Having read many Doc Savage adventures before first seeing the film, I found the film a disappointment. The basic story is akin to the original adventure, but George Pal decided to camp up the film. I read where he was disappointed by the reaction of Doc Savage fans, who indicated that they didn't like its treatment.
That aside, Ron Ely was an excellent choice for Doc. He had a credible look for The Man of Bronze, and didn't overplay the role.
IMHO, the choice of Sousa marches detracted from the film. Like the opening scenes with Doc's invention of a fishing rocket, and the labeling of the fighting styles near the end of the film, the music pushed the envelope.
At one point, Doc leaps to the running board of a car driven by Long Tom, and cries out, "Do a Barney Oldfield, Long Tom." Now Barney Oldfield was a racecar driver of the period, but Long Tom drives the car at no more than 35 miles per hour! Couldn't they have at least undercranked the camera? However, it is the only film ever done on Doc Savage. Among the current crop of actors, can't think of one who would make as good a Doc as Ron Ely, but wouldn't it have been nice to have gotten a Ridley Scott or John Woo style treatment instead of a George Pal production?
That aside, Ron Ely was an excellent choice for Doc. He had a credible look for The Man of Bronze, and didn't overplay the role.
IMHO, the choice of Sousa marches detracted from the film. Like the opening scenes with Doc's invention of a fishing rocket, and the labeling of the fighting styles near the end of the film, the music pushed the envelope.
At one point, Doc leaps to the running board of a car driven by Long Tom, and cries out, "Do a Barney Oldfield, Long Tom." Now Barney Oldfield was a racecar driver of the period, but Long Tom drives the car at no more than 35 miles per hour! Couldn't they have at least undercranked the camera? However, it is the only film ever done on Doc Savage. Among the current crop of actors, can't think of one who would make as good a Doc as Ron Ely, but wouldn't it have been nice to have gotten a Ridley Scott or John Woo style treatment instead of a George Pal production?