The Crimson Ghost (1946)

A criminal mastermind known as the Crimson Ghost is out to steal a device called the Cyclotrode, which can short-circuit all electrical currents on the planet.

Directors:

Fred C. Brannon, William Witney

Writers:

Albert DeMond (original screenplay), Basil Dickey (original screenplay)

Stars:

Charles Quigley, Linda Stirling, Clayton Moore

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Quigley	...	Duncan Richards
Linda Stirling	...	Diana Farnsworth
Clayton Moore	...	Louis Ashe
I. Stanford Jolley	...	Dr. Blackton [Ch. 11]
Kenne Duncan	...	Dr. Chambers [Chs. 1-2, 8]
Forrest Taylor	...	Prof. Van Wyck
Emmett Vogan	...	Anderson [Chs. 1-4]
Sam Flint	...	Maxwell
Joseph Forte	...	Prof. Parker (as Joe Forte)
Stanley Price	...	Count Fator [Chs. 11-12]
Wheaton Chambers	...	Wilson [Ch. 1]
Tom Steele	...	Henchman Stricker [Chs. 4, 7, 9]
Dale Van Sickel	...	Henchman Harte [Chs. 6-7]
Rex Lease	...	Bain
Fred Graham	...	Snyder [Chs. 1-2] / Zane [Ch. 8]

Storyline

The Crimson Ghost---attired in black hood and cloak, skull mask and surgical gloves---skulks to an abandoned mansion and informs his henchmen, Louis Ashe (Clayton Moore) and Bain (Rex Lease),of his plans to seize the Cyclotrode, a device invented by Dr. Chambers (Kenne Duncan), that is designed to detect-and-repel atomic bomb attacks. The Crimson Ghost intends to use the Cyclotrode as an offensive weapon for sabotage and extortion via its ability to stop any electrically-controlled mechanism.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | skull mask | atomic bomb | criminal | homosexual subtext | 

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Taglines:

FOR THE FIRST TIME!...An amazing answer to the atomic bomb explodes in a blaze of serial super-action! (original print ad)

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bud Geary wore the robes of the Crimson Ghost, but the voice that came out of the stationary skeletal mouth was that of I. Stanford Jolley, who was billed fourth in the cast. Another actor dubbed Jolley's character's response on the radio. Finally, a fourth actor played the Crimson Ghost's alter ego.

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Goofs

Chapter 11: "Double Murder". Not. There was no double murder or any murder. As the ongoing chapter shows it was self defense.

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Quotes

The Crimson Ghost: We've been tricked by cleverness!

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a colorized version.

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Connections

Featured in Special Effects: Anything Can Happen (1996)

User Reviews

Typical old serial.

I only watched this because of the Misfits. This is actually one of the better movies they wrote a song about(they also stole the skull). It's a decent action packed serial but I find it weird that this character was not in a horror movie. It was also highly disappointing that one episode was just characters telling us what has already happened. The ending was such a disappointment that I am seriously considering getting my Misfits tattoo removed. One reviewer said the end was "sudden" and that's a total lie. I completely saw it coming long in advance.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 October 1946 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cyclotrode X

Filming Locations:

Republic Studios - 4024 Radford Avenue, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$137,912 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

167 min (12 episodes) 93 min (colorized)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1