The 1930s

This era saw the introduction of colour films and an end to those wonderfully innovating silent movies. It serves, somewhat arbitrarily, as the first decade for our developing catalogue although the genre wasn't particularly well-defined at the time. Many of the films used basic science fiction plots or characters such as mad scientists, but they more closely resembled the horror or detective genres.

The Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers serials

The cinema serial, although around in the silent era, remained popular until the mid-1950s, but it was from the 1930s that serious consideration was given to science fiction. The cinema serial was akin to the now-common TV serial although you had to visit the cinema to watch it. They were usually weekly 20-30 minute chapters, each ending with a cliffhanger, compelling viwers to return the following week, and were very popular with children on a Saturday matinee.

Flash Fordon's sidekick, Dale Arden, was described as "beautiful, independent and capable. In most circumstances, Dale is well able to take care of herself and is an ideal companion for the adventuring Flash. Which is not to say that she is unfeminine." Dale was lusted after by Ming the Merciless, as well as thousands of cinema goers, with her long blonde hair and revealing costumes. Princess Aura was the daughter of Ming and had a crush on the handsome Flash, and just a bit of jealousy towards Dale.

 Buck Rogers' sidekick was the more convincing character, being somewhat more assertive, adventurous and heroic than Dale. Wilma Deering was played by Constance Moore and was the only female character in the serial. We'll be seeing more of these characters later...