July 13, 2025 • 38 mins
All-world athlete Flash Gordon is mistaken for a spy and taken at a gunpoint onto a rocket to the Planet Mongo, where he begins a war against Ming the Merciless.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 27 and May 4, 1935
Originating from Hollywood
Starring: Gale Gordon as Flash Gordon; Maurice Franklin; Bruno Wick
To subscribe to this podcast and follow more adventures of Flash Gordon go to https://greatadventures.info/
Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.
Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715
Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net
Give us a call at 208-991-4783
Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives
Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 27 and May 4, 1935
Originating from Hollywood
Starring: Gale Gordon as Flash Gordon; Maurice Franklin; Bruno Wick
To subscribe to this podcast and follow more adventures of Flash Gordon go to https://greatadventures.info/
Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.
Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715
Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net
Give us a call at 208-991-4783
Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho.
This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we
will bring you the first exciting episode of this new
podcast series. We'll be bringing you the first two episodes
(00:26):
of the nineteen thirty five Flash Gordon radio serial. First,
we'll explain a little bit about the background of Flash
Gordon and this particular radio series, and after our drama,
we will talk about the episode give you an idea
of what you can expect to hear on this new
(00:48):
twice weekly old time radio adventure podcast series. This first
episode is being cross posted to the Great Detectives of
Old Time Radio podcast feed, and we will also be
cross posting our adult adventure series Cloak and Dagger, and
we'll talk more about that after the episode. But if
(01:09):
you want to hear future episodes of Flash Gordon, you
will want to subscribe at our website at Great Adventure
dot info. Well, now a little bit about Flash Gordon.
Flash Gordon was created by Alex Raymond and made his
comic strip debut on January seventh, nineteen thirty four. Flash
(01:32):
was inspired by, and was competition for another famous comic
strip character, Buck Rogers. I do want to say to
any Buck Rogers fans out there, we are in no
way disrespecting Buck Rogers by having Flash Gordon be our
first serial. It's a simple matter of radio preservation, with
(01:57):
Flash Gordon offering a complete twenty six episode story arc
which is just sadly not available with Buck Rogers. But
don't worry Buck Rogers fans, we will be doing Buck
Rogers immediately afterwards. But back to our hero, Flash Gordon,
(02:17):
like Rogers, became a national sensation. It was not only
featured in the funny pages. Flash Gordon was a multi
media sensation. There were three Flash Gordon film serials, and
then there was all the merchandising, or as we call
(02:39):
it today, the merch the toys, the coloring books, and
of course there would be more, a live action TV
series in the fifties, multiple animated series, and a nineteen
eighty cult film. And like Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon was
one of the inspirations behind a.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Little film called Star Wars.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
Flash's Big Splash over Radio began April twenty seventh, nineteen
thirty five, in a twenty six part weekly serial, and
we will be bringing you two of these episodes per week,
so here from April twenty seventh and May the fourth,
nineteen thirty five are the first two episodes of Flash Gordon.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Presenting for the first time in radio, the Amazing.
Speaker 4 (03:42):
Interplanetary Adventures of Flash Gordon and Bill Arden. These thrilling
adventures come to you as they are pictured each Sunday
in the Comic Weekly, the world's greatest pictorial supplement of
humor and adventure. Comic Weekly now printed in thirty two
tabloid sized pages, each page in full four colors, is
(04:05):
distributed everywhere as a part of your Hearst's Sunday newspaper.
Racing high above the Earth, Comfortably seated in a giant airliner,
Flash Gordon, internationally famous athlete, looks admiringly across the aisle
(04:29):
at Dale Harden, the lovely young companion.
Speaker 5 (04:32):
Of his airboy.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
The minds of both are intent on the terrible destruction
which for many months has been approaching the Earth with
a terrific speed. The new planet hurtling through space directly
in the path of the Earth. Suddenly there's a violent jar.
The plane lurches into a spinny nose dive. Flash Gordon's
train muscles carry him across the aisle to the frightened girl.
He gathers her in his arms and leaps free of
(04:54):
the falling plane, and, pulling the rip cord of his
parachutelides to earth.
Speaker 5 (04:58):
Don't be frightened, Leo. Crash, but we're safe. Yes, thanks
you hold fast, we're landing now. Careful, are you all right?
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Till?
Speaker 6 (05:07):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (05:07):
Good good? Oh. Look, flash, there's a round steel tower.
Speaker 6 (05:11):
Where can we be.
Speaker 5 (05:13):
That's the laboratory of the great scientist, doctor Hans Zarka.
He's coming this way. I'll call him to help us.
I hope your partners for breaking in on your so
unceremonious the doctor. But you say we had to bail out.
I know you for what you are spices, come to
steal my secret. But I have the answer to that.
Come with me. Put that gun away, Professor Zaka. The
man is mad. They will have to humor him. All right, professor,
(05:35):
all right, we'll come with you. Yep, down this ladder
into this tower. Down right.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
All right.
Speaker 7 (05:42):
Now we are in my rocket ship, and in ten
seconds we will be on our way to the new planet.
Speaker 5 (05:47):
We will all die die for science.
Speaker 8 (05:59):
Flash.
Speaker 5 (06:01):
His rocket slip is rushing away from the Earth with
the speed of light, right into the path of the
new planet. Old tale, we will say somewhere to the
new planet, the new planet. We three will save the Earth.
Doctor Zakha, the still time to bring your rocket ship
out of the path of the new planet. No, no, no,
what will you gain from clients if we're all killed
in the crowd?
Speaker 7 (06:21):
I know who you are, Fresh Cordon, the world's greatest athlete.
But your train strength will not save you. Only my mind,
the mind of zark On his scientists can save you,
can save any human soul upon the Earth.
Speaker 5 (06:34):
Careful plans, He's written to the control and Doctor you
feel it. The gravitation pulled up the new planet.
Speaker 7 (06:41):
We crashed in five seconds.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
The rocket ship hit the planet. Doctor Zakhov and Dale
are throne from the rocket ship unconscious. Flash is prone
clear of the wreckage and lands on his feet uninjured.
He rushes to the side of the unconscious girl, picks
her up, and starts to carry her toward the distant
towers of a city on this weird new planet. Suddenly,
strained soldiers armed with ray guns appear and capturing Dale
(07:21):
and Flash forced them to come with them to the
throne room of Ming, the Merciless Emperor of Mongo and
supreme ruler of the universe.
Speaker 9 (07:29):
Yes, oh thoi, don't it means most Merciless Majesty of Mongo,
supreme ruler of all the people of the new planet.
Speaker 10 (07:50):
Thy slaves, saluti live sing? Ask people, I slaves obey?
Oh Ming, the mercillha love me.
Speaker 5 (08:01):
I'm no slave.
Speaker 11 (08:02):
I'll meet your emperor as a free man and an
equal as man. You are a freeman and my equals.
Speaker 5 (08:11):
Throw into the red monkey man in the arena. I
would see spot with this free man, my equal. There
is I freedom man.
Speaker 9 (08:21):
How you go into the arena to meet.
Speaker 5 (08:23):
The red monkey man, not mungoy? Oh wait, will don't
worry the Emperor Ming. I as show you that I
a free man from the earth. I am more than
a match for your fremous red monkey man.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
Flash reaches the bottom step leading to the arena. He
leaps and swings at the nearest red monkey Man. Then,
grasping the falling man beastern of the arm pitch, Flash
quils him.
Speaker 5 (08:44):
Around with a flail, knocking the others in all directions.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
Emperor Ming, hearing that his monkey man.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Will all be killed, orders his soldiers to destroy Flash
with their ray guns. In the midst of the confusion,
Princess Or, the beautiful young daughter of Emperor Ming, calls
to Flash.
Speaker 5 (08:58):
Quick, pres good quace, here to my belcony.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
Flash leads to the royal balcony and joins the gorgeously
duel Princess, who commands the slaves to keep back while
she takes Flash through a secret door and into a
passage leading to a private elevator. The two get in
and Aura closes the door and presses the switch.
Speaker 5 (09:20):
Who are you, beautiful me?
Speaker 8 (09:22):
I am the Princess Arah, only daughter of being the
merciless Princess.
Speaker 5 (09:26):
I owe you my life. You are braisen, handsome and strong.
You must not die so young.
Speaker 12 (09:33):
I have never seen anyone like.
