Flash Gordon: The Peril from Planet Mongo

Flash Gordon, Dale Arden, and Dr. Zarkov return to Mongo, home of arch nemesis Ming the Merciless, on a mission to protect the planet Arboria from Ming's heat projectiles. Little do they know that Ming's plan is even more devious: to attack Arboria and Earth simultaneously, forcing Flash to make a horrible choice. If that's not bad enough, Ming also kidnaps Dale! Can our heroes stop the sinister plot in time? This feature-length edited version of episodes 7-12 of the 1940 serial Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe stars Buster Crabbe as the heroic spaceman, taking on extraterrestrial monsters and villains in classic cliffhanger fashion, with all expenses spared on cheesy sets and costumes that look as if they've been recycled from some forgotten epic. Still, there are enough strains of inventive weirdness to keep the original serials surprisingly edgy and, well, permanently cool. A strong optional purchase. Also available, three other titles: Flash Gordon: Spaceship to the Unknown, Flash Gordon: The Deadly Ray of Mars and Flash Gordon: The Purple Death From Outer Space. (T. Keogh)