Combat Sports Historian and Martial Artist
Legacy posts about films from the silent and classic Hollywood film eras.
On May 20, 1947, Ralph Byrd returned to the Dick Tracy franchise in Dick Tracy’s Dilemma (1947). It was welcome news for fans of the franchise although Chester Gould was a notable exception. Gould created the Tracy character for the comic page of the Detroit Mirror. After the Chicago Tribune picked up the comic for syndication, it’s popularity exploded. Gould
Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome (1947) is one of the final entries (affiliate link) in “B” film series. RKO Pictures took the series over from Republic Pictures, who released the original Dick Tracy serials in the late 1930s and early 1940s. RKO Pictures released the film to theaters on September 26, 1947. RKO brought Boris Karloff in to play Gruesome, one
In early 1937, Republic Pictures released the first chapter of its first Dick Tracy serial. Dick Tracy (affiliate link) consisted of 15 chapters for a total of almost 300 minutes. Ralph Byrd played the popular comic book detective Dick Tracy. In this serial, the Spider, whose true identity is unknown, leads a gang of criminals dedicated to enriching themselves and
H.G. Wells wrote the story of Things to Come, which was turned into a film (affiliate link) in 1936. The film opens during Christmas 1940 in Everytown (obviously London) right before the outbreak of war. The war lasts almost thirty years before “the Airmen” led by John Cabal, a former resident of Everytown, leads the survivors to victory over the
Chester Gould created the Dick Tracy comic strip in 1931. Originally published through the Detroit Metro, the strip moved to the Chicago Tribune where it made the paper and Gould rich through syndication. It was only a matter of time before Dick Tracy made his debut on the silver screen. Ralph Byrd played Dick Tracy in four 15 chapter serials
On August 20, 1938, Republic Pictures released the second Dick Tracy serial, Dick Tracy Returns (1938). Ralph Byrd returns to the role of Dick Tracy. In this series, Dick Tracy battles crime boss Pa Stark and his five sons. Pa Stark involves himself in almost every criminal enterprise in the city over the 15 chapters of the series. From car
On October 14, 1938, 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation released the fifth of eight Mr. Moto Films starring Peter Lorre as Interpol Policeman Kentaro Moto. In Mysterious Mr. Moto (1938), Mr. Moto infiltrates a prison and helps a prisoner escape to discover the plans of his criminal organization. Mr. Moto breaks international criminal Paul Brissac, played by Leon Ames, out of
On Christmas Eve, 1937, the second Mr. Moto film, Thank You, Mr. Moto (1937) staring Peter Lorre, debuted. International Agent Mr. Moto strives to protect Chinese cultural treasures from international criminals. The Seven Scrolls will reveal the hiding place for the Tomb of Genghis Khan. Genghis Khan’s warriors reportedly buried great treasure with their dead leader. Mr. Moto’s friend Prince
On January 27, 1939, Columbia Pictures released the first of the Lone Wolf films, The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt (1939). Warren William plays the “Lone Wolf” Michael Lanyard, a former safe burglar and jewel thief. The film opens with two men kidnapping Lanyard off the streets of Washington, D.C. A mysterious man asks Lanyard to burglarize a safe but he
Monogram Pictures released So’s Your Aunt Emma! (1942) on April 17, 1942. Zasu Pitts stars as Aunt Emma Bates. In her youth, Aunt Emma was engaged to up-and-coming professional fighter Jim O’Banion. Her sister didn’t approve of the match, so they sent her on a trip to break up the couple. Aunt Emma regretted it and starts following the career