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Vanishing Legion
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by Vci Video
Sales Rank: 67139
Price: $14.99
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I admit that "very good" is subjective & relative in this case. This was made early in the sound era, and the overacting, especially on the part of child actor, Frankie Darro, is overwhelming, but I find that part of the fun. <p>Harry Carey portrays a character who is probably the oldest serial hero ever. At least, I don't know of any older. However, he is quite good and quite believable in the role. <p>Frankie's father is accused of murder, and attempts to clear him lead to seeking the identity of "The Voice" who is the leader of a gang. In 1931, audiences may have been surprised to find out who "The Voice" is, but chances are you'll have him fingered before the end of the first chap;ter. <p>There are some good chapter endings, for a western serial, and some poor ones, but basically, it's a good action serial. There are a few great photographic effects, and some very good directing. <p>It's dated, and it's pretty hokey, but it's fun and highly recommended to serial fans who are willing to make allowances for the time it was made.
Viewer Reviews
VCI Entertainment and Mascot Pictures present "The Vanishing Legion" (1931) (Dolby digitally remastered), with 12 Chapters of vintage serial episodes jam packed with thrilling action sequences and stunts that will keep you on the edge of your seat...our story asks the question who is the mysterious master criminal known as "The Voice"....are they trying to sabotage the Milesburg Oil Company and put Happy Hardigan (Harry Carey) out of business...is Caroline Hall (Edwina Booth) the rightful heir who has formed her own army to protect her legal rights...what part does Jimmy Williams (Frankie Darro), Rex King of the Wild Horses and Jed Williams (Edward Hearn) play in this murder frame up plot...is Vanishing Legion on the side of the law will they be dispanded before they can take further action in this suspenseful serial.......but don't leave the theater until the final chapter is over and done with "The Hoof of Horror"....just remember double thrills, chills, mystery and suspense...hitting the bull's eye with excitement...don't miss a single spine thrilling episode..return next week to this local theater for another episode of action and adventure that will keep you thrilled until the next chapter.
Under director B. Reeves Eason, producer Nat Levine, Original screenplay by Ford Beebe, Helmer Walton Bergman and Wyndham Gittens, musical score by Lee Zahler...the cast includes Harry Carey ('Happy' Cardigan), Edwina Booth (Caroline Hall), Rex (Rex King of Wild Horses), Frankie Darro (Jimmie Williams), Philo McCullough (Stevens), William Desmond (Milesburg sheriff), Joe Bonomo (Stuffy), Edward Hearn (Jed Williams), Al Taylor (Slocum sheriff), Lafe McKee (Hornbeck), Olive Fuller Golden Carey (Miss Lewis the nurse), Dick Hatton (Dodger), Bob Kortman (Marno-henchman), Yakima Canutt (Henchman), Robert Walker (Allen),...special footnote who would have guessed the real voice of "The Voice" is our favorite Universal Horror star Boris Karloff, notice his whisper still has that trademark lisp and is unmistakably Karloff, at the end of each episode we hear "The voice has spoken"...Olive Fuller Golden who played the nurse is none other than our star Harry Carey's better half, his wife.......meanwhile back to our Mascot Serial which is always good till the last drop and this serial is no exception...there is a great deal of entertainment here for the cliffhanger fans out there...all courtesy of VCI Entertainment, who in my humble opinion is the best there is in restoring early serials and features.
CHAPTER TITLES:
1. The Voice from the Void
2. Queen of the Night Riders
3. The Invisible Enemy
4. The Fatal Message
5. The Trackless Trail
6. The Radio Riddle
7. The Crimson Clue
8. The Doorway of Disaster
9. When Time Stood Still
10.Riding the Whirlwind
11.The Capsule of Obilvion
12.The Hoof of Horror
BIOS:
1. Harry Carey
Birth Date: 1/16/1878 - Bronx, New York
Died: 9/21/1947 - Brentwood, CA
2. Edwina Booth
Birth Date: 9/13/1904 - Provo, Utah
Died: 5/18/1991 - Los Angeles, CA
3. Frankie Darro (aka Frank Johnson)
Birth Date: 12/22/1917 - Chicago, Illinois
Died: 12/25/1976 - Huntington Beach, CA
4. Yakima Canutt (aka Enos Edward Canutt)
Birth Date: 11/29/1896 - Colfax, Washington
Died: 5/24/1986 - North Hollywood, CA
5. B. Reeves Eason (Director)
Birth Date: 10/02/1886 - New York, New York
Died: 6/09/1956 - Sherman Oaks, CA
If you're into vintage serials as I am, why not pick up a copy of the following titles from VCI Home Video:
VCI CLIFFHANGER TRAILERS:
1. Buck Rogers (Buster Crabbe)
2. Adventures of the Flying Cadets (Bobby Jordan)
3. Drums of Fu Manchu (Henry Brandon)
4. Jungle Girl (Frances Gifford)
5. The Phantom (Tom Tyler)
6. Zane Greys "King of the Royal Mounted" (Allan "Rocky" Lane)
7. Secret Agent X-9 (1945) (Lloyd Bridges & Keye Luke)
8. Adventures of Red Ryder (Don "Red" Barry)
9. Secret Agent X-9 (1937) (Scott Kolk & Henry Brandon)
10.Zorro's Cliffhanger Collection (Reed Hadley, John Carroll & Linda Stirling)
11.Dick Tracy's G-Men (Ralph Byrd)
12.Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (Buster Crabbe)
13.Jungle Jim (Grant Withers & Raymond Hatton)
14.Miracle Rider (Tom Mix & Tony Jr)
If you crave action, drama and plenty of adventure then this is the place for all of the above...check out another release from VCI Entertainment and Republic Pictures present Zane Grey's "King of the Royal Mounted" (1940) (digitally remastered), 12 Chapters of vintage serial loaded with action sequences...is there a discovered substance called "Compound X", which may cure infantile paralysis...has Tom Merritt stumbled on such a rare find...is there a war between Canada and sources known later as the "Father Land".....get out there as they're going fast, this is the one you've been waiting for.
Great job by VCI Entertainment for releasing "The Vanishing Legion" (1931), the digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage serial era of the '30s, '40s & '50s...order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment where there are plenty of copies available on VHS, stay tuned once again for top notch action mixed with deadly adventure from the "King of Serials" VCI...just the way we like 'em
Total Time: 220 mins on 2 VHS ~ VCI Entertainment 1732 ~ (11/01/2000)
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