History Film / TheAdventuresOfCaptainMarvel

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''The Adventures Of Captain Marvel'' was a 1941 film serial starring Tom Tyler as Captain Marvel and Frank Coghlan Jr. as Billy Batson. The 12 chapter serial focused on the Malcolm Expedition, a group of [[AdventurerArchaeologist Adventurer Archaeologists]] who discover an ancient tomb which holds the prized [[MacGuffin Scorpion Idol]]. The idol contains several lenses that, when properly aligned, could cause a number of different effects, from transmuting the elements to completely obliterating matter. The scientists decide to divide the lenses among them to ensure that the idol cannot be used without the consent of the entire group. However, almost immediately one of the scientists assumes the masked identity of the Scorpion, and steals both the Scorpion Idol and the scroll which tells how to use it. The Scorpion then sets into motion a plot to steal the lenses from the other scientists and become the most powerful individual on the planet.

As the first superhero film of its time, ''The Adventures Of Captain Marvel'' had a lot of new ground to cover. Since no one had done a serial like this before, the studio utilized aspects of other serials, borrowing from the archeologist/explorer and murder/mystery genres, as well as having a lot of aspects similar to pulp heroes of the day. There was a lot riding on the serial as well, as it would basically decide whether or not superhero films were a viable option. That there was an explosion of superhero serials following it is a testament to the film's quality, and its importance to the superhero film genre cannot be overstressed.

Today, ''The Adventures Of Captain Marvel'' is considered one of the best {{Film Serial}}s ever made along with the [[Film/FlashGordonSerial three Flash Gordon epics]].

!The Adventures Of Captain Marvel provides examples of:

The character of Captain Marvel is also the main hero of a [[{{Series/Shazam}} 1970s TV show]], and after a name change to "Shazam" a [[Film/Shazam2019 2019 movie]]. He also has no relation to the Marvel Comics ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}} character.

The character of Captain Marvel is also the main hero of a [[{{Series/Shazam}} 1970s TV show]], and after a name change to "Shazam" a [[Film/Shazam2019 2019 movie]]. He also has no relation to the Marvel Comics [[ComicBook/CaptainMarVell Captain Marvel]] character.

* TheMountainsOfIllinois: Filmed in the deserts of Southern California, despite the fact that the first episode supposedly takes place in the jungles of Siam. In fact there seems to be some confusion between Thailand and the Middle East.

* TheMountainsOfIllinois: Filmed in the deserts of [[CaliforniaDoubling Southern California]], despite the fact that the first episode supposedly takes place in the jungles of Siam. In fact there seems to be some confusion between Thailand and the Middle East.

* TheMountainsOfIllinois:

The character of Captain Marvel is also the main hero of a [[{{Series/Shazam}} 1970s TV show]], and (with a possible name change) a [[Film/Shazam2019 2019 movie]]. He also has no relation to the Marvel Comics [[ComicBook/CaptainMarVell Captain Marvel]] character.

The character of Captain Marvel is also the main hero, now better known as Shazam, of a [[{{Series/Shazam}} 1970s TV show]], and a [[Film/Shazam2019 2019 movie]]. He also has no relation to the Marvel Comics [[ComicBook/CaptainMarVell Captain Marvel]] character.

Back in the 1940's, [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]] was quite the trend setter. He was one of the first superheroes to really utilize multi-issue storylines and continuity (including the Monster Society of Evil ongoing story that lasted 22 issues), the first hero who literally [[HenshinHero transformed from a normal mortal]] into a [[ByThePowerOfGrayskull superpowered alter ego]], one of the first true {{Flying Brick}}s in comics (combining true flight with strength and invulnerability even before Superman), his sister Mary Marvel was the second DistaffCounterpart in comics (right after Hawkgirl), and in this instance, the first superhero to appear on the big screen.

