Federal Operator 99
Encyclopedia
Federal Operator 99 is a 1945 Republic
film serial
.
Cline writes that this was a "somewhat uncharacteristic" serial for Republic due to its sophisticated villains, Lewis the frustrated pianist and his "confidant" (Cline's quotes) played by Gray, and an "obviously cultured, polished hero."
was $153,737 (a $10,117, or 7%, overspend). It was the cheapest Republic serial of 1945.
It was filmed between 18 January and 14 February 1945. The serial's production number was 1497.
The serial was re-released on 8 October 1956 between the similar re-releases of King of the Rocket Men
and Dangers of the Canadian Mounted
. The last original Republic serial release was King of the Carnival
in 1955.
Source:
Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures was an independent film production-distribution corporation with studio facilities, operating from 1934 through 1959, and was best known for specializing in westerns, movie serials and B films emphasizing mystery and action....
film serial
Serial (film)
Serials, more specifically known as Movie serials, Film serials or Chapter plays, were short subjects originally shown in theaters in conjunction with a feature film. They were related to pulp magazine serialized fiction...
.
Cast
- Marten Lamont as Jerry Blake, Federal Operator 99
- Helen Talbot as Joyce Kingston
- George J. LewisGeorge J. LewisGeorge J. Lewis was a Mexican-born actor who appeared in many films and eventually TV series from the 1920s through the 1960s, usually specializing in westerns...
as Jim Belmont, a sophisticated villain - Lorna GrayLorna GrayLorna Gray is an American film actress, known for her comic roles and later as a villainess. She is best known for her role as Mattie Herring in the 1940 Three Stooges film You Nazty Spy!-Career:...
as Rita Parker, Belmont's partner in crime - Hal Taliaferro as Matt Farrell
- Bill Stevens as Agent Fred Martin
Cline writes that this was a "somewhat uncharacteristic" serial for Republic due to its sophisticated villains, Lewis the frustrated pianist and his "confidant" (Cline's quotes) played by Gray, and an "obviously cultured, polished hero."
Production
Federal Operator 99 was budgeted at $143,620 although the final negative costNegative cost
Negative cost is the cost of actually producing and shooting a film. It does not include such costs as distribution and promotion.Low-budget movies, for example The Blair Witch Project, can have promotional expenses that are much larger than the negative cost.The term comes from the costs up to the...
was $153,737 (a $10,117, or 7%, overspend). It was the cheapest Republic serial of 1945.
It was filmed between 18 January and 14 February 1945. The serial's production number was 1497.
Stunts
- Dale Van SickelDale Van SickelDale Harris Van Sickel was an American college football, basketball and baseball player during the 1920s, who later became a Hollywood motion picture actor and stunt performer for over forty years...
as Jerry Blake (doubling Marten Lamont) - Duke Green as Jim Belmont (doubling George J. LewisGeorge J. LewisGeorge J. Lewis was a Mexican-born actor who appeared in many films and eventually TV series from the 1920s through the 1960s, usually specializing in westerns...
) - Tom SteeleTom Steele (stuntman)Tom Steele was a stunt man and actor, best remembered for appearing in serials, especially those produced by Republic Pictures, in both capacities.-Early life:...
as Matt Farrell (doubling Hal Taliaferro) - Fred Graham
- Ken TerrellKen TerrellKen Terrell was an American western and action film actor and stuntman best known for playing Joe Marcella in the 1956 film The Indestructible Man. He died March 8, 1966 from arteriosclerosis-Partial filmography:...
Theatrical
Federal Operator 99s official release date is 7 July 1945, although this is actually the date the sixth chapter was made available to film exchanges.The serial was re-released on 8 October 1956 between the similar re-releases of King of the Rocket Men
King of the Rocket Men
King of the Rocket Men is a 1949 Republic movie serial, in twelve chapters, notable for introducing the "Rocketman Character" who reappeared under a variety of names in later serials Radar Men from the Moon, Zombies of the Stratosphere and the semi-serial Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the...
and Dangers of the Canadian Mounted
Dangers of the Canadian Mounted
Dangers of the Canadian Mounted is a Northern Republic film serial.-Cast:* Jim Bannon as Sergeant Chris Royal, RCMP* Virginia Belmont as Roberta "Bobbie" Page* Anthony Warde as Mort Fowler* Dorothy Granger as Skagway Kate...
. The last original Republic serial release was King of the Carnival
King of the Carnival
King of the Carnival is a Republic movie serial. It contains a substantial amount of stock footage from the earlier Republic serial Daredevils of the Red Circle. This was the last serial ever made by Republic and is often considered to be one of the worst produced by that company...
in 1955.
Television
Federal Operator 99 was one of twenty-six Republic serials re-released as a film on television in 1966. The title of the film was changed to FBI-99. This version was cut down to 100-minutes in length.Chapter titles
- The Case of the Crown Jewels (22min 8s)
- The Case of the Stolen Ransom (13min 20s)
- The Case of the Lawful Counterfeit (13min 20s)
- The Case of the Telephone Code (13min 20s)
- The Case of the Missing Expert (13min 20s)
- The Case of the Double Trap (13min 20s)
- The Case of the Golden Car (13min 20s)
- The Case of the Invulnerable Criminal (13min 20s) - a re-cap chapter
- The Case of the Torn Blueprint (13min 20s)
- The Case of the Hidden Witness (13min 20s)
- The Case of the Stradivarius (13min 20s)
- The Case of the Musical Clue (13min 20s)
Source: