List of film serials by studio

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of film serials by studio, separated into those released by each of the five major studios, and the remaining minor studios.

The five major studios produced the greater number of serials. Of these the main studios are considered to be Columbia Pictures, Universal Pictures, and Republic Pictures. All three were active during the 1930s and 1940s. The other two major studios are Mascot Pictures, which later merged into Republic, and Pathé Exchange, which ceased serial production before the advent of sound.

Columbia Pictures

These studios were the main producers of serials.

Number Serial title Year Chapters Genre Director Cast Notes
1 Jungle Menace 1937 15 Jungle Harry L. Fraser and George Melford Frank Buck The first three Columbia serials were not produced by the studio. They were made independently by the Weiss Bros. studio and released by Columbia. Columbia established its own serial unit in 1938.
2 The Mysterious Pilot 1937 15 Aviation Spencer Gordon Bennet Frank Hawks
3 The Secret of Treasure Island 1938 15 Mystery Elmer Clifton Don Terry
4 The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok 1938, reissued in 1949, 1958, and 1964 15 Western Mack V. Wright and Sam Nelson Gordon Elliott First serial produced by the Columbia Pictures staff. The actor later known as Wild Bill Elliott was billed as "Gordon Elliott" in the original release; the billing was changed to "William Elliott" for the 1949 reissue. This was the only Columbia serial that was reissued to theaters three times; the last revival was in 1964.
5 The Spider's Web 1938, reissued in 1947 15 Superhero Ray Taylor and James W. Horne Warren Hull, Iris Meredith The most popular serial of the year, encompassing all studios, according to a tally in Motion Picture Herald and its sister publication The Film Daily.[1] The Spider's Web was such an exhibitor favorite that Columbia used it to launch a series of reissues in 1947.
6 Flying G-Men 1939 15 Aviation Ray Taylor and James W. Horne Robert Paige
7 Mandrake the Magician 1939 12 Fantasy Sam Nelson and Norman Deming Warren Hull
8 Overland with Kit Carson 1939, reissued in 1951 15 Western Sam Nelson and Norman Deming Bill Elliott Temporarily the last serial produced by the Columbia staff. Independent producer Larry Darmour took over serial production with the next entry.
9 The Shadow 1940, reissued in 1947 15 Superhero
Mystery		 James W. Horne Victor Jory
10 Terry and the Pirates 1940 15 Jungle
Fantasy		 James W. Horne William Tracy
11 Deadwood Dick 1940 15 Western James W. Horne Don Douglas
12 The Green Archer 1940, reissued in 1957 15 Mystery James W. Horne Victor Jory
13 White Eagle 1941 15 Western James W. Horne Buck Jones
14 The Spider Returns 1941, reissued in 1947 15 Superhero James W. Horne Warren Hull
15 The Iron Claw 1941, reissued in 1958 and 1964 15 Mystery James W. Horne Charles Quigley
16 Holt of the Secret Service 1941 15 Crime drama James W. Horne Jack Holt, Evelyn Brent
17 Captain Midnight 1942 15 Aviation James W. Horne Dave O'Brien
18 Perils of the Royal Mounted 1942 15 Northern James W. Horne Robert Stevens Last of the Larry Darmour productions.
19 The Secret Code 1942, reissued in 1953 15 Crime drama Spencer G. Bennet Paul Kelly Columbia's association with serial producer Larry Darmour and director James Horne lapsed when both men died in 1942. The studio again took over serial production, using its feature-film staff, beginning with The Secret Code.
20 The Valley of Vanishing Men 1942 15 Western Spencer G. Bennet Bill Elliott
21 Batman 1943, reissued in 1958 and 1962 15 Superhero Lambert Hillyer Lewis Wilson, Douglas Croft
22 The Phantom 1943 15 Superhero, Jungle B. Reeves Eason Tom Tyler
23 The Desert Hawk 1944 15 Adventure B. Reeves Eason Gilbert Roland
24 Black Arrow 1944, reissued in 1955 and 1966 15 Western Lew Landers and (uncredited) B. Reeves Eason Robert Scott, Adele Jergens
25 Brenda Starr, Reporter 1945 13 Crime drama Wallace Fox Joan Woodbury Independent producer Sam Katzman took over Columbia's serial production, and remained in charge for the duration of the serial unit.
26 The Monster and the Ape 1945, reissued in 1956 and 1962 15 Science fiction Howard Bretherton Robert Lowery
27 Jungle Raiders 1945, reissued in 1953 and 1964 15 Jungle Lesley Selander Kane Richmond
28 Who's Guilty? 1945 15 Mystery Howard Bretherton and Wallace Grissell Robert Kent
29 Hop Harrigan 1946, reissued in 1956 15 Aviation Derwin Abrahams William Bakewell
30 Chick Carter, Detective 1946 15 Crime drama Derwin Abrahams Lyle Talbot
31 Son of the Guardsman 1946 15 Medieval Derwin Abrahams Bob Shaw
32 Jack Armstrong 1947 15 Science fiction Wallace Fox John Hart
33 The Vigilante 1947, reissued in 1957 and 1965 15 Western Wallace Fox Ralph Byrd
34 The Sea Hound 1947, reissued in 1955 15 Maritime [Walter B. Eason and Mack V. Wright Buster Crabbe
35 Brick Bradford 1947 15 Science fiction Spencer Gordon Bennet and Thomas Carr Kane Richmond
36 Tex Granger 1948, reissued in 1959 15 Western Derwin Abrahams Robert Kellard
37 Superman 1948 15 Superhero Spencer Gordon Bennet and Thomas Carr Kirk Alyn, Noel Neill Columbia kept many of its older serials in theatrical circulation from 1947 to 1966 but, curiously, the two Superman serials were never reissued, probably owing to rights issues. The two Batman serials did return to theaters, twice each.
38 Congo Bill 1948, reissued in 1957 15 Adventure Spencer Gordon Bennet and Thomas Carr Don McGuire, Cleo Moore
39 Bruce Gentry 1949 15 Science fiction Spencer G. Bennet and Thomas Carr Tom Neal
40 Batman and Robin 1949, reissued in 1958 and 1965 15 Superhero Spencer Gordon Bennet Robert Lowery, Johnny Duncan
41 Adventures of Sir Galahad 1950 15 Fantasy Spencer Gordon Bennet George Reeves
42 Cody of the Pony Express 1950, reissued in 1961 15 Western Spencer Gordon Bennet Jock Mahoney (as "Jock O'Mahoney")
43 Atom Man vs. Superman 1950 15 Adventure
Science Fiction		 Spencer Gordon Bennet Kirk Alyn, Lyle Talbot
44 Pirates of the High Seas 1950, reissued in 1959 15 Action
Adventure
Crime		 Spencer Gordon Bennet and Thomas Carr Buster Crabbe
45 Roar of the Iron Horse 1951, reissued in 1963 15 Western Spencer Gordon Bennet and Thomas Carr Jock Mahoney (as "Jock O'Mahoney")
46 Mysterious Island 1951 15 Adventure
Science Fiction
Fantasy		 Spencer Gordon Bennet Richard Crane
47 Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere 1951, reissued in 1958 and 1963 15 Adventure
Horror
Science Fiction		 Spencer Gordon Bennet Judd Holdren
48 King of the Congo 1952, reissued in 1960 15 Adventure
Fantasy		 Spencer Gordon Bennet Buster Crabbe
49 Blackhawk 1952 15 Adventure
Horror
Science Fiction		 Spencer Gordon Bennet Kirk Alyn
50 Son of Geronimo 1952, reissued in 1960 15 Western Spencer Gordon Bennet Clay Moore
51 The Lost Planet 1953, reissued in 1960 and 1966 15 Horror
Science fiction		 Spencer Gordon Bennet Judd Holdren
52 The Great Adventures of Captain Kidd 1953, reissued in 1961 15 Maritime Derwin Abrahams and Charles S. Gould Richard Crane
53 Gunfighters of the Northwest 1954, reissued in 1963 15 Western Spencer Gordon Bennet Jock Mahoney (as "Jack Mahoney"), Clayton Moore Filmed entirely outdoors. Originally intended as the final Columbia serial; see next entry.
54 Riding with Buffalo Bill 1954 15 Western Spencer Gordon Bennet Marshall Reed In 1953 Sam Katzman had announced that he would no longer produce serials; Gunfighters of the Northwest was his last. When exhibitors objected, Katzman was forced to budget the serials back into his production schedules,[2] and so he produced his last four serials with extremely low budgets. Entire chunks of older serials were reused, with new footage of leading players wearing costumes identical to those in the older serials. Riding with Buffalo Bill is based on two older serials, Deadwood Dick and The Valley of Vanishing Men.
55 Adventures of Captain Africa 1955, reissued in 1965 15 Superhero, Jungle Spencer Gordon Bennet John Hart Conceived as Return of the Phantom, an aborted remake of the 1943 serial The Phantom. Filmed as Adventures of Captain Africa and Outlaws of the Desert,[3] with additional footage from the older serials The Desert Hawk and Jungle Menace. The film was well into production when the producer learned that the studio no longer held the rights to the comic-strip character. Portions of the film were reshot, with actor John Hart wearing a more generic costume and "The Phantom" renamed "Captain Africa."
56 Perils of the Wilderness 1956, reissued in 1964 15 Western Spencer Gordon Bennet Dennis Moore Based on the older serials Perils of the Royal Mounted and The Mysterious Pilot.
57 Blazing the Overland Trail 1956 15 Western Spencer Gordon Bennet Lee Roberts, Dennis Moore Last serial produced by any studio. Based on the older serials White Eagle and Overland with Kit Carson.

