Captain America

During World War II, District Attorney Grant Gardner transforms into the masked vigilante Captain America to combat the sinister Scarab, a saboteur threatening the United States. Gardner, armed with his courage and a unique shield, races against time to uncover the Scarab's identity and thwart his destructive plans, which involve a deadly "disperdo" gas. The serial follows his perilous journey through various dangerous encounters and investigations.

As a wartime serial, Captain America was primarily aimed at a young audience and released in chapters. Contemporary reviews focused on its action sequences and serial cliffhangers. Modern reception acknowledges its historical significance as an early portrayal of the iconic character, though it is often criticized for its low budget, primitive special effects, and departure from the comic book's origin story and costume.

• A product of its time, featuring exciting, albeit low-budget, action typical of serials.

• Notable for being one of the first live-action adaptations of a major comic book superhero.

• The plot and characterization are secondary to the episodic cliffhangers and adventure.

Google audience: Audience reception is scarce due to its age and format, but those who engage with it often view it as a historical curiosity and a primitive but entertaining serial adventure.

This serial famously features a version of Captain America who does not use the iconic star-spangled costume or shield from the comics; instead, he is District Attorney Grant Gardner who wears a simple mask and uses a futuristic motorcycle and pistol.