Spy Smasher Meets Star Wars

The scene, Nazi Germany. Spy Smasher fights his way out of a Nazi stronghold to a 'free' America, only to find the German ring leader in the train. After a struggle, the leader escapes and Spy Smasher miraculously finds his lost twin brother! After a brief reunion ('I thought you'd died in the accident!'), the brothers team up to fight crime together. Kane Richmond never looked better in double.

So, I was hooked.

Twelve chapters later, the brother dies, and Spy Smasher goes on to fight tyranny and the Nazi threat to America.

But, in-between, a lot of magic happens.

There is action.

There is suspense.

There are cliffhangers.

There are horses and Nazis?

Horses and Nazis. That's right. In chapter 3, Spy Smasher is called to meet his friend from the French resistance and the Nazis have taken over this western town as their headquarters. Spy Smasher, in costume, mounts a horse fluidly (a strange skill for a spy) and he rides to his French friend. Arriving at the town, and going to the blacksmiths, a struggle ensues, and Spy Smasher rescues his friend, only to ride off after the Nazis (on horseback). I didn't know that the Germans had horses, or knew the Republic backlot like that? But, remember the rule. SUSPEND LOGIC. So, guess what, WHOO HOO! Go Get 'em Spy Smasher.

Another neat scene, is during chapter 9. The villains are fleeing Spy Smasher, and turn into a blind. There is a sign (the one that Batman used in the TV series), except, on the door is an advertisement for Dick Tracy! That's right, Ralph Byrd, and Tess Trueheart on the door as the Nazis pass by! I almost missed the sign! I conclude that this movie was made near January or February 1942 (as Dick Tracy was released on December 27, 1941). Is this the first use of subliminal advertising? Or did they just forget and use whatever they could. The budget may have been a little tight...

And the escapes: exploding buildings, rotating blades in the brick factory, flaming cars, and so many more. Wow. Did he really escape? Where were the bruises? Scrapes? Burn marks? WHO CARES?

But, I had FUN. My father, son, daughter, and other son watched the serial and loved it. My 12 year old daughter wanted to watch it again. She kept asking, 'How did he escape?' In spite of the bad falls, the insane plot,

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