Perils of Pauline (1933)

A famous scientist and his beautiful daughter travel to Indochina to find an ivory disc that has the formula for a deadly gas engraved on it. An evil doctor and his gang are also looking for it.

Director:

Ray Taylor

Writers:

Charles W. Goddard (story), Ella O'Neill (screenplay)

Stars:

Evalyn Knapp, Craig Reynolds, James Durkin

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Evalyn Knapp	...	Pauline Hargrave
Craig Reynolds	...	Robert Ward (as Robert Allen)
James Durkin	...	Prof. Hargrave
John Davidson	...	Dr. Bashan
Sonny Ray	...	Willie Dodge
Frank Lackteen	...	Fang
Pat O'Malley	...	Tim Sullivan - Aviator [Chs. 5-7]
William Desmond	...	Prof. Thompson [Chs. 9-12]
Josef Swickard	...	Haggins - Foreign Consul [Ch. 9]
William Worthington	...	American Consul [Ch. 1]
Adolph Milar	...	Capt. Drake [Chs. 2-3] (as Adolph Millar)
James Wang	...	Foo Chow - Bashan's Henchman (as Jimmie Wong)

Storyline

Professor Hargrave (James Durkin), a noted scientist, is in Indo-China seeking an ivory-disc that is engraved with the formula for a deadly gas. Dr. Barshan ('John Davidson' (qb)), his assistant Wang (Frank Lackteen) and his henchmen are also after the sacred formula and will stop at nothing to obtain it. Professor Hargrave's daughter, Pauline (Evalyn Knapp), and flight-engineer Robert Ward (Craig Reynolds (I)') do their best to protect Hargraves from the band of villains.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | 1930s | southeast asia | ivory disc | indochina | 

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Taglines:

IT'S BIG! (original poster-all caps)

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Mystery

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

In Chapters: 8 and 9, the Dornier Do-X is the seaplane that Pauline and her father take to India and to the USA. The Dornier Do-X is the largest seaplane of its time. Historic newsreel footage is used of this seaplane.

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Goofs

In Chapter: 6, the 1931 PWS-20 high-wing airplane changes to a biplane when flying.

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Quotes

Professor Hargrave: I will explain. For years, I've been tracing an ancient secret, the possession of which would mean world power.
Robert Ward: That sounds interesting.

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Connections

Spoofed in The Sex Perils of Paulette (1965)

User Reviews

After four great chapters this settles in a routine rhythm that diminishes its greatness to just goodness

Early Universal serial concerns the quest for the two halves of a sacred disc on which is written a formula of great value. Beginning in China during a revolution the the adventure shifts to various locations around the world. To be honest the first four episodes of the this serial are four of the best in serial history. There is a sense of urgency and speed with which things move that keep things moving lively. The first chapters set in the city under siege are amazing, its large scale danger through which the heroes and villains move and its amazing. Unfortunately the need to find the disc and then get out of the city is lost once the story moves on to the jungle where the round and round about nature of the story becomes not much more than spinning wheels. It remains watchable thanks to the great cast, especially John Davidson as the villain. Also helping to keep it watchable is some great location footage thats added in for color. Worth a look.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 November 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

O tafos tou Indou

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

231 min (12 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1