Mascot Pictures

Note: Mascot later became part of Republic (see below)

Number (All) Number (Sound Only) Serial title Year Chapters Genre Director Cast Notes
Silent Serials
The Silent Flyer 1926 10 Adventure William James Craft Malcolm McGregor Produced by W. Ray Johnston's Rayart studio. Its success directly led to the creation of Mascot Pictures.
1 Heroes of the Wild 1927 10 Western Harry S. Webb Jack Hoxie The first film from Mascot Pictures. The film is considered to be lost.
2 Isle of Sunken Gold 1927 10 Maritime Harry S. Webb Anita Stewart and Duke Kahanamoku The film is considered to be lost.
3 The Golden Stallion 1927 10 Western Harry S. Webb Lefty Flynn and Joe Bonomo
4 The Vanishing West 1928 10 Western Richard Thorpe Jack Perrin and Eileen Sedgwick The film is considered to be lost.
5 Vultures of the Sea 1928 10 Maritime Richard Thorpe Johnnie Walker & Shirley Mason The film is considered to be lost.
6 The Fatal Warning 1929 10 Mystery Richard Thorpe Helene Costello and Ralph Graves The film is considered to be a lost film, with no prints known to exist.
Partial Sound Serials
7 1 The King of the Kongo 1929 10 Jungle
Fantasy		 Richard Thorpe Jacqueline Logan & Walter Miller The first serial, of any production company, with synchronized sound. Released in both silent and part-talking versions.
All Sound Serials
8 2 The Lone Defender 1930 12 Western Richard Thorpe Rin Tin Tin and Walter Miller
9 3 The Phantom of the West 1931 10 Western D. Ross Lederman Tom Tyler and William Desmond
10 4 King of the Wild 1931 12 Jungle B. Reeves Eason and Richard Thorpe Walter Miller and Boris Karloff
11 5 The Vanishing Legion 1931 12 Western Ford Beebe and B. Reeves Eason Harry Carey and Frankie Darro
12 6 The Galloping Ghost 1931 12 Sports, Crime B. Reeves Eason "Red" Grange
13 7 The Lightning Warrior 1931 12 Western Benjamin H. Kline and Armand Schaefer Rin Tin Tin
14 8 The Shadow of the Eagle 1932 12 Aviation Ford Beebe and B. Reeves Eason John Wayne
15 9 The Last of the Mohicans 1932 12 Western Ford Beebe and B. Reeves Eason Harry Carey
16 10 The Hurricane Express 1932 12 J.P. McGowan and Armand Schaefer John Wayne
17 11 The Devil Horse 1932 12 Western Otto Brower Harry Carey andFrankie Darro
18 12 The Whispering Shadow 1933 12 Crime, Thriller Colbert Clark and Albert Herman Bela Lugosi
19 13 The Three Musketeers 1933 12 Colbert Clark and Armand Schaefer John Wayne and Lon Chaney Jr.
20 14 Fighting with Kit Carson 1933 12 Western Colbert Clark and Armand Schaefer Johnny Mack Brown & Betsy King Ross
21 15 The Wolf Dog 1933 12 Western Colbert Clark and Harry L. Fraser Rin Tin Tin and Frankie Darro
22 16 The Mystery Squadron 1933 12 Aviation Colbert Clark and David Howard Bob Steele and Guinn "Big Boy" Williams
23 17 The Lost Jungle 1934 12 Jungle David Howard and Armand Schaefer Clyde Beatty and Cecilia Parker
24 18 Burn 'Em Up Barnes 1934 12 Sports, Crime Colbert Clark and Armand Schaefer Jack Mulhall and Frankie Darro
25 19 The Law of the Wild 1934 12 Western B. Reeves Eason and Armand Schaefer Rin Tin Tin
26 20 Mystery Mountain 1934 12 Western Otto Brower and B. Reeves Eason Ken Maynard
27 21 The Phantom Empire 1935 12 Western
Fantasy		 Otto Brower and B. Reeves Eason Gene Autry Originally intended for Ken Maynard. Autry took the leading role, and became a star.
28 22 The Miracle Rider 1935 15 Western Otto Brower and B. Reeves Eason Tom Mix & Charles Middleton Only serial and final film of Tom Mix.
29 23 The Adventures of Rex and Rinty 1935 12 B. Reeves Eason and Ford Beebe Rex and Rin Tin Tin
30 24 The Fighting Marines 1935 12 B. Reeves Eason and Joseph Kane Grant Withers and Adrian Morris

