Flash Gordon: Rocketship Movie Review

Re-edited from the original Flash Gordon serial in which Flash and company must prevent the planet Mongo from colliding with Earth. Its ruler, Ming the Merciless (impeccably played by Charles Middleton), is hurling his world into Earth orbit to crush all terrestrial life, but the human adventurers, united with rebel citizens of Mongo, stop his despotic schemes. Buster Crabbe is a perfect Flash Gordon, Frank Shannon his brainy scientist sidekick Hans Zarkov, and Jean Rogers a demure blonde Dale Arden. She turned into a brunette in the succeeding serial, more accurate to the classic Alex Raymond comics (which this otherwise follows with great fidelity). Yes, much was cut out in this condensation, but the smooth story progression will amaze you, as will the production values; this is considered the most expensive serial ever lensed. Condensed feature version has something the original (also available on video) lacks, Franz Waxman's stirring music excerpted from The Bride of Frankenstein. AKA: Spaceship to the Unknown; Perils from Planet Mongo; Space Soldiers; Atomic Rocketship.

1936 97m/B Buster Crabbe, Jean Rogers, Frank Shannon, Charles Middleton, Priscilla Lawson, Jack Lipson; D: Frederick Stephani; W: George Plympton; C: Jerome Ash. VHS, Beta VYY, PSM, CAB