Speaker 5 (09:35):
You as a man where I come from, Princess who
men are stronger men? I'm better looking. But tell me, Princess,
where are you taking me?
Speaker 8 (09:42):
I am taking you to the private lending frames of
my own rocket cars. There you will be said, we
have all right this man, get in this rocket car.
No one can harm you here.
Speaker 5 (09:57):
But princes there, oh my rescue.
Speaker 8 (10:04):
That is why you are in my private rocket car. Man,
you mean they are then shall never be rescued by you,
and for you a man, you shall.
Speaker 13 (10:15):
Love me or die.
Speaker 4 (10:29):
Meanwhile, back in the palace, Emperor Ming is talking with
Dale Arden.
Speaker 11 (10:33):
Your companion slash God and has escaped, but not for long.
My men will soon capture him.
Speaker 5 (10:41):
What are you going to do with me?
Speaker 14 (10:44):
You are pleasing to.
Speaker 11 (10:45):
Me as women. You will become my wife.
Speaker 5 (10:49):
I don't love you.
Speaker 11 (10:51):
We men of Mango have no human traits, nor love,
no mercy, no kindness. Well, I love me and not
makes no different. You shall become my wife as soon
as this ceremony can be arranged.
Speaker 7 (11:07):
Or Majesty, look into the space of Graph. Our city
is being bombarded by the space gyros of the Lionmen.
Speaker 11 (11:12):
The lion Men already entire straight freight to the attack.
Speaker 4 (11:28):
In the terrific battle which takes place between Emperor Ming's
space fleet and the gyros of the Lionmen, the attacking
gyros are driven off. The rocket ships in which Flash
Gordon has been held captive is destroyed, and Flash is
thrown to the ground unconscious. He opens his eyes to
find himself staring up into the great bearded face of Buone,
Prince of the lionmen bone lets his break sword fall
(11:50):
as he sees Flash Gordon's white skin.
Speaker 5 (11:53):
Who are the white skinned youth?
Speaker 15 (11:56):
Speak and swer me before I cleave thy white body
in pieces art thou a new kind of soldier of me,
the Merciless, I.
Speaker 5 (12:05):
Am the Swan, enemy of that scene them from Ming
of Mongo. Yes, capture the girl who is from the
earth like myself. I live only to rescue her.
Speaker 15 (12:13):
An earth man, thou sayest yes, and an enemy of
meing the Merciless, that's right.
Speaker 5 (12:19):
Tell me, are you friend or enemy?
Speaker 15 (12:21):
I am Thun, prince of the lionmen, hereditary enemies of
the men of Mongo. If thou wilt accept me as
thy friend, earth Man, I will gladly join thee against
Meing the Merciless.
Speaker 5 (12:37):
Here's my hand on his entrance, too. Good, What is
thy name?
Speaker 14 (12:41):
Earth Man?
Speaker 5 (12:42):
I am called Flash Gordon upon the earth.
Speaker 15 (12:44):
Your highness call me tho friends, and I will call
the lash friends thom. You know how we can gain
admittance to the palace that we may rescue the laden. Come,
I will show thee a secret.
Speaker 14 (12:58):
Way into the palace. Good. The Emperor Mean is away
pursuing my jayrou feet we may be able to rescue
the Earth girls before me return.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Flash Gordon and his powerful newfound friend go first to
the space gyro of Princetone, and there they gaze intently
into the thought projector, in which they not only see
Dale Ardent, the captive, but they also have revealed them
a secret.
Speaker 5 (13:35):
Way leading to the Throne room of the Palace.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
The secret passage is known as a Tunnel of Terror
because of the deadly beasts which lie within its gloomy wall,
fighting each step of the way. Flashing his new friend,
Princetone finally find themselves within the palace. A door with
great steel boat stands before them quickly ormously, directly in
the center palace.
Speaker 6 (13:56):
From my memory of.
Speaker 15 (13:57):
The palace, I should see that beyond this store is.
Speaker 5 (14:00):
The great throne room of the Emperor. Means, all right,
then here we go. Ah, there, all right, it is
the room.
Speaker 14 (14:14):
Yes, this great statue before us is the God of Death,
which stands.
Speaker 15 (14:19):
At the top of the altar steps directly behind the
throne of the Emperor.
Speaker 14 (14:24):
Listen, doo, what by the great god owl? It is
a royal wedding possession ming The Merciless is taking another bride.
Speaker 5 (14:45):
Coming up the auto steps. Soon, I'm going to look
around the isel.
Speaker 15 (14:48):
Look around the idol means death almost not come back,
come back back, save yourself.
Speaker 5 (14:55):
I'm going to the rescue of my earth friend Dayla.
She's being fostered to marriage with Ming. The musless quintoon.
Speaker 15 (15:01):
The lion man does not see himself with the expense
of his friends. If thou must die, I will die
fighting with thee.
Speaker 5 (15:10):
This Waydale hold covers.
Speaker 7 (15:20):
This Waydale down this stashy Earth Maiden a fascist out
can shrun victim.
Speaker 5 (15:25):
They're swarming up.
Speaker 4 (15:26):
Your help.
Speaker 6 (15:27):
We topple the idol over now one who screed with
a grinding crash.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
The giant idol topples over on the on rushing soldiers
of Ming, the Merciless, killing those in front and throwing
into confusion the whole company. Flash Gordon and Prince soon
with Dale between them, dash into a secret passage beneath
the idol.
Speaker 5 (15:52):
The way becomes steeper.
Speaker 6 (15:53):
They slipped and.
Speaker 4 (15:54):
Paul down down one hundred feet or more into a
whirling on the ground river swept along down, arranging current
and over it falls into a lake. With the powerful
strokes of the champion swimmer. Flash sets out for the shore,
towing Dale by the hair. They reached the shore, and
the splash reaches down to drag Dale to safety. She
screams and disappears beneath the calm surface of the lake,
(16:14):
clutched in two powerful green, scaly arms.
Speaker 5 (16:17):
With no part of his own.
Speaker 4 (16:18):
Safety Flash Gordon dives to Dale's rescue.
Speaker 5 (16:21):
Oh, don't struggle, princess, all for you believe that crushing
cut them with my sword. Careful, Flash, it's femlish. It's
got you too. Yes, yes, I didn't think it could break.
(16:44):
What shall we do now?
Speaker 6 (16:45):
I don't know?
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Yes?
Speaker 5 (16:48):
What is the princess? Are you in pain?
Speaker 6 (16:51):
Down there?
Speaker 5 (16:52):
The door the kid had opened? Go ahead, her soul
just coming up. Strange looking guns, O Joe, Father's men. No,
I never saw them before. They have seen us. I'm
coming to make us captain. Well, at least they'll get
us out of the cutches of this terrible plan.
Speaker 10 (17:08):
Old, you don't wake up?
Speaker 9 (17:10):
Thats fine, thank kill it, but don't injury victims.
Speaker 15 (17:14):
I want them rough to me alive.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
Don't be afraid, princess, those men will catch you.
Speaker 9 (17:19):
Glad to catch her men?
Speaker 3 (17:21):
Now the other one.
Speaker 5 (17:25):
Here I come. We're safe on the grounds. But what
will happen now? I'm the leader of those soldiers.
Speaker 13 (17:32):
Soldiers, you did that well, ah, Princess Aurah, Yes, how
do you know me?
Speaker 6 (17:40):
I do not know you.
Speaker 13 (17:41):
I know your father.
Speaker 11 (17:42):
Oh?
Speaker 13 (17:43):
Oh, what this another white stranger? Yes, Prince Baron, blindfold
him and prepare our other white prisoner for the ordeal
of the poison daggers.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
As you command, Prince Baron, What are you going to
do with me?
Speaker 13 (17:57):
God? Take the princess to my.
Speaker 5 (18:01):
As you command, Prince Karen.
Speaker 13 (18:03):
Ah, here comes out of a white prisoner. Perhaps you
know him?
Speaker 5 (18:07):
You? How can I tell? He's got a hood over
his head. I can't see his face.
Speaker 13 (18:10):
He says, he is from the earth. I suppose you
are from there too, I am. I don't believe you,
But no matter, our hiding place must remain a secret.
So both of you must die. Are the white prisoners prepared? God,
they are, Prince Baron. Their left forearms are tied together,
and the poisoned daggers are they ready?