Pathé Exchange

Note: All of Pathé Exchange's serials were Silent

Number Serial title Year Chapters Genre Director Cast Notes
With Wharton, Inc.
1 The Perils of Pauline 1914 20 Damsel in distress Louis J. Gasnier and Donald MacKenzie Pearl White Also listed under Wharton Inc.
2 The Exploits of Elaine 1914 14 George B. Seitz Pearl White
3 The New Exploits of Elaine 1915 10 Louis J. Gasnier, Leopold Wharton and Theodore Wharton Pearl White
4 The Romance of Elaine 1915 12 George B. Seitz Pearl White Also listed under Wharton Inc. The film is considered to be lost.
With Astra Film Corporation
5 Pearl of the Army 1916 15 Damsel in distress Edward José Pearl White Also listed under Astra Film Corporation
6 The Shielding Shadow 1916 15 Louis J. Gasnier and Donald MacKenzie
7 The Fatal Ring 1917 20 George B. Seitz Pearl White
8 The Hidden Hand 1917 15 James Vincent
9 The Mystery of the Double Cross 1917 15 Louis J. Gasnier and William Parke Mollie King
10 The Seven Pearls 1917 15 Louis J. Gasnier and Donald MacKenzie
11 Hands Up! 1918 15 Jungle Louis J. Gasnier and James W. Horne Ruth Roland
12 The House of Hate 1918 20 George B. Seitz Pearl White
13 The Adventures of Ruth 1919 15 Mystery George Marshall Ruth Roland
14 Bound and Gagged 1919 10 George B. Seitz
15 The Lightning Raider 1919 15 George B. Seitz Pearl White
16 Terror of the Range 1919 7 Western Stuart Paton
17 The Tiger's Trail 1919 Robert Ellis, Louis J. Gasnier, and Paul Hurst Ruth Roland
18 Daredevil Jack 1920 15 W.S. Van Dyke
19 The Phantom Foe 1920 15 Bertram Millhauser
20 Pirate Gold 1920 10 Maritime George B. Seitz
21 The Third Eye 1920 15 James W. Horne
22 Trailed By Three 1920 15 Western Perry N. Vekroff
With Ruth Roland Serials
23 Ruth of the Rockies 1920 15 Western George Marshall Ruth Roland Also listed under Ruth Roland Serials
Pathé Exchange Only
24 The Avenging Arrow 1921 15 William Bowman and W.S. Van Dyke Ruth Roland
25 Double Adventure 1921 15 W.S. Van Dyke
26 The Fortieth Door 1924 10 George B. Seitz
27 Galloping Hoofs 1924 10 Western George B. Seitz
28 Into the Net 1924 10 George B. Seitz
29 Leatherstocking 1924 10 Western George B. Seitz
30 Ten Scars Make a Man 1924 10 William Parke
31 The Way of a Man 1924 10 Western George B. Seitz
32 The Green Archer 1925 10 Mystery Spencer Gordon Bennet
33 The House Without a Key 1925 10 Mystery Spencer Gordon Bennet
34 Idaho 1925 10 Western Robert F. Hill
35 Sunken Silver 1925 10 Spencer Gordon Bennet
36 Wild West 1925 10 Western Robert F. Hill
37 Play Ball 1925 10 Spencer Gordon Bennet
38 The Bar-C Mystery 1926 10 Western Robert F. Hill
39 Casey of the Coast Guard 1926 10 Maritime
40 The Fighting Marine 1926 10 Gene Tunney Spencer Gordon Bennet
41 Snowed In 1926 10 Spencer Gordon Bennet
42 The Crimson Flash 1927 10 Arch Heath
43 Hawk of the Hills 1927 10 Western Spencer Gordon Bennet Walter Miller and Allene Ray
44 The Masked Menace 1927 10 Arch Heath
45 Melting Millions 1927 10 Spencer Gordon Bennet
46 On Guard 1927 10 Arch Heath
47 Eagle of the Night 1928 10 Aviation James F. Fulton
48 The Man Without a Face 1928 10 Spencer Gordon Bennet
49 Mark of the Frog 1928 10 Arch Heath
50 The Terrible People 1928 10 Spencer Gordon Bennet
51 The Tiger's Shadow 1928 10 Spencer Gordon Bennet
52 The Yellow Cameo 1928 10 Spencer Gordon Bennet
53 The Black Book 1929 10 Walter Miller and Allene Ray Spencer Gordon Bennet
54 The Fire Detective 1929 10 Gladys McConnell and Hugh Allan Spencer Gordon Bennet
55 Queen of the Northwoods 1929 10 Northern Spencer Gordon Bennet Walter Miller

