Movie serials were especially popular with children, and for many youths in the first half of the 20th century a typical Saturday matinee at the movies included at least one chapter of a serial, along with animated cartoons, newsreels, and two feature films.
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Many serials were Westerns, since those were the least expensive to film.
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Years after their first release, Film serials gained new life at "Saturday Matinees", theatrical showings on Saturday mornings aimed directly at children.
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The Weisses bought a little time when Columbia Pictures decided to take a try at Film serials, and contracted with them to make three chapterplays.
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Three different Film serials had them chasing the Art Deco sound truck, required for location shooting, for various reasons.
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Republic was one of Hollywood's smaller studios, but its Film serials have been hailed as some of the best, especially those directed by John English and William Witney.
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Republic Film serials are noted for outstanding special effects, such as large-scale explosions and demolitions, and the more fantastic visuals like Captain Marvel and Rocketman flying.
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Columbia made several Film serials using its own staff and facilities, and these are among the studio's best efforts: The Spider's Web, The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok, Batman, The Secret Code, and The Phantom maintained Columbia's own high standard.
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However, Columbia's Film serials often have a reputation for cheapness, because the studio usually subcontracted its serial production to outside producers: the Weiss Brothers, Larry Darmour, and finally Sam Katzman.
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Columbia's early Film serials were very well received by audiences—exhibitors voted The Spider's Web the number-one serial of the year.
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Universal Film serials were sold outright to TV distributor Serials Inc in July 1956.
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VCI is offering new Blu-Ray and DVD restorations of many Universal Film serials, including Gang Busters, Jungle Queen, Pirate Treasure, and three Buck Jones adventures.
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Best-known fan-made chapter play is the four-chapter, silent 16mm Captain Celluloid vs the Film Pirates, made to resemble Republic and Columbia serials of the 1940s and completed in 1966.
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Doctor Who Film serials would run anywhere from 3 to 12 episodes and were shown in weekly segments, as had been the original theatrical cliffhangers.
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