Phantom Empire Serial - 1935 - 12 Episodes - Gene Autry
This week’s Saturday Matinee here at iMovieCinema is The Phantom Empire, a 1935 serial featuring singing cowboy Gene Autry in his first starring role. The serial uniquely incorporates several genres — western, sci-fi, and musical.
The action in The Phantom Empire takes place at Gene Autry’s Radio Ranch, which just happens to be sitting atop the ancient civilization of Murania. Tensions arise when a group of crooks want to get their hands on the Muranians’ supply of radium, and it falls upon Gene Autry to get things sorted out.
Also in the cast are Frankie Darro, Western trick rider Betsy King Ross, Smiley Burnette, Dorothy Christy, Wheeler Oakman, Charles K. French, Warner Richmond, J. Frank Glendon, Peter Potter, Edward Peil Sr., and Jack Carlyle.
The Phantom Empire was produced by Nat Levine, and directed by Otto Brower and B. Reeves Eason.
Saturday Matinee - Gene Autry in The Big Show
This week’s Saturday Matinee features that famous singing cowboy, Gene Autry, in a 1936 movie, The Big Show. Also starring are Smiley Burnette and Kay Hughes.
The movie, which takes place at the Texas Centennial Exposition, was directed by Mack V. Wright and produced by Nat Levine.
A roundup of Country & Western singers make appearances, such as the Sons of the Pioneers (including Roy Rogers), The Jones Boys, and the Beverly Hillbillies.
And, of course, the horse Champion is in this movie, too.
Enjoy the Saturday Matinee!
-
Subscribe to iMovieCinema
