The Green Hornet, Episode Two: Thundering Terror

 "This man has been shot by the Green Hornet!"

Once again it's clear that this is a superior movie serial. The direction, the acting and even the script(!) are a cut above the usual enjoyable bit cheerfully cheap fare. And, this being the second episode, we get a crawl of text as recap that might well have been seen by a young George Lucas. On its own terms, it's a classy way to fulfil a narrative function.

It's also becomig clear how bloody good Gordon Jones as the Hornet/Britt Reid and Keye Luke as Kato are; movie serials don't usually get good actors. Even the portrayal of Kato, so far, soft-pedals the racism in ways we probably have to say are impressive for 1940.

Yes, the cliffhanger resolution is "cut to a bit later". Yes, there's a comedy Irishman with a terrible accent. Yes, the baddies are all behatted 1940s hoods. Yet it's all done so well. And the basic set-up- for one whose only actual knowledge of the Green Hornet comes from two episodes of Batman, although I have heard the superb theme tune before somewhere, is actually pretty awrsome. The Green Hornet is suspected as a criminal by the 1940s Keystone Kops, and Britt Reid is an outwardly cynical millionaire news editor.

Also, this is about rreal social issues, such as exploitative insurance fraud. Also also, the cliffhanger is a chase on top of a train.

This is going to be fun.