Captain Midnight
Context
Captain Midnight was a radio serial that started in 1938. It was about an heroic adventuring pilot and inventor. Captain Midnight became one of the big serials of the 1940s, and there were a number of spin-offs (including TV serials).
This profile is primarily based on the Fawcett comic book adaptation of the 1940s. But do note that this entry is very old, and thus doesn’t follow the writeups.org formats that emerged later.
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Background
- Real Name: Captain Armstrong.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Captain Midnight’s Secret Squadron.
- Base Of Operations: Nevada, but mobile.
Powers and Abilities
I gave him Vehicles of 10, not because I saw much evidence of extreme piloting skill, but instead because (1) Captain Midnight is known for being a pilot and (2) Captain Marvel says on the cover of Captain Midnight #1, “Meet Captain Midnight, greatest ace of them all !”, and Captain Marvel wouldn’t lie to me.
Of course, Blackhawk still has an 11, but Captain Marvel probably didn’t know about Blackhawk. 🙂
For the Nighthawk’s stats, I mostly copied Blackhawk’s plane’s stats.
His buddies consist of Chuck Ramsay, a kid who’s a decent pilot, mechanic, etc., Ichabod Mudd, a gangly awkward mechanic, and Joyce Ramsay, token female. These are the only members of the Secret Squadron that we know about, but if you get one of those Captain Midnight secret decoder rings, you too can be a member of his secret squadron and help him when need arises.
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History
I’ll quote from Captain Midnight #1. “Now you know the incredible truth ! ‘Meek’ Captain Albright is really CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT—grim champion of the American way of life ! With the world at peace, Captain Midnight vanished into the shadows ! But now [1942], there is war and CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT IS BACK !
“On a thousand hidden flying fields, his deadly secret squadron waits the word to strike again for freedom ! Shiver, you enemies of America ! Shiver at the dread sign of the Doom Beam flaming in your secret lairs ! Shiver at the black shadow of wings across the midnight moon ! CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT IS BACK !”
History
(Radio show version of the character)
The ending gong of midnight… the roar of the airplane engine, at first in the distance… then stronger as it sounds in a dive… this was Captain Midnight !
The Captain Midnight radio series had its beginnings in 1938 on Chicago radio station, WGN. Created by Robert M. Burtt and Willfred G. Moore, the creators of The Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen, the series was sponsored by the Skelly Oil Company.
In the beginning, “Captain Midnight” was simply an undercover name for Jim “Red” Albright, who regularly piloted cargo and passengers. As an undercover agent, Albright was trying to gather information on a gang of criminals.
However, by the end of the first run, ending in a summer hiatus, the Captain Midnight persona was beginning to stick. Many knew him only by that name. Captain Midnight was constantly trying to stop the plans of the evil Ivan Shark and his daughter Fury. Shark remained as Midnight’s evil nemesis throughout the length of the radio run.
Secret Squadron
Captain Midnight was helped in his efforts by Chuck Ramsey and Patsy Donovan (later, Joyce Ryan) who were members of his Secret Squadron. In the national versions, there was also Ichabod Mudd, Midnight’s mechanic. There were a number of different actors playing the various roles over the long run.
The series grew in popularity and was broadcast over the Mutual Network beginning in 1940 sponsored by Ovaltine.
Captain Midnight was one of the early series to offer exciting premiums. Young listeners could also be a part of the Secret Squadron by signing up usually via the premiums and receiving decoder badges, etc. Despite the adult sponsor, Skelly advertised by telling the kids to get their dads to the gasoline stations to get the premiums and, of course, Skelly products.
Ovaltine continued the premiums via their foil tops.
Eventually, the series moved from radio to film and finally to television. Many know the character from the television run starring Richard Webb. If you have an opportunity to view some of the old television shows, note the actor playing Tut, the scientist for the Secret Squadron. This is the great radio actor Olan Soule (Mr. Firstnighter, One Man’s Family, and others).
“Happy Landing…”
Description
In Captain Midnight #1, his costume consists of a red jumpsuit (with those pants with the weird bulges on the sides), blue belt, blue boots, blue gloves, and a blue aviator’s hood with goggles. His chest symbol is a winged clock whose hands are both at 12. The clock is white, the wings are yellow.
