G-Men vs the Black Dragon
Encyclopedia
G-Men vs The Black Dragon (1943) is a Republic Pictures
Movie serial. It is noteworthy among adventure serials as containing an unusually high number of fistfights, all staged by director William Witney
and a team of stuntmen.
This was Witney's last production before leaving to serve in World War II
, he actually shipped out before filming was complete. It also sees Witney's wife, Maxine Doyle, returning to acting for the first time since they met on the set of an earlier serial, S O S Coast Guard (1937
).
Rod Cameron
's characterization of federal agent Rex Bennett was so successful that Republic hurriedly made changes to Cameron's next serial, already in production. It became an unofficial sequel, Secret Service in Darkest Africa
, with Cameron's character renamed Rex Bennett, and the feminine lead Joan Marsh
becoming a British character, as in G-Men vs. the Black Dragon.
In 1966 the serial was edited into a feature titled Black Dragon of Manzanar. It played on television as part of Republic's "Century 66" package of 100-minute serial adaptations.
infiltrate United States borders, Federal Agent Rex Bennett is enlisted by the government to capture them. As Oyama Haruchi, leader of the dangerous paramilitary group, begins to destabilize the United States war effort through sabotage and corruption, Bennett must team up with British special agent Vivian Marsh and Chinese special agent Chang Sing to stop them and help win the war.
, although the production team preferred to have a non-costumed character.
G-Men vs. The Black Dragon was budgeted at $148,445 although the final negative cost
was $156,599 (a $8,154, or 5.5%, overspend).
It was filmed between 26 September and 4 November 1942. The serial's production number was 1198.
This was director William Witney
's last production before leaving to serve in World War II
, he actually shipped out before filming was complete. Witney arranged for his wife, Maxine Doyle, to be auditioned for a part as he would be leaving her in the United States for the duration of the war. It was also arranged that she was the only candidate for the role, but this was not revealed to her until she arrived for the audition. The was her first time acting role since the couple met on the set of an earlier serial, S O S Coast Guard (1937
). This arrangement almost led to slight trouble in the relationship when Australian actress Constance Worth turned up at Witney's hotel room drunk. She was led away by a colleague before Maxine became aware of her presence.
Rod Cameron
's characterization of federal agent Rex Bennett was so successful that Republic hurriedly made changes to Cameron's next serial, already in production. It became an unofficial sequel, Secret Service in Darkest Africa
, with Cameron's character renamed Rex Bennett, and the feminine lead Joan Marsh
becoming a British character, as in G-Men vs. the Black Dragon.
. Many of the scenes were filmed so impressively that Republic reused them in later serials.
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....
Movie serial. It is noteworthy among adventure serials as containing an unusually high number of fistfights, all staged by director William Witney
William Witney
William Nuelsen Witney was an American film and television director. He is best remembered for the movie serials he co-directed with John English for Republic Pictures such as Daredevils of the Red Circle, Zorro's Fighting Legion and Drums of Fu Manchu.He directed many Westerns during his career,...
and a team of stuntmen.
This was Witney's last production before leaving to serve in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he actually shipped out before filming was complete. It also sees Witney's wife, Maxine Doyle, returning to acting for the first time since they met on the set of an earlier serial, S O S Coast Guard (1937
1937 in film
The year 1937 in film involved some significant events, including the Walt Disney production of the first full-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.- Events :*April 16 - Way Out West premieres in the US....
).
Rod Cameron
Rod Cameron
Rod Cameron was a Canadian-born movie actor whose career extended from the 1930s to the 1970s. He appeared in horror, war, action and science fiction movies, but is best remembered for his many Westerns....
's characterization of federal agent Rex Bennett was so successful that Republic hurriedly made changes to Cameron's next serial, already in production. It became an unofficial sequel, Secret Service in Darkest Africa
Secret Service in Darkest Africa
Secret Service in Darkest Africa is a Republic movie serial. It was Republic's thirtieth serial, of the sixty-six produced by the studio....
, with Cameron's character renamed Rex Bennett, and the feminine lead Joan Marsh
Joan Marsh
Joan Marsh was an American film actress.Marsh was the daughter of Charles Rosher. She made her first film appearance as an infant in the Universal Pictures film Hearts Aflame , billed as Dorothy Rosher...
becoming a British character, as in G-Men vs. the Black Dragon.
In 1966 the serial was edited into a feature titled Black Dragon of Manzanar. It played on television as part of Republic's "Century 66" package of 100-minute serial adaptations.
Plot
After Japanese spies from the infamous Black Dragon SocietyBlack Dragon Society
The was a prominent paramilitary, ultranationalist right-wing group in Japan.-History:The Kokuryūkai was founded in 1901 by Uchida Ryohei, and was descended from the Genyōsha. Its name is derived from the Amur River, called Heilongjiang or "Black Dragon River" in Chinese , read as Kokuryū-kō in...
infiltrate United States borders, Federal Agent Rex Bennett is enlisted by the government to capture them. As Oyama Haruchi, leader of the dangerous paramilitary group, begins to destabilize the United States war effort through sabotage and corruption, Bennett must team up with British special agent Vivian Marsh and Chinese special agent Chang Sing to stop them and help win the war.