Republic Pictures

Number Serial title Year Chapters Genre Director Cast Notes
1 Darkest Africa 1936 15 Jungle B. Reeves Eason and Joseph Kane Clyde Beatty Semi-sequel to Mascot's The Lost Jungle. Reissued in 1949 as King of Jungleland.
2 Undersea Kingdom 1936, reissued in 1950 12 Fantasy B. Reeves Eason and Joseph Kane Ray Corrigan
3 The Vigilantes Are Coming 1936 12 Western Ray Taylor and Mack V. Wright Robert Livingston and Kay Hughes
4 Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island 1936 14 Maritime Ray Taylor and Mack V. Wright Ray Mala
5 Dick Tracy 1937 15 Crime Ray Taylor and Alan James Ralph Byrd Based on the comic strip "Dick Tracy"
6 The Painted Stallion 1937 12 Western Ray Taylor, Alan James and William Witney Ray Corrigan
7 S.O.S. Coast Guard 1937 12 Maritime, Science fiction Alan James and William Witney Ralph Byrd, Bela Lugosi
8 Zorro Rides Again 1937 12 Western William Witney and John English John Carroll Based on "Zorro" created by Johnston McCulley
9 The Lone Ranger 1938 15 Western William Witney and John English Lee Powell Based on the radio series The Lone Ranger
10 The Fighting Devil Dogs 1938 12 Science fiction William Witney and John English Lee Powell, Herman Brix
11 Dick Tracy Returns 1938, reissued in 1948 15 Crime William Witney and John English Ralph Byrd Based on the comic strip "Dick Tracy"
12 Hawk of the Wilderness 1938 12 Jungle William Witney and John English Herman Brix, Ray Mala Based on the novel by William L. Chester
13 The Lone Ranger Rides Again 1939 15 Western William Witney and John English Robert Livingston Based on the radio series The Lone Ranger
14 Daredevils of the Red Circle 1939 12 Circus adventure William Witney and John English Charles Quigley, Herman Brix, David Sharpe
15 Dick Tracy's G-Men 1939, reissued in 1955 15 Crime William Witney and John English Ralph Byrd, Phylis Isley Based on the comic strip "Dick Tracy"
16 Zorro's Fighting Legion 1939, reissued in 1958 12 Western William Witney and John English Reed Hadley Based on "Zorro" created by Johnston McCulley
17 Drums of Fu Manchu 1940 15 Yellow peril
Mystery		 William Witney and John English Henry Brandon Based on Fu Manchu created by Sax Rohmer
18 Adventures of Red Ryder 1940 12 Western William Witney and John English Don "Red" Barry Based on the comic strip "Red Ryder"
19 King of the Royal Mounted 1940 12 Northern William Witney and John English Allan Lane Based on the comic strip "King of the Royal Mounted"
20 Mysterious Doctor Satan 1940 15 Superhero William Witney and John English Eduardo Ciannelli, Robert Wilcox Originally intended as a Superman serial. First original superhero film.
21 Adventures of Captain Marvel 1941, reissued in 1953 as Return of Captain Marvel 12 Superhero William Witney and John English Tom Tyler Based on the Fawcett Comics character "Captain Marvel". First superhero film based on a comic strip.
22 Jungle Girl 1941, reissued in 1947 15 Jungle William Witney and John English Frances Gifford Based on Nyoka the Jungle Girl by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Jungle Girl was the first Republic serial to be reissued to theaters. This was an economy measure: the studio cut back production from four new serials annually to three, and the fourth was now a re-release, sometimes retitled. After Republic discontinued serial production entirely in 1955, the studio reprinted older serials for theaters through March 1958.
23 King of the Texas Rangers 1941 12 Western William Witney and John English Slingin' Sammy Baugh
24 Dick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc. 1941, reissued in 1952 as Dick Tracy vs. Phantom Empire 15 Crime William Witney and John English Ralph Byrd Based on the comic strip "Dick Tracy"
25 Spy Smasher 1942 12 Spy, War William Witney Kane Richmond Based on the Fawcett Comics character "Spy Smasher"
26 Perils of Nyoka 1942, reissued in 1952 as Nyoka and the Tigermen 15 Jungle
Fantasy		 William Witney Kay Aldridge, Clayton Moore Loosely based on Nyoka the Jungle Girl by Edgar Rice Burroughs
27 King of the Mounties 1942 12 Northern William Witney Allan Lane Based on the comic strip "King of the Royal Mounted"
28 G-Men vs The Black Dragon 1943 15 Spy, War William Witney Rod Cameron
29 Daredevils of the West 1943 12 Western John English Allan Lane, Kay Aldridge Unavailable until 2011; restored by the Serial Squadron
30 Secret Service in Darkest Africa 1943, reissued in 1954 as Manhunt in the African Jungles 15 Jungle Spencer Gordon Bennet Rod Cameron
