Adventures of Sir Galahad
| Adventures of Sir Galahad | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Spencer Gordon Bennet |
| Written by | George H. Plympton Lewis Clay David Mathews Original screenplay |
| Produced by | Sam Katzman |
| Starring | George Reeves Nelson Leigh William Fawcett Hugh Prosser Lois Hall |
| Cinematography | Ira H. Morgan |
| Edited by | Dwight Caldwell Earl Turner |
| Music by | Mischa Bakaleinikoff Musical director Marlin Skiles Stock music (composer) |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date | December 22, 1949 |
Running time | 252 minutes 15 episodes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Adventures of Sir Galahad is the 41st serial released by Columbia Pictures. It was based on Arthurian legend and, notably, was one of the very few serials of the time with a period setting that was not a western.
Plot
The Arthurian film cycle started with the Adventures of Sir Galahad serial. In this version, the youth Galahad, trying to emulate his father Sir Lancelot, wants fervently to be admitted to the Knights of the Round Table order. When he defeats Sir Bors and Sir Mordred in tournament, King Arthur agrees to knighthood if he can guard Excalibur for one night. Unfortunately, during that night the sword is stolen by a mysterious personage known only as the Black Knight. Possession of Excalibur makes the holder invincible and without it the sovereignty of Arthur is endangered, then Galahad is refused knighthood until the sword is found. Galahad, aided by Sir Bors, is hindered in his quest by Ulric, the Saxon King, who invades England, and by Merlin the magician, who harasses our hero at every turn. Galahad suspects that the Black Knight is a traitor within Camelot who seeks the throne in alliance with the Saxons, while Morgan le Fay, Arthur's half sister and also a magician, helps him fight both Merlin's magic and the Saxons.
Cast
- George Reeves as Sir Galahad. In the opinion of Cline, Reeves makes this a superior serial to Son of the Guardsman, another period serial made by the same studio.[1]
- Nelson Leigh as King Arthur
- William Fawcett as Merlin, the Magician
- Hugh Prosser as Sir Lancelot
- Lois Hall as Lady of the Lake
- Charles King as Sir Bors
- Pat Barton as Morgan le Fay
- Don Harvey as Bartog, Ulric's Aide
- Jim Diehl as Sir Kay
- Marjorie Stapp as Queen Guinevere
- John Merton as Ulric, the Saxon King
- Pierce Lyden as Cawker
- Rick Vallin as Sir Gawain
- Leonard Penn as Sir Mordred
- Ray Corrigan as One-Eye – the Innkeeper
- Frank Ellis as Outlaw
- Al Ferguson as Captain of the Guards
- Rusty Wescoatt as Bartog's Hefty Thug
- Paul Frees as The Black Knight (voice)
Chapter titles
- The Stolen Sword
- Galahad's Daring
- Prisoners of Ulric
- Attack on Camelot
- Galahad to the Rescue
- Passage of Peril
- Unknown Betrayer
- Perilous Adventure
- Treacherous Magic
- The Sorcerer's Spell
- Valley of No Return
- Castle Perilous
- The Wizard's Revenge
- Quest for the Queen
- Galahad's Triumph
Source:[2]
Production
The Adventures of Sir Galahad was based on Arthurian myth and legend, a setting that gave it "unique" opportunities for a serial.[3]
References
- ^ Cline, William C. "3. The Six Faces of Adventure". In the Nick of Time. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 29. ISBN 0-7864-0471-X.
- ^ Cline, William C. "Filmography". In the Nick of Time. McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 249–250. ISBN 0-7864-0471-X.
- ^ Harmon, Jim; Donald F. Glut. "13. The Classics "You Say 'What Dost Thou Mean By That?' and Push Him Off the Cliff"". The Great Movie Serials: Their Sound and Fury. Routledge. p. 330. ISBN 978-0-7130-0097-9.
