Princess Aura

Last updated
Princess Aura
Priscilla Lawson and Buster Crabbe as Princess Aura and Flash Gordon (1936).jpg
Priscilla Lawson and Buster Crabbe as Princess Aura and Flash Gordon in Flash Gordon (1936)
Publication information
Publisher King Features Syndicate
First appearance Flash Gordon (1936)
First comic appearance Flash Gordon (1934)
(installment 4)
Created by Alex Raymond
In-story information
Team affiliations Ming the Merciless
Flash Gordon
Abilities
  • Genius-level intellect
  • Command of magic
  • Access to advanced technology

Princess Aura is a fictional character in the Flash Gordon comic strips and serials. [1] She has been portrayed by various actresses in the many Flash Gordon adaptations in film and television.

Contents

Princess Aura first appeared in a 1934 comic strip. Over time, she has been portrayed in films, television series, and animated shows. Aura initially tries to seduce Flash Gordon, but later falls in love with Prince Barin and marries him. In various adaptations, her character ranges from villainous to sympathetic, often defying her father, Ming the Merciless. Aura has been portrayed by actors such as Priscilla Lawson, Ornella Muti, and Anna Van Hooft, and voiced by Melendy Britt and Tracey Hoyt.

Character overview

Aura is the daughter of the series' villain, Ming the Merciless, but saves Flash Gordon from her father. She soon realizes that her love for Flash is unrequited, but later falls in love with Prince Barin, the rightful heir to the throne of Mongo. She and Barin are eventually banished to the forest world of Arboria.

Appearances

Comic strips

Princess Aura first appeared in the fourth installment of the 1934 comic strip Flash Gordon. She defies her father and saves Flash, but finds that she cannot seduce him away from Dale Arden. Aura later falls in love with Prince Barin and marries him.

Film

In 1936, Princess Aura was portrayed by Priscilla Lawson in the Flash Gordon film serial. [2] In 1940, the role was portrayed by Shirley Deane in the third Flash Gordon serial, Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe . [3]

In 1980, Princess Aura was portrayed by Ornella Muti in the film Flash Gordon produced by Dino De Laurentiis and is shown to have numerous lovers. [4] She saves Flash from death with the help of one of her lovers, a royal doctor who revives Flash after Ming tries executing him in a gas chamber.

Television

Melendy Britt provided the voice of Princess Aura in the 1979 Filmation animated series. [5] She was portrayed as Ming the Merciless' daughter, who at first assists her father in battling Flash and company, but turns against him and joins the rebel forces of Mongo. She also has an elite guard of female warriors under her command known as the Witch-Women. After Ming is removed from power, the Witch-Women remain in Princess Aura's service. Princess Aura also initially resents Dale Arden and rejects Prince Barin's affections, but would become the former's friend and the latter's love interest as the series progressed. Consequently, her attraction to Flash is downplayed and does not resurface after her desertion of her father.

In the 1996 Flash Gordon animated series, Princess Aura is a sympathetic character, who often defies her father because of her attraction to Flash, or for the sake of her mother. In this version, Aura has green skin, but is otherwise perfectly human, even though her father Ming is reptilian. [6] She is voiced by Tracey Hoyt.

Anna Van Hooft portrayed Princess Aura in the 2007 Flash Gordon television series. [7] [8] She is once again portrayed as a sympathetic character. Unlike the comic, she has a brother and her mother is alive. She vainly seeks her father's approval but Ming, like most other characters on the show, regards her with a mixture of pity and contempt. She also is in love with Flash and has a rivalry with Dale who looks down on her as a "royal little brat".

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flash Gordon</span> Comic strip protagonist created by Alex Raymond

Flash Gordon is the protagonist of a space adventure comic strip created and originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934, the strip was inspired by, and created to compete with, the already established Buck Rogers adventure strip.

