As Aventuras do Capitão Marvel

This is a 12-chapter serial from Republic Pictures and directors William Witney and John English. An American archaeological expedition in a remote region discovers a long-hidden temple that contains an ancient weapon of incredible power, a scorpion shaped statue that can fire a deadly laser beam. Not long after arriving back in the U. S., a mysterious masked figure calling himself the Scorpion sends his minions out to claim the weapon. However, while at that temple, one of the expedition members, a young man named Billy Batson (Frank Coghlan Jr.) encounters a wizard who imbues Batson with the powers of Captain Marvel (Tom Tyler). Billy has only to say the name "SHAZAM!" and he's transformed into the larger, older, costumed hero with powers of flight, super strength, and nearly invulnerability.

This marks the first comic book superhero movie, and it came after Republic spent quite a bit of time and money trying to get a Superman movie made, only to have that character's rights owners refuse it. So instead, Republic went with the similar Captain Marvel, turning out one of the best serials of the era. It's corny, very silly, and often unintentionally amusing. It's also well-made, with groundbreaking effects and stunt work. Tyler makes a great looking superhero, although the more he keeps his mouth shut, the better. Coghlan's voice, as the young Batson, is high and wheedling and often funny.

Watching Captain Marvel toss the bad guys around like dummies (which they obviously are) is a highlight, as is when he unintentionally causes more than one of them to die. Tyler sometimes looks like he enjoys punching a little too much. The character of Captain Marvel/Shazam was at one time a bigger seller than Superman, although he's become fairly obscure to modern audiences.