Spencer Gordon Bennet (January 5, 1893 – October 8, 1987) was an American film producer and director. Known as the "King of Serial Directors", he directed more

film serial A serial film, film serial (or just serial), movie serial, or chapter play, is a motion picture form popular during the first half of the 20th century, consisting of a series of short subjects exhibited in consecutive order at one theater, ge ...

s than any other director.

Biography

Born in

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

, New York, Bennet first entered show business as a stunt man, when he answered a newspaper ad to jump from the Palisades of the Hudson River while wearing a suit for the serial film ''

Hurricane Hutch ''Hurricane Hutch'' is a 1921 American adventure film serial directed by George B. Seitz. The film is considered to be lost. The story concerns the search for a lost formula for making paper from seaweed that will save a mortgaged papermill. ...

'' (1921). The gig at that time paid $1 per foot he had to fall. He made his directorial debut in 1921's ''Behold the Man'' but made his serial directorial debut in 1925 with '' Sunken Silver''. He would keep making serials, as well as

B-Western The B movie, whose roots trace to the silent film era, was a significant contributor to Hollywood's Golden Age of the 1930s and 1940s. As the Hollywood studios made the transition to sound film in the late 1920s, many independent exhibitors began ...

features, until the very end of the genre, directing the last two serials made in the United States, ''

Blazing the Overland Trail ''Blazing the Overland Trail'' is a 1956 American western serial film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and starring Lee Roberts. It was the 57th and last serial produced by Columbia Pictures, and the last American serial ever produced for thea ...

'' (1956) and '' Perils of the Wilderness'' (1956). After the serials ended he directed a handful of features, his final directorial credit being 1965's ''

The Bounty Killer ''The Ugly Ones'' ( es: ''El precio de un hombre'', lit. "The Price of a Man", it: ''The Bounty Killer'', later ''La morte ti segue... ma non ha fretta'', lit. "Death follows you... but not in a hurry") is a 1966 Spanish-Italian spaghetti West ...

'', which was also the final film to feature pioneering cowboy star

Broncho Billy Anderson Gilbert M. "Broncho Billy" Anderson (born Maxwell Henry Aronson; March 21, 1880 – January 20, 1971) was an American actor, writer, film director, and film producer, who was the first star of the Western film genre. He was a founder and star ...

. When he died in 1987,he was buried at the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, his tombstone was engraved "His Final Chapter". Over his long career Bennet directed over 100 serials, including the Superman serials ''

Superman Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which first appeared in the comic book ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1, published in the United States on April 18, 1938.The copyright date of ''Action Comics ...

'' and '' Atom Man vs. Superman'' both starring

Kirk Alyn Kirk Alyn (born John Feggo Jr.; October 8, 1910 – March 14, 1999) was an American actor, best known for being the first actor to play the DC Comics character Superman in live-action for the 1948 movie serial ''Superman'' and its 1950 sequel '' ...

; ''

The Masked Marvel ''The Masked Marvel'' (1943) is a 12-chapter film serial created by Republic Pictures, who produced many other well known serials. It was Republic's thirty-first serial, of the sixty-six they produced. Plot In ''The Masked Marvel'', a hero dres ...

''; '' G-Men vs. the Black Dragon'' and '' Secret Service in Darkest Africa'' both starring Rod Cameron as agent Rex Bennett; the second Batman serial ''

Batman and Robin Batman Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comi ...

''; ''

The Purple Monster Strikes ''The Purple Monster Strikes'' is a 1945 Republic Movie serial. It was also released as a Century 66 television film under the title ''D-Day on Mars'' (1966). The original production title for the serial was ''The Purple Shadow Strikes''. The ...

''; the '' Adventures of Sir Galahad''; '' The Tiger Woman''; '' Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere''; ''

Zorro's Black Whip ''Zorro's Black Whip'' is a 1944 12-chapter film serial by Republic Pictures starring Linda Stirling. The film was made after the 1940 20th Century-Fox remake of '' The Mark of Zorro'' in order to capitalize on it. Republic was not able to us ...

'', and numerous western serials. Among his "B" features were four for the ''

Jungle Jim Jungle Jim is the fictional hero of a series of jungle adventures in various media. The series began on January 7, 1934, as an American newspaper comic strip chronicling the adventures of Asia-based hunter Jim Bradley, who was nicknamed Jungle ...

'' series starring

Johnny Weissmuller Johnny Weissmuller ( ; born Johann Peter Weißmüller, ; June 2, 1904 – January 20, 1984) was a Hungarian-born German American Olympic swimmer, water polo player and actor. He was known for having one of the best competitive-swimming records o ...

and two for the ''

Red Ryder ''Red Ryder'' is a Western comic strip created by Stephen Slesinger and artist Fred Harman which served as the basis for a wide array of character merchandising. Syndicated by Newspaper Enterprise Association, the strip ran from Sunday, Novem ...

