Flash Gordon - The Deadly Ray from Mars

Starring:Buster Crabbe, Jean Rogers, Charles Middleton, Frank Shannon, Beatrice Roberts, Donald Kerr, Richard Alexander, C. Montague Shaw, Wheeler Oakman, Kenne Duncan, Warner Richmond, Jack Mulhall, Lane Chandler, Anthony Warde, Ben Lewis (III), Fred Kohler Jr., Earl Askam, Jerry Frank, Herbert Holcombe, Stanley Price
Director: Frederick Stephani, Robert F. Hill, Ford Beebe
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Call it high camp, middlebrow, or simply low rent, but this entry in the Flash Gordon series is at least reasonably entertaining. An edited version of the 1938 serial Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars, it finds Flash (Buster Crabbe) and friends traveling to Mars to battle archenemy Ming the Merciless (and arch is certainly the word for Charles Middleton's performance) and the death ray he's using to suck the very life out of Earth. Sure, the action is silly, the effects for the most part laughable, the "science" absurd, and the acting consistently over-the-top; and tedium will likely set in halfway through the feature's 96 minutes. But how can you not chuckle along with (or perhaps at) such deathless dialogue as "Kneel, Earth man" and "Gee whiz, King"? And so what if there are no DVD bonus features? Flash Gordon has no need for cheap frills to keep us the edge of our seats! --Sam Graham

Description

The Earth is being ravaged by mysterious floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. After blasting off in a rocket ship, Flash Gordon, Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov discover that the source of the destruction is a mysterious ray emanating from the planet Mars. Flying to the rescue, Flash and his friends must overcome the cruel and beautiful Queen Azura and the legions of Claymen and Treemen of Mars. But lurking behind Azura's deadly schemes is the real culprit, Flash's archrival Ming the Merciless! Once again Flash must struggle against incredible odds to save the Earth from almost certain doom. But will he be in time? This is a feature-length edited version of the 1938 serial "Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars."

Customer Reviews:

Space silliness.......2006-11-15

These fifteen episodes, twenty minutes each, add up to a five-hour marathon of popcorn-worthy swashbuckling. It's based on Alex Raymond's comic strip from that pre-WWII era that now looks like such an Eden of innocence. It wasn't, of course, but they didn't know it back then.

Queen Azura of Mars has waged war on the clay people, who seem condemned to live their shambling lives away from the sun, in prison uniforms and itchy-looking rubber masks. Evil Ming the Merciless falsely befriends her, to take advantage of her mystic command of the White Opal. It is a gem that grants her magical powers and looks pretty good on with her perpetual evening gown. Somewhere along the line the good guy's gal, Dale Arden, also doffs her lab coat and spends the rest of the flick running through forests and caves in an evening gown of her own - more sparkly, and more dramatic about the bodice. Then there's Prince Barin, standing proud in his armored chestplate and shortie bloomers. And Ming, with a little arrow pasted onto his skullcap.

Well, ignore the costumes (and the plot, if you can). Instead, drink in the tubby little strato-sleds as they soar through the air, flatulent with drooping sparks and drifting wreaths of smoke. Or the wonderful labs, generally bare except for a few ominous Erlenmeyers and a Jacob's ladder or two, or more. Or the ray guns that look mostly like little cookie presses with the handle bent sideways.

It's great stuff. My childhood was, I admit, as close to the series's 1938 date as to this writing, or closer. It was wonderful, stirring adventure back then. It still is, if you can see it with innocent-enough eyes. If not, it's the epitome of camp, only better for being so un-self-conscious. And people don't have bloody fights and do keep their clothes on, so tender sensibilities need not worry.

//wiredweird

Good Movie--if You Get the Full Edition!.......2005-10-04

Make sure you get the Image Entertainment DVD! That one has all the episodes and runs 299 minutes. I bought the 97 minute edition by accident because the reviews are all combined!

Even the 97 minute version was good, but so much was edited out, and a few times the viewer is edited into a different situation completely.

The plot involves an attempt to destroy earth once again, and Flash Gordon, Professor Zarkhov, and Dale Arden come to the rescue. The queen of Mars has usurped the throne and turned her enemies into "clay men." But behind it all is Ming the Merciless. Lots of fun! But remember, with all these serials, the viewer had better not ask questions (like how is it everyone speaks English, or why can you fly from planet to planet and never worry about Oxygen or temperature). These movies are meant as an escape and are best called "feel good" movies. Kids love these as well as adults.

Uncomplete and cut.......2005-09-27

1mn45s are missing in 35mm sources while existing in 16mm TV versions.
On the Image DVD, Flash Gordon Trip To Mars Chapter 3 at 53mn53s : Flash says "It's one of the Death Squa-(sound cut, and) I don't see any more of them."
A sequence is definitely missing, the two parts said being definitely opposite in meaning.
The shot looks the same but we know how movies are shot, all dialogue in same set are shot at once even if applying to different times and actions.
From a forum, someone detailed : Flash Gordon and Zarkov are being pursued by a Martian pilot in a "Strato-Sled". (The Martian pilot pushes a button at the top of his console, and you hear an explosion) Flash says: "It's one of the Death Squadron ships right on our tails!" Zarkov says: "Man the gun Flash! I'll try to get him into position for you!" (The two ships weave around and fire at each other, Flash pushes his button, and there's a big explosion) Zarkov says: "Got 'Em Flash! Direct hit!" The injured Martian pilot crawls to the televisor and says: "Death Squadron Base Emergency!"(twice) The Squadron Commander, (Kenneth Duncan) says: "Death Squadron Base answering. Who's calling?" Martian pilot answers: " Z- N 12! Look out for...Look out for..." (he collapses, and his ship crashes into a mountain.) Flash says: " I don't see any more of them. He must be the only one."

Flash Gordon and the star war.......2005-09-08

I saw all the episodes of Flash Gordon during my adolescence and it had been for ever in my mind. Later on,as a man I had the opportunity to buy it and see it again, and I was impressed for the performance of Buster Crabbe that with the company of Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov go in the quest to save planet Earth.
During the 13 hair-raising episodes of fabulous high adventure on Mongo, a planet complete with hawkmen, lionmen,melting rays, sky cities, rocket fleets, atom furnaces, all controlled by the cruelestdespot in the universe...Ming the merciless. comparing all this I realized that this 1951 TV series is the beginning of the new star war episodes, that is the importance of to see Flash Gordon.

ANOTHER CLASSIC SERIAL.......2004-08-18

THIS TIME AROUND, FLASH GORDON, DALE ARDEN, AND PROFESSOR ZARKOFF TRAVEL TO MARS TO PREVENT QUEEN AZURA FROM STEALING THE EARTH'S NITROGEN. ALSO, THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH EMPORER MING AGAIN. THIS 13-CHAPTER SEQUEL DOESN'T COMPARE WITH THE 1ST, BUT IT'S EASILY ONE OF THE BEST SERIALS EVER RELEASED. ANY SERIAL FAN WILL LOVE THIS ACTON-PACKED SERIAL.

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