'King of the Congo' is my favorite Columbia serial, I remember it was screened many times over the years in the 1950's, at the Saturday Afternoon Matinees, in my local picture theater here in Bentleigh, Australia, was always received with great applause by the kids,me included. Buster Crabbe, the ultimate serial hero, looked spectacular in the loin cloth, although he was in his forties by then. Like all serials, it was magnificent nonsense, and we loved it. Columbia serials were my favorites, I loved their style, Knox Manning's voice overs at the beginning and end of each chapter were always more exciting than the 'slides' put up to read in other serials. I live in hopes that this serial will someday be released on DVD by Columbia. It has all the elements of a great serial, action in the jungle , the usual confusing plot, villains who can't get anything right, a hero who keeps walking into the same trap, and at least one unexpected surprise when veteran serial 'bad guy' Jack Ingram, turns out to be a good guy after all. Come on Columbia, I know you have just released 'Batman and Robin' another fun serial, on DVD, but this one beats it hands down. In fact, if you can put this one, and Mysterious Island' out on DVD,I can die happy. 'King of the Congo' contains all the elements that go to make up a great serial, all in one terrific package. Until the next smashing Chapter............
