G-men vs. the Black Dragon (1943)

American, British and Chinese secret agents battle the Japanese Black Dragon Society, a secretive ring that smuggles enemy agents into the U.S. disguised as mummies.

Directors:

Spencer Gordon Bennet, William Witney

Writers:

Ronald Davidson (original screenplay), William Lively (original screenplay),

Stars:

Rod Cameron, Roland Got, Constance Worth

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rod Cameron	...	Agent Rex Bennett
Roland Got	...	Agent Chang Sing
Constance Worth	...	Agent Vivian Marsh
Nino Pipitone	...	Oyama Haruchi
Noel Cravat	...	Ranga
George J. Lewis	...	Lugo (as George Lewis)
Maxine Doyle	...	Marie [Ch.8]
Donald Kirke	...	Muller -Pier 17 Thug [Ch.1]
Ivan Miller	...	Pier 17 Customs Inspector [Ch.1]
Walter Fenner	...	Williams - Financial Agent [Ch.1]
C. Montague Shaw	...	Prof. Nicholson [Ch. 3-4]
Harry Burns	...	Tony Mills [Ch. 4, 12-13]
Forbes Murray	...	James Kennedy [Ch. 12]
Hooper Atchley	...	Harrison J. Caldwell [Ch.5]
Robert Homans	...	Captain Gorman [Ch. 12-13]

Storyline

American, British and Chinese secret agents battle the Japanese Black Dragon Society, a secretive ring that smuggles enemy agents into the U.S. disguised as mummies.

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Plot Keywords:

agent | mummy | japanese | fake butler | chinese man | 

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Genres:

Adventure

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 January 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

Black Dragons of Manzanar

Filming Locations:

Republic Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

243 min 243 min (15 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Chapter Titles: 1) Yellow Peril, 2) Japanese Inquisition, 3) Arsenal of Doom, 4) Deadly Sorcery, 5) Celestial Murder, 6) Death and Destruction, 7) The Iron Monster, 8) Beast of Tokyo, 9) Watery Grave, 10) The Dragon Strikes, 11) Suicide Mission, 12) Dead On Arrival, 13) Condemned Cargo, 14) Flaming Coffin, 15) Democracy in Action

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Connections

Edited into Black Dragon of Manzanar (1966)

User Reviews

One of the Best of Republic's Serials

G-Men vs. the Black Dragon was the first of two serials released in 1943 starring Rod Cameron as Government Agent Rex Bennett. Loaded with action, it is one of the best of Republic's serials. There's at least two knock down drag out fights in every chapter, enhanced by Cameron's athletic prowess, which allowed him to be clearly a part of the fisticuffs (although he is clearly doubled in the more difficult stunts).

The story, set during WWII, involves the evil Japanese price Haruchi (Nino Pipitone) and his secret organization The Black Dragon, trying to sabotage American War efforts while planning an invasion of the U.S. Aided by his two henchmen Rango (Noel Cravat) and Lugo (George J. Lewis), The Black Dragon attempts to steal secret plans, blow up strategic installations and the like only to be thwarted at every turn by Bennett and his two assistants (Constance Worth, Roland Got).

All of the serial cliches are here, the exploding bridge, cars/trucks going over the cliff, warehouses blowing up, narrow last minute escapes etc. The stuntwork is excellent as always and the special effects created by the Lydecker Brothers are amazing for their time. Director William Witney keeps the action flowing and the fights a coming.

Cameron (before going on to bigger and better things) is excellent as Rex Bennett, who just can't seem to stay away from fist fights. Pipitone, Cravat, and Lewis add admirably to Republic's gallery of hissable serial villains. The only weakness in the cast are the wooden performances of Worth and Got as Bennett's assistants.

Still and all, G-Men vs. The Black Dragon represents one of the best examples of the lost art of Saturday matinee serials and should not be missed.