A strange purple dust is killing off the population of Earth, leaving a telltale purple smudge on the foreheads of its victims! Together, Flash Gordon, Dale Arden, and Dr. Zarkov trace the plague to the planet Mongo and archfiend Ming the Merciless! There's hope for the Earth, though, when the intrepid team discovers Polarite, the antidote to the pandemic, found only in the barren, cold reaches of Frigia. This collection of Flash Gordon serials finds Buster Crabbe teamed up with a different Dale Arden, but facing the usual array of strange creatures and spellbinding thrills. It's worth noting that Mongo looks a lot like Sherwood Forest, with its natives toting bows and arrows and wearing Robin Hood outfits. These installments of the series are unusually inventive, such as the scenes when Flash and company travel to the frozen wastelands of Frigia. The encounters with the Rock People and the "walking bombs" are also rather bizarre, even by today's standards. There's even a topical note to the story line, with a madman bent on genocide. It's the slam-bang pace and two-fisted action of Flash Gordon's adventures that kept audiences spellbound in the '30s, though, and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe certainly gave them their money's worth.

An edited version of the 1938 serial Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars, it finds Flash (Buster Crabbe) and friends traveling to Mars to battle archenemy Ming the Merciless (and arch is certainly the word for Charles Middleton's performance) and the death ray he's using to suck the very life out of Earth. Sure, the action is silly, the effects for the most part laughable, the "science" absurd, and the acting consistently over-the-top. But how can you not chuckle along with (or perhaps at) such deathless dialogue as "Kneel, Earth man" and "Gee whiz, King"?  Flash Gordon has no need for cheap frills to keep us the edge of our seats!
The Earth is being ravaged by mysterious floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. After blasting off in a rocket ship, Flash Gordon, Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov discover that the source of the destruction is a mysterious ray emanating from the planet Mars. Flying to the rescue, Flash and his friends must overcome the cruel and beautiful Queen Azura and the legions of Claymen and Treemen of Mars. But lurking behind Azura's deadly schemes is the real culprit, Flash's archrival Ming the Merciless!

Flash Gordon, Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov return to Mongo on a special mission at the request of Barin, their friend from Arboria. His kingdom is being threatened by Emperor Ming's heat projectiles. Once on Mongo, Flash is able to extinguish the heat projectiles by using one of Dr. Zarkov's contra-thermal units. But Ming the Merciless has plans far more devastating for Arboria and even threatens to send a rocketship full of explosives to Earth. Soon Flash is faced with trying to save both Arboria and Earth! It looks like it's curtains for all decent humans everywhere. Climb aboard and join Flash, Dale and Dr. Zarkov in the struggle to preserve justice and freedom in our universe!

All-American space hero Flash Gordon (played by Larry "Buster" Crabbe) once again does battle with the devious Ming the Merciless (Charles B. Middleton) in this vintage sci-fi adventure. Ming has, as usual, set his sights on conquering the Earth, and has designed a new weapon with this in mind -- a special metallic substance that will burst into flame in our atmosphere. After testing this on Arboria and laying waste to Prince Barin (Roland Drew) in the process, Ming heads for Earth; to see that his nemesis Flash will have other things to do as he launches his attack, Ming kidnaps Gordon's best girl, Dale Arden (Carolyn Hughes). Will Flash and Dr. Zarkov (Frank Shannon) be able to rescue Dale, stop Ming, and save the Earth all at once?

The planet Mongo is on a collision course with Earth! Flash Gordon and Dale Arden join Dr. Zarkov and blast off in his rocket ship to Mongo, trying to avert worldwide destruction. As soon as they land, Flash, Dale and Zarkov are taken prisoner by Ming the Merciless, the evil Emperor of Mongo. In a last ditch effort to save Earth from interplanetary peril, Flash Gordon matches wits with Ming. The outcome is in doubt as it appears Flash and his friends will never see Earth again. If you cover your eyes or look away you will miss a thrilling moment in the death-defying adventures of favorite space hero, Flash Gordon! This is a feature-length edited version of the 1936 serial "Flash Gordon: Space Soldiers." Flash Gordon, Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov return to Mongo on a special mission at the request of Barin, their friend from Arboria. His kingdom is being threatened by Emperor Ming's heat projectiles. Once on Mongo, Flash is able to extinguish the heat projectiles by using one of Dr. Zarkov's contra-thermal units. But Ming the Merciless has plans far more devastating for Arboria and even threatens to send a rocketship full of explosives to Earth. Soon Flash is faced with trying to save both Arboria and Earth! It looks like it's curtains for all decent humans everywhere. Climb aboard and join Flash, Dale and Dr. Zarkov in their struggle to preserve justice and freedom in our universe!

"The Phantom Empire" (1935) starring Gene Autry the singing cowboy was the first Western/Sci-fi Saturday matinee action serial. A very elaborate and fun story of an underground hidden empire of "Murania" lying 12000 feet below Gene Autry's ranch.  Very silly robots in this story, with short-brimmed cowboy hats on top of their box-like features. A rebellion is being planned, as on the surface of the earth evil scientists plot to steal radium from the Radio Ranch. On top of all this, Radio Ranch is endangered by Gene Autry's inability to make it to perform on his radio show!
Complete with horse chases, sword fights, and deadly technology, this is a fun serial to watch. This is some fun stuff. 12 cliffhanging chapters originally produced by Mascot Pictures. This preceded the later serials like Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. The Phantom Empire runs for 216 minutes total is Black and White.
A very rare entry into the science fiction/western genre!