BURN EM UP BARNES - The Heros Drive a Hudson!

One of the wonderful things about the modern era is the release on DVD of some of the lessor known movies and movie serials from the past. I have been a big fan of the old movie serials since I was a kid and saw Radar Men From The Moon and others at the local theater between double features.



One serial I had never heard of is called
BURN 'EM UP BARNES, made in 1934 and recently released on DVD by Alpha Video. The 12 part serial is released on two DVDs sold separately and concerns itself with motor racing & the auto business of the time with a crime/action/adventure plot. I purchased both volumes on Amazon through the "used" sellers. Even with the the cost with shipping, the cost was very modest, less than you would typically expect to pay for a major theatrical release.



Last night, I intended to watch a couple of episodes and move on to other matters scheduled for the evening. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the print was in pretty good condition and the soundtrack clear. Many of these old serials are sourced from sadly deteriorated prints.



The first episode concerned activity at a large SoCal dirt track and was filled with shots of real racers from the era, some still had riding mechanics! Right at the start, one of the cars was being tow started by a 1926 second series Hudson Couch made into a "tow car" or service car, what we would call a pick up. This car was featured prominently throughout the 6 episodes that I watched right in a row - yes, I was so engrossed that my plans were rearranged on the spot and I watched the entire first DVD in one go.



The cast is attractive and there is plenty of action, lots of car chases through 1934 SoCal scenery, lots of fist fights, a pretty girl to rescue. The continuity is not great, performance of the vehicles being more subject to the requirements of the plot than actually performance. In addition to the Hudson, there is a '28 Lincoln Touring, a big Cadillac limo, motorcycles, several Chevys, a Studebaker Roadster and too many more to mention. The cars are not treated with kindness, they were all considered old jalopies and disposable. The Hudson & the Lincoln have the biggest parts in the first 6 episodes and they are both driven hard.



It may be a while before I can get to the last 6 episodes, but I really enjoyed the first half and anticipate the second half will be just as good.






Paul O'Neil

SoCal

1926 Hudson Anderson Coupe

1929 Hudson Town Sedan

1939 Cadillac Coupe (How'd that get in here?)



www.cichet.us

www.aeromark.net

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