Mysterious Doctor Satan

PLEASE CORRECT US if we are wrong, but if we're not mistaken, this is one of the very few stories, film or otherwise, which has the (Hiss!Boo!)Villain as the main character, being given top billing and having his name in the title. The only other ones that come to mind are those many novels and movies that feature Sax Rohmer's DR. FU MANCHU. (Hey, Schultz, since they're both Doctors, why not open a Practice together? Rememmber where you heard it first, friend reader!)

AS FOR THE story/screenplay/scenario, it has been said to have been a reworking of a script intended by Republic Pictures to be used for SUPERMAN'S Live Action screen debut of the Man of Steel. It seemed that Detective Comics,inc., Superman's copyright owners, for whatever reason balked at the idea of having that studio do the serial.*

THE 'GOOD' DR, Satan is as powerful and evil as he is mysterious. The casting of Italian-born , Opera Trained Actor Eduardo Cianelli, as the lead and villain extrodinaire is right up there with Universal Pictures bring us Charles B. Middleton as Emperor Ming, the Merciless in the three FLASH GORDON Serials.

IN THE PERSON of the Copperhead, we see a rather talented journeyman actor and sometimes Leading Man in some "B" Movies, Robert Wilcox. His portrayal of the very Batman-like masked crime fighter was excellent and quite believable. (His secret identity was even given as BOB WAYNE!) In the story, there had been a Copperhead before (we think it was his Father), as the first chapter is titled: The Return of the Copperhead.

THE CHOICE OF the very name of Copperhead is curious; as it is both a common name for a poisonous snake native to the United States, as well as a name given to Northern Democrat sympathizers to the Confederate cause in the War Between The States.

THE SERIAL FEATURED plenty of top-notch action, great stunts and the sort of story that ignored the looming entrance of America into the hostilities of World War II. They even gave us that great mechanical monster of the Post Steam Age, a 'living and breathing' Robot!

ALTHOUGH WE DO own a video copy of this one now, we remember first seeing it on the local TV Show on Channel 7, the ABC wholly owned affiliate, WBKB (now WLS). This was circa 1957.We really dug it then and find so much of that innocent, child-like enthusiasm for it now.

AS A MATTER OF fact, both Schultz and myself rate this MYSTERIOUS DR. Satan right up there with the best chapter-plays of that period; those being: HAWK OF THE WILDERNESS, THE ADVENTURES OD CAPTAIN MARVEL, ZORRO'S FIGHTING LEGION, SPY SMASHER and THE MASKED MARVEL.

NOTE: * Perhaps the publishers of SUPERMAN and ACTION COMICS had second thoughts about granting license to Republic because of their track record in revisionism displayed in their adaptations. As examples, see the four DICK TRACY Serials, SPY SMASHER (giving him a twin brother) and especially CAPTAIN America; which was surgically changed, leaving only the name in the title.

Growing up in the 50's, I got to see the great--and not so great--cliffhangers every weekend (for only 10 cents!). King of the Rocketmen was always a fantastic hero, with his legendary flying suit. BUT that was before I got to see the Copperhead battle Dr. Satan on television every Sunday morning. This is one of the most well constructed serials that Republic ever produced. Cianelli, as Dr. Satan, is a consummate villain, one who has no vague motivations--this guy is evil from the word "go". Robert Wilcox as hero Bob Wayne is EXTREMELY capable in the role. Not only can he act--something very difficult with terse, action dominated serial scripts--but he is a fine athlete. Some of the acrobatic leaps and takedowns are the best ever put on film. The plot hangs together nicely, something that is unusual in 4 hour long marathons. But what really puts the icing on the cake is the terrific variety of cliffhanger chapter endings that Republic has employed in this serial. They are all superbly done, with plausible escapes that don't insult the viewer's intelligence. In fact, many of these were used in later serials as stock footage in order to save money (a real strength at Republic). Crisp, snappy direction by Witney and English puts the cap on a GREAT serial.

In this republic serial,a mad doctor called doctor satan(edward cianelli) plot's to dominate the world with an army of huge robots!,but only one man can stop this mad plot,the copperhead(robert wilcox(david sharp as the copperhead stunt double)!.when a governer is murdered,the copperhead protects a scientist(c. montague shaw) and his daughter(ella neal) as doctor satan attempts to obtain the scientist's remote control invention to use to operate his monstrous robot!,this is a great example of a classic serial,it's got everything,secret hideouts armed with deadly death traps!,a mad doctor named satan who is bent on world domination,a big tin can robot with big vaccum hose arms,heroic hero,and a mysterious and thrilling music(by cy feuer) score!.this serial is worth seeing!

One of Republic's best serials, and that says a lot. Great cliffhanger endings, top drawer stuntwork from David Sharpe, decent acting, and a really malevolent villain all add up to a great time for all. Also great to see the bad guy get top billing. This is what a serial was all about, folks.