Classic Adventure
Remember those moments where the main character finds himself in a difficult or precarious dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation, those thrill-a-minute extravaganzas, those rip-roaring spectacles, swashbuckling and derring-do action, cliff-hanger endings .... that was what Saturday Matinees were made of.
Below is a compilation of the 'essence' of this wonderful genre. See also 'Cliff-Hanger Serials'
The Adventures of Superman: Seasons 3 & 4 (1954)
Starring: George Reeves, Noel Neill, Jack Larson
The Man of Steel flew into people's living rooms in stark living colour for the first time in the third and fourth seasons. This time his exploits tak... Read more
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954)
7.2/10
Director: Richard Fleischer
Starring: Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre
The great Disney version of Jules Verne's famous adventure/fantasy about a sailor (Kirk Douglas) and a scientist who get involved with Captain Nemo, (... Read more
King of the Khyber Rifles (1953)
6.4/10
Director: Henry King
Starring: Michael Rennie, Terry Moore, Tyrone Power
1930's leading man Tyrone Power plays a half caste British officer staioned in India. Of mixed heritage, Power struggles to earn the respect of his fe... Read more
Sea Devils (1953)
5.7/10
Director: Raoul Walsh
Starring: Rock Hudson, Yvonne De Carlo
Rock Hudson stars in this swashbuckling tale of spies, counter-spies, and star crossed love! The threat of Napoleonic invasion hangs heavy over Britai... Read more
Phantom from Space (1953)
4/10
Director: W Lee Wilder
Starring: Dick Sands
A cop and a pair of scientists are lured to an observatory by a series of murders, links to an invisible alien (Dick Sands) who has crash-landed on Ea... Read more
Captain Scarlett (1953)
4.7/10
Director: Thomas H Carr
Starring: Richard Greene, Leonora Amar
Romance and swashbuckling abound in this classic actioner starring Richard Greene as Captain Carlos Scarlett, a 19th-century Frenchman who returns hom... Read more
Long John Silver (1953)
5.9/10
Director: Byron Haskin
Starring: Robert Newton, Kit Taylor
Robert "Arr - matey!" Newton repeats his Treasure Island role as Long John Silver in this Australian adventure film - and if anything, Newton is even... Read more
The Adventures of Superman: Season 2 (1953)
Starring: George Reeves, Noel Neill
George Reeves returns as the steel-bending, building-leaping and sometimes glasses-wearing super hero in the complete second season. Noel Neill also j... Read more
Last Of The Pony Riders (1953)
7.6/10
Starring: Gene Autry
Ex-Pony Express rider Autry ties to protect his US mail franchise as the Pony Express gives way to stage coach mail and the telegraph. Read more
Beneath the 12 Mile Reef (1953)
5.8/10
Director: Robert D Webb
Starring: Robert Wagner, Terry Moore, Gilbert Roland
Follows two people caught up in the business rivalries of two sponge-diving families on Key West. It is best known for its pioneering use of Cinemasco... Read more