He wears at least two different costumes later on, as seen in Golden Age Greats #4, and another costume elsewhere (one which puts his chest symbol on his head) that I saw in an ad for Ovaltine.
Personality
Friendly guy who is very serious about fighting the enemies of America.
Quotes
“Let’s keep ’em flying !”
“Ovaltine— The heart of a hearty breakfast !”
DC Universe History
Technically, this character has never appeared in the DCU AFAIK. I don’t know if he made a cameo in The Golden Age.
However, as a Fawcett character, one can easily stick him into the DCU. In which case he would be a member of the All-Star Squadron, but probably an inactive one. Note that he was involved with a long crossover with Spy Smasher.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Captain Midnight
| Dex: 07 | Str: 04 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Upholding the Good |
| Int: 08 | Wil: 07 | Min: 07 | Occupation: “Soldier-inventor” |
| Inf: 06 | Aur: 06 | Spi: 06 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 023 | HP: 095 |
Skills:
Acrobatics: 04, Detective*: 08, Gadgetry: 11, Martial Artist*: 07, Military Science*: 08, Scientist (Drawing Plans)*: 08, Thief*: 07, Vehicles: 10, Weaponry*: 07
Advantages:
Buddy (Ichabod “Icky” Mudd), Buddy (Chuck Ramsay), Buddy (Joyce Ramsay; note: she is Joyce Ryan in the radio show), Sharp Eye.
Connections:
Captain Midnight’s Secret Squadron (High).
Drawbacks:
Secret Identity.
Equipment:
- Doom Ray [BODY 02, Heat Vision: 01.]
The Doom Ray is a flashlight sized device that fires an invisible beam which burns into its target the shape of a clock with both hands at 12. This frightens most crooks since they know that Captain Midnight must be near. It is mostly used to burn this symbol into walls or occasionally a victim’s clothing. Captain Midnight once used it on someone’s jacket, while Chuck Ramsay used it on the seat of a crook’s pants. - Glider-Chute [BODY 01, Gliding: 04, R#03].
The Glider-Chute is another one of Armstrong’s amazing inventions. It consists of flaps of cloth like a cape which attaches to the costume at the neck area and again at knee level, and allows him to glide long before a normal parachute would open]. - Blackout Bombs [BODY 01, Darkness: 05].
Whenever used, the narrator reminds us that these are Captain Midnight’s Famous Blackout Bombs. The Darkness effect only lasts for one round, and these bombs are mostly used so that Captain Midnight can make an entrance - Belt Line [BODY 02, STR 04, Length: 01.]
“A spring reel inside his special belt clicks out yards of silken cord with the strength of steel wire.” This later changes to “a wire-strong plastic-fiber rope”. - 3 AP ACD? Omni-Gadgets (x2).
- 8 AP ACD? Omni-Gadget (x 1). Examples of Captain Midnight’s Omni-Gadgets include :
- A switchblade knife hidden in the heel of his shoe.
- A radio compass that broadcasts its own location.
- Fireworks inside a briefcase that explode when the briefcase is opened.
- A spring-blade knife whose blade pops out the back of Cap’s belt.
- A tiny transmitter built into Cap’s belt.
- Another invention that I don’t consider an Omni-Gadget is his design of a radio-controlled bomber which falls under Scientist (Drawing Plans).
- THE NIGHTHAWK [STR 05, BODY 08, Projectile weapon: 08, Flight: 09, Radar Sense: 13, R#03.]
This is Captain Albright’s own plane. Makes me wonder about his Lockheed below, though. “Hey, is six hundred all this crate will do ??? I gotta tune up them motors better when we get back !!” - CAPTAIN ALBRIGHT’S LOCKHEED [STR 05 BODY 08, Projectile weapon: 08, Flight: 09, Radar Sense: 13, R#03.]
Captain Albright has added telescoping wings to cut down air resistance and increase speed and range. “With all the inventions the cap’n put on it, it can practically sing the star-spangled banner !!”
Source of Character: Fawcett Comics (Character has also appeared in other media, especially radio).