Captain Celluloid Vs. The Film Pirates(1966)

1966) Robert Clayton, Doris Burnell, Alan Barbour, Barney Noto, William K. Everson. Made by a group of the world’s most prestigious serial fans, this 4-chapter silent mini-serial is an amazingly well done b/w tribute to the movie serials of the ’30s and ’40s. The sinister "Master Duper," abducts negatives to silent film classics and duplicates them for himself using his "Instant Transmission Printer," which duplicates film in seconds! An agent for the Association of Film Distributors–who is secretly the famed hero, Captain Celluloid–tries to thwart these nefarious plans. This may technically be considered an amateur film, but if so, it certainly deserves consideration as the best amateur film ever made. You’ll swear you’re watching an actual old-time movie serial. One great scene has the Master Duper using his disintegration ray on one of his henchmen who failed. Our thanks to producer/director Lou McMahon for making this obscure gem available. Silent with music and sound effects.

50 minutes, B&W, 1966