31 The Masked Marvel 1943 12 Superhero Spencer Gordon Bennet David Bacon
32 Captain America 1944, reissued in 1953 as Return of Captain America 15 Superhero Elmer Clifton and John English Dick Purcell Very loosely based on the Fawcett Timely Comics character Captain America; the script had been intended for another Fawcett character, Mr. Scarlet.[4]
33 The Tiger Woman 1944, reissued in 1951 as Perils of the Darkest Jungle 12 Jungle Spencer Gordon Bennet Linda Stirling
34 Haunted Harbor 1944, reissued in 1951 as Pirates' Harbor 15 Maritime
Fantasy		 Spencer Gordon Bennet Kane Richmond and Kay Aldridge Based on the novel by Ewart Adamson.
35 Zorro's Black Whip 1944, reissued in 1957 12 Western, Superhero Spencer Gordon Bennet Linda Stirling Based on "Zorro" created by Johnston McCulley
36 Manhunt of Mystery Island 1945, reissued in 1956 15 Pirate, Science fiction Spencer Gordon Bennet Linda Stirling
37 Federal Operator 99 1945, reissued in 1956 12 Crime Spencer Gordon Bennet, Yakima Canutt, and Wallace Grissell Marten Lamont
38 The Purple Monster Strikes 1945, reissued in 1957 15 Science fiction Spencer Gordon Bennet and Fred C. Brannon Dennis Moore and Linda Stirling
39 The Phantom Rider 1946, reissued in 1954 as Ghost Riders of the West 12 Western Spencer Gordon Bennet and Fred C. Brannon Robert Kent and Peggy Stewart
40 King of the Forest Rangers 1946 12 Adventure Spencer Gordon Bennet and Fred C. Brannon
41 Daughter of Don Q 1946 12 Crime Spencer Gordon Bennet and Fred C. Brannon Kirk Alyn
42 The Crimson Ghost 1946 12 Science fiction William Witney and Fred C. Brannon Clayton Moore and Linda Stirling
43 Son of Zorro 1947, reissued in 1957 13 Western, Superhero Spencer Gordon Bennet and Fred C. Brannon Based on "Zorro" created by Johnston McCulley
44 Jesse James Rides Again 1947, reissued in 1955 13 Western Fred C. Brannon Clayton Moore and Linda Stirling
45 The Black Widow 1947 13 Science fiction
Fantasy		 Spencer Gordon Bennet and Fred C. Brannon Carol Forman
46 G-Men Never Forget 1948 12 Crime Fred C. Brannon Clayton Moore and Ramsay Ames
47 Dangers of the Canadian Mounted 1948, reissued in 1956 12 Northern Fred C. Brannon Jim Bannon
48 Adventures of Frank and Jesse James 1948, reissued in 1956 13 Western Fred C. Brannon Clayton Moore
49 Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc. 1949 12 Crime Fred C. Brannon Kirk Alyn
50 Ghost of Zorro 1949 12 Western, Superhero Fred C. Brannon Clayton Moore Based on "Zorro" created by Johnston McCulley
51 King of the Rocket Men 1949, reissued in 1956 12 Science fiction Fred C. Brannon Tristram Coffin First of the "Rocket Man" serials
52 The James Brothers of Missouri 1949 12 Western Fred C. Brannon Keith Richards
53 Radar Patrol vs. Spy King 1949 12 Spy Fred C. Brannon Kirk Alyn
54 The Invisible Monster 1950 12 Science fiction Fred C. Brannon Richard Webb
55 Desperadoes of the West 1950 12 Western Fred C. Brannon Tom Keene
56 Flying Disc Man from Mars 1950 12 Science fiction Fred C. Brannon Walter Reed
57 Don Daredevil Rides Again 1951 12 Western Fred C. Brannon Ken Curtis Loosely based on "Zorro" created by Johnston McCulley
58 Government Agents vs. Phantom Legion 1951 12 Spy Fred C. Brannon Walter Reed
59 Radar Men from the Moon 1952, reissued in 1957 12 Science fiction Fred C. Brannon George Wallace, Clayton Moore
60 Zombies of the Stratosphere 1952 12 Science fiction Fred C. Brannon Judd Holdren, Leonard Nimoy
61 Jungle Drums of Africa 1953 12 Jungle Fred C. Brannon Clayton Moore (as "Clay Moore"), Phyllis Coates
N/A Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe 1953 12 Science fiction Harry Keller, Fred C. Brannon and Franklin Adreon Judd Holdren, Aline Towne, Richard Crane A syndicated TV series of self-contained episodes (no cliffhangers) relying mostly on footage recycled from the three earlier (1949–1952) "Rocket Man" theatrical chapterplays. For contractual reasons, it was initially given a brief theatrical release as a feature before going to TV in 12 episodes.
62 Canadian Mounties vs. Atomic Invaders 1953 12 Northern, Spy Franklin Adreon Bill Henry
63 Trader Tom of the China Seas 1954 12 Maritime Franklin Adreon Harry Lauter, Aline Towne
64 Man with the Steel Whip 1954 12 Western Franklin Adreon Richard Simmons Loosely based on "Zorro" created by Johnston McCulley
65 Panther Girl of the Kongo 1955 12 Jungle, Science fiction Franklin Adreon Phyllis Coates
66 King of the Carnival 1955 12 Crime, Spy Franklin Adreon Harry Lauter