* InvincibleHero: Played with. While Captain Marvel is the only one in the serial with superpowers, and [[NighInvulnerability normal weapons like guns and blades have absolutely no effect on him]], he isn't completely immune to harm. Several times an intense electric shock was able to knock him out and when caught in the molten lava death trap, he seemed genuinely concerned that he could be killed. Similarly, Billy Batson, Cap's mortal alter ego, was just as vulnerable to harm as the next guy, and much of the drama came from whether or not Billy would escape the danger he was in.

* HoistByHisOwnPetard: The Scorpion spends the entire serial murdering his fellow scientists in order to acquire a magical idol that can completely disintegrate matter, sometimes by employing a tribe of desert dwellers who believe that he is the living embodiment of the god Scorpio. [[KarmicDeath Guess what happens when they find out he isn't?]]

* DwindlingParty: As the Scorpion acts to obtain all the lenses, the scientists end up being killed as a result. Played with because the Scorpion simply wants the lenses and in the earlier chapters the scientists end up dead because they grab the IdiotBall and do something incredibly stupid like leaving safe cover in the middle of a gunfight and are killed in the crossfire. Toward the end, their deaths become more plot driven such as learning the Scorpion's true identity and are KilledToUpholdTheMasquerade.

* DamselInDistress: Betty is a competent character in her own right, but as the only female in the cast, she can't escape this role. Even when she shows initiative, it's not completely successful, such as in episode four, where she manages to kick the chair out from under her guard and jump in a nearby car to escape... only to run straight into a wall which knocks her out and sends her careening into a building. Cue Captain Marvel.

Back in the 1940's, [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]] was quite the trend setter. He was one of the first superhero to really utilize multi-issue storylines and continuity (including the Monster Society of Evil ongoing story that lasted 22 issues), the first hero who literally [[HenshinHero transform from a normal mortal]] into a [[ByThePowerOfGrayskull superpowered alter ego]], one of the first true {{Flying Brick}}s in comics (combining true flight with strength and invulnerability even before Superman), his sister Mary Marvel was the second DistaffCounterpart in comics (right after Hawkgirl), and in this instance, the first superhero to appear on the big screen.

The character of Captain Marvel is also the main hero of a [[{{Series/Shazam}} 1970s TV show]], and a [[Film/Shazam2019 2019 movie]]. He also has no relation to the Marvel Comics [[ComicBook/CaptainMarVell Captain Marvel]] character.

Today, ''The Adventures Of Captain Marvel'' is considered one the best {{Film Serial}}s ever made along with the [[Film/FlashGordonSerial three Flash Gordon epics]].

* FailedASpotCheck: Billy and Betty are trying to open a scientist's safe which is guarded by a couple of automatic machine guns that emerge from a panel in the wall opposite the safe. Betty feeds him the combination and several times Billy glances at her. Yet even though the trap is directly behind her, Billy never sees it.

* BoundAndGagged: Since to become Captain Marvel, Billy has to say the magic word, he ends up being gagged a lot. Ironically, the villains have no clue he's Captain Marvel until the very end when the Scorpion sees his transformation from a distance. Greedy to learn how he changes into Captain Marvel, the Scorpion has Billy captured and brought to him bound and gagged. After threatening to kill Betty to force him to reveal his secret, it leads to this very satisfying exchange:

''The Adventures Of Captain Marvel'' was a 1941 film serial starring Tom Tyler as Captain Marvel and Frank Coghlan Jr. as Billy Batson. The 12 chapter serial focused on the Malcolm Expedition, a group of [[AdventurerArchaeologist Adventurer Archaeologists]] who discover an ancient tomb which holds the ancient [[MacGuffin Scorpion Idol]]. The idol contains several lenses that, when properly aligned, could cause a number of different effects, from transmuting the elements to completely obliterating matter. The scientists decide to divide the lenses among them to ensure that the idol cannot be used without the consent of the entire group. However, almost immediately one of the scientists assumes the masked identity of the Scorpion, and steals both the Scorpion Idol and the scroll which tells how to use it. The Scorpion then sets into motion a plot to steal the lenses from the other scientists and become the most powerful individual on the planet.

