The vibrator! If it is set off, the building will collapse!

Apparently vibrators were impractically large, but also very powerful in the 40s. That's the kind of information that's missing from the sanitized Disney version.

This 40's serial is similar to Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941), but with none of the fantasy. Captain here is more or less a pissed off New-Yorker that's running around punching everyone in the face, and occasionally shooting them when he's not giving a f*c#. In fact, Captain here reminded me of Dolph in The Punisher (1989) more than any other version of The First Avenger. Yet even with ample face-punching, I still think Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941) was slightly better in several respects.

'The vibrator! If it isn't shut off the building will collapse!' -Worried Scientist

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"We've got to find out how The Vibrator works!"

Well. Idk what to say. Mostly boring as shit, there isn’t a single nazi, not enough propaganda, and every person pretty much looks the same. I think it’s funny that one episode of this has more action than the Superman movie. Honestly I just gotta say that this is a couple hours of my life I’ll never get back. Not sure why I felt inclined to watch every single episode, I couldn’t tell you the difference between them. Honestly it wasn’t the worst thing ever, but I regret watching it, so I have to give it a super low rating lol.

The latest entry in my History of Comic-Book Movies column: screencrush.com/history-of-comic-book-movies-captain-america-serial/

Never considered Dick Purcell as a action hero?! He's a good second-fiddle in B-crime busters, but as Captain America (1944).... I guess it grew on me a little bit, for I did enjoy this 15-episode serial. Did help that they had Lionel Atwill as the sleazy bad guy. The action was quite good too. This is not like superhero movies of now which tries to be Shakespeare, but for that period when superheros where for kids, this must have entertained a lot.

The first Marvel adaptation, made back when it was still Timely Comics. Horror veteran Lionel Atwill thus becomes the first villain of a Marvel movie, and I have to say I don’t know that they’ve ever managed to cast a better actor (I love Jeff Bridges too but has he ever played a character as great as Inspector Krogh?)

Episode 1 "Purple Death" Rating: 🧪⭐ 1/2
Viewed: Streamed on YouTube

I tried picturing this Captain Americas New Yorker voice trying to do an MCU Captian America speech.. and I couldnt stops chuckling to myself.

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Psychic, Mind Control, & Mental Powers

Episode One: The Purple Death
🍆☠️½
This is not the most faithful representation of good ol Cap but it's still some decent 1940s cheesy serial fun. Also, there's a lot of talk about Vibrators. "Dynamic Vibrator" is an actual thing said by Lionel Atwill. It was a little too much for my perverted mind to take.

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

Not so much a feature length movie as an old serial. What is odd about this is that Captain America (adeptly portrayed by Dick Purcell) isn't Captain Steve Rogers, but a DA named Grant Gardener. Also... no shield... no Nazis and no tie ins with other Marvel IP (no shit).

This is all rather quaint when viewed with contemporary eyes but even in its prime I imagine this was an expensive but altogether throwaway spectacle. I much prefer the Dick Tracy serials from the same era because at least the protagonist is characteristically recognisable. Here this feels as though the name and costume were shoehorned into an unrelated set of scripts.

All in all... 4 hours I'll never be getting back.

Well. Idk what to say. Mostly boring as shit, there isn’t a single nazi, not enough propaganda, and every person pretty much looks the same. I think it’s funny that one episode of this has more action than the Superman movie. Honestly I just gotta say that this is a couple hours of my life I’ll never get back. Not sure why I felt inclined to watch every single episode, I couldn’t tell you the difference between them. Honestly it wasn’t the worst thing ever, but I regret watching it, so I have to give it a super low rating lol.

just put this in the background while i did other stuff so no strong opinions this type of old TV just bores me to be honest
hell modern TV bores me
but this had it charm and its always funny to hear that 40's English
that vibrator sure was dangerous

Captain America has a little pistol

Captain America's greatest superpower in this serial is the second amendment.

Es el Batman de Adam West, pero con el Capitán América. Así que os podéis imaginar cómo va la vaina...

24%🦸🏼‍♂️🇺🇸
Yes i did watch all 4 hours and 4 minutes of this and it was painful. Im sure it was all good and exciting for the time but it just doesn't hold up. I don't wanna sound like a millennial or anything but i got so bored i just wanted it to end as soon as it started. Instead of having a shield he just has a handgun so when they couldn't even get the look right you know your for some big trouble.

In my infinite wisdom i decided im gonna watch every single marvel movie ever made because apparently i hate myself

Well... It’s a mid-1940s serial, filled with cliffhangers to keep bringing you back in for more.

That said, this feels like Captain America in name and costume only. He doesn’t even have his shield.

2 1/2 pistol wielding Caps out of 5

The first Marvel adaptation, made back when it was still Timely Comics. Horror veteran Lionel Atwill thus becomes the first villain of a Marvel movie, and I have to say I don’t know that they’ve ever managed to cast a better actor (I love Jeff Bridges too but has he ever played a character as great as Inspector Krogh?)

A break from DC serials to watch the sole Marvel serial, oddly not about the Steve Trevor Captain America, but some completely different un-super dude with a gun that just has the same title and costume who doesn't even fight Nazis in the middle of WW2. Nevertheless, unlike Columbia's Batman from a year prior, this doesn't seem as hampered by the war effort production-wise, as there's still a decent amount of impressive action, set-pieces, and stunts (so many explosions!). So, I can only assume that Republic Pictures (and perhaps co-director, John English, who also co-directed Captain Marvel) really gave more of a shit than Columbia did.

It's not bad overall, but it not actually being the Captain America feels like a scam, and the costume is still terrible.

Its not bad