom, The Yellow Menace, and Buck Rogers. Attractive black-and-white stills, cards, and poster reproductions grace almost every spread. A bibliography and comprehensive name and title index conclude the book. Most of the information here is not found elsewhere, so this volume merits a place in any comprehensive film reference collection.

Review

"collects together documentation from a variety of sources and is easily usable" -- Classic Images

"the photographs alone are a treasure, with Buck and McFarlands unearthing some rare treats. I thoroughly recommend this publication.... Nobody interested in serials should be without it" -- Nostalgia Westerns

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 321 pages
• Publisher: Mcfarland & Co Inc Pub (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786404493
• ISBN-13: 978-0786404490
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,830,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST SERIAL REFERENCE!!!, February 26, 2011

By 

Richard J. Oravitz - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Serials and Series: A World Filmography, 1912-1956 (Paperback)

You get 321 action-packed pages here! And I do mean "packed"!
There are 754 actual entries here, so the print is small, but quite readible on good quality paper stock. And there's nothing wrong with my binding as this book has been getting frequent use on a daily basis for several months now.
Author Rainey gives us a complete alphabetical listing of all known silent and sound serials made throughout the world circa 1912-1956. Most (85%,guess) were made in the USA. Series are also included. Not series like the B-Western Range Busters, but those (usually silent) which were serial-like in format and ran mostly 2 reels with continuing characters and/or plotlines, but with no cliffhangers at the end of each episode.
This is the perfect reference book, period. While most serial books concentrate on a selection of serials with the author commenting on his choices, Rainey's listing is complete with all production notes; year, producer, director, cast, chapter listings, plot summary,etc., etc. Weiss' book TO BE CONTINUED (1972) attempted the same but was far too sketchy and incomplete on several entries.
So for action fans of the old time movie serials I can't recommend this book enough. It's about as complete a book of this type as you'll ever see, and it's also loaded with hundreds of rare photos of lobby cards and serial scenes, all of which are nicely reproduced, most of which I haven't seen before.
A definate armchair companion. Buy, enjoy.

3.0 out of 5 stars Comments on "Serials and Series", October 1, 2005

By 

Philip A. Freeman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Serials and Series: A World Filmography, 1912-1956 (Hardcover)

I recently purchased "Serial Film Stars", which was also written by Mr. Rainey, and was very pleased with it. I felt it was well worth the nearly $100 I spent for it. My satisfaction with this book led me to purchase this second book written by him which also cost about $100. I found it much less interesting than the prior book. My mild dissatisfaction with this book is based mainly on it's cost. My rating would certainly go up if the book had cost in the $50 range. In addition, the binding could be better. The cover is already starting to warp a little.

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! A book that includes all serials, silent and sound., April 9, 1999

By 

Hans J. Wollstein (Denmark) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serials and Series: A World Filmography, 1912-1956 (Hardcover)

Veteran film historian Buck Rainey should be heartily commended for this long-awaited book, which, for the first time, lists all serials (and most of the related series) in one volume. Liberally sprinkled with illustrations, this handsome and well-researched volume ought to be mandatory reading for film scholars everywhere! And thank you, Mr. Rainey, for providing a detailed index and an extensive bibliography.