Speaker 6 (18:30):
Here?
Speaker 13 (18:31):
Sir good I listened, prisoners. I am dipping these two
daggers in dragon's blood. The slightest scratch from these blades
means certain deaths. God give these to the prisoners. On
the count of three, you are commenced fighting one, two three.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
As Prince Baron utters the word, Flash steps back, jerking
his mysterious antagonist off balance. He flings aside his dagger.
Then he causes his opponent to drop his poison weapon.
Picking up the dagger, Flash severs the court, binding him
to his opponent, and as the two whip off their
blindfolds and reveal themselves to each other, Flash.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
Conta talk to Sako.
Speaker 13 (19:09):
So you do know each other, I should.
Speaker 5 (19:11):
Say, we do. I'm mighty glad to see you, doctor.
I thought you were dead after our rocket crashed on
this planet. I was batterly hurt.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Flash.
Speaker 7 (19:17):
These fellows they picked me up and brought me here.
They made me act as they're servant. Well, we saved
the offs, didn't we lat.
Speaker 5 (19:24):
We certainly did, doctor. Now, Prince Baron, maybe you will
believe that we are from the Earth. This man was
the most brilliant scientist in the world. He was going
to alp.
Speaker 13 (19:32):
My admiration for both of you is boundless. I would
be honored to have you shake my hand and call
me friend.
Speaker 5 (19:41):
Your friend.
Speaker 13 (19:42):
Yes, why, of course, here's my hand. And mine right now,
Come to my quarters, my friends. I have invented an
electric mold, with which I intend to burrow underground into
the palace of Ming the Merciless and overthrow his tyrannical government.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Are you with me?
Speaker 2 (19:58):
Certain me? You bet we are.
Speaker 5 (20:00):
We've got to rescue Taale and Tune from that fiend.
Princess Zorah, you heard.
Speaker 13 (20:06):
What I plan to do.
Speaker 12 (20:07):
Yes, Please take me back to my father's tell us
with you.
Speaker 5 (20:11):
You quiet?
Speaker 13 (20:12):
Because of you that I am a hundred men with
a price on my head. You will remain here as
my prisoner. Come, my friends, Come, Oh, I will realize God,
what is it?
Speaker 5 (20:25):
What is your name? Wrong? Uncle, my princess, your uncle?
Speaker 12 (20:30):
I thought I recognized your faith. You fled into exile
from my father's God when you were caught stealing. Yes, uncle, Princess,
you will help me warn my father of what those
men plan to do. I will make you not only wedding,
but also at duke or.
Speaker 14 (20:48):
Once so lovely, my princess, how could I refuse?
Speaker 4 (20:52):
Come with me, unaware of what has happened in the
hiding place, and racing on the ground toward the palace
of Ming the Merciless, and their electric mall. Prince Baron,
Doctor Zarkoff, and Flash Gordon. Encounter of fierce grocco or
armour plated dragon, Flash climbs out of the mole and
(21:13):
gives battle, saving his companions.
Speaker 5 (21:15):
For this.
Speaker 4 (21:16):
Prince Baron promises that if they succeed in overthrowing Ming,
Flash will be made a Prince of Mango and anything
he desires will be his. Finally, the electric mall breaks
through the floor of the central hall of Ming's palace.
The door opens on the trio emerge from the metal
burrowing machine.
Speaker 13 (21:35):
On, my friend, we have a rived.
Speaker 7 (21:37):
Ah, so we have what is our next move, Priem Sparin.
Speaker 13 (21:42):
This is a central hall of Ming's palace. We go
up those stairs, Doctor Zarkoff and surprise the inner guard.
Prince Baron look, Ming's armored men.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
We've been betrayed, But how could the use of Greeks
here before us?
Speaker 7 (21:54):
Let us get our radar.
Speaker 13 (21:55):
It's no use, Doctor, The armor of those soldiers.
Speaker 5 (21:58):
Is rap proof.
Speaker 7 (22:00):
Being the Merciless with his high Priest see you. Thank heavens,
She's all right.
Speaker 11 (22:05):
Welcome back to my palace, Flash Garden, and welcome to
your companions. I'll just slash them to the pillar over there,
then execute them.
Speaker 5 (22:16):
Oh, darling, I love you so much, my dearest. We
did our best to save you, but we've been betrayed.
I guess they have us. Now let them shoot. They'll
kill me too, and you'll be together forever.
Speaker 11 (22:29):
Very well, they'll haven't. You can have him in death
attire for seat with the execution.
Speaker 5 (22:36):
Shoot you yellow dogs. We aren't afraid to die, that
is or your fire ogy. What does this mean?
Speaker 11 (22:45):
If you are not the high priestless, I would have
your tongue torn out for your insolince.
Speaker 16 (22:52):
I still remember Siah, according to the sacredit of how
even a traitor has the right to choose between the firing.
Speaker 5 (23:01):
Squad and the terrible test through sugi.
Speaker 11 (23:05):
And on second thought, the tests would furnish us with
greater amusements.
Speaker 16 (23:11):
Yes, Sire, we must have buy by the sacred grip.
And then too, I see no reason why.
Speaker 11 (23:19):
The girl should be killed. Captain, release the prisoners. They
shall undergo the terrible tests. First, bring them over to
this fit. This is the test that the torture him.
Flash Garden, You and Barren will stand and each end
(23:42):
of the narrow platform, and with long whips try to
taple each other into the pits, whereas the price will
be awaiting you.
Speaker 6 (23:52):
Check your pleasures.
Speaker 4 (23:56):
The two mounted platforms Lash docs Prince Barons were winds
over his head, and Flash's whip hits Baron with such
force as to knock him off balance and into the pip.
Dropping his whip, Flash leaps after him. As he throws
the unconscious form of Prince Baron over his shoulder and
prepares to climb out, a transparent metal sheet silently slides
over the top of the pip, trapping them. At the
same time. Flash here's a growl, and looking around he
(24:18):
sees three snarling tigrins placing Prince Baron on the floor.
Flash turns on the fierce beasts. The first one charges,
leaping high in the air. Flash comes down on the
Tigrin's back with a powerful wrench, breaks its neck instantly.
The other two tigrins leap at each other to fight
for the possession of the body.
Speaker 5 (24:33):
Furiously.
Speaker 4 (24:34):
The battle rages. Finally both animals are down, wounded on
to death. Then Prince Baron regains consciousness.
Speaker 5 (24:48):
Where where are we? All right? Yeah, we're in the pit.
They papped us with that transparent metal lid and you
you saved us from these beasts. Oh you are superb Flash.
That was easier than figuring how we're going to get
out of here. Look up there and soon just in time, bhoom,
roll that metal lid back. Not that he understands.
Speaker 4 (25:13):
There he's gone it.
Speaker 5 (25:15):
We're free.
Speaker 6 (25:16):
Come along.
Speaker 4 (25:23):
Meanwhile, in the temple of towl, Ming and Dale are
about to be married by Zogie, the High Priest.
Speaker 11 (25:32):
And now Dale happens my stay about to taigrants have
torn your ear onto Peter's flash.
Speaker 5 (25:41):
He died trying to save me.
Speaker 11 (25:43):
Nothing nothing here comes Zogi to perform these ceremonies.
Speaker 16 (25:49):
Oh Maxi Ming, ruler of Mango and the universe, did
your supreme intelligence take this earth woman's.
Speaker 5 (25:56):
Club being your wife and impress up Mango a more?
Speaker 11 (26:00):
Certainly?
Speaker 5 (26:01):
Do?
Speaker 16 (26:02):
And you the Ardens, do you take this your brilliant man,
to be your.
Speaker 5 (26:08):
Lord and master.
Speaker 16 (26:10):
I don't care what happens now, as you have accepted
each other in matrimony before they create God all ye pronounced.
Speaker 5 (26:22):
The islands feed I oh bobides marriage.
Speaker 4 (26:26):
It is a treat.
Speaker 11 (26:27):
Wool an idol cannot talk goggy wing, but this statue
at once tire.
Speaker 6 (26:38):
What for them he told me you were dead.
Speaker 16 (26:41):
They are men and your companions alive. O, God shut
them down.
Speaker 11 (26:47):
The marriage must go on.
