Movie serials were short subjects originally shown in theaters in conjunction with a feature film. Known as "chapter plays," they were extended motion pictures broken into a number of segments called "chapters" or "episodes." A typical serial would consist of twelve to fifteen episodes. In all but the last episode, major characters would be in peril, which would be resolved at the beginning of the next episode. Often the reprised scene would add an element not seen in the previous close, but unless it contradicted something shown in the previous episode close, audiences accepted the explanation. (Though rare, a few serials did make an alternate to the previous close. These were called "cheats" by the audience.)
Movie serials were intended to induce audiences to see the next film at the theater, to see how the dilemma of the previous chapter was resolved.
The majority of serials were Westerns, since those were the least expensive to film. Besides Westerns, though, there were films covering many genres, including crime fiction, espionage, comic book or comic strip characters, science fiction, and jungle adventures. Although most serials were filmed cost effectively, some were made at significant expense. The Flash Gordon serial and its sequels, for instance, were major productions in their times.
How much did they cost?
