The Scarlet Horseman

In the mid 1940s, Universal was the oldest U.S. film studio still producing movie serials; Columbia and Republic had been in the business less than 10 years (and although no one knew it at the time, their glory years were behind them) and the independent chapterplay producers were out of business -- a 12-15 chapter serial was an expensive proposition that returned a slim investment. By early 1946, Universal -- looking to improve their status amongst the Hollywood pantheon of studios, and not succeeding -- jettisoned their serials, B-movie monster pictures, and other productions for which they're more fondly remembered NOW than any of their so-called "A" product. Their last few serials aren't bad, helped immeasurably by the professional action-directing team of Ray Taylor and Lewis Collins. Their only real misfire is Lost City of the Jungle, but star Lionel Atwill was stricken during the filming of that one (he'd die later that year) and so they can hardly be blamed for that one.

Universal had been releasing western chapterplays since the silent days, and their final men-on-horseback serial was The Scarlet Horseman, filmed in late 1945 for early 1946 release. It's a rather daffy serial that wraps up th genre nicely for the Big U.

You're gonna think I'm making this up, but here's the plot: in 1875 ("a year of dangerous destiny"), in the town of Forty-Four, Texas, an evil townsman named Zero Quick is trying to stir up the Comanches against the whites for some nefarious purpose. The Texas Senate sends three undercover agents to investigate; one pretends to be a wheelchair-bound cripple, one pretends to be (and actually is) a slow-witted Mexican named Amigo Mañana, and one is the handsome, dashing lead of the serial, who dons silk jammies and a hood and pretends to be the legendary Scarlet Horseman, back after 200 years to right wrongs and toot his magic whistle, signifying his strength and power. Yes, let me repeat that: the guy dresses in silk jammies and roams the countryside on horseback tooting his whistle in an effort to defeat Zero Quick and his gang of renegades. The only thing missing is a giant cartoon bunny as a sidekick.

Being this is a Universal serial, you can expect a convoluted plot, too many characters, and stock footage from 1917, and you won't be disappointed. The looniness of the characters, though, (and we haven't even mentioned Idaho Jones yet, and probably won't) makes this one fun.

The new DVD from Hermitage Hill Media is very good; some occasional lines here and there, particularly in episode one, but nothing to worry about and the source material and transfer are both impressive. This is actually one of the better-looking "off-brand" serials we've seen. It's $15.95 from Hermitage Hill Media, and includes a nice little photo gallery and a bio of Virginia Christine, spotlighting her years selling Folger's Coffee. You can order it (the DVD, not the Folger's) here: http://www.hermitagehillmedia.com/sh.html.