| Hop Harrigan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Derwin Abrahams |
| Written by | Jon L. Blummer (adapted from the comic strip by) Ande Lamb (original screenplay) George H. Plympton (original screenplay) |
| Based on | |
| Produced by | Sam Katzman |
| Starring | William Bakewell Jennifer Holt Robert 'Buzz' Henry Sumner Getchell |
| Cinematography | Ira H. Morgan |
| Edited by | Earl Turner |
| Music by | Lee Zahler |
Production company | Sam Katzman Productions |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 15 chapter serial |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Hop Harrigan (akaHop Harrigan America's Ace of the Airways) (1946) is aColumbiafilm serial, based on theHop Harrigan comic books byDC Comics.[1] The serial comprised 15 two-reel chapters with Derwin Abrahams as the director, and Sam Katzman, the producer.[2]Columbia Pictures was one of the lastHollywood studios to continue in postwar years with the serial format. By 1947,Universal Pictures discontinued their serials, with onlyRepublic Pictures and Columbia continuing with serials. The last serial was Columbia'sBlazing the Overland Trail (1956).[3]
Hop Harrigan (William Bakewell), a top Air Corps pilot, leaves the military and he and his mechanic, "Tank" Tinker (Sumner Getchell), open up a small charter air service. They are hired by J. Westly Arnold (Emmett Vogan) to fly an inventor, Dr. Tobor (John Merton), to his secret laboratory, where he is working on a new and powerful energy machine.
A mysterious villain named "The Chief Pilot" (Wheeler Oakman), however, is also determined to have the new energy machine for his own purposes. He uses a destructive raygun to cripple Hop's aircraft and kidnaps Dr. Tobor. Hop and Tank, aided by Gail Nolan (Jennifer Holt) and her younger brother, Jackie (Robert "Buzz" Henry), finally overcome the criminals only find a bigger threat to them all within their group.
Dr. Tobor is insane and has a hideous plan to destroy the earth. Only Hop can stop him.
Hop Harrigan was based on Jon l. Blummer'sAll-American Comics and associated radio series.[5] The serial featured location shooting at an airport, but relied heavily on studio sets.[6] The aircraft inHop Harrigan included aBoeing-Stearman Kaydet,Bellanca Cruisair and aStinson Junior.[7]
Author and film critic, Andrew C. Cline wrote inIn the Nick of Time (1984) thatHop Harrigan is fairly action-filled serial, with well paced action.[5]
| Preceded by | ColumbiaSerial Hop Harrigan (1946) | Succeeded by |