Serial Week: The Phantom

Welcome back to Serial Week were we are not looking to profile into the psyche of a killer. Yeah I know it just doesn't sound interesting now, but how about another guy in tights? Huh? You seem to like those. Based on the comic strip created by Lee Falk. This character has managed short stories, novelizations, cartoons, video games and even a theme park. Many tremble for the might of his majestic purple clad terror on bullies and criminals and his inherent jungle powers. This is The Phantom.

Many of you have commented on my tights.  Stop that.

So glossing over the 1996 Robert Evans produced film The Phantom which...kinda a stinker but still superior to the Dick Tracy flick, our costume clad crimefighter operated out of Bangalla, a completely fictional country. Our hero made his way to the comic strip in February 17, 1936. There is a tale of a Ghost Who Walks, an indestructible being that guards the innocent, devotes his time into disrupting criminals' lives and dispenses justice.

Hailing from Columbia Pictures, our cliffhanger serial stars The Phantom (Tom Tyler of Stagecoach, The Talk of the Town, Clancy of the Mounted, Adventures of Captain Marvel, Border Vigilantes and She Tore a Yellow Ribbon) as his second superhero role as he was Captain Marvel as well and brother this guy is built. Getting his start in Tinseltown as a movie extra and stuntman, at 6'1" his weight-lifter build and strong jaw landed him many a role and the serials were no different. With him at his side his faithful wolf (German Shepard for safety reasons), Devil.

The "tribes" are shockingly enough in red face.

Our fifteen parter opens with a expedition to rediscover the Lost City of Zoloz...yes it is spelled Zoloz. Guess Ziox was taken for The Final Sacrifice...oh Rowsdower.  Ahem, moving on, the location of the city can only be found of seven separate pieces of ivory, three of which are in Professor Davidson's possession. His partner, Doctor Bremmer intends to use the lost city as a secret airbase for his country that didn't seem important enough to name. All hail my nationality of on unknown origin!

The Phantom steps in but Doctor Bremmer is able to dispatch him off this mortal coil but as the legacy hero goes, one will step in for the other, The Phantom's son Geoffrey Prescott takes on the mantle of the Phantom to not only avenge his father but to do right by the innocent that need his help.

Not unlike Batman or Pulp book hero Doc Savage, The Phantom does not possess superhuman powers but must rely on his wits, strength, skill with a .45 and his reputation as a profound badass.

Well Dave, you have jungle fever. I'm writing you a prescription for more cowbell.

My take on the serial? Given the less than stellar creation of the 96 Phantom I found this to be a tight script, well balanced cast and frankly I didn't want to go head to head with this guy. He moved like a boxer. The elder Phantom was barrel chested and about in his 70s and yet he looked like he could curb stomp a few guys. Tyler as the younger Phantom moves like a boxer and a guy that has been in more than a few street fights in real life so yeah I was impressed. His line delivery was a bit wooden but so was Gary Cooper's and not many complained about him. Jeanne Bates' performance of Diane Palmer comes off adventurous, sassy without the sneers and arrogance of Kristy Swanson's performance in the 96 film. She had feisty behavior, verve and a decent heart where her man was concerned.

Any Phantom fan would easily enjoy this serial, so give it the once over. Sorry 2010 fans but no biker helmets.

Oh?  I look younger?  Well my ectoplasm was feeling generous.

Grab Bag Week Returns: City Hunter

Good evening and hello for Day 4 of Grab Bag Week!!!   I got started late on this one because I selfishly spent time with my girlfriend.  Yes, boo and hiss!!!   I am sure I am free from the chopping block as I thought what we haven't touched base on in a while was japanimation or anime if you prefer.    Anime as you already may know is Japanese cartoons ranging from something sweet and lovable as Pokemon to adult themed action/horror/sci-fi as Vampire Hunter D.  There of course is also Hentai (NC-17 Adult anime which is sexual scenarios, adult language and adult themes) but that is really not on the menu for discussion at this time... or possibly ever.    This time I thought I would speak of the continuous story of writer/illustrator Tsukasa Hojo's manga (Japanese comic book/graphic novel) City Hunter.  A complex man that fears next to nothing but letting down a client.  He will defend his patron even to the point of his own death, this modern-day ronin defends the cause and consumer willing to stake their life on his skills...  and he is also a bit of a horn doggy. This is City Hunter.

Big Damn Hero.

Ryo Saeba: Mokkori spoilers!!!









Residing in Toyko, the streets can be a dangerous place, not every concern or danger is acknowledged by the police so what can a girl do?  Drop a XYZ note and meet with troubleshooter sweeper Ryo Saeba.  A private bodyguard/detective with excellent martial arts prowess, superb street smarts, lay of the land and expert marksman with a .357 Colt Python.   Aside from the fact that he comes across as a skirt chasing hedonistic pervert that should be on the watch list; when the peril is high, Saeba is at his "A" game laughing in the face of death and offering a myriad of bullets in thugs' way.    The irony that these sort of different aspects of his personality come to light at all are just happy coincidence that all his clients happen to be voluptuous and beautiful women.

Speed line dodge!!

His partner Kaori Makimura manages the business, handles and screens clients plus preps Saeba to "attempt" best behavior but cannot fathom why she puts up with him at all.  With his constant flirtatious mentality towards women, he commonly treats Kaori with respect and idle teasing leading her to believe she is not his type and/or attractive enough.

There is competition in the sweeper business as a rival sweeper named "Falcon" or Umibozu tends to butt heads with Ryo.  They clearly have a history together and while they may not always agree with each others outlooks on life, there is a mutual respect; in spite of the gags that are played on one another.  
Saeko Nogami, a Toyko police detective and daughter of the chief of police is constantly outsourcing gigs to City Hunter as a means to cut down on her increasing case loads, giving him a decent paycheck and the moron keeps trying to get in her skirt rather than just accept he is at best, a competent subordinate to her.  

Hmm, that sounded a bit SMBD there for a second.   The theme of this show is anything from organized crime figures and serial killers to full-blown paramilitary groups having a shoot out with Ryo.  No way to say how the wind will blow.

I had just a few highlights to get into on this particular sensation and then back to it.   A bit of background would establish Ryo grew up in Central America during the civil war giving his a disturbing past as he fled to Japan to team-up with Kaori's older brother Hideyuki Makimura to form City Hunter but Hideyuki was
murdered and his killers taken out, Ryo feels obligated to see no harm to come before Kaori or even pursue her as a potential lover.  An oath he keeps silent from her.

Damnable credits thwarting my every turn!!!