retro-the-best....: [New post] Make Way for Captain America (1979)

Friday, September 16, 2011

[New post] Make Way for Captain America (1979)

Make Way for Captain America (1979)

dailypop | September 16, 2011 at 6:13 pm | Tags: captain america marvel comics avengers, christopher lee, comic book superheroes on TV, reb brown | Categories: Captain America | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-352

Do you think that Captain America made his big screen debut this Summer in The First Avenger? Think again. Aside from the 1991 feature film and the Republic Films serial, there is another movie starring the shield-hurling hero. Starring Reb Brown (of MST3L lampooned 'Space Mutiny'), a pair of TV movies released in 1979 saw the light of day only to sulk in obscurity since.

Captain America 1979

This year, both Captain America and its sequel Death Comes Too Soon, co-starring Christopher Lee of Hammer Horror and Star Wars fame, will be released by Shout! Factory.

Captain America (1979) Trailer
watch?v=p11I6ZZYcbM

The TV movies take a healthy amount of liberties, from the super soldier serum being called FLAG—Full Latent Ability Gain to the details surrounding his origin (Rogers receives the injection after surviving a car crash). As a kid, I remember being a fan of both the Amazing Spider-Man and Incredible Hulk TV series (heck, I even watch a bit of Wonder Woman), but recall being very confused by this one.

Working with a a team of experts, Rogers is a cut-rate Bionic Man fighting villains who pose a threat to the country. A customized motorcycle, van and shield complete the hero's arsenal, but his own enhanced abilities serve him best in his missions. Utilizing the tried and true 'special effects' very familiar to Wonder Woman, Captain America can jump great heights, is capable of feats of strength and runs remarkably fast. It's all very schticky, and Reb Brown's acting gives a new meaning to term 'wooden,' but if you are in need of a fun retro flick, this could be worth a look.