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Why Was Gordon Jones Replaced for Second Serial?

posted 14 years ago by gppressingon
4 replies | jump to latest

Gordon Jones so perfectly plays the role of Britt Reid/The Green Hornet in this first serial, I was wondering why he was replaced by Walter Hull in the second serial. Was he unavailable, uninterested, was Universal unhappy with his performance or was there some other reason? I see the also outstanding Keye Luke was retained as Kato, but not Jones.

Here's hoping a serial scholar can shed some light on this for me. At this point I admit I'm reluctant to buy the GREEN HORNET STRIKES AGAIN because I can't imagine another actor besides Jones playing the role.

[–] tbrittreid 14 years ago

Wade Boteler (letter perfect to the radio show as Mike Axford) and Anne Nagel (secretary Lenore "Casey" Case) also returned for the sequel. Perhaps the producers wanted somebody they wouldn't have to have dubbed (radio's first and then still only Hornet Al Hodge provided the voice for Jones whenever the mask was in place, in case you didn't notice). Don't let Jones' absence deter you from buying the sequel if you enjoyed the original. I've got VHS's of both (albeit really poor prints for the first) and enjoy them. At fifteen chapters ...Strikes Again goes on for too long (the syndicate gangsters even reuse a couple of schemes!), but Warren Hull is quite acceptable; in fact, I see him as a better actor then Jones.

The GREEN HORNET Strikes Again!

[–] gppressingon 14 years ago

Thank you for the thoughtful response, tbrittreid. I did detect that Gordon Jones' voice changed when he put on the mask, but didn't realize he was dubbed. I thought maybe he just deepened his own voice the way Bud Collyer used to do on the SUPERMAN radio program.

I thoroughly enjoyed Gordon Jones in the role of Reid/Hornet, BUT will take your counsel and pick up the sequel with Hull. You earned credibility with me when it comes to all things Green Hornet since you've adopted his name as your IMDb handle. Once again, thanks for the reply!

[–] tbrittreid 14 years ago

Hodge's voice was similar enough to Jones' for the dub to work (as opposed to whoever did the same for Clayton Moore in the Republic serial Ghost of Zorro). I am indeed a dedicated fan of the character--"t" is my own first initial--and would not steer you wrong on this.

The GREEN HORNET Strikes Again!

[–] frontrowkid2002 10 years ago

I can't say for sure why Gordon Jones was replaced as the Green Hornet, but his substitute Warren Hull had already played the Spider in two Columbia serials, and would also play Mandrake the Magician for Columbia. Perhaps Hull's physical appearance and delivery of dialogue better suited the role. Hull resembled Kane Richmond somewhat in appearance. Richmond played the Shadow in three Monogram features. I recall seeing Gordon Jones in more comedic roles as Roy Rogers' sidekick in films and as Mike the Cop on the Abbott and Costello TV show.