Serial Squadron has announced they are working on a new restoration of the classic cliffhanger serial, Spy Smasher. The character started out in the pages of Fawcett's Whiz Comics (where Captain Marvel was originally published), and focussed on a master detective who used wits, brawn, and gadgetry (including a Gyrosub) to fight evildoers. Republic Pictures produced a twelve-chapter serial starring Kane Richmond as the title character (and his twin brother). Production began in December of 1941, just before the alliance between the Allies was formalized (on January 1, 1942) during WWII. Consequently, the character Spy Smasher acted as an independent agent to thwart a Nazi baddie called The Mask, who operated from an offshore submarine. The Mask's schemes included trying to destroy the economy with counterfeit money and sabotaging aircraft, oil, and munitions. Spy Smasher's Gyrosub was changed to the memorable "Bat Plane", a v-shaped flying wing. Released over 12 chapters, movie goers saw the theatrical debut of Spy Smasher on April 4th, 1942. An abridged version was later cut for TV release in 1966 as Spy Smasher Returns. Serial Squadron hopes to release the DVD this fall, and depending on resolution, may also offer a Blu-ray edition. Stay tuned! And check out Spy Vibe's episodes on Cocktail Nation radio: Episode #1 (Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim), Epsiode #3 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service), Episode #4 (Roger Moore/The Saint), and Episode #5 (The Avengers), Episode #6 (The Prisoner), and Episode #7 (The Ipcress File), Episode #8 (The Man From U.N.C.L.E.), Spy Vibe Radio: UFO, Spy Vibe Radio: Danger Diabolik, and Spy Vibe Radio: Peter Gunn. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Spy Vibe Radio: Peter Gunn, Agent Zero M, New Prisoner Comic, Dr. No Villains Edition, Spy Vibe Radio: Danger Diabolik, Dr. No 60th, Oy-Oy-Seven, Spy Vibe Radio (UFO), Cold War Comic Strips, Thunderball Event, Mission to India, Mort Walker Celebration, Peter Wyngarde Celebration, Batman 66 Exhibit, Prisoner Fifty Event, Ian Fleming Publications 2017-2018, Interview: Ed Hulse Pulp, Avengers Audio Drama, Interview: Callan At 50, Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private Eyes, TWA Returns, Spy Vibe Radio 8, Interview: Ryan Heshka, Mid-Century Modern Schulz, Agent Werewolf, Mata Hair Exhibit, Johnny Sokko 50th, Interview: Trina Robbins, Eddie Izzard, The Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50th, Hugh Hefner R.I.P., Jack Good R.I.P., Interview: Shaken Not Stirred, Callan 50th, Spy Vibe Radio 7, The Prisoner 50th Event, Spy-Fi Event, Kaho Aso 007, Two Million, Bo Diddley, Carnaby Pop, Le Carre Events, Billy Bragg Skiffle, Elvis 68, Jack Kirby The Prisoner, Casino Royale Concert, Review: The Prisoner Vol 2, Interview: The Prisoner Essential Guide, Maud Russell Mottisfont, Spy Vibe Radio 4, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review.
Three days left to enter! Celebrate Spy Vibe's birthday by entering to win cool vintage collectibles. See the main contest page for details. Entries must be in by February 3rd. What else is new on Spy Vibe? Scroll down for posts about the new Barbarella tv show, Man From U.N.C..L.E. illustration, British spy comics in the 1960s, Piper Gates retro spy designs, Cinema Retro celebrates James Bond, and Spy Vibe's 2012 top ten, including my review of Skyfall.
The 1942 cliffhanger serial Spy Smasher from Republic Pictures was sold and re-edited as a TV movie in 1966. The film version, Spy Smasher Returns, is a steady stream of Republic-style brawls, chase scenes, and special effects from the Lydecker brothers. Kane Richmond as Spy Smasher (based on the Fawcett comic hero) leads us on the trail of Nazi evildoers in the United States before we entered WWII. In the first twenty minutes, viewers are thrilled by a crafty escape from a firing squad in Europe, then follow the clues and action by train, plane, speedboat, and submarine. The Lydeckers provide an especially thrilling escape from a flood of oily flame down a mineshaft! To save money, Republic would sometimes reuse footage from earlier serials. We'd have to ask Leonard Maltin, who has studied the cliffhangers extensively, if this escape scene was shot especially for Spy Smasher. The original 12 serial chapters have been widely available on Archive.org and Youtube, but a nice print of the 1966 film version is now streaming on Netflix. Atypical of low-budget releases, it even includes optional subtitles. The character was first introduced in Whiz Comics in 1940 and followed the formula of rich playboy-turns-hero with the aid of cool gadgets and daring-do. He became Crime Smasher after the war and continued in print until 1953, when Whiz crumbled under the lawsuit from DC over Captain Marvel. DC brought Spy Smasher back in 1972 and he appeared in the 1990s Power of Shazam. More recently, the character has been resurrected as a female anti-terrorist agent in Birds of Prey.
