Captain America (1944)

At it's core, Captain America is about a man who grew up less fortunate and frail, in a working class neighborhood. He was given peak human strength and abilities, with the respect and understanding of what these gifts were, and  never lost sight of those to whom are without. Trying to find a balance and doing the right thing; Serving his country in the midst of war and later maintaining those core ideals in the new world. Even if its not always the most popular of opinions; Seeing both sides to an argument and still doing the right thing.
This is not that Captain America, in fact its not the story of Steve Rogers. Released by Republic Pictures in 1944, at the early set of the second world war, this Captain America is a costume vigilante  who exist in a world before the war, bestowed not with Olympic strength and abilities, nor shield. But we are introduced to Grant Gardner, a by day district attorney who drives around is his Buick Sedan with a pistol shooting criminals in his dark navy blue with red and white strip costume.
It was the most expensive serial of its time.

To begin, Captain America is the creation of Jack Kirby (artist) and Joe Simon (writer), from publisher of Timely comics, which eventually would became Marvel comics. The character was the first intellectual property given by these publishers to a studio and made for motion pictures. With several screenwriters of Republic Pictures carving out their own interpretation of the character.
Republic Pictures was known for its serials,  B-films and westerns. And casting good character  actors in their pool of talent would be easy. Republic pictures had contract working deals with Roy Rogers, John Wayne, Orson Wells at the time,  and their writing staff worked on serials for the Three Stooges and other Republic's bigger named projects. Purcell who had a long list of credits was cast in the title roll and was a little heavier set in this stage of his life, this was also Purcell's final project as shortly after production wrapped, Purcell died of a heart related condition, and did not live to the see the release of the series, which ironically is the project he is most remembered for.

This serial stood out from its contemporary in the fact that it was the first to reveal who is the master mind from the very first episode, as most serials set up the reveal in the climatic finale. Also being a Studio production;  the art design and large set pieces really gave a richer looking world for these characters to live in. The henchmen were plenty, and many working stunt men doubled as foil for Captain America to defeat and shoot.
 MGM and other studios adapted many of the practices created by Republic pictures, Character types like in the 60's Green Hornet and Batman can be attributed from Captain America. The Chief O'Hara and Commissioner Gordon  archetypes. The Lenore Case and D.A. Scanlon where the only known confidants in the heroes' pursuits.

After the studio's demise it consolidated and became Republic Corporations and eventually bought outright by CBS in 1967. It was during the time of  1963 did it began leasing out it backlot to other firms which was how CBS acquired Batman. and produced the 1966 movie.