Obviously shot in haste, but given a bit of class in the earlier eps by the use of vast amounts of stock footage, including snips from the previous serials. Mind you, the stock material is often rather clumsily inserted - not that mismatched cuts and out-of-place establishing shots are anything unusual in this serial. Still some of the old footage is quite impressive. Chapter 3 with its copious action from Universal's own 1930 release White Hell of Pitz Palu is my favorite. This ep concludes with Ming's wonderfully conceived mechanical men, the annihilators, on the rampage, though the actual cliffhanger is weak.
Throughout the serial, the editors use optical wipes to maintain interest. One of the best eps for a startling array of wipes is 6. In fact this is a fun chapter all around, with some of the hokiest and most ridiculous dialogue, delivered with perfectly straight faces by players who should have known (but don't) how to gently send it up. The only actor who gives this vein a welcome try is Earl Dwire as a maniacally sadistic scientist, but he is killed off in an early chapter. One of the script's more inspired creations are the Rock Men who make their initial appearance in chapter 7. These eps gain further appeal by lensing on visually exciting natural locations.
Alas, after we bid farewell to the Rock Men early in chapter 9 we have only the lessening joys of the burning metal, the flooded tunnel and the plunge off the castle rampart to sustain us until the serial comes to a somewhat disappointing end. There is no final fight between Flash and Ming, the emperor being disposed of by a wayward rocket ship.
The writers don't mind repeating some of their action ideas from time to time, and of course we do see those same shots of the miniature space ships in flight, taking off and landing in exactly the same locations endlessly. I don't know whose bright idea it was to dress the hero's allies in Robin Hood outfits. Just another campy incongruity - though it does provide Miss Hughes, an otherwise somewhat colorless heroine, with a pleasing change of costume.
Anne Gwynne displays a bit more spirit as the villainess. But acting, as said before, is not this serial's strong point. Even the hero is so bland he could often be invisible for all we in the audience care. And as for Ming, the so-called Merciless, he needs a reasonable alternative to Don Rowan's thick-headed Captain Torch (not even a colonel, mind you) as his chief henchman if he is to have the remotest chance of success. Perhaps Ming the Moron would be a more apt title. Never has a dastardly ruler been surrounded by more turncoats and incompetents.
Direction and other credits rarely rise above the capable - and often stabilize at a lesser level - but we love the corny music score.
Throughout the serial, the editors use optical wipes to maintain interest. One of the best eps for a startling array of wipes is 6. In fact this is a fun chapter all around, with some of the hokiest and most ridiculous dialogue, delivered with perfectly straight faces by players who should have known (but don't) how to gently send it up. The only actor who gives this vein a welcome try is Earl Dwire as a maniacally sadistic scientist, but he is killed off in an early chapter. One of the script's more inspired creations are the Rock Men who make their initial appearance in chapter 7. These eps gain further appeal by lensing on visually exciting natural locations.
Alas, after we bid farewell to the Rock Men early in chapter 9 we have only the lessening joys of the burning metal, the flooded tunnel and the plunge off the castle rampart to sustain us until the serial comes to a somewhat disappointing end. There is no final fight between Flash and Ming, the emperor being disposed of by a wayward rocket ship.
The writers don't mind repeating some of their action ideas from time to time, and of course we do see those same shots of the miniature space ships in flight, taking off and landing in exactly the same locations endlessly. I don't know whose bright idea it was to dress the hero's allies in Robin Hood outfits. Just another campy incongruity - though it does provide Miss Hughes, an otherwise somewhat colorless heroine, with a pleasing change of costume.
Anne Gwynne displays a bit more spirit as the villainess. But acting, as said before, is not this serial's strong point. Even the hero is so bland he could often be invisible for all we in the audience care. And as for Ming, the so-called Merciless, he needs a reasonable alternative to Don Rowan's thick-headed Captain Torch (not even a colonel, mind you) as his chief henchman if he is to have the remotest chance of success. Perhaps Ming the Moron would be a more apt title. Never has a dastardly ruler been surrounded by more turncoats and incompetents.
Direction and other credits rarely rise above the capable - and often stabilize at a lesser level - but we love the corny music score.