Speaker 16 (26:49):
Wait, sire, sacred rid say you cannot execute a man
who has passed the test of the tigrants guards wrap
your weapon.
Speaker 4 (27:00):
Thought, how will cush you all?
Speaker 11 (27:01):
What you defy me?
Speaker 16 (27:04):
I only quote the sacred rich sire, as I priest.
It is my duty to interpret and enforced stick tape.
Speaker 5 (27:11):
God give me your thoughts.
Speaker 11 (27:14):
Loie, I will stop your jabbling.
Speaker 5 (27:17):
Mouth forever.
Speaker 11 (27:21):
He kills, I, priest, carried the body away, God, darling,
I thought I had.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
You never as long as I have strengthened these two
arms and the breath of life in my body.
Speaker 11 (27:33):
Oh Tao forbids me to slay you. Well, Tao and
I will both laugh. While you rebel slave in the
prisons city of the Hawkman.
Speaker 5 (27:43):
Death would be more desirable.
Speaker 11 (27:45):
As for you, Dale Aden, you shall be taught to
act like my empress.
Speaker 4 (27:58):
Doomed to have faith worse and death among the cruel Hawkmen.
What terrifying adventures await our friend. Be sure to listen
in again next week and hear the further amazing adventures
of Flash Gordon and Dale Arden, who appear in full
color pictures next Sunday in the thirty two page Comic
Weekly supplement of your Hurst's Sunday newspaper, the world's greatest
(28:19):
all picture magazine of fun and adventure. Prop miss the
Comic Weekly next Sunday. All your friends will be there.
Besides Flash, Gordon and Dale Arden, you'll find King of
the Royal Mounted waiting to thrill you with another chapter
in his adventures of the Great Northwest. Put Old Jigs
and Maggie in bringing up Father, You're Old Pal, Skippy Tilly,
the toiler Ast, Drummond, Johnny round.
Speaker 6 (28:41):
The World, the Little King Radio Patrol.
Speaker 5 (28:43):
They'll all be waiting to entertain you.
Speaker 4 (28:45):
Of course, those irresponsible Kats and yamery kids are on
deck with a new frank on their friends.
Speaker 5 (28:50):
How can they think of all those tricks? And as
for Bonnie Google.
Speaker 4 (28:54):
Well, I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Snuffy Smith
that Google seems a bit touched in the Hague. They're
all in the Comic Weekly next Sunday, thirty two pages
of colored pictures. Be sure to get your copy of
the Hearst Sunday Newspaper next Sunday. Containing this big thirty
two page comic weekly. And remember we have a date
next week for another chapter in the amazing Interplanetary Adventures
(29:17):
of Flash Gordon and Dale Arden.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
Welcome back. This was radio drama before padding was invented. Okay,
truth be told.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
Padding existed, but they just didn't use it here.
Speaker 1 (29:50):
I've read a lot of the original Flash Gordon stories
by Alex Raymond a few years back, and this serial
follows a lot of those stories plot points pretty close
beat per beat.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
And so you've got this feeling that you're.
Speaker 1 (30:05):
Reading a big collection of comics and turning the page
and hearing the William Tell overture every time you hear
turn the page, which, when reading something like this, just
amps up the excitement level. What happened here, you know,
just to give you an idea about how pacy this is,
(30:26):
would probably be at least ten episodes in the post
war Kellogg's Pep era of the Adventures of Superman.
Speaker 2 (30:35):
What can you say so far? But Flash Gordon has
had quite a time.
Speaker 1 (30:41):
You think that on a day when you had to
parachute out of a crashing plane, that's gonna be the
worst part of your day. But then now you have
a crazy guy accuse you of being a spy and
puts you into a rocket that's crashing into another planet.
Speaker 2 (30:57):
And I'm not going to get into.
Speaker 1 (30:59):
The signs of this because you just have to accept
that firing a manned rocket at a planet colliding with
Earth would save the planet.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
So we can get on with the fun stuff.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
Because most science fiction stories that you tend to do,
like have the Blockbusters, saving the Earth is really the
big deal. It's like, that's just something we got to check,
tick the box, get out of the way, and so
we can get on with the real adventure. I appreciate
Alex Raymond's creativity. While Flash Gordon was inspired by Buck Rogers.
(31:38):
When you read a lot of the early Buck Rogers strips,
they were a lot of very Earth based sci fi.
What Raymond does here is create this world populated with
alien creatures who are very unusual. Now, of course a
lot of them have Earth inspired designs, but the execution
(32:00):
on the drawn page is a thing of beauty and
it's just a wonderful bit of science fantasy. And they
do the best they can to communicate the scale of
that over the radio. And what you have to love
about Flash is the way that he proves himself, makes friends,
and wins people over by being the ultimate action hero.
(32:21):
This really does show a really different side of our lead,
Gail Gordon.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
He had some range.
Speaker 1 (32:29):
Now he go on to build his career on being
a stuffy authority figure like oz Good Conklin on the radio,
the second Mister Wilson on television, and so many characters
opposite luci o'ball.
Speaker 2 (32:42):
But here he is the ultimate action hero and carries
it well.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
I will disillusion anyone hoping for a New Heart esque
ending where this all turns out to be Osgood Conklin's dream,
because that's not how time works in so many ways.
But it's an ending I actually imagined. I will critique
one aspect of the plot, and that was when Prince
(33:09):
Baron seems to switch from having Flash and Zarkov fight
each other to the death to align with them for
very little reason. Even the pacey confines of the story
that seemed to happen way too fast, but the stories
like we just don't have time to get into what
(33:31):
character motivation might be. I also did love the commercial
at the end for the upcoming comics, though the narrator
should never do a Snuffy.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
Smith impersonation ever again.
Speaker 1 (33:45):
All right, Well, now we're going to talk about the
podcast and how this is going to work. So we
will be featuring two separate adventure programs each week, and
they're going to cross a lot of different subgenres. For example,
we're going to be doing towarsen next year, and eventually
(34:07):
we'll also be featuring the Adventures of the Scarlet pimpernew
So we're keeping adventure fairly broadly defined. We're not going
to do Westerns. That's Andrew's thing over at Otrwesterns dot Com,
but that leaves a whole wide variety of series to tell.
Now as a general rule, and I don't think this
(34:29):
is going to be hard and fast to out a run.
We are dividing these two days into two separate categories,
and those are adventure programs that were targeted more towards
children and those that were targeted more towards an adult audience.
It could be told many adults, even at the time,
(34:51):
enjoyed listening to these programs that may have been written
with kids in mind, and certainly many adults since have
and we all we keep our eye out for higher
quality programs in terms of what we select now. One
reason for the two day a week programming format isn't
(35:11):
just because trying to do two six and a half
week podcast as much or five day a week podcasts
at the same time is just too much.
Speaker 2 (35:22):
It's also due to the fact that there's just less of.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
The adventure programs out there than great detectives.
Speaker 2 (35:33):
Some of that is due to serialization.
Speaker 1 (35:37):
If I had every episode of Buck Rogers, I would
have enough programming to keep children side of the podcast
going for six to eight years.
Speaker 2 (35:50):
But we have enough for about four weeks.
Speaker 1 (35:53):
And that's just the reality when you're dealing with serialized programs.
It's one of the strengths of the self contained programs
that if you're missing one episode, it's generally it's too
bad you're missing that episode.
Speaker 2 (36:09):
You can go ahead and go from one week to
the next.
Speaker 1 (36:13):
If you're missing all but one episode of a serial,
as is often the case with the Buck Rogers stories,
there's not a whole lot you can do. We'd even
be doing Tarzan a lot longer than we are going
to do if it weren't for the fact that the
Tarzan Lord of the Jender Goal serial is missing. So
(36:35):
many episodes, particularly at its end. Now, I don't know
for sure how long that we will continue with the series.
Some of it may depend on new programs emerging and
other things that are beyond our control. But I am
looking forward to bringing you just some fantastic adventure programming
over the next few years, including some from anthology programs
(37:00):
we will work in as we go through the series. Now,
we will typically release episodes on Tuesday and Saturday. We'll
release this first episode of Flash Gordon on Sunday to
make it easy to post over on the Great Detectives feed.