<i>Flash Gordon</i> (serial) 1936 film serial

Flash Gordon is a 1936 superhero serial film. Presented in 13 chapters, it is the first screen adventure for Flash Gordon, the comic-strip character created by Alex Raymond in 1934. It presents the story of Gordon's visit to the planet Mongo and his encounters with the evil Emperor Ming the Merciless. Buster Crabbe, Jean Rogers, Charles Middleton, Priscilla Lawson and Frank Shannon portray the film's central characters. In 1996, Flash Gordon was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ornella Muti</span> Italian actress (born 1955)

Ornella Muti is an Italian actress. She made her film debut as Francesca Cimarosa in the 1970 film La moglie più bella.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dale Arden</span> Fictional character appearing in Flash Gordon

Dale Arden is a fictional character, the fellow adventurer and love interest of Flash Gordon and a prototypic heroine for later female characters, including Princess Leia and Padme Amidala in Star Wars. Flash, Dale and Dr. Hans Zarkov fight together against Ming the Merciless.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mongo (fictional planet)</span> Primary setting of the Flash Gordon franchise

Mongo is a fictional planet where the comic strip of Flash Gordon takes place. Mongo was created by the comics artist Alex Raymond in 1934, with the assistance of Raymond's ghostwriter Don Moore. Mongo is depicted as being ruled by a usurper named Ming the Merciless, who is shown as a harsh and oppressive dictator.

<i>Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe</i> 1940 US film serial directed by Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor

Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe is a 1940 American black-and-white science-fiction 12-chapter movie serial from Universal Pictures, produced by Henry MacRae and co-directed by Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor. The serial stars Buster Crabbe, Carol Hughes, Charles B. Middleton, Frank Shannon, and Roland Drew. It was written by George H. Plympton, Basil Dickey, and Barry Shipman, and was adapted from Alex Raymond's syndicated newspaper comic strip of the same name from King Features Syndicate. Shown theatrically in 12 separate weekly "chapters", it was the last of the three Universal Flash Gordon serials made between 1936 and 1940.

Dr. Hans Zarkov is a fictional character appearing in the Flash Gordon comic strip and the following serials, films, television shows and comic books. Zarkov is a brilliant scientist who creates a rocket and forces Flash and Dale Arden to come with him to the planet Mongo, and fight against Ming the Merciless. In the original comic strip, he was first thought to have died when his ship crashed into the planet Mongo. It is later revealed that Ming's minions pulled him out of the wreckage. Zarkov's character in the 1980s DC comic was handled the same way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ming the Merciless</span> Flash Gordon character

Ming the Merciless is a fictional character who first appeared in the Flash Gordon comic strip in 1934. He has since been the main villain of the strip and its related movie serials, television series and film adaptation. Ming is depicted as a ruthless tyrant who rules the planet Mongo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Vultan</span> Fictional character appearing in Flash Gordon

Prince Vultan is a fictional character in the Flash Gordon comic strip and its adaptations. Vultan is the ruler of the Winged Bird-Men, a race of flying extraterrestrials who dwell in Sky City, a metropolis that floats in the sky. He fits the archetype of the Viking: strong, hearty, and with a great appetite for life, food, drink, and women.

<i>Flash Gordons Trip to Mars</i> 1938 film

Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars is a 1938 Universal Pictures 15–chapter science-fiction movie serial based on the syndicated newspaper comic strip Flash Gordon. It is the second of the three Flash Gordon serials made by Universal between 1936 and 1940. The main cast from the first serial reprise their roles: Buster Crabbe as Flash Gordon, Jean Rogers as Dale Arden, Frank Shannon as Dr. Alexis Zarkov, Charles B. Middleton as Ming the Merciless, and Richard Alexander as Prince Barin. Also in the principal cast are Beatrice Roberts as Queen Azura, Donald Kerr as Happy Hapgood, Montague Shaw as the Clay King, and Wheeler Oakman as Ming's chief henchman. The serial was followed by Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (1940).

<i>Defenders of the Earth</i> 1986 animated television series

Defenders of the Earth is an American animated television series produced in 1986, featuring characters from three comic strips distributed by King Features Syndicate—Flash Gordon, The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, and Mandrake's assistant Lothar—opposing Ming the Merciless in the year 2015. Supporting characters include their children Rick Gordon, L.J., Kshin, and Jedda Walker.

Prince Barin is a character in the Flash Gordon stories. He is king of a region of Mongo called Arboria. Barin becomes one of Flash's best friends, and is deeply in love with Princess Aura. In his appearance, Barin resembles the character of Robin Hood.

