Search - Phantom Creeps - Volumes 1 & 2 (Complete Serial) (2-DVD) on DVD

Minor Universal Serial Best Left To Hardcore Fans

Gary F. Taylor | Biloxi, MS USA | 11/24/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Serials are an acquired taste; even so, the great serials, such as SPY SMASHER and CAPTAIN MARVEL, transcend changes in style and continue to provide as much amusement today as they did when first show. THE PHANTOM CREEPS is, alas, not in that class--there is fun to be had, but it is more a matter of camp humor than general enjoyment.



The general story concerns Dr. Alex Zorka (Bela Lugosi), who has created a number of devices of awesome power: robot spiders that self-destruct, causing the person nearest them to fall into suspended animation; a belt that provides its wearer with invisibility; and a monsterous robot that seems indestructible. These devices are essentially powered by a meteor that Zorba has recovered on an expedition to Africa, and with them he plans to rule the world!



Well, okay, it's not exactly inspired, and the basic problem Zorba has is his own incompetence at bumping off the various American agents and the various international spies who are attempting to obtain the meteor. Still, it has its moments of grace, most particularly in the form of Lugosi himself, who is always fun to watch. The spiders are also fun and the robot, which is vaguely racist in appearance, is a hoot and a half. Film buffs will have fun noticing that the footage of the meteor's discovery is culled from THE INVISIBLE RAY; the serial also uses bits of THE VANISHING SHADOW and news reel footage of the Hindenberg disaster.



The Alpha Volumes 1 & 2 release is actually the Commonwealth re-release of the Universal serial, so it is without the Universal logos one would expect; it does, however, preserve the chapter headings. The print is hardly pristine: muddy looking at worst, mediocre at best. Overall, recommended to hardcore serial and Lugosi fans, but best given a miss by everyone else.



GFT, Amazon Reviewer"