The Purple Monster Strikes (1945)

A Martian spacecraft crash-lands near the observatory of Cyrus Layton, designer of Earth's first spaceship. The survivor, forerunner of an invasion, can assume the form of any earthman. ... See full summary »

Directors:

Spencer Gordon Bennet, Fred C. Brannon

Writers:

Royal K. Cole (original screenplay), Albert DeMond (original screenplay),

Stars:

Dennis Moore, Linda Stirling, Roy Barcroft

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dennis Moore	...	Craig Foster
Linda Stirling	...	Sheila Layton
Roy Barcroft	...	The Purple Monster
James Craven	...	Dr. Cyrus Layton
Bud Geary	...	Hodge Garrett
Mary Moore	...	Marcia [Chs. 11-13]
John Davidson	...	Emperor of Mars [Chs. 2, 10-11]
Joe Whitehead	...	Carl Stewart
Emmett Vogan	...	Saunders [Chs. 3-4]
George M. Carleton	...	Dr. Paul Meredith [Ch. 9]
Kenne Duncan	...	Charles Mitchell [Chs. 1-2, 10]
Rosemonde James	...	Helen / Maria posing as Helen [Chs. 11-12]
Monte Hale	...	Dr. Harvey [Chs. 13-14]
Wheaton Chambers	...	Prof. Benjamin [Ch. 11]
Fred Howard	...	Prof. Crandall (as Frederick Howard)

Storyline

A Martian spacecraft crash-lands near the observatory of Cyrus Layton, designer of Earth's first spaceship. The survivor, forerunner of an invasion, can assume the form of any earthman. Calling himself the "purple monster," the humanoid invader sets about gaining control of Layton's rocket project. Opposing him is Craig Foster, former Secret Service man, who episode by episode tries to thwart the monster's attempts to acquire rocket components. Will Craig ever suspect that his closest associate is really the monster?

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Plot Keywords:

spaceship | martian | observatory | color in title | impostor | 

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Taglines:

See the ATOMIC Ray Machine Destroy All Before It!

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 August 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

D-Day on Mars

Filming Locations:

Griffith Park Observatory, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

209 min 209 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. The Man in the Meteor
• 2. The Time Trap
• 3.Flaming Avalanche
• 4.The Lethal Pit
• 5. Death on the Beam
• 6. The Demon Killer
• 7. The Evil Eye
• 8. Descending Doom
• 9. The Living Dead
• 10.House of Horror
• 11.Menace From Mars
• 12.Perilous Plunge
• 13.Fiery Shroud
• 14.The Fatal Trail
• 15.Take-Off To Destruction

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Quotes

Purple Monster: You are Dr. Cyrus Layton. We've watched the progress of your work and have come to you for help. My own projectile, you see, has no provision for a return journey. I am anxious to see the plans for your jet plane.

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Connections

Edited into D-Day on Mars (1966)

User Reviews

mary moore

A piece of trivia about the Purple Monster Strikes. The alien girl who comes to Earth to assist the Purple Monster (Roy Barcroft) was played by Mary Moore, who had been married to Clayton Moore, who was playing second leads and stunt man roles at Republic. Moore said in his biography that he and Mary were married 8/19/1940 and only stayed together for about a year. Apparently they were too focused on their careers at that time. At the time of separation, Moore said he had possession of the dog he had given to Mary and she wanted it back. When the dog did not respond to her calls, Moore said he paid her $25, which was what the dog cost when he bought it and she left the apartment. In 1945, she must have still been using her married name judging by the credits. In the fight scene she does with Linda Stirling, she was doubled by stuntwoman Polly Burson. A humorous anecdote about the serial was told by the star Roy Barcroft. Barcroft recalled having to "skinny down" his big frame to fit into the Purple Monster costume. At the time, he was living in the Los Angeles suburb of Jackson Heights. He referred to himself as "The Jerk in Tights from Jackson Heights." Regardless, this serial and Manhunt of Mystery Island (where he played the evil Captain Mephisto) are two of his best known and best loved serials for Republic.