JohnHowardReid Each chapter has 2 reels, except the first which has 3. U.S. release: 10 June 1939. SYNOPSIS: After fifteen years in a federal penitentiary, convict #39013 escapes and begins a campaign of vengeance against Granville, his former partner, who is responsible for his conviction. 39013 makes Granville a prisoner, while, by means of a clever disguise, he himself takes Granville's place so successfully that no one knows of the change. The Daredevils of the Red Circle, three college athletes who are working in a sideshow on Granville's amusement pier, are enraged when 39013's plot to burn the pier results in the death of a small brother of one of them. Gene, Burt, and Tiny resolve to bring the perpetrator of this crime to justice, and make it their business to be on hand to stymie every plot 39013 attempts. In this they have an ally in Blanche, the granddaughter of the real Granville. NOTES: Republic's 14th serial commenced shooting on 28 March 1939 and finished on 28 April 1939. It was budgeted at $126,855 but came in well under at $126,118. Real locations included Rincon and Sea Cliff (near Santa Barbara) and the Standard Oil Company's factory in Baldwun Hills. COMMENT: One of Republic's best serials, I'm surprised this one isn't better known. True, it has a preposterous plot and risibly clichéd or stating-the-obvious dialogue — but don't they all? In its favor, it has a particularly top-notch cast. The only dim star among the principals is Charles Quigley, and he's still okay. David Sharpe is at his most personable, and whilst Bruce Bennett and Carole Landis are but half as colorful here as they were soon to become, it's still great to see them in action. Charles Middleton as usual is the perfect villain and has a vivid crew of henchmen including Raymond Bailey. Ridiculous as it is, the plot still manages to introduce a fair amount of atmosphere and wonderfully bizarre effects, what with sliding doors and panels, secret rooms and corridors — including a dungeon — equipped with peep-holes; and more importantly it serves as a peg for some wonderful action spots. Just about each episode contains at least three action highlights. Chapter 3 is a great example. It starts off in fine style with a recap of the stunning factory action which was the cliff-hanger in the previous episode, with the hero getting out of his quandary in a both a logical and action=full manner. We get back to the Granville mansion to look in on the villain at his peep-hole and then do his transformation act in the dungeon — complete with skillful double exposure so that Mander is able to talk to himself — which is quickly followed by a speeding car chase, including a nice bit of stunt-work, and then capped by some excitingly staged fisticuffs. The villain then puts down one of his henchman in spectacular fashion. Our heroes, alerted by the mysterious Red Circle, find themselves trapped in a gas-filled garage for an intriguing fade- out.Direction and technical credits are first-rate.

dbborroughs Story of Three circus daredevils who take on the evil 39013 an escaped convict who seeks to destroy the possessions of Horace Granville the man responsible for sending him to jail.Considered by man to be one of Republics Finest hours it certainly has a sterling cast that includes Charles Quigley, Herman Brix, Miles Mander and Charles Middleton in one of his best villain roles. Frankly the cast alone is reason enough to see this. The action in the serial is top notch and most if not all of the cliffhangers were reused several times by the studio in serials that followed this one. The action is balanced by a good story which doesn't really repeat itself again and again.Actually the problem with the serial is not so much the plot being repeated but the locations. My lack of love for the serial (I'm not a lover of it, I like it) comes from the fact that the film is constantly using industrial locations for its cliffhangers. It seems to be that most of the locations seem to be warehouses or factories or something industry related. Its in keeping with the plot, but at the same time I'd have liked to see something else.That said this is a really good action serial that should be seen if you want to see one thats near the top of the pile.

whpratt1 In the Year 1939 you would have to visit the movie theater for about twelve weeks in a row in order to find out the complete ending to this film. This film involves three Circus Stuntmen who are acrobats and one of their brothers is killed which is caused by #39013, Harry Crowel in revenge for Horace Granville sending him to jail who was his former partner in his business. Carole Landis, (Blanche Granville)"I Wake Up Screaming" is the daughter to Horace Granville and finds out about a wicked scheme that #39013 has planned against her farther and if she tells her father will die. There is plenty of action, secret doors, secret panels and plenty of bombs being set off, with water rushing through tunnels and more and more. Great Classic film from 1939, this one you will really enjoy.

zorro-41 I remember seeing this as an eight year old kid back at the Amo Theater in Detroit. I see it now every six months and it still thrills me to see the best of Republic at work. The principle actors are all most enjoyable. Charles Middleton is supurb once again as the nasty villan. The one episode that has really stuck with me all my 71 years is the outstanding tunnel scenes. Everytime I'm in San Francisco and take the BART under the Bay waters I think of that episode and get a little relived when I reach the other side. Al Guzman Las Vegas, NV