FLASH GORDON - LARRY “BUSTER” CRABBE

Sci-Fi hero FLASH GORDON was created by ALEX RAYMOND in 1934, appearing in comic-strip form. Several film serials were made in the 1930s starring Olympic Gold Medal Winner* LARRY “BUSTER’ CRABBE.

CRABBE was not a traditionally trained actor, but had good looks and charisma to spare and made for a thoroughly credible and appealing hero. Flash’s adventures on the planet Mongo, with DALE ARDEN and PROFESSOR ZARKOV, fighting against MING THE MERCILESS - superbly played by CHARLES B MIDDLETON - were delivered weekly in exciting 15 minute chapters.

The production values and in particular the visual effects of the sputtering rocket-ships illicit chuckles, but maintain a charm of their own and remain icons of sci-fi, and thrilled young audiences in their day as X-Wing Fighters thrill kids these days. In fact, ‘Flash Gordon’ has been cited as a influence on the creation of ‘STAR WARS’.

*400metre Freestyle swimming at the 1932 Olympics.