<i>Flash Gordon</i> (film) 1980 film by Mike Hodges

Flash Gordon is a 1980 space opera superhero film directed by Mike Hodges, based on the King Features comic strip of the same name created by Alex Raymond. The film stars Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Ornella Muti, Max von Sydow and Topol, with Timothy Dalton, Mariangela Melato, Brian Blessed and Peter Wyngarde in supporting roles. The film follows star quarterback Flash Gordon (Jones) and his allies Dale Arden (Anderson) and Hans Zarkov (Topol) as they unite the warring factions of the planet Mongo against the oppression of Ming the Merciless, who is intent on destroying Earth.

<i>Flash Gordon</i> (1996 TV series) American animated TV series

Flash Gordon is a 1996 animated television series based on the sci-fi comic strip of the same name. The character, who had been around in the comics pages since Alex Raymond created him in 1934, had recently starred in several film serials, a 1980 feature film, and two earlier cartoon series — The New Adventures of Flash Gordon and Defenders of the Earth.

<i>The New Adventures of Flash Gordon</i> 1979 animated television series

The New Adventures of Flash Gordon, also known as The Adventures of Flash Gordon, is a 1979-1982 animated television series. The series is actually called Flash Gordon but the expanded title is used in official records to distinguish it from previous versions. Filmation produced the series in 1979, partly as a reaction to the mammoth success of Star Wars in 1977. The series was an homage to the original Flash Gordon comic strip and featured many of the original characters, including Flash's girlfriend Dale Arden, and the scientist Hans Zarkov. The series is still regarded as one of the most faithful adaptations, and one of Filmation's finest overall efforts.

Prince Thun is a fictional character who appeared in various forms of the Flash Gordon comic strip and film productions. He is a Lion Man of Mongo and one of Flash's most trusted friends. His Father is King Jugrid, ruler of the Lion Men, and one of the three mightiest rulers of Mongo.

Flash Gordon is a short-lived science fiction television series that debuted on Sci-Fi in the United States on August 10, 2007 and continued airing new episodes through February 8, 2008. It has also appeared on the British/Ireland variant of Sci-Fi and Space in Canada. The series was developed by Peter Hume, who served as executive producer/show runner and wrote the first and last episodes, among others.

<i>Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All</i> 1982 US animated science fiction-film

Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All is a 1982 animated television film produced by Filmation and written by Samuel A. Peeples. It was broadcast on NBC on August 21, 1982.

<i>Purple Death from Outer Space</i> 1966 American film

Purple Death from Outer Space is a 1966 American black-and-white science fiction film directed by Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor. It is the first of two feature-length compilations of the 1940 serial Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe. The second, Perils from the Planet Mongo, was released the same year.

<i>Flash Gordon Classic</i> 2015 film

Flash Gordon Classic is a 2015 animated fan film made by Robb Pratt. It is a remake of "The Tunnel of Terror", the second episode of the 1936 Flash Gordon serial.

References

  1. Conklin, Kevin (2009-12-08). "Princess Aura / Flash Gordon / Ornella Muti - AskMen". Uk.askmen.com. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  2. James, Diana E. (9 November 2011). Shared Walls: Seattle Apartment Buildings, 1900-1939 - Diana E. James. ISBN   9780786465965 . Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  3. Outer Limits: The Filmgoers' Guide to the Great Science-fiction Films - Howard Hughes . Internet Archive. 2014-05-30. p.  8 . Retrieved 2015-06-19. princess aura flash gordon.
  4. "The Den Of Geek interview: Flash Gordon's Ornella Muti". Denofgeek.com. 2007-11-19. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  5. Terrace, Vincent (10 January 2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010, 2d ed. - Vincent Terrace. ISBN   9780786486410 . Retrieved 2015-06-20.
  6. McLean, James (2006-07-26). "Flash Back: Filmation's Best Returns to DVD". toonzone.net. Archived from the original on 2013-02-22. Retrieved 2010-08-26.
  7. Terrace, Vincent (10 January 2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010, 2d ed. - Vincent Terrace. ISBN   9780786486410 . Retrieved 2015-06-20.
  8. Richmond, Ray (2007-08-09). "Flash Gordon remake a little ridiculous". Reuters.com. Retrieved 2015-06-20.