AllMovie

Restored and released on DVD by VCI Entertainment in 1999, The Phantom emerges as one of Columbia Pictures' very best chapterplays and stars perhaps the finest of all the comic strip turned movie heroes in the strapping Tom Tyler, whose firm voice and admirable physique add authority to what in essence is a rather ludicrously garbed jungle man. Without the benefit of a stunt-man, or so it seems most of the time, Tyler breezes through Columbia's low-budget back lot flora with abandon, careening over obstacles and besting even the meanest villain the studio could throw in his way, at all times aided by Ace the Wonder Dog, previously of RKO canine potboilers. The sound track in chapter eleven was apparently damaged beyond repair but VCI deftly dubbed the episode with modern impersonators, a daring experiment that, if not 100 % successful, should nevertheless be heartily congratulated. The usual Columbia caveats remain in evidence, though: the production could have greatly benefited from a better budget and the lack of on-screen acting credits have led to much speculation as to who exactly plays what.