Captain Midnight (DVD, 2004, 2-Disc Set)

The Captain Midnight radio show was so popular that, among other things, a movie serial was made of it. The radio show was written for both adults and children, with the title character's identity well known, heading a paramilitary organization called the Secret Squadron. The agents communicated with each other using cipher devices known as Code-O-Graphs.

Most of this is scrapped in the movie serial, which, like most Columbia serials was long on action and short on thought. The names of some of the characters are retained, including that of Captain Midnight's real name, Captain Albright ("Captain Midnight" was a code name conferred upon him in World War I). In the film, "Captain Midnight" is a secret identity, where the hero appears in costume, wearing a mask.

The villain, Ivan Shark, was taken from the radio show, but rather than being the criminal mastermind of the radio show, was turned into a "master of disguises" type baddie, who is bombing American cities from aircradt, no real motive given. Being able to disguise himself, Shark could be nearly anyone at any time in the serial.

The serial is entertaining as many other Columbia serials are. It has one starkly incredible scene in it, which I will not describe because it would be a spoiler, but is better in that respect than another serial, Hop Harrigan, derived from another radio serial, where the film actually cheated.

The radio show is an area in which I've specialized for decades. I bought the movie to see how it would translate to the screen. Not very well, I'm afraid.

However, if you're completely unfamiliar with the radio show, or much-different TV show, the film's entertaining.

I enjoy a good movie serial. Since thin one was highly recommended I got it and found it to be
action-packed all the way to the end