Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars (1938)

SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

As "Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars" begins, Flash (Buster Crabbe) Dr. Zarkov (Frank Shannon) and Dale Arden (Jean Rogers) are returning from the planet Mongo where they have defeated Ming the Merciless (Charles Middleton) in his efforts to destroy the earth. Somehow on the way, the comely Miss Arden has managed to get a makeover including a new hair color and style.On returning to earth, Flash learns that there is a mysterious ray emanating from the planet Mars which is drawing nitrogen from the earth's atmosphere. Flash, Dale and Professor Zarkoff takeoff for Mars immediately. Stowing away on board is bumbling reporter Happy (Donald Kerr) who is along to provide the comedy relief this time around.Arriving on Mars, Flash and his team discover that Mars is a land of matte paintings and miniatures ruled over by Queen Azura (Beatrice Roberts) who can appear and disappear at will. Much to Flash's surprise he discovers that his old nemesis Ming has turned up on Mars and has allied himself with Queen Azura.Over the course of 15 chapters, Flash has encounters with the Clay People and the Tree People as well as Azura and Ming's many followers in life threatening death defying situations. Prince Barin (Richard Alexander) drops in from Mongo to lend Flash a hand.Buster Crabbe complete with blonde hair makes a believable serial hero. He even gets to swing on a vine in the land of the Tree People as he had as Tarzan a few years earlier. Jean Rogers has little to do but look beautiful in her floor length gown while being concerned for Flash's safety. Charles Middleton makes an evil sinister double-crossing no good villain.Others in the cast are Montague Shaw as the Leader of the Clay People, Wheeler Oakman as Ming's assistant and Kane Richmond, Kenne Duncan, Warner Richmond and Jack Mulhall in other roles.Will Flash save the world yet again? Tune in again to see Flash's continuing battle with the forces of evil..... at this theater next week.

Not once, but twice in FLASH GORDON'S TRIP TO MARS he ends up being paralyzed pretty much BY HIMSELF: once, when the villains are literally knocking down the doors to get at him (when he urges Zarkov to test the "freeze-ray" on him) and, not long thereafter, when he turns the weapon on AND RUNS DIRECTLY INTO ITS BEAM. Punchy, perhaps, from his bout in SPACE SOLDIERS with the orangopoid, he seems less capable this time around. The sets are as spectacular as in the first serial, and the creepy Clay People are my favorite creatures in any of the FLASH GORDON serials, but his trip to the Angry Red Planet just doesn't measure up to his initial outing. Crabbe seemed to grow more relaxed on camera with each successive serial, but the writing was against him this time around.

Some of my reactions to Flash Gordon serials (such as this one) are similar to my feelings about the original Star Trek series. I revel in the swashbuckling fun and the intensity of the experience. I marvel at the ingenious and original sci-fi elements, while chuckling at some of the increasingly dated technology and special effects. I roll my eyes at some of the overacting while secretly cherishing it. I question the plausibility of some of the plot elements, and wince at some of the social commentary that hasn't aged particularly well.In Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars, many of the actors from the first serial return in their memorable roles. In particular, Buster Crabbe (Flash) and Charles Middleton (Ming) portray their characters with a great deal of flair. Jean Rogers (Dale Arden) seems more subdued and less memorable than in her previous outing. (This may reflect my disapproval of her transformation from a blonde to a short-haired brunette and her censor-demanded, conservative garb!) The new comic-relief journalist character (not present in the original comic strip), "Happy" Hapgood, seems to be a bit of a miscalculation, but his role falls far short of "Jar-Jar" level distraction.The storyline is interesting, although things do drag a bit during the second half of the serial. The plot is primarily action-driven; the romantic story angles that percolated through the first series are virtually absent here. Although the world of Mars is not as diverse as Mongo's (Lionmen, Sharkmen, Hawkmen), the Clay People are a sad and interesting race. The acting and special effects both seem somewhat more polished than in the first serial. Although in one sense this is an improvement, it also removes some of the quirky fun. Overall, this is an enjoyable and memorable serial that fans of old sci-fi will want to seek out.

First saw this serial as a child.....remembered it when I saw it as an adult......even remembered the music......how about that!