Secret Agent X-9 (1937)

A secret agent goes after the gang that stole the crown jewels of a European monarchy.

Directors:

Ford Beebe, Clifford Smith

Writers:

Charles Flanders (news feature), Wyndham Gittens (story),

Stars:

Scott Kolk, Jean Rogers, David Oliver

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Scott Kolk	...	Agent Dexter (X-9)
Jean Rogers	...	Shara Graustark
David Oliver	...	Pidge
Monte Blue	...	Baron Michael Karsten
Henry Brandon	...	Blackstone
Larry J. Blake	...	Chief FBI Agent Wheeler (as Larry Blake)
Henry Hunter	...	FBI Agent Tommy Dawson (C-5)
George Shelley	...	Henchman Packard
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	Maroni (primary henchman)
Si Jenks	...	'Jolly Roger' ticket barker [Chs. 1, 4, 7-9]
Lynn Gilbert	...	Rose, gang moll [Chs. 2, 6-7, 12]
Robert Dalton	...	Thurston
Leonard Lord	...	Ransom (dissident henchman) [Chs. 1-6]
Ben Hewlett	...	Scarlett (primary henchman) (as Bentley Hewlett)
Bob Kortman	...	'Trader' Delaney [Chs. 7-9, 11-12] (as Robert Kortman)

Storyline

In Chapter One (Modern Pirates), the G-Men learn that "Brenda", notorious jewel thief, is heading for the United States, to steal the Belgravian crown jewels currently on exhibit. The gems are placed on a ship bound for Belgravia, the guard is murdered and the jewels stolen. Secret Agent X-9 trails Blackstone, one of the gang, who hides the gems in a safe deposit vault of a bank. He takes the bank receipt to an art shop, where Marker, an accomplice, conceals it between an oil painting and its frame. X-9 arrests Blackstone and pursues Marker, and leaps into the speedboat Marker is getting away in. The speedboat crashes in to a buoy...see Chapter Two at this theatre next week. Shara Graustark) and Baron Michael Karsten, embassy attaché responsible for the jewels, show up next week and the remaining chapters deal with the recovery of the jewels and the unmasking of the mysterious "Brenda". Charters 9 through 12 find Brenda masquerading as the Baron and this complicates things for X-9 and...

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Plot Keywords:

baron | gang | speedboat | secret agent | bank | 

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Taglines:

12 Exciting Chapters Of Thrill-A-Minute Action With Undercover Operators!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Mystery

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

Agente Secreto X-9

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

294 min 294 min (12 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA High Fidelity Sound)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Chapter Titles:

• 1. Modern Pirates
• 2. The Ray That Blinds
• 3. Man of Many Faces
• 4. The Listening Shadow
• 5. False Fires
• 6. The Dragnet
• 7. Sealed Lips
• 8. Exhibit "A"
• 9. The Masquerader
• 10.The Forced Lie
• 11.The Enemy Camp
• 12.Crime Does Not Pay

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Connections

Followed by Secret Agent X-9 (1945)

User Reviews

Much Better Than Expected!

This Universal serial was never much discussed by fans of the genre and was thought lost. Released on DVD and VHS by VCI in 2003, it at first was overshadowed by the also-rediscovered JUNGLE JIM. Now that the dust has settled most fans seem to prefer it to JIM, and some say it's among the best Universals, on a par with the three Flash Gordons. Henry Brandon's performance as the heavy is one of the most memorable in serials, and production values are above average for a serial. Entertaining and fun, it provides absolutely no food for thought.