The Flash Gordon Serials, 1936–1940

A Heavily Illustrated Guide

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by Roy Kinnard, Tony Crnkovich and R.J. Vitone

Type: Studies
Subject: One Film > Flash Gordon
Keywords: Frederick Stephani, adventures, serials, 1930s, science fiction
Publishing date: 2011
1st publishing: 2008
> See the newer edition (2025)
Publisher: McFarland & Co
Language: English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Paperback • 214 pages
7 x 10 inches (18 x 25.5 cm)

ISBN

978-0-7864-6615-3

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Book Presentation:
Flash Gordon, Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe, the most expensive and popular movie serials ever made, have been favorites of movie and comic fans for decades. The original 1936 serial, designated a cultural treasure, was selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry in 1996. Arranged in a chapter-by-chapter format conforming to the structure of the three original serials, the work provides full cast and crew information, plot synopses, and production notes for all 40 episodes. The work also has a wealth of background information and 159 photographs, along with comments from cast members interviewed—Buster Crabbe, Jean Rogers, and Carroll Borland. Appendices provide an overview of the serial Buck Rogers (1939), select filmographies for 50 of the most prominent Flash Gordon cast and crew, and a complete list of the serials’ film and television remakes.

About the authors:
Roy Kinnard is the author of many books on such topics as Flash Gordon, science fiction serials, Fay Wray, horror, silent films and Willis O’Brien. His essay on the Flash Gordon serials, written at the invitation of the Library of Congress, appears on the website of the National Film Registry. He lives in Chicago.
Commercial artist Tony Crnkovich, co-author (with Kinnard) of The Films of Fay Wray and The Flash Gordon Serials, has produced movie-related artwork and written articles for Classic Images. He lives in Chicago.
The late R.J. Vitone (d. 2009) founded Chicago’s Variety Bookstore in 1975, still in operation today.

Press Reviews:
"entertaining…fascinating…this thoroughly researched book is almost as fun as watching the films. Recommended"—Library Journal; "this book has been a long time coming, but it’s worth the wait…the book Flash fans have been waiting for…superb collection of rare photos…heartiest recommendation…terrific…essential"—Heavy Metal Magazine; "definitive"—National Board of Review; "a lot of fascinating anecdotes"—Little Shoppe of Horrors; "informative"—Western Clippings.

See the publisher website: McFarland & Co

Newer edition