Bruce Gentry

The serial was written for the screen based on the newspaper strip by Ray Bailey, that had few newspapers running it, but should have had more just based on the negligee panels . The character was also used in eight comic books published from January, 1948 through July, 1949. Bottom-line" "Bruce Gentry" was based on the most minor of comic-strips utilized by Columbia over the years, and the rights came real cheap.

"Bruce Gentry", (or "Bruce Gentry-Daredevil of the Skies" if one thinks the descriptive line added to the titles on Sam Katzman-produced serials for Columbia was part of the title...and some sources seem to think so), has the not-so-famed aviator Bruce Gentry (Tom Neal), working with scientist Andrew Benson (Forrest Taylor), setting out to uncover the origin of a deadly secret weapon---an electronically controlled flying disc which can be directed at moving or stationary targets. Cheesy (uncredited on the film) special effects of the discs hitting mostly-stationary targets abound.

This disc was master-minded by an enemy agent known only as "The Recorder" because...he speaks entirely via recordings. Makes sense...the name fits, use it.

Aided by rancher Frank Farrell (Ralph Hodges) and his sister Juanita "Nita" Hodges (Judy Clark), Gentry consistently foils "The Recorders" schemes, which are carried out (or, at least, attempted) by "The Recorder's" henchman, Krendon (Tristram Coffin), Allen (Jack Ingram)and Chandler (Terry Frost)...and stunt doubles Eddie Parker, Dale Van Sickel and George DeNormand.

Various models and modifications of flying discs appear throughout the serial up to chapter 15, when Gentry unmasks "The Recorder." It is who any viewer(after about chapter three) thinks it is, and who Gentry would have thought it was if he had ever thought about who he confided his plan of action to the most, especially since Krendon, Allen and Chandler (and others) were waiting for him when he got to where he told this person he was going.

Well, actually, after Gentry unmasks the leader, Henchman Krendon breaks his bonds long enough to unleash one of the deadly discs (Model T)against the Panana Canal. Nothing Bruce can do but race to his plane, take off in pursuit and hope he can destroy it before it hits the Panama Canal. Since this is Chapter 15 ("The Final Disc"), the suspense of the chase is somewhat foregone. Dang, did I just supply one of those dreaded S....ers.

No better and no worse than any of the Katzman-produced Columbia serials, and Tom Neal(at his Clark Gable best)doesn't hurt it any.