Black Dragons (1942)

A cabal of American industrialists, all fifth-columnists intent on sabotaging the war effort, are methodically murdered by the malevolent Monsieur Colomb. It is only until detective Dick ... See full summary »

Director:

William Nigh

Writers:

Harvey Gates (original story), Harvey Gates (screenplay),

Stars:

Bela Lugosi, Joan Barclay, George Pembroke

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bela Lugosi	...	Dr. Melcher / Monsieur Colomb
Joan Barclay	...	Alice Saunders
George Pembroke	...	Dr. Bill Saunders
Clayton Moore	...	Dick Martin
Robert Frazer	...	Amos Hanlin
Edward Peil Sr.	...	Philip Wallace (as Edward Piel Sr.)
Robert Fiske	...	Ryder
Irving Mitchell	...	John Van Dyke
Kenneth Harlan	...	FBI Chief Colton
Max Hoffman Jr.	...	Kearney
Frank Melton	...	FBI Agent
Joseph Eggenton	...	Stevens
I. Stanford Jolley	...	The Dragon (as Stanford Jolley)

Storyline

A cabal of American industrialists, all fifth-columnists intent on sabotaging the war effort, are methodically murdered by the malevolent Monsieur Colomb. It is only until detective Dick Martin is assigned to the case that everyone's true motives and identities are revealed.

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Plot Keywords:

sabotage | nazi | embassy | fifth columnist | villain played by lead actor | 

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Taglines:

It's the picture that has the whole town shivering!

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Genres:

Thriller | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 March 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

Yellow Menace

Filming Locations:

Monogram Studios - 4376 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Banner Productions, Monogram Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

64 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is Bela Lugosi's only spy movie. At the time, he was addicted to morphine and suffering from very bad arthritis, and had to work to keep the money rolling in.

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Quotes

Monsieur Colomb: When a young woman's nerves commence to give way it is time she sought refuge in a strong man's arms.
Alice Saunders: I just ran into yours.
Monsieur Colomb: Mine might be dangerous.

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Connections

Referenced in Cinemassacre's Monster Madness: The Screaming Skull (2010)

User Reviews

Just Another Plastic Surgery Movie

Poor Bela Lugosi. Just another day at work. A group of saboteurs attempting to disrupt the American war effort from the inside. It's pretty hard to figure out at first because, while we know these guys are up to something, their method of operation just isn't very clear. I won't spoil it, but the ending in pretty amazing. There are a series of murders perpetrated by our hero. A police force that doesn't know what is going on. What a coincidence that all the victims seem to come and go from the same house. There are comments like, "A true patriot would do this or that." It's obvious while suspicion abounds most of the world wouldn't know a spy or a subversive if it jumped up and bit them. I also was surprised to see Clayton Moore (the Lone Ranger) in a romantic role. I never realized that he ever did anything other than sit on a horse. There is, of course, the smugness of the criminals as they think that they are immune from the killer's guest list. Anyway, Bela is sort of a good guy and a bad guy rolled into one. The best scene in the movie is at the end, but I won't spoil it. As a curiosity, and a period piece, it may be fun to watch for some people.