The Lost City (1935) + Lost City Of The
Jungle (1946; VCI/Serials)
Picture: C Sound: C Extras: C Serials: C+/C
VCI has
happened to release two serials with two similar titles, but they are not the
same or connected in any way. Columbia
Pictures distributed The Lost City
(1935) though it seems like an independent production from “Super-Serial
Productions of New York, N.Y.” and producer Sherman S. Krellberg. With future “The Shadow” Kane Richmond as
Bruce Gordon battling the evil villain Zolok (William “Stage” Boyd), who has an
earthquake machine deep in Africa where he is going to try and take over the
world.
Universal
Pictures produced Lost City Of The
Jungle (1946) with supporting stars Lionel Atwill (who died during
production!) & Keye Luke. It has a
madman played by Atwill in Africa using a secret nuclear substance to start
WWIII, but Rod Stanton (Russell Hayden) and Tal Shan of The United Peace
Foundation will try to stop him. It has
its moments, but it is not as good as the first serial and Atwill untimely
passing likely has something to do with it.
Also, the
nuclear weapon is just not as interesting and fun as an earthquake
machine. The mad scientist in the first
serial seems madder and the shoot has more character and form, partly looking
like Horror and German Expressionism.
Both are in 1.33 X 1 black and white as intended, but the Video Black on
the 1935 release is a bit better than the 1946.
The sound is the opposite, both optical mono and here in Dolby Digital
2.0 Mono. VCI has done a good job for
playback of both considering they had the materials they had, continuing to
lead in the most serials on DVD of any company.
They show no signs of quitting.
Extras on
the 1935 serial include text on the director and two leads, stills and trailers
for two other serials also issued by VCI.
On the 1946 serial, extras include trailers for two other serials also
issued by VCI and five text bios. Amusing
all around and at least ambitious, both sold separately, each are worth a
look. However, the 1935 film has more
energy and is the better of the two.
- Nicholas Sheffo
