One of several superhero movie serials in the 1940’s, but the first theatrical release connected to a Marvel character (the next would be over 40 years later in the 1970’s) and the only one in the Public Domain.
Captain America (1944)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL131E945B584E2D74 - from the TheAvengersCaptain YouTube channel (playlist - total runtime of 4 hour 4 mins - 480p)
Synopsis:
Superhero Captain America battles the evil forces of the arch-villain called The Scarab, who poisons his enemies and steals a secret device capable of destroying buildings by sound vibrations.
Directed by Elmer Clifton & John English.
Cast: Dick Purcell, Lorna Gray & Lionel Atwill.
CHAPTER INDEX:
Chapter 1: The Purple Death
Chapter 2: Mechanical Executioner
Chapter 3: The Scarlet Shroud
Chapter 4: Preview of Murder
Chapter 5: Blade of Wrath
Chapter 6: Vault of Vengeance
Chapter 7: Wholesale Destruction
Chapter 8: Cremation in the Clouds
Chapter 9: Triple Tragedy
Chapter 10: The Avenging Corpse
Chapter 11: The Dead Man Returns
Chapter 12: Horror on the Highway
Chapter 13: Skyscraper Plunge
Chapter 14: The Scarab Strikes
Chapter 15: The Toll of Doom
Trivia:
• The Captain America costume was really grey, white and dark blue as these colours photographed better in black and white.
• Republic, the production company of the serial, was notorious for making changes in their adaptations, though this occurred with Captain America more than most. Timely Comics (later Marvel Comics), the owner of Captain America, was unhappy with the omission of Steve Rogers and the lack of an army setting.
• The role that made Dick Purcell famous turned out to be his last, and in fact he died a few weeks after filming was completed, before the film serial was released to enormous success. According to film historian Raymond Stedman, the strain of filming Captain America had been too much for his heart, and he collapsed in the locker room at a Los Angeles country club on 10 April 1944, shortly after playing a round of golf.