Mandrake, The Magician (film serial review).
Another 1950s series that seems to have slipped under the radar but is available in high-quality DVD is “Mandrake, The Magician,” adapted from the comic strip created by writer Lee Falk and artist Phil Davis. It’s evident that lessons were learned from previous serials, as viewers are introduced to the cast and their respective characters right from the beginning. However, many of the cast members appear somewhat eerie when they smile. A significant drawback from the outset is the stilted dialogue in the opening episode.
Surprisingly, given that this serial had three scriptwriters, the actors appear to recite large blocks of text rather than engage in natural dialogue with one another. The principle of “less is more” often applies to writing dialogue, and interactions between characters are crucial. It’s worth noting, however, that the dialogue does improve from the second episode onward. This improvement could be due to the team finding their rhythm or perhaps someone recognizing the initial problem.
In the series, Mandrake (played by Warren Hull) is a stage magician currently performing on a liner. His act is disrupted during the vanishing box segment when someone takes a shot at it. This performance is Mandrake’s last before he and his assistant, Lothor (portrayed by Al Kilume), depart to assist Professor Houston (portrayed by Forbes Murray) and his daughter, Betty (played by Doris Weston), to prevent the theft of his radium energy machine.
Mandrake successfully thwarts the initial theft attempt. The masked antagonist, the Wasp (actor unknown), tends to give orders to his gang from the shadows rather than taking direct action. Interestingly, while each episode ends on a cliffhanger, scenes from later in the next episode are sometimes shown, which somewhat diminishes the tension. It’s also peculiar that Mandrake rarely employs his magic to resolve situations, resorting to physical combat more frequently than even the most brawny of superheroes. Strangely, the Wasp’s gang doesn’t brandish firearms until the series’ final episodes.
The story oscillates between safeguarding the radium energy machine and uncovering the Wasp’s true identity. Elaborating too much on the latter veers into spoiler territory and is decidedly melodramatic. Given the abundance of fight scenes in each episode, the target audience seems to have been younger viewers, or perhaps the brawls were just added for padding. However, they certainly provided ample work opportunities for the stuntmen of that era.
As is typical for such serials, the budget constraints are evident, but the action is engaging, leaving viewers eager for the next installment. Personally, I’ve struggled to watch more than two episodes in a single sitting, but that pacing might reflect the viewing habits of the era, a sentiment that resonates even today. Next, I plan to experiment with longer viewing sessions to determine if it interferes with my evening routine.
Of all the characters originating from Lee Falk’s work, I believe the Phantom film serial was executed more effectively.
GF Willmetts
August 2023
(Columbia Pictures, 1939. 1 * 28 minute episode, 11 * 20 minute episodes)
cast: Warren Hull, Doris Weston, Al Kikume and Rex Downing
