Serial Watch

Having just finished Republic's "The Black Widow," I have to say I was a lot of fun to watch, but you could say that about most of Republic's serials. One of the serial's most important distinctions is that it has a villainess in charge. Carol Forman, as the title character, pretends to be a fortune teller while secretly planning to take over the world for her power-mad father, who teleports in on his would-be throne.

I know, how is it that no one writes like this anymore? Particularly satisfying is the final chapter, where our villains meet their end in a final battle worthy of the pulps. Ironically, the Black Widow is killed off by her namesake, intended for our hero. Unfortunately, I wasn't too impressed with the heroes. Steve Colt seemed average at best, and his female sidekick seemed insultingly inept.

But moving on to "Federal Operator 99," the serial I'm currently watching. George J Lewis, a staple heavy in many of Republic's serials, finally gets the spotlight as lead villain, Jim Belmont. He's so sauve and sinister, that you'd never imagine that he would end up as Zorro's father decades later. Marten Lamont, our hero, is pretty entertaining. His accent reminds me of George Sanders, one of the few to wear the Saint's halo. Also noteworthy, is Lorna Grey, one of the few female henchmen in serials. Having just seen Chapter 6 "The Case of the Double Trap," there's no doubt that she can handle herself just as well as one of the guys.

Well, until next time, when I listen to "Moonlight Sonata" while Lewis, Grey, and the gang plot their next heist.