My current obsession? Doc Savage - the first All American superhero. Predating Superman, his character and fantasy pulp adventures informed almost all the super heroes who came in his wake.
He's a Manhattan society bachelor and heir to millions of dollars. Trained from birth by some of the worlds best scientists, he has ESP, a photographic memory and is a martial arts master. Real name Clark Savage Jr., known as The Man Of Bronze, he dedicates his life to continuing his deceased father’s work – adding muscle to his namesakes’ scientific prowess.
He rolls with a crew of old war buddies called the Fabulous Five - a bunch of misfits all of whom have their own heroic qualities.
The character has been around since 1933, has graced almost two hundred books, numerous comics and radio shows but only one film – in 1975. Produced by George Pal and perfectly cast with erstwhile TV Tarzan Ron Ely as Savage it caved in under the weight of its own campness.
Now, after the recent movie successes of Iron Man, Spiderman, Batman and the X Men it only makes sense to do a new film based on the daddy of them all. For the past few years speculation has centred around writer/director Shane Black. He’s said to be co-writing a script for a new Doc Savage feature.
What the Pal/Ely movie does have going for it is a great theme song and some amazing garms. Bronze will be the new black!
