PODCAST - [Special Edition Re-release] Connecting the dots between ‘Flash Gordon’ serials and ‘Star Wars’ (S1/E4)
Introducing Yub Nub JEDI TRAINING! + Thoughts of George Lucas at Cannes & more!
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Tim and Jim introduce a special edition re-release of their conversation about Flash Gordon serials (which you can watch here in our handy “Jedi Training” section of the newsletter)!
But before we tackle Flash Gordon and his adventures with the pantsless Doctor Zarkov – we talk about George Lucas’ recent Cannes film festival interview, Star Wars phone games and more!
To read and watch additional material related to this episode, keep scrolling!
Episode Credits:
Hosts: Tim Barnes & Jim Fagan
Theme Song: Matt Maher
Announcer: Carolina Ravassa
Podcast Art: Joel Jackson
IN THIS DISPATCH
The complex history of Flash Gordon, the seeming inspiration behind Naboo, and comparing T-Swift to G-Lucas!
Links to the exciting aspects of Star Wars that we referenced in Act I.
SPECIAL FEATURES (PAID SUBSCRIBERS)
Bonus “nubs” on Raiders of the Lost Arc & The personal influences behind The Acolyte
JEDI TRAINING
As we dive into more #HotGeorgeSummer analysis of the media that inspired George Lucas in the creation of Star Wars + the media he made leading up to its 1977 release — we’d like you to stay in the loop!
That’s why we’ve launched a Jedi Training section to the newsletter full of video links to films like Metropolis—
—serials like Flash Gordon—
—and shorts like Goerge Lucas’ student films!
Discussion Highlights:
Star Wars (George’s Version):
Before we dive into the Flash Gordon chat — Jim expertly convinces us that George Lucas is the Taylor Swift of cinema in terms of snatching ownership of his work from the studios.
Which, of course, leads one to wonder — will we ever get Star Wars (Taylor’s Version)?
Flash Gordon vs Buck Rogers:
The history of Flash Gordon gets more and more complex once you dive into it!
First — the reason you always hear it paired with Buck Rogers is because they both started off as comic strips.
Buck Rogers was first and Flash Gordon was made in competition.
THEN — Flash Gordon got so popular that it got the first movie serials with Buster Crabbe in the titular role.
THEN — when Buck Rogers finally got its own serials Buster Crabbe played that role as well!
THEN - in the 50s both the original Flash Gordon movie serials AND and live action TV Flash Gordon TV show aired simultaneously. The serials are what inspired Lucas the most.
But it just goes to show — you never know what will inspire one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.
How the Flash Gordon plant “Mongo” influenced Lucas’ Naboo:
Tim and Jim are mostly fascinated by the Flash Gordon planet Mongo which… yeah… is a… very awful name for a planet ruled by a white man named Ming the Merciless.
But, the fact that Mongo has multiple terrains with multiple races reminded us of the planet central to The Phantom Menace — Naboo.
Watching these serials — it was impossible not to compare beings like the Shark Men with the Gungans.
It’s as if the social and political strife between the beings on Mongo are a self contained version of the entire Star Wars galaxy.
This transmission may be too long for your inbox. Hyperspace jump to the web version!
What’s “Yubbing” Our “Nubs”
VIDEO: George Lucas Cannes Film Festival Interview
Tim finally watched this incredible interview with George Lucas at the Cannes film festival. It’s fascinating to witness Lucas discuss his career at this stage of his life — at a point when the dust of the Disney acquisition has settled and he can truly see his work in its proper context.
GAME: Star Wars Hunters
Jim is insanely late to the party here, but Star Wars Hunters has this incredible “Golden-eye” meets Halo nostalgia-laden gameplay matched with characters that harken back to the good old days of LucasArts past. Do you play? Do you hate “mobile gaming” and their in-app purchase model as much as I do? I’d rather pay for the game!
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