The Spider's Web (1938)

A crime fighter known as The Spider battles a villain called The Octopus, who is out to sabotage America and install his own government.

Directors:

James W. Horne, Ray Taylor

Writers:

Robert E. Kent (screenplay), George H. Plympton (screenplay),

Stars:

Warren Hull, Iris Meredith, Richard Fiske

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Warren Hull	...	Richard Wentworth / The Spider / Blinky McQuade
Iris Meredith	...	Nita Van Sloan
Richard Fiske	...	Jackson
Kenne Duncan	...	Ram Singh (as Kenneth Duncan)
Forbes Murray	...	Police Commissioner Stanley Kirk
Donald Douglas	...	Jenkins (the Butler)
Marc Lawrence	...	Steve Harmon
Charles C. Wilson	...	Chase (as Charles Wilson)
John Tyrrell	...	Henchman Grafton
Eugene Anderson Jr.	...	Johnnie Sands (as Gene Anderson Jr.)
Ann Doran	...	Mason's Secretary
Paul Whitney	...	Gray (the Banker)
Beatrice Curtis	...	Kate Sands
Gordon Hart	...	J. Mason
Byron Foulger	...	Allen Roberts

Storyline

A crime fighter known as The Spider battles a villain called The Octopus, who is out to sabotage America and install his own government.

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Plot Keywords:

crime fighter | spider | criminologist | b movie | newspaper story | 

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Taglines:

TANGLING WITH THE UNDERWORLD'S MOST FRIGHTFUL FIEND! (original lobby card-all caps)

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Genres:

Crime | Action | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 October 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Spider: Master of Men

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

300 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The death-ray footage used in chapters 11 and 12 is taken from Air Hawks.

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Connections

Followed by The Spider Returns (1941)

User Reviews

Columbia's Best Serial

This serial is as action packed a serial you will ever find from start to finish with wonderful performances all around especially Warren Hull who essays three roles brilliantly. Add Keene Duncan's turn as Ram Singh one has a hall of fame serial. The music adds to the excitement. The Octopus is a masked villain set on destruction and Richard Wentworth sceretly The Spider and Blinky McQuade leads a loyal group in an effort to stop him. For 15 pulse pounding episodes The forces of evil are attacked by a hero who shoots first and asks questions later, The Spider.

I hope one day Sony sees fit to release this serial because it matches Republic's best. It was ranked by The Serial Squadron 10th best out of 266 sound serials.