LOST CITY OF THE JUNGLE
13 CHAPTER SERIAL
1946
Lionel Atwill died halfway through filming. As Universal could not afford to throw out the footage already filmed, they were forced to adapt the serial. First, another villain (Malborn, played by John Mylong, who was originally just a servant of Sir Eric) was introduced as Atwill's boss in order to take over most of the villain requirements of the film. Secondly, due to the disjointed way serials were filmed, Atwill is seen intermittently throughout the proceedings. Therefore, George Sorrel was used to complete Atwill's remaining scenes, usually with his back to the camera. The villain's henchmen were filmed repeating their orders back to the (silent) double and footage of Atwill was edited in to show a response.
PLOT:
The plot is a rehash of the previous year's Secret Agent X-9, with Atwill playing the mastermind villain, Sir Eric Hazarias, a foreign spy chief and his search for a rare element that can be used as defense against the atomic bomb. War monger Hazarias has traced the element, dubbed Meteorium 245, to the Himilian province of Pendrang, ruled over by Indra. He fakes his own death and shows up in Pendrang as philanthropist Geoffrey London along with his servant Malborn. They start an archaeological dig for the legendary Lost City of Pendrang as a cover for their search for Meteorium. Meanwhile, United Peace Foundation operative Rod Stanton arrives in Pendrang soon after having trailed Hazarias there with a two fold mission, prove London is really Hazarias and find out what he is looking for...
CAST:
Russell Hayden ... Rod Stanton
Jane Adams ... Marjorie Elmore
Lionel Atwill ... Sir Eric Hazarias
Keye Luke ... Tal Shan
Helen Bennett ... Indra
Ted Hecht ... Doc Harris
John Eldredge ... Dr. Elmore
John Mylong ... Malborn
John Miljan ... Dr. Gaffron
John Gallaudet ... Prof. Grebb
George Lynn ... Henchman Marlow
Dick Curtis ... Henchman Johnson
Arthur Space ... 'System' Reeves
Frances Chung ... