a previously state in one of my great review and the universal picturestrilogy of flash gordon should not be classify with the other serial . for and indeed the three of these have make a sort of celluloid electronic mythology for a punchy and war phobic mid twentieth century world . they stand alone in many people mind a the example of just what a cliff hanger be . we can recall see buster crabbhe a a guest on nbc late night talk show and tomorrow and host by tom snyder . this be circa 1979 80. during the interview mr. crabbe be ask about his personal fitness habit . he credit weight training and swimming and couple with some sound dietary habit which include vitamin and protein supplementation . ( and would you believe it and he smoke several cigarette . ) when question about his career and mr. snyder of course get to the subject of his portrayal ( and strong identification with ) the character of flash . buster state that he have read and enjoy the feature in it original medium and that be a comic strip the property of hearst king feature syndicate . he state that he have think that it would not work once transfer to the screen . luckily he be wrong . a for the 1st serial and it be a very good adaption of the original continuity from the sunday color comic . the world be about to end because of impend collision with planet mongo . it up to independent work dr. zarkov to rocket to the wild planet to change it course . he enlist the aid of flash and miss dale arden and newly acquaint parachuter from airliner and landing in zarkov property . the serial have excitement through out and manage to make one feel that there be always some other peril lurk just outside the film frame . the costuming and decor be vary and from romanesque to oriental to art decco . it would be easy to surmise that this be due to frugality on the part of universal and but once again this be be faithful to creator and cartoonist alex raymond visual concept . ( just look at the old strip a reprint in many collection ) the rocket be use before in just imagine . ( fox 1930 ) and a science fiction musical comedy . the other scientific lab equipment be provide by universal prop dept . and be the top hollywood company do horror and scifi . the cast feature jean rogers ( dale arden ) and priscilla lawson ( princess aura ) who get into a good girl vs. bad girl battle over flash . charles middleton portrays emperor ming in a sort of overly melodramatic villain and but make it work . zarkov ( frank shannon ) be tone down from the sheer madness that he suffer in his appearance in newsprint . ( by the way and ever wonder how zar kov have a brogue . ) richard alexander make a fine and powerfully build prince barin and ever helpful and so noble . comic actor jack tiny lipson be the surprise of the cast and steal scene after scene a a lecherous and henry viii like scoundrel turn ally and king vultan and ruler of the hawkmen . among the others and most notable be jim pierce a prince thun of the lion men . pierce and like crabbe and have also portray tarzan in a film but he later marry tarzan creator and edgar rice bourroughs daughter and joan . flash gordon and the two sequel and flash gordon trip to mar ( 1938 ) and flash gordon conquers the universe ( 1940 ) and have be a staple juvenile fare for generation and first in the movie house then in television release . like fine wine and they see to get well with age . be all so glad that mr. crabbe be wrong .