Dick Tracy Returns (Original Serial)

DTN does not have a description for the show Dick Tracy Returns (Original Serial) on CONtv from 1938. However, here's a general overview of the series without specifics pertaining to the CONtv version:

Dick Tracy Returns is a captivating 15-episode serial from 1938 featured on CONtv, introducing audiences to the iconic detective Dick Tracy as he masterfully solves crime and combats villains in his city. Regarded as one of the golden era's most beloved pulp characters, Dick Tracy is resurrected in this captivating serial, designed to keep audiences eager for the next gripping episode.

At the heart of the series is the titular character, Dick Tracy, a highly resourceful and determined detective with an unwavering dedication to uphold the law, played by the charismatic Ralph Byrd. Known for his keen intellect and relentless determination, Tracy is a straight-arrow lawman, respected by his peers and feared by the underworld he tirelessly works to dismantle.

This series unfolds as Tracy battles a formidable adversary: the notorious crime syndicate leader Pa Stark, played with chilling menace by Charles Middleton. Pa Stark, along with his ruthless five sons, forms a daunting force that threatens to engulf the city into a web of crime and chaos. The Starks ruthlessly commit a series of audacious crimes leaving scarcely a clue. Tracy and his fellow G-men, Junior, Steve Lockwood, and Mike McGurk are called upon to counteract the Stark family's malevolent plan.

As the story progresses, viewers are drawn into Tracy's unwavering quest for justice, packed with thrilling chase scenes, narrow escapes, and plotting villains, epitomizing the pulpy goodness of 1930s serials. Filled with suspense and non-stop action, the series manages to bring forth engaging detective work and thrilling confrontation scenes, making for edge-of-your-seat watching. Each episode invariably ends with a cliffhanger, promising even more excitement and danger in the subsequent installment.

To enhance the intrigue and mood, Dick Tracy Returns blends noir-like atmosphere and cinematography with raw, street level grittiness, faithfully representing the urban chaos of 1930's America. The series further stands out because of its exceptional production values and engaging performances from the cast, especially Ralph Byrd, who brings Dick Tracy to life with extraordinary authenticity.

The series’ look and feel imbue each frame with vintage charm, embodying the era it's set in perfectly. The depiction of the inter-war America is vivid and serves as an intricate backdrop for the cat-and-mouse game between Tracy and the Stark family. It’s an atmospheric journey into a bygone era not just dominated by hard-boiled detectives and menacing criminals, but also signifying a time of transition in America’s landscape.

Despite being broadcast in an era when cinematography and special effects were relatively rudimentary, the directors and cinematographers have done a commendable job. Each episode manages to capture the dramatic essence, thereby visually narrating the gripping tale of duels between causes of right and wrong.

While Dick Tracy Returns is firmly a product of its time and crafted with episodic urgency that serial fans love, it establishes its own identity through its meticulously crafted narrative and character development. It’s a rollercoaster ride where audiences can closely follow Dick Tracy’s investigative acumen, unperturbed courage, and unyielding commitment to bring down the criminal empire.

In conclusion, Dick Tracy Returns is a precursor to the modern cinematic universe of superheroes. The serial delivers genuine thrills and successful storytelling that absorbs viewers investing them wholly into the life and struggles of Dick Tracy. It's a classic representation of crime serials of the 1930s that still holds appeal to those who humbly admire narratives of yore and the nostalgic beauty of old-school storytelling.