Heroes of the Flames (1931)

Heroes of the Flames is a 1931 American Universal movie serial. Although once considered to be lost, it has survived and a print has been preserved by Universal as of 2016. It stars Tim McCoy (in a break from his usual cowboy roles) as a firefighter who is developing a new kind of flame retardant, but his work is constantly being disrupted by a rival named Don Mitchell (Gayne Whitman) who wants the formula for himself as well as the leading lady, played by Marion Shockley. Fittingly, seven of the 11 cliffhangers involve burning buildings with at least one principal trapped inside.

It is unusual for the manner in which chapter recaps are handled: A reporter at a local newspaper repeats a summary of the previous episode as he takes it down from a witness on the phone. It also has no music at all—the opening titles are accompanied only by sound effects (sirens, bells ringing, fire crackling, etc.). It's also the only film in which future star Bruce Cabot appeared in an uncredited bit part.

Cast

Tim McCoy as Bob Darrow

[[Marion Shockley as June Madison

Bobby Nelson (actor)|Bobby Nelson]] as Jackie Madison

Gayne Whitman as Don Mitchell

William Gould as John Madison

Grace Cunard as Mrs. Madison

Andy Devine as a henchman

Monte Montague as Bob's sidekick

Bud Osborne as a henchman

Edmund Cobb as a henchman

Joe Bonomo as a henchman

Walter Brennan -Bit Part – uncredited [Ch. 12]

Chapter titles

The Red Peril

Flaming Hate

The Fire Trap

Death's Chariot

The Avalanche

The Jaws of Death

Forest of Fire

Blank Cartridges

The House of Terror (aka The House of Horror)

The Depths of Doom

A Flaming Death

The Last Alarm

See also

List of American films of 1931

List of firefighting films

References

External links

Heroes of the Flames at IMDb