Spy Smasher: a Republic serial (film serial review).
The 1942 Republic 12-part film serial, “Spy Smasher,” begins with immediate action. The agent, in disguise, is in France gathering information when he is captured, unmasked, and tortured by the Nazis. To save 20 French civilians from being executed, he pretends to face a firing squad, allowing his escape via a coffin.
Upon returning to the USA, the agent dons his mask again to pursue a Nazi spy known as The Mask (played by Hans Schumm), who occasionally wears a handkerchief with eyeholes over his face. The audience learns that Spy Smasher’s alter ego, Alan Armstrong (played by Kane Richmond), has a twin brother, Jack. Both brothers are needed to rescue Admiral Corby (played by Sam Flint) and his daughter Eve (played by Marguerite Chapman) after a secret file is stolen.
Despite engaging in numerous fights, Spy Smasher’s cape, surprisingly, does not hinder him, staying true to the Quality Comics version of the character. Spy Smasher is not invincible; he gets knocked out several times. Interestingly, without revealing too much, an ally of Spy Smasher sacrifices his life to save him in a situation where the ally could have saved himself.
Compared to other film serials I’ve watched this year, “Spy Smasher” features more hand-to-hand combat, making it a stunt actor’s dream. Each episode begins by not only recapping the final scenes of the previous episode but also revealing how Spy Smasher escaped peril.
Without giving away too much, it’s noteworthy that Spy Smasher never actually meets The Mask, even when thwarting him. Although the serial boasts five writers, it seems unlikely they collaborated; instead, they probably divided the episodes among themselves to keep up with the production schedule. The story moves at a brisk pace, likely delighting audiences of that era, and continues to entertain today, provided one doesn’t overanalyze it.
The DVD version is divided into two sections, each containing six chapters. For viewers like me, who watch only a couple of episodes per night, it’s important to note where you left off when you resume viewing.
GF Willmetts
September 2023
(1 DVD 1 30 minute episode 11 * 16 minute episodes)
cast: Kane Richmond, Sam Flint, Marguerite Chapman, Hans Schumm and Tristram Coffin