Universal Pictures

Universal produced more serials (137) than any other company.

Number (All) Number (Sound Only) Serial title Year Chapters Genre Director Cast Notes
Silent Serials
1 Lucille Love, Girl of Mystery 1914 15 Francis Ford Produced as Universal Film Manufacturing Co.
2 The Master Key 1914 15 Robert Z. Leonard
3 The Trey o' Hearts 1914 15 Wilfred Lucas and Henry MacRae
4 The Black Box 1915 15 Otis Turner
5 The Broken Coin 1915 22 Mystery Francis Ford
6 Graft 1915 20 George Lessey and Richard Stanton
7 Under the Crescent 1915 6 Burton L. King
8 The Adventures of Peg o' the Ring 1916 15 Francis Ford and Jacques Jaccard
9 Liberty, A Daughter of the USA 1916 20 Western Henry MacRae
10 The Mystery Ship 1917 18 Henry MacRae
11 The Red Ace 1917 16 Jacques Jaccard
12 The Gray Ghost 1917 16 Stuart Paton
13 Voice on the Wire 1917 15 Stuart Paton
14 The Brass Bullet 1918 18 Ben F. Wilson
15 Bull's Eye 1918 18 James W. Horne
16 The Lion's Claws 1918 18 Harry Harvey and Jacques Jaccard
17 Lure of the Circus 1918 18 J.P. McGowan
18 The Red Glove 1918 18 J.P. McGowan
19 The Great Radium Mystery 1919 18 Mystery Robert Broadwell and Robert F. Hill
20 The Lion Man 1919 18 Jungle Albert Russell and Jack Wells
21 The Midnight Man 1919 18 James W. Horne
22 The Flaming Disc 1920 Robert F. Hill
23 The Moon Riders 1920 18 Western B. Reeves Eason and Theodore Wharton
24 King of the Circus 1920 18 J.P. McGowan
25 The Vanishing Dagger 1920 18 Edward A. Kull, John F. Magowan and Eddie Polo
26 The Dragon's Net 1920 12 Henry MacRae
27 The Diamond Queen 1921 18 Edward A. Kull

