The Purple Monster Strikes (1945)

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Six writers! Two directors! Linda Stirling! What more does one want in a Republic serial? Well perhaps a bit more sense in the story line. A man from Mars comes to earth to build a rocket to return himself to Mars so he can share with the Martians the knowledge to make rockets that will get to the earth then back again to Mars so they can conquer the earth. I think. The man from Mars calls himself The Purple Monster though as the serial is in black and white he might as well be The Blue Monster or The Green Monster. He's not really a monster either, just the villain in a costume. No fangs, tentacles or other monster accoutrements.The serial does move along swiftly and there are lots of enthusiastic fist fights (tables breaking, cupboards tumbling, things thrown etc.) throughout so it does entertain. The acting is adequate, even from such serial stalwarts as Linda Stirling, Roy Barcroft and James Craven. The always sinister John Davidson plays the Emperor of Mars but unfortunately he isn't in it much.Not the best Republic serial but not the worst either.

A piece of trivia about the Purple Monster Strikes. The alien girl who comes to Earth to assist the Purple Monster (Roy Barcroft) was played by Mary Moore, who had been married to Clayton Moore, who was playing second leads and stunt man roles at Republic. Moore said in his biography that he and Mary were married 8/19/1940 and only stayed together for about a year. Apparently they were too focused on their careers at that time. At the time of separation, Moore said he had possession of the dog he had given to Mary and she wanted it back. When the dog did not respond to her calls, Moore said he paid her $25, which was what the dog cost when he bought it and she left the apartment. In 1945, she must have still been using her married name judging by the credits. In the fight scene she does with Linda Stirling, she was doubled by stuntwoman Polly Burson. A humorous anecdote about the serial was told by the star Roy Barcroft. Barcroft recalled having to "skinny down" his big frame to fit into the Purple Monster costume. At the time, he was living in the Los Angeles suburb of Jackson Heights. He referred to himself as "The Jerk in Tights from Jackson Heights." Regardless, this serial and Manhunt of Mystery Island (where he played the evil Captain Mephisto) are two of his best known and best loved serials for Republic.

I saw this serial in 1945 at the Fox Egyptian Theater in San Diego. The scene of the Purple Monster taking off in his rocket ship in the last chapter was forever engraved into my mind. It was great fun a few years ago to see the serial again. I was amazed at how many people who were killed appeared again and again, plus that ford convertible that was crashed a few times had 9 lives.I have seen a color poster of the Purple Monster, and the alien is dressed in a red costume with gold trim. In the black and white movie of course he is black and silver; perhaps they should have called him the Art Deco Monster.

I love old matinee serials that I watch on Space (Canada's version of the Sci-Fi channel) and this one is fun. True no space alien would ever waste their time being a gangster but it's fun. Oh and by the way if you're expecting to see a man eating monster there is no monster. It's the name of the alien criminal.