The Spider’s Web: 1938 serial (film serial review).
Upon watching the initial half-hour episode of the 1938 film serial ‘The Spider’s Web,’ viewers will notice that the Spider, portrayed by Warren Hull, juggles three identities with support from a team, including his girlfriend. It may strike audiences as somewhat derivative of the Shadow, especially since the Spider’s opponent, the Octopus, also maintains a heavy disguise and exhibits a limp. The Octopus demonstrates no tolerance for failure among his subordinates, offering a ruthless edge to his character.
Viewers might wonder why the Octopus’s surviving gang members neither question the fate of their disappeared colleagues nor seize opportunities to escape. For clarification, the Shadow debuted in 1931, predating the Spider, which appeared in 1933.
Richard Wentworth, also known as the Spider, decides to momentarily retire his alter ego to marry Nita Van Sloan, played by Iris Meredith. Viewers catch a glimpse of his distinctive disguise—resembling an early gimp mask paired with a web-patterned cape—only during the opening credits.
Navigating this version requires returning to the main menu to access subsequent episodes. Wentworth fluidly transitions among his three identities throughout the serial in his quest to thwart the elusive Octopus. As Blinky McQuade, Wentworth adopts an eyepatch and deliberately unattractive teeth, presenting a recognizable yet confidant figure in the criminal underworld. The Spider, while wanted by the police and feared by criminals, proves adept with dual pistols.
In the serial, Wentworth and his team engage in continual skirmishes with the Octopus’ gang while attempting to locate their nemesis. The Octopus harbors ambitions of controlling the city’s utilities and threatens to assassinate their executives should his plan falter. With the Octopus possessing access to police headquarters meetings, Wentworth capitalizes on this insider information. The series finale intriguingly opts for a narrative reveal rather than a grand confrontation, with the pivotal moment easily missed if one blinks.
Throughout the story, Wentworth unhesitatingly eliminates villains without displaying remorse, casually resuming his routine the following morning. Since Wentworth’s team is often seen accompanying the Spider, it raises questions regarding the failure of others, including the police, to connect the dots. Even when Commissioner Kirk, portrayed by Forbes Murray, is directly questioned by Wentworth regarding the Spider’s identity, he fails to make the obvious connection, though he isn’t completely foolish.
A quick search reveals that actor Warren Hull was a staple in Republic serials, with roles including Mandrake, the Magician, and the Green Hornet.
For those attempting to binge-watch these serials, consider taking occasional breaks to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
GF Willmetts
October 2023
(pub: Trip Discs. 2 DVDs 15 episodes – first 30 minutes, the other 14 at 16 minutes each)
cast: Warren Hull, Iris Meredith, Richard Fiske, Kenn Duncan, Forbes Murray, Don Douglas and Marc Lawrence
check out website: www.tripdiscs.com
