Watch Mandrake The Magician

Mandrake the Magician is a classic action-packed adventure series that follows the daring exploits of Lee Falk's eponymous comic book hero. Produced by comic book legend Sam Katzman, Mandrake aired from 1954-55, and now, thanks to CONtv, the iconic serial is back in all its high-flying glory.

Warren Hull stars as Mandrake, the world-famous stage magician who uses his incredible powers of concentration and hypnotism to fight crime and injustice. Alongside his equally dashing assistant, Lothar (Al Kikume), Mandrake faces off against an array of villains, from mad scientists to criminal masterminds, all with their sights set on taking over the world.

The show's opening credits reveal Mandrake's origin story, explaining how, as a young boy, he was adopted by a troupe of travelling magicians and learned the tricks of the trade. After years of perfecting his craft, Mandrake discovered that he had a natural gift for hypnosis, which he quickly put to use in his fight against evildoers.

Each episode of Mandrake follows a self-contained story featuring its own cast of characters and villains. Given that the show was produced in the mid-1950s, the plots may seem campy and quaint to contemporary audiences, but the show's charmingly old-fashioned tone and delightful sense of whimsy make it a perfect example of classic Hollywood storytelling.

What sets Mandrake apart from other shows of its era is its remarkably elaborate stunts and action sequences. From exploding volcanoes to car chases and fistfights, the show's production values are impressive for their time, and the practical effects still hold up in the present day.

Of course, the real star of the show is Warren Hull's Mandrake. The actor's suave charm and dashing good looks make him the perfect leading man, while his ability to convey the intensity of concentration required for his magical abilities is nothing short of mesmerizing.

In one standout episode, Mandrake goes toe-to-toe with the nefarious Dr. Typhoon (played with sinister relish by Lyle Talbot), who has invented a machine that can control the weather. Mandrake and Lothar must use all their wits and cunning to stop the madman before he unleashes a catastrophic hurricane on the city.

Elsewhere, Mandrake must save the world from nuclear devastation when he uncovers a plot by international terrorists to steal a top-secret formula for a new atomic weapon. In another episode, he must help his good friend Prince Tang (Grant Withers) recover a priceless gemstone from a group of bandits.

Each episode of Mandrake is a thrilling, action-packed adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's unabashedly old-fashioned entertainment that harkens back to a simpler era of storytelling, but that's part of its undeniable charm. Fans of classic cinema and comic book fans alike will love this blast from the past.

Mandrake The Magician is a series that ran for 1 seasons (12 episodes) between January 1, 1939 and on CONtv