(1926) Complete 10 chapter serial, color tinted
Charles Hutchison, Sheldon Lewis, Edith Thornton
Transferred from an original 35mm tinted nitrate print. Daredevil and tough-guy Larry Hutchdale (Charles Hutchison) swings into action to prevent the ruthless, wealthy Boris Kosloff (longtime serial villain Sheldon Lewis), who lives on his own island off the California coast, from acquiring the Thornwall poison gas formula and stealing his lovely girlfriend Diane (Edith Thornton). Hutchison's film career lasted from 1914 until 1944. He acted and directed many films in his lifetime, but was best known for excellent stunt work in silent serials. Though Hutchison had been performing for a while when he made LIGHTNING HUTCH (in fact, it was his final serial) some of that early bravado is still in evidence here as Hutchison fearlessly climbs dangerous cliffs to get to Kosloff's creepy island-castle lair, jumps from high staircases onto his enemies to rescue his sweetheart, swings from chandeliers out of windows, and drives his motorcycle off of the edge of a lifting bridge, among other stunts, without even the suggestion of a camera trick or cut. This was made back when it was all "done for real," folks! Other standard serial-deathtraps such as a moving spiked-wall room trap are also in evidence here, and it's kind of fun to see that Hutch is so tough he doesn't look scared a bit, only pissed off by such minor annoyances. The trailer for his earlier cliffhanger HURRICANE HUTCH can be seen in the Squadron's LOST SERIAL COLLECTION DVD, however, this is the only complete Hutchison serial available to collectors, and maybe movie bit player William H. Pratt even got inspired by the villain's name when he saw it in its day. Nicely scored with period ensemble orchestra music.
Two disc DVD Set; List price $29.95 Special Squadron Member Price $24.95