28

 Do or Die 1921 18 J.P. McGowan
29 The Secret Four 1921 15 Albert Russell and Perry N. Vekroff
30 Terror Trail 1921 18 Western Edward A. Kull
31 The White Horseman 1921 18 Western Albert Russell
32 Winners of the West 1921 13 Western Edward Laemmle
33 The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe 1922 18 Maritime Robert F. Hill
34 In the Days of Buffalo Bill 1922 18 Maritime Edward Laemmle
35 Perils of the Yukon 1922 15

Northern

 Jay Marchant, J.P. McGowan and Perry N. Vekroff
36 The Radio King 1922 10 Robert F. Hill
37 With Stanley in Africa 1922 18 Jungle William James Craft and Edward A. Kull
38 Around the World in Eighteen Days 1923 12 Robert F. Hill and B. Reeves Eason
39 Beasts of Paradise 1923 15 William James Craft
40 The Eagle's Talons 1923 15 Duke Worne
41 The Ghost City 1923 15 Western Jay Marchant
42 In the Days of Daniel Boone 1923 15 Western William James Craft
43 The Oregon Trail 1923 18 Western Edward Laemmle
44 The Phantom Fortune 1923 12 Robert F. Hill
45 The Social Buccaneer 1923 10 Maritime Robert F. Hill
46 The Steel Trail 1923 15 William Duncan
47 The Fast Express 1924 15 William Duncan
48 The Fighting Ranger 1924 18 Western Jay Marchant
49 The Iron Man 1924 15 Jay Marchant
50 The Riddle Rider 1924 15 Western William James Craft
51 Wolves of the North 1924 10 Western William Duncan
52 Ace of Spades 1925 15 Western Henry MacRae
53 The Great Circus Mystery 1925 15 Jay Marchant
54 The Scarlet Streak 1926 10 Henry MacRae
55 Fighting With Buffalo Bill 1926 10 Western Ray Taylor
56 Strings of Steel 1926 10 Henry MacRae
57 The Winking Idol 1926 10 Western Francis Ford
58 Blake of Scotland Yard 1927 12 Robert F. Hill
59 The Fire Fighters 1927 10 Jacques Jaccard
60 The Return of the Riddle Rider 1927 10 Robert F. Hill
61 The Trail of the Tiger 1927 10 Henry MacRae
62 Whispering Smith Rides 1927 10 Western Ray Taylor
63 Haunted Island 1928 10 Fantasy Robert F. Hill
64 Tarzan the Mighty 1928 15 Jungle
Fantasy		 Ray Taylor and Jack Nelson
65 The Vanishing Rider 1928 12 Western Ray Taylor
66 The Diamond Master 1929 10 Jack Nelson
67 A Final Reckoning 1929 12 Western Ray Taylor
68 The Pirate of Panama 1929 12 Maritime Ray Taylor
Partial Sound Serials
69 1 The Ace of Scotland Yard 1929 10 Mystery Ray Taylor
70 2 Tarzan the Tiger 1929 15 Jungle
Fantasy		 Henry MacRae
71 3 The Jade Box 1930 10 Mystery
Fantasy		 Ray Taylor
72 4 The Lightning Express 1930 10 Western Henry MacRae
73 5 Terry of the Times 1930 10 Henry MacRae
All Sound Serials
74 6 The Indians are Coming! 1930 12 Western Henry MacRae Tim McCoy
75 7 Finger Prints 1931 10 Ray Taylor
76 8 Heroes of the Flames 1931 12 Tim McCoy Robert F. Hill
77 9 Danger Island 1931 12 Jungle Ray Taylor
78 10 Battling with Buffalo Bill 1931 12 Western Ray Taylor
79 11 The Spell of the Circus 1931 12 Robert F. Hill
80 12 Detective Lloyd 1932 12 Crime Ray Taylor and Henry MacRae Jack Lloyd
81 13 The Airmail Mystery 1932 12 Aviation Ray Taylor James Flavin
82 14 Heroes of the West 1932 12 Western Ray Taylor Noah Beery Jr.
83 15 Jungle Mystery 1932 12 Jungle Ray Taylor
84 16 The Lost Special 1932 12 Western Henry MacRae
85 17 Clancy of the Mounted 1933 12 Northern Ray Taylor
86 18 The Phantom of the Air 1933 12 Aviation Ray Taylor
87 19 Gordon of Ghost City 1933 12 Western Ray Taylor Buck Jones
88 20 The Perils of Pauline 1933 12 Damsel in distress Ray Taylor Evalyn Knapp
89 21 Pirate Treasure 1934 12 Maritime Ray Taylor Richard Talmadge
90 22 The Vanishing Shadow 1934 12 Science fiction Louis Friedlander Onslow Stevens
91 23 The Red Rider 1934 15 Western Louis Friedlander Buck Jones
92 24 Tailspin Tommy 1934 12 Aviation Louis Friedlander Maurice Murphy
93 25 Rustlers of Red Dog 1935 12 Western Louis Friedlander Johnny Mack Brown
94 26 The Call of the Savage 1935 12 Jungle
Fantasy		 Louis Friedlander Noah Beery Jr.
95 27 The Roaring West 1935 15 Western Ray Taylor Buck Jones
96 28 Tailspin Tommy in the Great Air Mystery 1935 12 Aviation Ray Taylor Clark Williams
