O Segredo da Ilha Misteriosa

Captain Mephisto wanders Mystery Island once more. Mephisto is the secret identity of some on unknown person physically altered by sitting in a special chair and having it completely change him into another actor (the wonderful Roy Barcroft). The real identity of Mephisto is one of his descendants who id using the change into his ancestor as a cover. Battling Mephisto is Linda Sterling who is trying to locate her father who one of several scientists kidnapped by Mephisto in order for him to make super weapons for him. One of the more fun Republic serials. What can I say there is something about Roy Barcroft wandering around in full pirate regalia that just makes you smile no matter how hard you try not to. Add to it the wild weapons and great action and you have a really good time at the movies. (I forgot to mention that this is one of the last Republics that had a sense of being unique from start to finish. It wasn't long after this that the studio began to make serials, that while good, were pretty much interchangeable with each other thanks to an assembly line means of production.) Recommended.

Top of the line serial from Republic. Great cliffhanger endings, flagging only slightly in later chapters. Bailey is an effective (if slightly dorky looking) hero, Linda Stirling is lovely and gets involved in the action (although she does get knocked cold every other chapter), and Duncan is an effective henchman. Roy Barcroft, as Captain Mephisto, steals the show. Barcroft considered this role his best and personal favorite, and it's easy to see why: he obviously relishes his villainy, looks great in the costume, and throws himself into the fights. All around classic from the Republic thrill factory.

A scientist working on a remote control invention is kidnapped and brought to an island, by a mysterious Captain Mephisto, who used to be governor of the island in days when it was a penal colony. In reality, Mephisto is one of the four ruling members of the island who uses a transformation chair which changes the enigmatic member into the evil pirate. Investigator Lance Reardon, who along with the scientist's daughter Claire Forrest, searches out the captive scientist in this thrilling chapterplay. In 1945, serials were on the way out, but this easily ranks up with any from the golden age of the genre. Co-director Yakima Canutt adds plenty of action and the far fetched plot surprisingly becomes incredibly intriguing. 15 episodes. In terms of serials, 10 out of 10.

Caught this one on TV in its TV-movie form in 1966, now it is in my collection. Roy Barcroft considered this one his favorite, I can see why, he gets to play a villain who can disappear into a completely different body, how's that for a disguise. Contains one of the all time great villain's quotes. Captain Mephisto explains to the Kenne Duncan character how he transforms from his secret identity into Captain Mephisto. When the latter responds, "Oh I understand" Captain Mephisto says "If I thought you understood I'd kill you!" How's that for villainy? Top stuntman Dale Van Sickel doubling for Roy Barcroft, the usual top notch stunt work by the Lydecker brothers, non stop action, an intriguing if far fetched plot. About the only complaint I have is that I've never seen it on the Big Screen.

I am not surprised when I read that the great Roy Barcroft said that his character as Captain Méphisto was his all time favourite. This is a top serial, in serial history book. One of the best Republic ones, if you consider the post William Witney era. What a serial Bill Witney would have done with such material... But this one is awesome, even without Witney. Don't forget that there were three directors in charge, three serial vets: Wallace Grissel, Yakima Canutt - the fabulous stuntman - and the best serial director ever, besides again William Witney: Spencer Gordon Bennett.

A pure gem.

Speaking of the serials, this one illustrates the fact that, in such features, the stuntmen were SO IMPORTANT that they were not chosen because they looked like the lead actor, but on the contrary; the actors were chosen because their resemblance to the stuntmen!!!

And it seems that in some serials, the stuntmen themselves were the heroes. They were both the lead characters and their own doubles during the fights. And what fights!!! I think of Dale Van Sickel, in a serial which I don't remember the title.

Back to this one, what a great moment to see the legendary Linda Stirling and Roy Barcroft together...

Whao !!!