As I said at this top of the episode, if
you want to continue to hear Flash Gordon, be sure
(37:23):
to check out our new website at the Great Adventurers
of Old Time Radio at Great adventure dot info. Join
us back here on Saturday, either on Great Adventurers or
on the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio feed.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
Where we will kick off with our first adult.
Speaker 1 (37:45):
Targeted program, Cloak and Dagger. In the meantime, you send
your comments to Bucks thirteen at Great Detectives dot Net.
From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham signing off.
Speaker 11 (38:03):
I
Welcome to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho.
This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we
will bring you the first exciting episode of this new
podcast series. We'll be bringing you the first two episodes
(00:26):
of the nineteen thirty five Flash Gordon radio serial. First,
we'll explain a little bit about the background of Flash
Gordon and this particular radio series, and after our drama,
we will talk about the episode give you an idea
of what you can expect to hear on this new
(00:48):
twice weekly old time radio adventure podcast series. This first
episode is being cross posted to the Great Detectives of
Old Time Radio podcast feed, and we will also be
cross posting our adult adventure series Cloak and Dagger, and
we'll talk more about that after the episode. But if
(01:09):
you want to hear future episodes of Flash Gordon, you
will want to subscribe at our website at Great Adventure
dot info. Well, now a little bit about Flash Gordon.
Flash Gordon was created by Alex Raymond and made his
comic strip debut on January seventh, nineteen thirty four. Flash
(01:32):
was inspired by, and was competition for another famous comic
strip character, Buck Rogers. I do want to say to
any Buck Rogers fans out there, we are in no
way disrespecting Buck Rogers by having Flash Gordon be our
first serial. It's a simple matter of radio preservation, with
(01:57):
Flash Gordon offering a complete twenty six episode story arc
which is just sadly not available with Buck Rogers. But
don't worry Buck Rogers fans, we will be doing Buck
Rogers immediately afterwards. But back to our hero, Flash Gordon,
(02:17):
like Rogers, became a national sensation. It was not only
featured in the funny pages. Flash Gordon was a multi
media sensation. There were three Flash Gordon film serials, and
then there was all the merchandising, or as we call
(02:39):
it today, the merch the toys, the coloring books, and
of course there would be more, a live action TV
series in the fifties, multiple animated series, and a nineteen
eighty cult film. And like Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon was
one of the inspirations behind a.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Little film called Star Wars.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
Flash's Big Splash over Radio began April twenty seventh, nineteen
thirty five, in a twenty six part weekly serial, and
we will be bringing you two of these episodes per week,
so here from April twenty seventh and May the fourth,
nineteen thirty five are the first two episodes of Flash Gordon.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Presenting for the first time in radio, the Amazing.
Speaker 4 (03:42):
Interplanetary Adventures of Flash Gordon and Bill Arden. These thrilling
adventures come to you as they are pictured each Sunday
in the Comic Weekly, the world's greatest pictorial supplement of
humor and adventure. Comic Weekly now printed in thirty two
tabloid sized pages, each page in full four colors, is
(04:05):
distributed everywhere as a part of your Hearst's Sunday newspaper.
Racing high above the Earth, Comfortably seated in a giant airliner,
Flash Gordon, internationally famous athlete, looks admiringly across the aisle
(04:29):
at Dale Harden, the lovely young companion.
Speaker 5 (04:32):
Of his airboy.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
The minds of both are intent on the terrible destruction
which for many months has been approaching the Earth with
a terrific speed. The new planet hurtling through space directly
in the path of the Earth. Suddenly there's a violent jar.
The plane lurches into a spinny nose dive. Flash Gordon's
train muscles carry him across the aisle to the frightened girl.
He gathers her in his arms and leaps free of
(04:54):
the falling plane, and, pulling the rip cord of his
parachutelides to earth.
Speaker 5 (04:58):
Don't be frightened, Leo. Crash, but we're safe. Yes, thanks
you hold fast, we're landing now. Careful, are you all right?
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Till?
Speaker 6 (05:07):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (05:07):
Good good? Oh. Look, flash, there's a round steel tower.
Speaker 6 (05:11):
Where can we be.
Speaker 5 (05:13):
That's the laboratory of the great scientist, doctor Hans Zarka.
He's coming this way. I'll call him to help us.
I hope your partners for breaking in on your so
unceremonious the doctor. But you say we had to bail out.
I know you for what you are spices, come to
steal my secret. But I have the answer to that.
Come with me. Put that gun away, Professor Zaka. The
man is mad. They will have to humor him. All right, professor,
(05:35):
all right, we'll come with you. Yep, down this ladder
into this tower. Down right.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
All right.
Speaker 7 (05:42):
Now we are in my rocket ship, and in ten
seconds we will be on our way to the new planet.
Speaker 5 (05:47):
We will all die die for science.
Speaker 8 (05:59):
Flash.
Speaker 5 (06:01):
His rocket slip is rushing away from the Earth with
the speed of light, right into the path of the
new planet. Old tale, we will say somewhere to the
new planet, the new planet. We three will save the Earth.
Doctor Zakha, the still time to bring your rocket ship
out of the path of the new planet. No, no, no,
what will you gain from clients if we're all killed
in the crowd?
Speaker 7 (06:21):
I know who you are, Fresh Cordon, the world's greatest athlete.
But your train strength will not save you. Only my mind,
the mind of zark On his scientists can save you,
can save any human soul upon the Earth.
Speaker 5 (06:34):
Careful plans, He's written to the control and Doctor you
feel it. The gravitation pulled up the new planet.
Speaker 7 (06:41):
We crashed in five seconds.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
The rocket ship hit the planet. Doctor Zakhov and Dale
are throne from the rocket ship unconscious. Flash is prone
clear of the wreckage and lands on his feet uninjured.
He rushes to the side of the unconscious girl, picks
her up, and starts to carry her toward the distant
towers of a city on this weird new planet. Suddenly,
strained soldiers armed with ray guns appear and capturing Dale
(07:21):
and Flash forced them to come with them to the
throne room of Ming, the Merciless Emperor of Mongo and
supreme ruler of the universe.
Speaker 9 (07:29):
Yes, oh thoi, don't it means most Merciless Majesty of Mongo,
supreme ruler of all the people of the new planet.
Speaker 10 (07:50):
Thy slaves, saluti live sing? Ask people, I slaves obey?
Oh Ming, the mercillha love me.
Speaker 5 (08:01):
I'm no slave.
Speaker 11 (08:02):
I'll meet your emperor as a free man and an
equal as man. You are a freeman and my equals.
Speaker 5 (08:11):
Throw into the red monkey man in the arena. I
would see spot with this free man, my equal. There
is I freedom man.
Speaker 9 (08:21):
How you go into the arena to meet.
Speaker 5 (08:23):
The red monkey man, not mungoy? Oh wait, will don't
worry the Emperor Ming. I as show you that I
a free man from the earth. I am more than
a match for your fremous red monkey man.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
Flash reaches the bottom step leading to the arena. He
leaps and swings at the nearest red monkey Man. Then,
grasping the falling man beastern of the arm pitch, Flash
quils him.
Speaker 5 (08:44):
Around with a flail, knocking the others in all directions.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
Emperor Ming, hearing that his monkey man.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Will all be killed, orders his soldiers to destroy Flash
with their ray guns. In the midst of the confusion,
Princess Or, the beautiful young daughter of Emperor Ming, calls
to Flash.
Speaker 5 (08:58):
Quick, pres good quace, here to my belcony.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
Flash leads to the royal balcony and joins the gorgeously
duel Princess, who commands the slaves to keep back while
she takes Flash through a secret door and into a
passage leading to a private elevator. The two get in
and Aura closes the door and presses the switch.
Speaker 5 (09:20):
Who are you, beautiful me?
Speaker 8 (09:22):
I am the Princess Arah, only daughter of being the
merciless Princess.
Speaker 5 (09:26):
I owe you my life. You are braisen, handsome and strong.
You must not die so young.
Speaker 12 (09:33):
I have never seen anyone like.
Speaker 5 (09:35):
You as a man where I come from, Princess who
men are stronger men? I'm better looking. But tell me, Princess,
where are you taking me?
Speaker 8 (09:42):
I am taking you to the private lending frames of
my own rocket cars. There you will be said, we
have all right this man, get in this rocket car.
No one can harm you here.
Speaker 5 (09:57):
But princes there, oh my rescue.
