When was the Flash Gordon serial released?
Universal Pictures released the Flash Gordon film serial in 1936. This production marked the first screen adventure for the character created by Alex Raymond just two years prior.
Questions about Flash Gordon (serial)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who starred as Flash Gordon in the 1936 serial?
Buster Crabbe starred as Flash Gordon and dyed his natural brunette hair blond to match the comic strip appearance. Jean Rogers played Dale Arden and also dyed her hair blonde to capitalize on the popularity of actress Jean Harlow.
How much did Universal Pictures spend making the Flash Gordon serial?
Budget estimates vary between sources, with some claiming over one million dollars while others suggest a reported figure of three hundred fifty thousand US dollars. The scale was unprecedented for a serial format at that time regardless of the exact sum.
Where were exterior shots filmed for the Flash Gordon serial?
Exterior shots such as the Earth crew's first steps on Mongo were filmed at Bronson Canyon. Universal Pictures reduced costs by reusing sets and props from earlier films like Frankenstein released in 1931.
Why was the Flash Gordon serial renamed Space Soldiers for television syndication?
For syndication to television in the 1950s, the serial was renamed Space Soldiers to avoid confusion with a newly made series. A different feature version at ninety minutes was sold directly to television in 1966 under the title Spaceship to the Unknown.