Black Dragons (1942)

During World War II a secret society of American industrialists, all fifth-columnists intent on sabotaging the war effort, are methodically murdered by the malevolent Monsieur Colomb (Bela Lugosi). It is only until detective Dick Martin is assigned to the case that everyone’s true motives and identities are revealed. When occult societies battled for the control of the world, the Green Dragon Society, of which the Nazi occultist Karl Haushofer was a member, was said to represent secret societies in the Far East including China and Japan. One of few movies about secret societies, such as the SS and the Green Dragon Society in World War Two.

Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island (1937)

Agent Mala, an intelligence operative, investigates sabotage on remote Clipper Island in the South Pacific. A gang of spies causes the eruption of a volcano, for which Mala is blamed. He convinces the native Princess Melani of his innocence and helps her ward off a takeover by rival High Priest and spy collaborator Porotu and discover the identity of spy ringleader H.K. A great retro-serial set on a mysterious island in the South Pacific. Starring Ray Mala as Mala, operative of the United States Intelligence Department undercover as a Pacific Dirigible Airlines radio operator. Also starring Rex the Wonder Horse and Buck the Dog.

Undersea Kingdom (1936)

THE UNDERSEA KINGDOM: THE MOVIE. This great 1936 serial, now an edited and digitally enhanced movie, is the story of Ray “Crash” Corrigan, Athlete and Navy Lieutenant, who joins Professor Norton in a Rocket Submarine to inspect an enigmatic location beneath the Atlantic Ocean. Following a suspicious earthquake, and detecting a series of signals, Professor Norton leads an expedition, including Crash and reporter Diana Compton, three sailors (Briny Deep, Salty, Joe) and their pet parrot Sinbad. Unknown to the expedition until it is underway and in trouble, Billy has stowed away on the Rocket Sub as well. Finding a lost kingdom they become embroiled in an Atlantean civil war between Sharad (with his White Robes) and the usurper Unga Khan (with his Black Robes) who wishes to conquer Atlantis and then destroy the upper world with earthquakes generated by his Disintegrator. Thus he will rule the world—unless he can be stopped in time! Great 30s Tesla death rays and other weird Atlantean technology. The original movie about Atlantis! Plus period trailers.

The Shadow vs International Crime (1937)

The Shadow vs International Crime (1937) stars Rod LaRoque as The Shadow., a man with mysterious powers that he acquired in Tibet. In the radio drama, which debuted in 1937, The Shadow was an invisible avenger who had learned, while “traveling through the Orient,” “the mysterious power to cloud men’s minds, so they could not see him.” This feature of the character was born out of necessity: time constraints of 1930s radio made it difficult to explain to listeners where The Shadow was hiding and how he was remaining concealed. Thus, the character was given the power to escape human sight. Voice effects were added to suggest The Shadow’s seeming omnipresence. To explain this power, The Shadow was described as a master of hypnotism, as explicitly stated in several radio episodes.

The Shadow Strikes (1937)

The Shadow Strikes (1937) stars Rod LaRoque as The Shadow., a man with mysterious powers that he acquired in Tibet. In the radio drama, which debuted in 1937, The Shadow was an invisible avenger who had learned, while “traveling through the Orient,” “the mysterious power to cloud men’s minds, so they could not see him.” This feature of the character was born out of necessity: time constraints of 1930s radio made it difficult to explain to listeners where The Shadow was hiding and how he was remaining concealed. Thus, the character was given the power to escape human sight. Voice effects were added to suggest The Shadow’s seeming omnipresence. To explain this power, The Shadow was described as a master of hypnotism, as explicitly stated in several radio episodes.