Cellulose to Celluloid: Flash Gordon on Paper and Film

INTRODUCTION: Universal Pictures' black and white Flash Gordon serials adapted many sequences from Alex Raymond's colorful syndicated strip from the Sunday pages of contemporary newspapers, liberally borrowing elements of Raymond's designs, but also altering them to fit their budgets, or mollify the censors. Flash Gordon 1 Trip to Mars 2 Conquers the Universe 3 The serials enjoyed great success, and Universal released three of them in 1936, 1938, and 1940. Sometimes the movies followed Flash Gordon's newspaper adventures, sometimes they didn't, and sometimes they adapted capriciously. I intend to "compare and contrast" certain panels with certain frames -- and comment shamelessly. Flash Gordon is the property of it's copyright holders.  All images are used for scholastic purposes ONLY in the context of this article.  Text and graphic design copyright by Michael R. Evans 2009 E-MAIL ME Back to Outre Space Cinema