''The Adventures Of Captain Marvel'' was a 1941 film serial starring Tom Tyler as Captain Marvel and Frank Coghlan Jr. as Billy Batson. The 12 chapter serial focused on the Malcolm Expedition, a group of [[AdventurerArchaeologist Adventurer Archaeologists]] who discover an ancient tomb which hold the ancient [[MacGuffin Scorpion Idol]]. The idol contains several lenses that, when properly aligned, could cause a number of different effects, from transmuting the elements to completely obliterating matter. The scientists decide to divide the lenses among them to ensure that the idol cannot be used without the consent of the entire group. However, almost immediately one of the scientists assumes the masked identity of the Scorpion, and steals both the Scorpion Idol and the scroll which tells how to use it. The Scorpion then sets into motion a plot to kill the other scientists and steal their lenses for himself, to become the most powerful individual on the planet.

All is not lost though. Billy Batson, who was along to report on the discovery and who chose not desecrate the tomb, is secretly chosen by the wizard Shazam to see to it that the Scorpion Idol is not used for evil. To do this, Billy is granted the power to become Captain Marvel by speaking the wizard's name. Using the power of Captain Marvel and his own resources, Billy must uncover the secret of the Scorpion's identity and prevent the master criminal from taking over the world.

The character of Captain Marvel is also the main hero of a [[{{Series/Shazam}} 1970s TV show]], and a [[Film/Shazam2019 2019 movie]] and has no relation to the Marvel Comics [[ComicBook/CaptainMarVell Captain Marvel]] character.

* CliffhangerCopout: At the end of chapter 7 ''"Human Targets"'', Billy and Betty are held prisoner in the last of three old shacks on a bombing range. As a plane flies its bombing run, we see the first two shacks destroyed. On the final run, the bombs are dropped, the third shack is hit and we clearly see debris falling on the bound and gagged Billy as the shack blows up. At the start of the next episode, however, we see that between the second and third bombing run, some debris conveniently knocks out Betty and Billy gets his gag loose. He is able to transform to Captain Marvel and get Betty to safety ''BEFORE'' the final set of bombs have even been dropped.

* CliffhangerCopout: At the end of one chapter, Billy and Betty are held prisoner in an old shack on a bombing range. Bombs are dropped, the shack is hit and we clearly see debris falling on the bound and gagged Billy as the shack blows up. Next episode, Billy manages to de-gag himself and transform to save himself and the conveniently knocked-out Betty '''before''' the bombs have even been dropped.

* CliffhangerCopout: At the end of one chapter, Billy and Betty are held prisoner in an old shack on a bombing range. Bombs are dropped, the shack is hit and we clearly see debris falling on the bound and gagged Billy as the shack blows up. Next episode, Billy manages to de-gag himself and transform JustInTime to save himself and the conveniently knocked-out Betty '''before''' the bombs have even been dropped.

The character of Captain Marvel is also the main hero of a [[{{Series/Shazam}} 1970s TV show]], and a [[Film/Shazam2019 2019 movie]]. [[NamesTheSame Not to be confused with the]] ''[[Film/CaptainMarvel2019 other]]'' [[Creator/MarvelComics Captain Marvel]].

The character of Captain Marvel is also the main hero of a [[{{Series/Shazam}} 1970s TV show]], and a [[Film/Shazam2019 2019 movie]]. [[NamesTheSame Not to be confused with the]] ''[[Film/CaptainMarvel2019 other]] [[Creator/MarvelComics Captain Marvel]].

The character of Captain Marvel is also the main hero of a [[{{Series/Shazam}} 1970s TV show]], and a [[Film/Shazam2019 2019 movie]].

For a more recent take on the character, see ''[[Film/Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]''.