97 29 The Adventures of Frank Merriwell 1936 12 Sports Ford Beebe and Clifford Smith Don Briggs
98 30 Flash Gordon 1936 13 Superhero\Science fiction Frederick Stephani Buster Crabbe Landmark serial,[5] exceptionally popular in theaters and revived for years thereafter
99 31 The Phantom Rider 1936 15 Western Ray Taylor Buck Jones
100 32 Ace Drummond 1936 15 Aviation Ford Beebe and Clifford Smith John King
101 33 Jungle Jim 1937 12 Jungle Ford Beebe and Clifford Smith Grant Withers, Evelyn Brent
102 34 Secret Agent X-9 1937 12 Superhero/Spy Ford Beebe and Clifford Smith Scott Kolk
103 35 Wild West Days 1937 13 Western Ford Beebe and Clifford Smith Johnny Mack Brown
104 36 Radio Patrol 1937 12 Crime Ford Beebe and Clifford Smith Grant Withers
105 37 Tim Tyler's Luck 1937 12 Superhero/Jungle Ford Beebe and Wyndham Gittens Frankie Thomas
106 38 Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars 1938 15 Superhero/Science fiction Frederick Stephani Buster Crabbe
107 39 Flaming Frontiers 1938 15 Western Alan James and Ray Taylor Johnny Mack Brown
108 40 Red Barry 1938 13 Alan James Buster Crabbe
109 41 Scouts to the Rescue 1939 12 Juvenile Alan James and Ray Taylor Jackie Cooper
110 42 Buck Rogers 1939 12 Superhero/Science fiction Ford Beebe and Saul A. Goodkind Buster Crabbe
111 43 The Oregon Trail 1939 15 Western Ford Beebe and Saul A. Goodkind Johnny Mack Brown
112 44 The Phantom Creeps 1939 12 Science fiction Ford Beebe and Saul A. Goodkind Bela Lugosi
113 45 The Green Hornet 1940 13 Crime/Superhero Ray Taylor and Ford Beebe Gordon Jones
114 46 Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe 1940 12 Superhero/Science fiction Ray Taylor and Ford Beebe Buster Crabbe
115 47 Winners of the West 1940 13 Western Ray Taylor and Ford Beebe Dick Foran, Anne Nagel
116 48 Junior G-Men 1940 12 Crime John Rawlins and Ford Beebe The Dead End Kids
117 49 The Green Hornet Strikes Again! 1941 15 Crime/Superhero John Rawlins and Ford Beebe Warren Hull
118 50 Sky Raiders 1941 12 Aviation Ray Taylor and Ford Beebe Billy Halop, Donald Woods
119 51 Riders of Death Valley 1941 15 Western Ray Taylor and Ford Beebe Dick Foran, Buck Jones
120 52 Sea Raiders 1941 12 Maritime Ray Taylor and Ford Beebe The Dead End Kids
121 53 Don Winslow of the Navy 1942 12 Maritime Ray Taylor and Ford Beebe Don Terry
122 54 Gang Busters 1942 13 Crime Ray Taylor and Noel M. Smith Kent Taylor, Ralph Morgan
123 55 Junior G-Men of the Air 1942 12 Aviation Ray Taylor and Lewis D. Collins The Dead End Kids
124 56 Overland Mail 1942 15 Western John Rawlins and Ford Beebe Lon Chaney Jr.
125 57 The Adventures of Smilin' Jack 1943 13 Aviation Ray Taylor and Lewis D. Collins Tom Brown, Keye Luke
126 58 Don Winslow of the Coast Guard 1943 13 Maritime Ray Taylor and Lewis D. Collins Don Terry
127 59 Adventures of the Flying Cadets 1943 13 Aviation Ray Taylor and Lewis D. Collins Johnny Downs, Billy Benedict Intended for the Dead End Kids.
128 60 The Great Alaskan Mystery 1944 13 Ray Taylor and Lewis D. Collins Milburn Stone
129 61 Raiders of Ghost City 1944 13 Western Ray Taylor and Lewis D. Collins Dennis Moore
130 62 Mystery of the River Boat 1944 13 Ray Taylor and Lewis D. Collins Robert Lowery, Eddie Quillan
131 63 Jungle Queen 1945 13 Jungle Ray Taylor and Lewis D. Collins Edward Norris, Eddie Quillan
132 64 The Master Key 1945 13 Ray Taylor and Lewis D. Collins Milburn Stone, Dennis Moore
133 65 Secret Agent X-9 1945 13 Spy Ray Taylor and Lewis D. Collins Lloyd Bridges
134 66 The Royal Mounted Rides Again 1945 13 Northern Ray Taylor and Lewis D. Collins Bill Kennedy, Milburn Stone
135 67 The Scarlet Horseman 1946 13 Western Ray Taylor and Lewis D. Collins Paul Guilfoyle
136 68 Lost City of the Jungle 1946 13 Jungle Ray Taylor and Lewis D. Collins Lionel Atwill, Keye Luke
137 69 The Mysterious Mr. M 1946 13 Science fiction Lewis D. Collins and Vernon Keays Dennis Moore

Minor studios

See also

References

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