2 hours of the series is presented. Tickets $5.00
Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe (1940)
“Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe,” a 1940 black-and-white science-fiction serial from Universal Pictures, spans 12 action-packed chapters, marking the final installment of the three Flash Gordon serials produced between 1936 and 1940. Directed by Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor, with a screenplay by George H. Plympton, Basil Dickey, and Barry Shipman, the serial adapts Alex Raymond’s iconic comic strip from King Features Syndicate. The story follows Flash Gordon, played by Buster Crabbe, as he battles the ruthless Emperor Ming the Merciless, portrayed by Charles Middleton, who unleashes a deadly plague, the Purple Death, on Earth. Joined by Dale Arden (Carol Hughes), Dr. Zarkov (Frank Shannon), and allies like Princess Aura (Shirley Deane), Flash journeys to the planet Mongo to thwart Ming’s genocidal schemes. The serial’s high-energy pacing, inventive cliffhangers, and stylized wipe-edits captivated audiences, influencing later sci-fi epics like Star Wars. Its production values, despite Universal’s cost-saving measures like stock footage from White Hell of Pitz Palu (1930), were impressive for the era, earning a 2016 Retro Hugo Award nomination for Best Dramatic Presentation – Long Form.
The cast delivers memorable performances, with Buster Crabbe, Charles Middleton, and Frank Shannon being the only actors to appear in all three Flash Gordon serials. Carol Hughes replaced Jean Rogers as Dale Arden, bringing a fresh dynamic, while Anne Gwynne, as a Universal ingenue, gained prominence mid-serial. Notable trivia includes the Rock People’s dialogue, created by playing normal speech backwards, and Ming’s portrayal as a military dictator, reflecting 1940s geopolitical tensions, a shift from his earlier Fu Manchu-like persona. The serial’s influence extended to television, with PBS airings in the mid-1970s introducing it to new fans before Star Wars reignited sci-fi interest. A positive quote from a 2007 Rotten Tomatoes review captures its enduring appeal: “I love and have a great affinity for serials from the golden age of cinema, and this was definitely one of the better ones I have seen.” The serial’s blend of adventure, charm, and historical context cements its legacy as a sci-fi classic.