This unaired pilot episode of The Phantom isn't too bad. It doesn't come close to the old serial or the Billy Zane movie, but there's never a boring moment in this episode. The Phantom fights a crocodile or alligator, beats up Richard Kiel (Jaws from James Bond) and takes out a bunch of villains from the shadows. It feels very much like the comic strip.
From what I understand, this is the only "big" role stuntman Roger Creed ever had, which is a shame, because he did a good enough job in this episode. He also looks very convincing in the Phantom suit.
The worst actor is Richard Kiel. There's a reason why he doesn't talk much in the James Bond movies. But the fight scene between him and The Phantom is exciting. Devil (still a German shepherd) and Hero show up, which is good. Devil's got a big part in the episode, but sadly, Hero doesn't do anything exciting here.
It's too bad there's only one episode of this. Maybe a show like this could have made The Phantom more popular and well-known, like the Adam West Batman show did for Batman five years later.
The episode is available (in color) on the "Lost TV Classics" DVD from Alpha Video. The picture quality isn't perfect, but I believe this is the best version we'll ever get.
From what I understand, this is the only "big" role stuntman Roger Creed ever had, which is a shame, because he did a good enough job in this episode. He also looks very convincing in the Phantom suit.
The worst actor is Richard Kiel. There's a reason why he doesn't talk much in the James Bond movies. But the fight scene between him and The Phantom is exciting. Devil (still a German shepherd) and Hero show up, which is good. Devil's got a big part in the episode, but sadly, Hero doesn't do anything exciting here.
It's too bad there's only one episode of this. Maybe a show like this could have made The Phantom more popular and well-known, like the Adam West Batman show did for Batman five years later.
The episode is available (in color) on the "Lost TV Classics" DVD from Alpha Video. The picture quality isn't perfect, but I believe this is the best version we'll ever get.