Terry And The Pirates (1940) film serial (film series review).
Beyond a few mentions in “Tomorrow” magazines, my knowledge of Milton Caniff’s newspaper strip is minimal, and I’ve been relying on a 15-episode film serial from 1940.
Terry Lee, portrayed by William Tracy, travels to Africa with his father’s associate, Pat Ryan (played by Granville Owen, also known as Jeff York). Their goal is to join Terry’s archaeologist father, played by John Paul Jones. Despite obstacles, they reach a village but struggle to hire locals to carry their equipment. Given this story stems from the 1930s, one shouldn’t expect modern sensibilities. Strangely, Terry often seems sidelined, with Ryan dominating the dialogue. Terry’s age remains ambiguous. A peek into William Tracy’s biography reveals he was 23 in 1940, seemingly playing a younger character based on his demeanor towards Ryan.
A bulk of Terry’s role, beyond aiding Ryan in physical confrontations, revolves around failing to photograph their adventures. Yet, he exhibits a knack for fixing radios – an intriguing skill considering their jungle locale.
As the narrative unfolds, loyalties shift. The initially hostile Dragon Lady, portrayed by Sheila Darcy, becomes an ally. The reason behind her moniker, the “Dragon Lady,” remains unclear in the serial, as the worshipped golden statue doesn’t resemble a dragon. This might be clearer in the original newspaper strip.
In episode 12, a dark facet of Terry Lee emerges. After escaping a trap with Ryan, Terry coldly triggers a deadly trap. Given the 1940s context, this dark moment might have been downplayed, but it hints at a chilling side to Terry’s character.
Fang, the antagonist, seeks cooperation from Terry’s father and often spares Terry. While he’s undeniably the villain, his actions suggest a pirate-like motive focused more on treasure than violence.
Avoiding major spoilers, it’s astounding how often Ryan and Terry endure physical trauma, whether in brawls or from debris. Throughout the series, characters constantly engage in skirmishes, evasions, captures, imprisonments, and breakouts. The series concludes in an unexpected way, not necessarily spotlighting Terry and his group.
Clearly a product of its studio, the film might not have been designed for the scrutiny it faces over a century later. Interior sets appear hastily assembled, but the outdoor scenes and glimpses of the jungle feel authentic.
Has the serial piqued my interest in the original “Terry And The Pirates” newspaper strip, now available across four books? Somewhat less so. The story feels more like a product of its era than something contemporary. Whether the film serial is to blame remains uncertain, but I’ve hesitated to sample the subsequent TV series.
GF Willmetts
October 2023
(pub: Vision Entertainment. 2 DVDs 15 episodes 1 * 30 minutes 14 * 17 minutes with minimal extras. Price: varies. ASIN: B07QRN45X7)
cast: William Tracy, Granville Owen, John Paul Jones, Joyce Bryant, Sheila Darcy, Dick Curtis, Victor DeCamp and many more
check out website: www.visionentertainment.com
