Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 1 Quiz

Answer: The Indians are Coming

"The Indians are Coming" is based on a book by "Buffalo Bill" Cody. One critic commented: "Only the dog (named Pal and played by Dynamite) managed not to fall victim to the natural tendency of actors groomed in the silent film to overplay when thrust into a talkie".

It was released in a silent version since many theaters had not advanced to the sound era. Gold, wagon trains, Indian attacks, kidnapped heroine, fisticuffs, etc. are there for your enjoyment.

Answer: The Lone Defender

"The Lone Defender" is the first sound western serial from Mascot Pictures. A critic commented about the lead actress that they could have had her "speak German or have Rin-Tin-Tin say the lines". Rinty knows that The Cactus Kid killed his master and since the dog knows the whereabouts of the mine, Cactus chases him for most of 12 chapters.

Answer: The Phantom of the West

One critic said of the director, D. Ross Lederman, of "The Phantom of the West", that he took "no particular pride in the many films he directed". There are seven men who could be the killer of Tim Tyler's dad and you'll figure out who it is before Tim does.

Answer: Gordon of Ghost City

Buck Gordon ("Gordon of Ghost City") remarks to a rustler, "I'd rock you to sleep if I could find a rock." He started his career in a western short feature entitled "101 Ranch Film" but came into his own in a later Tom Mix film "The Wilderness Trail".

There are two bad guys. One is the foreman of the ranch where Buck is hired to find the rustlers and the other is the partner of the heroine's granddad and owner of an abandoned store under which is a gold mine.

Answer: Sign of the Wolf

"Sign of the Wolf" was reedited and released later that year as a feature with the same name. Metropolitan Pictures only produced a single serial and that was in 1931. The serial revolves around two small chains that are able to turn sand into gold. Do I need to tell you how many folks would like the pair?

Answer: Battling with Buffalo Bill

"Battling with Buffalo Bill" finds Jim Thorpe of Olympic fame featured in the minor role of an Indian, which he played in several other features and shorts. Gold is discovered in a town and a gamblin' man tries to scare off everybody and employs the local Indian tribe to savage the town. Here comes the cavalry; town saved.

Answer: Mystery Mountain

Look for Gene Autry and sidekick Smiley Burnette in "Mystery Mountain", which marked the start of their motion picture careers. A film buff remarks that, "The real scene-stealer here is Ken Maynard's horse, Tarzan, who does some great tricks on occasion and ends up being the one to unmask the killer at the end." The Rattler is the baddy in this one and having the ability to assume any identity is why only Tarzan can nab him.

Answer: The Last Frontier

"The Last Frontier", starring Lon Chaney Jr. of "Wolfman" fame, is the only serial made by RKO pictures and a remake of a feature film starring William Boyd aka Hopalong Cassidy. It was later reedited into "The Black Ghost". Here's another instance of a bad guy who tries to drive out the townsfolk with the help of Indians to claim all the gold.

Answer: Heroes of the West

"Heroes of the West" stars Noah Beery Jr., son of Noah Beery, who gained fame as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". Now we have a railroad company that tries to complete a section of track on time but is hindered by a crooked foreman and his band of outlaws plus intermittent Indian attacks.

Answer: The Red Rider

In "The Red Rider" (1934), Olympic star Jim Thorpe has a small part, along with Monte Montague. This is a remake of "The Range Feud" from 1931. Take one bad guy who's really a good guy, put him in jail and let him escape. Since Buck Jones is the sheriff, he's fired and then must find the real killer.