'' series, featuring

Wild Bill Elliott Wild Bill Elliott (born Gordon Nance, October 16, 1904 – November 26, 1965) was an American film actor. He specialized in playing the rugged heroes of B Westerns, particularly the Red Ryder series of films. Early life Elliott was born G ...

and Allan "Rocky" Lane. He also directed eight episodes of the ''

Ramar of the Jungle ''Ramar of the Jungle'' is a 1950s American television series that starred Jon Hall as Dr. Tom ReynoldsMcNeil, Alex (1996). ''Total Television''. Penguin Books USA, Inc. . P. 683. (the titular "ramar" being the natives' title for a white medici ...

'' TV series.

Preservation

The Academy Film Archive preserved two of Spencer Gordon Bennet's films, ''Hawk of the Hills'' and ''Snowed In''.

Partial filmography

* '' Sunken Silver'' (1925) * '' The Green Archer'' (1925) * ''

The House Without a Key ''The House Without a Key'' is a 1925 novel by Earl Derr Biggers, the first of the Charlie Chan mysteries. Set in 1920s Hawaii, the novel acquaints the reader with the look and feel of the islands from the standpoint of both white and non-white ...

'' (1926) * ''

Marked Money ''Marked Money'' is a 1928 American synchronized sound action film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and starring Tom Keene, Tom Kennedy and Virginia Bradford.Munden p.493 While the film has no audible dialog, it was released with a synchroniz ...

'' (1928) * ''

Queen of the Northwoods ''Queen of the Northwoods'' is 1929 American silent Western film serial by Pathé, directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and Thomas Storey, with a story by George Arthur Gray. Known cast members were Walter Miller, Ethlyne Clair and Frank Lackte ...

'' (1929) * ''

Rogue of the Rio Grande ''Rogue of the Reedler Grande'' is a 1930 American pre-Code musical comedy Western (genre), Western film directed by Spencer Hudson Rumer and starring José Reedler, Reed Gayfart and Walter White (actor), Reedler Miller.Pitts p. 344 Plot El Ma ...

'' (1930) * ''

The Last Frontier The Last Frontier may refer to: Film * ''The Last Frontier'' (1926 film), a Western by George B. Seitz * ''The Last Frontier'' (serial), a 1932 American film serial starring Lon Chaney, Jr * ''The Last Frontier'' (1955 film), a Western by Anth ...

'' (1932) * '' Badge of Honor'' (1934) * ''

Rescue Squad A rescue squad is an emergency service that provides technical rescue services, and may additionally provide emergency medical services and firefighting services. Rescue squads may be standalone organizations or an integrated part of fire dep ...

'' (1935) * '' Western Courage'' (1935) * ''

Ranger Courage ''Ranger Courage'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet, the film stars Robert Allen, Martha Tibbetts, and Walter Miller. Plot Cast * Robert Allen as himself * Martha Tibbetts as Alice * Walter Miller as Bull ...

'' (1936) * '' Rio Grande Ranger'' (1936) * '' The Fugitive Sheriff'' (1936) * ''

The Unknown Ranger ''The Unknown Ranger'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and starring Bob Allen, Martha Tibbetts, and Walter Miller. It was released on October 30, 1936. Plot Cast * Bob Allen as himself * Martha Tibbetts ...

'' (1936) * ''

The Mysterious Pilot ''The Mysterious Pilot'' is a 15-episode 1937 Columbia movie serial based on the book by William Byron Mowery and starring the record-breaking aviator Frank Hawks. This was the second serial produced by Columbia. In the serial, Hawks plays a ...

'' (1937) * '' Oklahoma Terror'' (1939) * '' The Secret Code'' (1942) * '' The Valley of Vanishing Men'' (1942) * '' G-Men vs. the Black Dragon'' (1943) * '' Secret Service in Darkest Africa'' (1943) * ''

'' (1943) * '' Canyon City'' (1943) * '' The Tiger Woman'' (1944) * ''

Haunted Harbor ''Haunted Harbor'' (1944) is a Republic serial, based on the novel by Ewart Adamson. Plot Sea captain Jim Marsden is about to be hanged for a murder he didn't commit, and is rescued from the gallows by two of his crewmen. To clear the captain ...

'' (1944) * ''

'' (1944) * '' Manhunt on Mystery Island'' (1945) * ''

Federal Operator 99 ''Federal Operator 99'' is a 1945 American movie serial from Republic Pictures. It was later edited down into a feature version titled ''F.B.I. 99'' for television. The serial is about an FBI agent named Jerry Blake who battles gentleman thief ...

'' (1945) * ''

'' (1945) * '' The Phantom Rider'' (1946) * ''

King of the Forest Rangers ''King of the Forest Rangers'' (1946) is a Republic film serial. Plot Cast *Larry Thompson as Forest Ranger Captain Steve King *Helen Talbot as Marion Brennan *Stuart Hamblen as Prof Carver *Anthony Warde as Burt Spear *LeRoy Mason as "Flush" ...

