Flash Gordon was a 1935 radio show adapted from a comic strip by Alex Raymond. The story is about the adventures of Flash Gordon, together with Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov. Gordon was a handsome graduate of Yale University. The plot involved the Earth being bombarded with meteors set on fire. According to Dr. Zarkov, the meteors were from outer space, so he invented a rocket ship to locate where those came from. He then kidnaps Flash and Dale, and the three of them traveled to the planet Mongo. There, they discovered that the meteors were weapons devised by Ming, the evil ruler of the planet.
The show’s cast includes Gale Gordon as Flash Gordon, Maurice Franklin as Dr. Zarkov, and Bruno Wick as Ming the Merciless. On October 26, 1935, after a total of 26 episodes, the series ended with Flash and Dale's marriage.
Flash Gordon blasted into amazing inter-planetary adventures on California radio in 1935, thrilling West Coast whiz kids and adults alike.
Gale Gordon, whose career spans decades (as well as galaxies), plays all-star American athlete Flash. Gordon career includes so many shows, he deserves his own collection disc! A few of his starring roles were Dr. Petrie on Fu Manchu, Mayor LaTrivia on Fibber McGee and Molly, Rumson Bullard on The Great Gildersleeve, Mr. Atterbury on My Favorite Husband, and Principal Conklin on Our Miss Brooks. He was also in the star-studded Cinnamon Bear children's classic. Of course, he took his Mr. Conklin on to TV, and movie buffs know he played many fine comedy roles on the silver screen.
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Meanwhile, back in outer space - Flash is accompanied by his beautiful American sweetheart, Dale Arden, and Dr. Zarkov, a great scientist. Our heroes fly to the planet Mongo, ruled by Ming, a merciless dictator who threatens his world with weapons of mass destruction. (Sound familiar? It did in 1935 too...) Sadly, we don't know who played Dale, but Ming was portrayed by Bruno Wick... a great name in itself.
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