Cast
- Rod CameronRod CameronRod Cameron was a Canadian-born movie actor whose career extended from the 1930s to the 1970s. He appeared in horror, war, action and science fiction movies, but is best remembered for his many Westerns....
as Agent Rex Bennett, American special agent - Roland Got as Agent Chang Sing, Chinese special agent
- Constance WorthConstance WorthConstance Worth was an Australian actress who became a Hollywood star in the late 1930s.-Early life and career:...
as Vivian Marsh, British special agent - Nino Pipitone as Oyama Haruchi, Japanese spy and leader of the Black Dragon Society
- Noel Cravat as Ranga, Haruchi's assistant
- 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 Lugo, Haruchi's assistant
Production
G-Men vs. The Black Dragon was commissioned based on the success of the serial Spy SmasherSpy Smasher (serial)
Spy Smasher is a Republic movie serial based on the Fawcett Comics character Spy Smasher, which is now the property of DC Comics. It was the 25th of the 66 serials produced by Republic. The serial was directed by William Witney with Kane Richmond and Marguerite Chapman as the leads.This serial...
, although the production team preferred to have a non-costumed character.
G-Men vs. The Black Dragon was budgeted at $148,445 although the final negative cost
Negative 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 $156,599 (a $8,154, or 5.5%, overspend).
It was filmed between 26 September and 4 November 1942. The serial's production number was 1198.
This was director William Witney
William Witney
William Nuelsen Witney was an American film and television director. He is best remembered for the movie serials he co-directed with John English for Republic Pictures such as Daredevils of the Red Circle, Zorro's Fighting Legion and Drums of Fu Manchu.He directed many Westerns during his career,...
's last production before leaving to serve in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he actually shipped out before filming was complete. Witney arranged for his wife, Maxine Doyle, to be auditioned for a part as he would be leaving her in the United States for the duration of the war. It was also arranged that she was the only candidate for the role, but this was not revealed to her until she arrived for the audition. The was her first time acting role since the couple met on the set of an earlier serial, S O S Coast Guard (1937
1937 in film
The year 1937 in film involved some significant events, including the Walt Disney production of the first full-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.- Events :*April 16 - Way Out West premieres in the US....
). This arrangement almost led to slight trouble in the relationship when Australian actress Constance Worth turned up at Witney's hotel room drunk. She was led away by a colleague before Maxine became aware of her presence.
Rod Cameron
Rod Cameron
Rod Cameron was a Canadian-born movie actor whose career extended from the 1930s to the 1970s. He appeared in horror, war, action and science fiction movies, but is best remembered for his many Westerns....
's characterization of federal agent Rex Bennett was so successful that Republic hurriedly made changes to Cameron's next serial, already in production. It became an unofficial sequel, Secret Service in Darkest Africa
Secret Service in Darkest Africa
Secret Service in Darkest Africa is a Republic movie serial. It was Republic's thirtieth serial, of the sixty-six produced by the studio....
, with Cameron's character renamed Rex Bennett, and the feminine lead Joan Marsh
Joan Marsh
Joan Marsh was an American film actress.Marsh was the daughter of Charles Rosher. She made her first film appearance as an infant in the Universal Pictures film Hearts Aflame , billed as Dorothy Rosher...
becoming a British character, as in G-Men vs. the Black Dragon.
Special effects
All the special effects in this serial were produced by Republic's in-house effects team, the Lydecker brothersLydecker brothers
-Partial filmography:*Darkest Africa *Women in War - Oscar nominated*Adventures of Captain Marvel *Flying Tigers - Oscar nominated*Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe...
. Many of the scenes were filmed so impressively that Republic reused them in later serials.
Stunts
- 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 Rex Bennett (doubling Rod Cameron) - Duke Taylor as Lugo (doubling George J. Lewis)
- 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:...
as Ranga & Chang Sing (doubling Noel Cravat and Roland Got) - 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...
(doubling Stanley Price) - John Daheim (doubling Crane Whitley and Harry Burns)
Theatrical
G-Men vs. The Black Dragons official release date is January 16, 1943, although this is actually the date the seventh chapter was made available to film exchanges.Television
G-Men vs. The Black Dragon was one of twenty-six Republic serials re-released as a film on television in 1966. The title of the film was changed to Black Dragon of Manzanar. This version was cut down to 100-minutes in length.Critical reception
In the words of Cline, both this serial and its sequel were "well-made topical drama with highly capable and professional casts." In a departure from the normal formula, the villain's identity is known to the audience.Chapter titles
- The Yellow Peril (25min 26s)
- Japanese Inquisition (15min 34s)
- Arsenal of Doom (15min 32s)
- Deadly Sorcery (15min 34s)
- Celestial Murder (15min 36s)
- Death and Destruction (15min 35s)
- The Iron Monster (15min 35s)
- Beast of Tokyo (15min 39s)
- Watery Grave (15min 31s)
- The Dragon Strikes (15min 34s)
- Suicide Mission (15min 35s)
- Dead on Arrival (15min 31s)
- Condemned Cargo (15min 34s)
- Flaming Coffin (15min 34s)
- Democracy in Action (15min 40s)
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