Speaker 8 (10:04):
That is why you are in my private rocket car. Man,
you mean they are then shall never be rescued by you,
and for you a man, you shall.
Speaker 13 (10:15):
Love me or die.
Speaker 4 (10:29):
Meanwhile, back in the palace, Emperor Ming is talking with
Dale Arden.
Speaker 11 (10:33):
Your companion slash God and has escaped, but not for long.
My men will soon capture him.
Speaker 5 (10:41):
What are you going to do with me?
Speaker 14 (10:44):
You are pleasing to.
Speaker 11 (10:45):
Me as women. You will become my wife.
Speaker 5 (10:49):
I don't love you.
Speaker 11 (10:51):
We men of Mango have no human traits, nor love,
no mercy, no kindness. Well, I love me and not
makes no different. You shall become my wife as soon
as this ceremony can be arranged.
Speaker 7 (11:07):
Or Majesty, look into the space of Graph. Our city
is being bombarded by the space gyros of the Lionmen.
Speaker 11 (11:12):
The lion Men already entire straight freight to the attack.
Speaker 4 (11:28):
In the terrific battle which takes place between Emperor Ming's
space fleet and the gyros of the Lionmen, the attacking
gyros are driven off. The rocket ships in which Flash
Gordon has been held captive is destroyed, and Flash is
thrown to the ground unconscious. He opens his eyes to
find himself staring up into the great bearded face of Buone,
Prince of the lionmen bone lets his break sword fall
(11:50):
as he sees Flash Gordon's white skin.
Speaker 5 (11:53):
Who are the white skinned youth?
Speaker 15 (11:56):
Speak and swer me before I cleave thy white body
in pieces art thou a new kind of soldier of me,
the Merciless, I.
Speaker 5 (12:05):
Am the Swan, enemy of that scene them from Ming
of Mongo. Yes, capture the girl who is from the
earth like myself. I live only to rescue her.
Speaker 15 (12:13):
An earth man, thou sayest yes, and an enemy of
meing the Merciless, that's right.
Speaker 5 (12:19):
Tell me, are you friend or enemy?
Speaker 15 (12:21):
I am Thun, prince of the lionmen, hereditary enemies of
the men of Mongo. If thou wilt accept me as
thy friend, earth Man, I will gladly join thee against
Meing the Merciless.
Speaker 5 (12:37):
Here's my hand on his entrance, too. Good, What is
thy name?
Speaker 14 (12:41):
Earth Man?
Speaker 5 (12:42):
I am called Flash Gordon upon the earth.
Speaker 15 (12:44):
Your highness call me tho friends, and I will call
the lash friends thom. You know how we can gain
admittance to the palace that we may rescue the laden. Come,
I will show thee a secret.
Speaker 14 (12:58):
Way into the palace. Good. The Emperor Mean is away
pursuing my jayrou feet we may be able to rescue
the Earth girls before me return.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Flash Gordon and his powerful newfound friend go first to
the space gyro of Princetone, and there they gaze intently
into the thought projector, in which they not only see
Dale Ardent, the captive, but they also have revealed them
a secret.
Speaker 5 (13:35):
Way leading to the Throne room of the Palace.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
The secret passage is known as a Tunnel of Terror
because of the deadly beasts which lie within its gloomy wall,
fighting each step of the way. Flashing his new friend,
Princetone finally find themselves within the palace. A door with
great steel boat stands before them quickly ormously, directly in
the center palace.
Speaker 6 (13:56):
From my memory of.
Speaker 15 (13:57):
The palace, I should see that beyond this store is.
Speaker 5 (14:00):
The great throne room of the Emperor. Means, all right,
then here we go. Ah, there, all right, it is
the room.
Speaker 14 (14:14):
Yes, this great statue before us is the God of Death,
which stands.
Speaker 15 (14:19):
At the top of the altar steps directly behind the
throne of the Emperor.
Speaker 14 (14:24):
Listen, doo, what by the great god owl? It is
a royal wedding possession ming The Merciless is taking another bride.
Speaker 5 (14:45):
Coming up the auto steps. Soon, I'm going to look
around the isel.
Speaker 15 (14:48):
Look around the idol means death almost not come back,
come back back, save yourself.
Speaker 5 (14:55):
I'm going to the rescue of my earth friend Dayla.
She's being fostered to marriage with Ming. The musless quintoon.
Speaker 15 (15:01):
The lion man does not see himself with the expense
of his friends. If thou must die, I will die
fighting with thee.
Speaker 5 (15:10):
This Waydale hold covers.
Speaker 7 (15:20):
This Waydale down this stashy Earth Maiden a fascist out
can shrun victim.
Speaker 5 (15:25):
They're swarming up.
Speaker 4 (15:26):
Your help.
Speaker 6 (15:27):
We topple the idol over now one who screed with
a grinding crash.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
The giant idol topples over on the on rushing soldiers
of Ming, the Merciless, killing those in front and throwing
into confusion the whole company. Flash Gordon and Prince soon
with Dale between them, dash into a secret passage beneath
the idol.
Speaker 5 (15:52):
The way becomes steeper.
Speaker 6 (15:53):
They slipped and.
Speaker 4 (15:54):
Paul down down one hundred feet or more into a
whirling on the ground river swept along down, arranging current
and over it falls into a lake. With the powerful
strokes of the champion swimmer. Flash sets out for the shore,
towing Dale by the hair. They reached the shore, and
the splash reaches down to drag Dale to safety. She
screams and disappears beneath the calm surface of the lake,
(16:14):
clutched in two powerful green, scaly arms.
Speaker 5 (16:17):
With no part of his own.
Speaker 4 (16:18):
Safety Flash Gordon dives to Dale's rescue.
Speaker 5 (16:21):
Oh, don't struggle, princess, all for you believe that crushing
cut them with my sword. Careful, Flash, it's femlish. It's
got you too. Yes, yes, I didn't think it could break.
(16:44):
What shall we do now?
Speaker 6 (16:45):
I don't know?
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Yes?
Speaker 5 (16:48):
What is the princess? Are you in pain?
Speaker 6 (16:51):
Down there?
Speaker 5 (16:52):
The door the kid had opened? Go ahead, her soul
just coming up. Strange looking guns, O Joe, Father's men. No,
I never saw them before. They have seen us. I'm
coming to make us captain. Well, at least they'll get
us out of the cutches of this terrible plan.
Speaker 10 (17:08):
Old, you don't wake up?
Speaker 9 (17:10):
Thats fine, thank kill it, but don't injury victims.
Speaker 15 (17:14):
I want them rough to me alive.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
Don't be afraid, princess, those men will catch you.
Speaker 9 (17:19):
Glad to catch her men?
Speaker 3 (17:21):
Now the other one.
Speaker 5 (17:25):
Here I come. We're safe on the grounds. But what
will happen now? I'm the leader of those soldiers.
Speaker 13 (17:32):
Soldiers, you did that well, ah, Princess Aurah, Yes, how
do you know me?
Speaker 6 (17:40):
I do not know you.
Speaker 13 (17:41):
I know your father.
Speaker 11 (17:42):
Oh?
Speaker 13 (17:43):
Oh, what this another white stranger? Yes, Prince Baron, blindfold
him and prepare our other white prisoner for the ordeal
of the poison daggers.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
As you command, Prince Baron, What are you going to
do with me?
Speaker 13 (17:57):
God? Take the princess to my.
Speaker 5 (18:01):
As you command, Prince Karen.
Speaker 13 (18:03):
Ah, here comes out of a white prisoner. Perhaps you
know him?
Speaker 5 (18:07):
You? How can I tell? He's got a hood over
his head. I can't see his face.
Speaker 13 (18:10):
He says, he is from the earth. I suppose you
are from there too, I am. I don't believe you,
But no matter, our hiding place must remain a secret.
So both of you must die. Are the white prisoners prepared? God,
they are, Prince Baron. Their left forearms are tied together,
and the poisoned daggers are they ready?
Speaker 6 (18:30):
Here?
Speaker 13 (18:31):
Sir good I listened, prisoners. I am dipping these two
daggers in dragon's blood. The slightest scratch from these blades
means certain deaths. God give these to the prisoners. On
the count of three, you are commenced fighting one, two three.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
As Prince Baron utters the word, Flash steps back, jerking
his mysterious antagonist off balance. He flings aside his dagger.
Then he causes his opponent to drop his poison weapon.
Picking up the dagger, Flash severs the court, binding him
to his opponent, and as the two whip off their
blindfolds and reveal themselves to each other, Flash.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
Conta talk to Sako.
Speaker 13 (19:09):
So you do know each other, I should.
Speaker 5 (19:11):
Say, we do. I'm mighty glad to see you, doctor.
I thought you were dead after our rocket crashed on
this planet. I was batterly hurt.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Flash.
Speaker 7 (19:17):
These fellows they picked me up and brought me here.
They made me act as they're servant. Well, we saved
the offs, didn't we lat.
Speaker 5 (19:24):
We certainly did, doctor. Now, Prince Baron, maybe you will
believe that we are from the Earth. This man was
the most brilliant scientist in the world. He was going
to alp.
Speaker 13 (19:32):
My admiration for both of you is boundless. I would
be honored to have you shake my hand and call
me friend.
Speaker 5 (19:41):
Your friend.
Speaker 13 (19:42):
Yes, why, of course, here's my hand. And mine right now,
Come to my quarters, my friends. I have invented an
electric mold, with which I intend to burrow underground into
the palace of Ming the Merciless and overthrow his tyrannical government.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Are you with me?
Speaker 2 (19:58):
Certain me? You bet we are.
Speaker 5 (20:00):
We've got to rescue Taale and Tune from that fiend.
Princess Zorah, you heard.
Speaker 13 (20:06):
What I plan to do.
Speaker 12 (20:07):
Yes, Please take me back to my father's tell us
with you.
Speaker 5 (20:11):
You quiet?
Speaker 13 (20:12):
Because of you that I am a hundred men with
a price on my head. You will remain here as
my prisoner. Come, my friends, Come, Oh, I will realize God,
what is it?
Speaker 5 (20:25):
What is your name? Wrong? Uncle, my princess, your uncle?
Speaker 12 (20:30):
I thought I recognized your faith. You fled into exile
from my father's God when you were caught stealing. Yes, uncle, Princess,
you will help me warn my father of what those
men plan to do. I will make you not only wedding,
but also at duke or.
Speaker 14 (20:48):
Once so lovely, my princess, how could I refuse?
Speaker 4 (20:52):
Come with me, unaware of what has happened in the
hiding place, and racing on the ground toward the palace
of Ming the Merciless, and their electric mall. Prince Baron,
Doctor Zarkoff, and Flash Gordon. Encounter of fierce grocco or
armour plated dragon, Flash climbs out of the mole and
(21:13):
gives battle, saving his companions.
Speaker 5 (21:15):
For this.
Speaker 4 (21:16):
Prince Baron promises that if they succeed in overthrowing Ming,
Flash will be made a Prince of Mango and anything
he desires will be his. Finally, the electric mall breaks
through the floor of the central hall of Ming's palace.
The door opens on the trio emerge from the metal
burrowing machine.
Speaker 13 (21:35):
On, my friend, we have a rived.
Speaker 7 (21:37):
Ah, so we have what is our next move, Priem Sparin.
Speaker 13 (21:42):
This is a central hall of Ming's palace. We go
up those stairs, Doctor Zarkoff and surprise the inner guard.
Prince Baron look, Ming's armored men.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
We've been betrayed, But how could the use of Greeks
here before us?
Speaker 7 (21:54):
Let us get our radar.
Speaker 13 (21:55):
It's no use, Doctor, The armor of those soldiers.
Speaker 5 (21:58):
Is rap proof.
Speaker 7 (22:00):
Being the Merciless with his high Priest see you. Thank heavens,
She's all right.
Speaker 11 (22:05):
Welcome back to my palace, Flash Garden, and welcome to
your companions. I'll just slash them to the pillar over there,
then execute them.
Speaker 5 (22:16):
Oh, darling, I love you so much, my dearest. We
did our best to save you, but we've been betrayed.
I guess they have us. Now let them shoot. They'll
kill me too, and you'll be together forever.
Speaker 11 (22:29):
Very well, they'll haven't. You can have him in death
attire for seat with the execution.
Speaker 5 (22:36):
Shoot you yellow dogs. We aren't afraid to die, that
is or your fire ogy. What does this mean?
Speaker 11 (22:45):
If you are not the high priestless, I would have
your tongue torn out for your insolince.
Speaker 16 (22:52):
I still remember Siah, according to the sacredit of how
even a traitor has the right to choose between the firing.
Speaker 5 (23:01):
Squad and the terrible test through sugi.
Speaker 11 (23:05):
And on second thought, the tests would furnish us with
greater amusements.
Speaker 16 (23:11):
Yes, Sire, we must have buy by the sacred grip.
And then too, I see no reason why.
Speaker 11 (23:19):
The girl should be killed. Captain, release the prisoners. They
shall undergo the terrible tests. First, bring them over to
this fit. This is the test that the torture him.
Flash Garden, You and Barren will stand and each end
(23:42):
of the narrow platform, and with long whips try to
taple each other into the pits, whereas the price will
be awaiting you.
Speaker 6 (23:52):
Check your pleasures.
Speaker 4 (23:56):
The two mounted platforms Lash docs Prince Barons were winds
over his head, and Flash's whip hits Baron with such
force as to knock him off balance and into the pip.
Dropping his whip, Flash leaps after him. As he throws
the unconscious form of Prince Baron over his shoulder and
prepares to climb out, a transparent metal sheet silently slides
over the top of the pip, trapping them. At the
same time. Flash here's a growl, and looking around he
(24:18):
sees three snarling tigrins placing Prince Baron on the floor.
Flash turns on the fierce beasts. The first one charges,
leaping high in the air. Flash comes down on the
Tigrin's back with a powerful wrench, breaks its neck instantly.
The other two tigrins leap at each other to fight
for the possession of the body.
Speaker 5 (24:33):
Furiously.
Speaker 4 (24:34):
The battle rages. Finally both animals are down, wounded on
to death. Then Prince Baron regains consciousness.
Speaker 5 (24:48):
Where where are we? All right? Yeah, we're in the pit.
They papped us with that transparent metal lid and you
you saved us from these beasts. Oh you are superb Flash.
That was easier than figuring how we're going to get
out of here. Look up there and soon just in time, bhoom,
roll that metal lid back. Not that he understands.
Speaker 4 (25:13):
There he's gone it.
Speaker 5 (25:15):
We're free.
Speaker 6 (25:16):
Come along.
Speaker 4 (25:23):
Meanwhile, in the temple of towl, Ming and Dale are
about to be married by Zogie, the High Priest.
Speaker 11 (25:32):
And now Dale happens my stay about to taigrants have
torn your ear onto Peter's flash.
Speaker 5 (25:41):
He died trying to save me.
Speaker 11 (25:43):
Nothing nothing here comes Zogi to perform these ceremonies.
Speaker 16 (25:49):
Oh Maxi Ming, ruler of Mango and the universe, did
your supreme intelligence take this earth woman's.
Speaker 5 (25:56):
Club being your wife and impress up Mango a more?
Speaker 11 (26:00):
Certainly?
Speaker 5 (26:01):
Do?
Speaker 16 (26:02):
And you the Ardens, do you take this your brilliant man,
to be your.
Speaker 5 (26:08):
Lord and master.
Speaker 16 (26:10):
I don't care what happens now, as you have accepted
each other in matrimony before they create God all ye pronounced.
Speaker 5 (26:22):
The islands feed I oh bobides marriage.
Speaker 4 (26:26):
It is a treat.
Speaker 11 (26:27):
Wool an idol cannot talk goggy wing, but this statue
at once tire.
Speaker 6 (26:38):
What for them he told me you were dead.
Speaker 16 (26:41):
They are men and your companions alive. O, God shut
them down.
Speaker 11 (26:47):
The marriage must go on.
Speaker 16 (26:49):
Wait, sire, sacred rid say you cannot execute a man
who has passed the test of the tigrants guards wrap
your weapon.
Speaker 4 (27:00):
Thought, how will cush you all?
Speaker 11 (27:01):
What you defy me?
Speaker 16 (27:04):
I only quote the sacred rich sire, as I priest.
It is my duty to interpret and enforced stick tape.
