Lee Falk and Ray Moore's famous syndicated comic strip hero came to the screen in this 15 chapter serial produced by Rudolph C. Flotow for Columbia Pictures. Displaying unusually good judgment, the studio cast the still strapping former silent screen cowboy Tom Tyler as Geoffrey Prescott who, like generations of Prescotts before him, battles piracy and crime in Darkest Africa. Dressed in his trademark tights and black mask, The Phantom sallies forth to locate the lost city of Zolos, aided by his lovely fiancée, Diana Palmer (Jeanne Bates) and Ace, the Wonder Dog. The opposition is headed by the nefarious Dr. Bremmer (Kenneth MacDonald), but the good doctor is, in the long run, no match for the masked avenger who, in the final chapter, restores "Peace in the Jungle." One of Columbia's few worthwhile serials, The Phantom was yet another success for the popular and personable Tyler, who had earlier scored in the title role of Republic Pictures' The Adventures of Captain Marvel. Columbia filmed a belated and rather unnecessary sequel, The Adventures of Captain Africa (1949), starring John Hart, a bland actor who later played The Lone Ranger for one season on television when Clayton Moore went on strike. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
Review
Restored and released on DVD by VCI Entertainment in 1999, The Phantom emerges as one of Columbia Pictures' very best chapterplays and stars perhaps the finest of all the comic strip turned movie heroes in the strapping Tom Tyler, whose firm voice and admirable physique add authority to what in essence is a rather ludicrously garbed jungle man. Without the benefit of a stunt-man, or so it seems most of the time, Tyler breezes through Columbia's low-budget back lot flora with abandon, careening over obstacles and besting even the meanest villain the studio could throw in his way, at all times aided by Ace the Wonder Dog, previously of RKO canine potboilers. The sound track in chapter eleven was apparently damaged beyond repair but VCI deftly dubbed the episode with modern impersonators, a daring experiment that, if not 100 % successful, should nevertheless be heartily congratulated. The usual Columbia caveats remain in evidence, though: the production could have greatly benefited from a better budget and the lack of on-screen acting credits have led to much speculation as to who exactly plays what. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
