Flash Gordon - Larry 'Buster' Crabbe (Digital print)

print of hand painted digiatl artwork

For many the original Space Hero was Flash Gordon. He was portrayed with appropiate heroisma nd charm by in several Serials in the 1930s by Olympic Gold Medal Winner* turned actor  LARRY “BUSTER’ CRABBE.

CRABBE was not a traditionally trained actor, but had good looks and charisma to spare and made for a thoroughly credible and appealing hero. Flash’s adventures on the planet Mongo, with DALE ARDEN and PROFESSOR ZARKOV, fighting against MING THE MERCILESS - superbly played by CHARLES B MIDDLETON - were delivered weekly in exciting 15 minute chapters.

The production values and in particular the visual effects of the sputtering rocket-ships illicit chuckles, but maintain a charm of their own and remain icons of sci-fi, and thrilled young audiences in their day as X-Wing Fighters thrill kids these days. In fact, ‘Flash Gordon’ has been cited as a influence on the creation of ‘STAR WARS’.

*400metre Freestyle swimming at the 1932 Olympics.