Speaker 5 (27:11):
God give me your thoughts.
Speaker 11 (27:14):
Loie, I will stop your jabbling.
Speaker 5 (27:17):
Mouth forever.
Speaker 11 (27:21):
He kills, I, priest, carried the body away, God, darling,
I thought I had.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
You never as long as I have strengthened these two
arms and the breath of life in my body.
Speaker 11 (27:33):
Oh Tao forbids me to slay you. Well, Tao and
I will both laugh. While you rebel slave in the
prisons city of the Hawkman.
Speaker 5 (27:43):
Death would be more desirable.
Speaker 11 (27:45):
As for you, Dale Aden, you shall be taught to
act like my empress.
Speaker 4 (27:58):
Doomed to have faith worse and death among the cruel Hawkmen.
What terrifying adventures await our friend. Be sure to listen
in again next week and hear the further amazing adventures
of Flash Gordon and Dale Arden, who appear in full
color pictures next Sunday in the thirty two page Comic
Weekly supplement of your Hurst's Sunday newspaper, the world's greatest
(28:19):
all picture magazine of fun and adventure. Prop miss the
Comic Weekly next Sunday. All your friends will be there.
Besides Flash, Gordon and Dale Arden, you'll find King of
the Royal Mounted waiting to thrill you with another chapter
in his adventures of the Great Northwest. Put Old Jigs
and Maggie in bringing up Father, You're Old Pal, Skippy Tilly,
the toiler Ast, Drummond, Johnny round.
Speaker 6 (28:41):
The World, the Little King Radio Patrol.
Speaker 5 (28:43):
They'll all be waiting to entertain you.
Speaker 4 (28:45):
Of course, those irresponsible Kats and yamery kids are on
deck with a new frank on their friends.
Speaker 5 (28:50):
How can they think of all those tricks? And as
for Bonnie Google.
Speaker 4 (28:54):
Well, I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Snuffy Smith
that Google seems a bit touched in the Hague. They're
all in the Comic Weekly next Sunday, thirty two pages
of colored pictures. Be sure to get your copy of
the Hearst Sunday Newspaper next Sunday. Containing this big thirty
two page comic weekly. And remember we have a date
next week for another chapter in the amazing Interplanetary Adventures
(29:17):
of Flash Gordon and Dale Arden.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
Welcome back. This was radio drama before padding was invented. Okay,
truth be told.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
Padding existed, but they just didn't use it here.
Speaker 1 (29:50):
I've read a lot of the original Flash Gordon stories
by Alex Raymond a few years back, and this serial
follows a lot of those stories plot points pretty close
beat per beat.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
And so you've got this feeling that you're.
Speaker 1 (30:05):
Reading a big collection of comics and turning the page
and hearing the William Tell overture every time you hear
turn the page, which, when reading something like this, just
amps up the excitement level. What happened here, you know,
just to give you an idea about how pacy this is,
(30:26):
would probably be at least ten episodes in the post
war Kellogg's Pep era of the Adventures of Superman.
Speaker 2 (30:35):
What can you say so far? But Flash Gordon has
had quite a time.
Speaker 1 (30:41):
You think that on a day when you had to
parachute out of a crashing plane, that's gonna be the
worst part of your day. But then now you have
a crazy guy accuse you of being a spy and
puts you into a rocket that's crashing into another planet.
Speaker 2 (30:57):
And I'm not going to get into.
Speaker 1 (30:59):
The signs of this because you just have to accept
that firing a manned rocket at a planet colliding with
Earth would save the planet.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
So we can get on with the fun stuff.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
Because most science fiction stories that you tend to do,
like have the Blockbusters, saving the Earth is really the
big deal. It's like, that's just something we got to check,
tick the box, get out of the way, and so
we can get on with the real adventure. I appreciate
Alex Raymond's creativity. While Flash Gordon was inspired by Buck Rogers.
(31:38):
When you read a lot of the early Buck Rogers strips,
they were a lot of very Earth based sci fi.
What Raymond does here is create this world populated with
alien creatures who are very unusual. Now, of course a
lot of them have Earth inspired designs, but the execution
(32:00):
on the drawn page is a thing of beauty and
it's just a wonderful bit of science fantasy. And they
do the best they can to communicate the scale of
that over the radio. And what you have to love
about Flash is the way that he proves himself, makes friends,
and wins people over by being the ultimate action hero.
(32:21):
This really does show a really different side of our lead,
Gail Gordon.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
He had some range.
Speaker 1 (32:29):
Now he go on to build his career on being
a stuffy authority figure like oz Good Conklin on the radio,
the second Mister Wilson on television, and so many characters
opposite luci o'ball.
Speaker 2 (32:42):
But here he is the ultimate action hero and carries
it well.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
I will disillusion anyone hoping for a New Heart esque
ending where this all turns out to be Osgood Conklin's dream,
because that's not how time works in so many ways.
But it's an ending I actually imagined. I will critique
one aspect of the plot, and that was when Prince
(33:09):
Baron seems to switch from having Flash and Zarkov fight
each other to the death to align with them for
very little reason. Even the pacey confines of the story
that seemed to happen way too fast, but the stories
like we just don't have time to get into what
(33:31):
character motivation might be. I also did love the commercial
at the end for the upcoming comics, though the narrator
should never do a Snuffy.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
Smith impersonation ever again.
Speaker 1 (33:45):
All right, Well, now we're going to talk about the
podcast and how this is going to work. So we
will be featuring two separate adventure programs each week, and
they're going to cross a lot of different subgenres. For example,
we're going to be doing towarsen next year, and eventually
(34:07):
we'll also be featuring the Adventures of the Scarlet pimpernew
So we're keeping adventure fairly broadly defined. We're not going
to do Westerns. That's Andrew's thing over at Otrwesterns dot Com,
but that leaves a whole wide variety of series to tell.
Now as a general rule, and I don't think this
(34:29):
is going to be hard and fast to out a run.
We are dividing these two days into two separate categories,
and those are adventure programs that were targeted more towards
children and those that were targeted more towards an adult audience.
It could be told many adults, even at the time,
(34:51):
enjoyed listening to these programs that may have been written
with kids in mind, and certainly many adults since have
and we all we keep our eye out for higher
quality programs in terms of what we select now. One
reason for the two day a week programming format isn't
(35:11):
just because trying to do two six and a half
week podcast as much or five day a week podcasts
at the same time is just too much.
Speaker 2 (35:22):
It's also due to the fact that there's just less of.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
The adventure programs out there than great detectives.
Speaker 2 (35:33):
Some of that is due to serialization.
Speaker 1 (35:37):
If I had every episode of Buck Rogers, I would
have enough programming to keep children side of the podcast
going for six to eight years.
Speaker 2 (35:50):
But we have enough for about four weeks.
Speaker 1 (35:53):
And that's just the reality when you're dealing with serialized programs.
It's one of the strengths of the self contained programs
that if you're missing one episode, it's generally it's too
bad you're missing that episode.
Speaker 2 (36:09):
You can go ahead and go from one week to
the next.
Speaker 1 (36:13):
If you're missing all but one episode of a serial,
as is often the case with the Buck Rogers stories,
there's not a whole lot you can do. We'd even
be doing Tarzan a lot longer than we are going
to do if it weren't for the fact that the
Tarzan Lord of the Jender Goal serial is missing. So
(36:35):
many episodes, particularly at its end. Now, I don't know
for sure how long that we will continue with the series.
Some of it may depend on new programs emerging and
other things that are beyond our control. But I am
looking forward to bringing you just some fantastic adventure programming
over the next few years, including some from anthology programs
(37:00):
we will work in as we go through the series. Now,
we will typically release episodes on Tuesday and Saturday. We'll
release this first episode of Flash Gordon on Sunday to
make it easy to post over on the Great Detectives feed.
As I said at this top of the episode, if
you want to continue to hear Flash Gordon, be sure
(37:23):
to check out our new website at the Great Adventurers
of Old Time Radio at Great adventure dot info. Join
us back here on Saturday, either on Great Adventurers or
on the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio feed.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
Where we will kick off with our first adult.
Speaker 1 (37:45):
Targeted program, Cloak and Dagger. In the meantime, you send
your comments to Bucks thirteen at Great Detectives dot Net.
From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham signing off.
Speaker 11 (38:03):
I
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