Spy Smasher (Serial)
From DC Database
Title: Spy Smasher
Seasons: 1
Production Company: Republic Pictures Corporation
Created by: Bill Parker and C.C. Beck
Status: Cancelled
Contents |
Summary
In 1942, Republic Pictures created a series of Spy Smasher serial episodes that were previewed in movie houses from week to week before the start of the feature films. Twelve episodes were created, each one running approximately eighteen minutes in length, the first of which was released on April 4th of 1942. The series was directed by William Witney with writing credits attributed to Ronald Davidson and Norman S. Hall. Actor Kane Richmond played the part of Spy Smasher, and his alter ego Alan Armstrong. Margueritte Chapman played the role of Eve Corby, Alan's fiancée who usually found herself the target victim of the hero's arch-nemesis, the Mask (played by Hans Schumm). Spy Smasher and Eve Corby's adventures typically revolved around confounding the Mask's villainous efforts in France, during the height of Nazi occupation. Ironically, the comic book version of the Mask had already been killed prior to the release of the first episode of the Spy Smasher serial. The series was re-released in 1966 as a single movie entitled Spy Smasher Returns, however it had been edited down to a running time of one-hundred minutes. In 1995 Republic Pictures Corporation released a two-tape VHS video tape collection of the series. As of 2008, there are no plans to release the series on DVD.
Principal Cast
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Spy Smasher (Alan Armstrong) | Kane Richmond |
| Eve Corby | Marguerite Chapman |
| Mask | Hans Schumm |
| Admiral Corby | Sam Flint |
Episodes
- America Beware
- Human Target
- Iron Coffin
- Stratosphere Invaders
- Descending Doom
- The Invisible Witness
- Secret Weapon
- Sea Raiders
- Highway Racketeers
- 2700 Degrees Fahrenheit
- Hero's Death
- V...
Notes
- The Spy Smasher serial was based upon the crime-fighting adventurer, Spy Smasher. Spy Smasher was created by writer Bill Parker and artist C.C. Beck for Fawcett Publications. In 1953, National Periodical Publications filed a lawsuit against Fawcett citing that the character of Captain Marvel bore too much of a resemblence to their own character, Superman. After settling the case, Fawcett discontinued publication of their comic book line of products and Spy Smasher lapsed into obscurity. In 1972, DC Comics purchased many of the lingering Fawcett characters, including Spy Smasher and migrated them to a fictional parallel world known as Earth-S. The Fawcett characters made several appearances throughout various Silver Age DC titles including, Shazam, World's Finest Comics and Justice League of America.
