The Phantom Empire
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Otto Brower
Gene Autry
Frankie Darro
Betsy King Ross
Dorothy Christy
Wheeler Oakman
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
When the ancient continent of Mu sank beneath the ocean, some of its inhabitant survived in caverns beneath the sea. Cowboy singer Gene Autry stumbles upon the civilization, now buried beneath his own Radio Ranch. The Muranians have developed technology and weaponry such as television and ray guns. Their rich supply of radium draws unscrupulous speculators from the surface. The peaceful civilization of the Muranians is corrupted by the greed from above, and it becomes Autry's task to prevent all-out war, ideally without disrupting his regular radio show.
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Screenwriter Wallace MacDonald said in an interview that he dreamed up the film, complete with character names, plot ideas, costumes, etc., while sedated by nitrous oxide while undergoing dental work. When he awoke, he went directly home, put everything down on paper, and brought it to producer Nat Levine at Mascot Pictures, who loved the idea and approved the production.
Robots built originally for Dancing Lady (1933) in dance sequence cut from finished film. Photos of the scene survive.
