Secret Agent X-9 [Serial]

Rating:
Summary: Now available in both versions
Review: This is the second version of Secret Agent X-9, released by Universal in 1945 and not directly connected to the same serial from 1937. Max Allan Collins gives an informed, interest-holding commentary that can be played along with the first chapter and parts of the second. Among the details he gives is how King Features developed this strip to compete with Chicago Tribune's Dick Tracy, which he himself ended up writing at one point.

As the serial progresses thru its 13 chapters, we know from the beginning who the primary bad guys are. But among the other characters, we gradually learn who is on whose side. It takes place on Shadow Island off the coast of China. The island is designated neutral territory during WWII. It's pretty big on the map they show: probably about the size of China's Hainan Island although not the same shape.

Ethnic casting is a little off. Keye Luke does play a Chinese good guy, but there are other Chinese actors playing Japanese, and the facial features don't match. And the nefarious Dragon-Lady type arch villain is called Nabura: supposedly Japanese but wearing Chinese garb and apparently of southern European extraction (Victoria Horne). But we can suspend this disbelief.

And here is a chance to see a young Lloyd Bridges and later to hear Collins interview Beau, one of his equally famous sons.

The quality of the print is usually good. Some of the night scenes are hard to make out, and I don't know if that depends on my monitor. Most chapters are about 20 minutes long. But one detail makes me uneasy: Chapter 9 runs under 16 minutes. Are there four missing minutes that they were unable to find and restore?

Serial lovers: Be sure to include this and its 1937 counterpart in your collection.