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The first screen appearance of CAPTAIN AMERICA was in Republic Pictures 1944 serial-- called Return in the re-release years-- it starred middle aged doughboy Dick Purcell as the slugging avenger-- and it might have killed him because he died shortly after completing the rigorous shooting schedule.
He's got no ear wings, shield or an assistant named Bucky. In fact, he's not even Steve Rogers or in the army, but other than that it's a pretty entertaining serial.