'' (1946) * ''

Daughter of Don Q ''Daughter of Don Q'' (1946) is a Republic Movie serial. It combines elements of the B-Western genre with contemporary crime films, especially the popular "land grab" plot in which the villain attempts to steal apparently worthless land from ...

'' (1946) * ''

Son of Zorro ''Son of Zorro'' is a 1947 American Western film serial from Republic Pictures. It was the 43rd of the 66 serials produced by that studio. The serial was directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and Fred C. Brannon. George Turner starred as a descend ...

'' (1947) * '' The Black Widow'' (1947) * ''

Brick Bradford ''Brick Bradford'' is a science fiction comic strip created by writer William Ritt, a journalist based in Cleveland, and artist Clarence Gray. It was first distributed on August 21, 1933 by Central Press Association, a subsidiary of King Feature ...

'' (1947) * ''

'' (1948) * ''

Congo Bill Congorilla (originally in human: William "Congo Bill" Glenmorgan) is a superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and Vertigo Comics. Originally co-created by writer Whitney Ellsworth and artist George Papp, he was later transfor ...

'' (1948) * ''

Bruce Gentry – Daredevil of the Skies ''Bruce Gentry – Daredevil of the Skies'' (1949) is a 15-episode Columbia Pictures Serial (film), movie serial based on the Bruce Gentry (comic strip), Bruce Gentry comic strip created by Ray Bailey. It features the first cinematic appearance ...

'' (1948) * ''

'' (1949) * '' Adventures of Sir Galahad'' (1949) * '' Cody of the Pony Express'' (1950) * '' Atom Man vs. Superman'' (1950) * ''

Pirates of the High Seas ''Pirates of the High Seas'' is a 1950 American adventure serial film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and Thomas Carr and starring Buster Crabbe, Lois Hall and Tommy Farrell. Plot Adventurer Jeff Drake sails to a Pacific island in aid of Ke ...

'' (1950) * '' Roar of the Iron Horse'' (1951) * '' Mysterious Island'' (1951) * ''

King of the Congo ''King of the Congo'' is a 1952 American 15 chapter movie serial, the 48th released by Columbia Pictures. It was produced by Sam Katzman, directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and Wallace Grissell, and stars Buster Crabbe. The serial also co-stars ...

'' (1952) * ''

Brave Warrior ''Brave Warrior'' is a 1952 Technicolor American Western film, directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet. It stars Jon Hall and Christine Larsen. The story is based on events during the War of 1812 and the Battle of Tippecanoe, but contains historical ...

'' (1952) * '' The Miraculous Blackhawk: Freedom's Champion'' (1952) * '' Son of Geronimo'' (1952) * ''

Voodoo Tiger ''Voodoo Tiger'' is a 1952 American adventure film directed by Spencer G. Bennet and starring Johnny Weissmuller in his ninth performance as the protagonist adventurer Jungle Jim. It was written by Samuel Newman and produced by Columbia Pictures. ...

'' (1952) * '' The Lost Planet'' (1953) * '' Killer Ape'' (1953) * ''

Gunfighters of the Northwest ''Gunfighters of the Northwest'' is a 1954 American Western serial film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and Charles S. Gould and starring Jock Mahoney, Clayton Moore, Phyllis Coates, Don C. Harvey. Plot White Horse Rebels, under the command o ...

'' (1954) * ''

Riding with Buffalo Bill ''Riding with Buffalo Bill'' is a 1954 American Western Serial film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and starring Marshall Reed. Plot Buffalo Bill Cody comes to aid the miner Rocky Ford and a group of ranchers in their defeat of a local crime ...

'' (1954) * ''

Adventures of Captain Africa Mighty Jungle Avenger! ''The Adventures of Captain Africa'' is a 1955 adventure serial film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and starring John Hart. Plot Trapper Nat Coleman and government agent Ted Arnold come upon a plot to take over an African nation. Its leade ...

'' (1955) * ''

Devil Goddess ''Devil Goddess'' (1955) is the sixteenth and final Jungle Jim film produced by Columbia Pictures. It features Johnny Weissmuller in his third and last performance as the protagonist adventurer Johnny Weissmuller (a character previously called "Ju ...

'' (1955) * '' Perils of the Wilderness'' (1956) * ''

'' (1956) * ''

The Atomic Submarine ''The Atomic Submarine'' is a 1959 independently made, American black-and-white science-fiction film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and starring Arthur Franz, Dick Foran, Brett Halsey, Joi Lansing and Jean Moorhead, with John Hilliard as the ...

'' (1959)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Bennet, Spencer Gordon 1893 births 1987 deaths Film producers from New York (state) Film serial crew Film directors from Brooklyn Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)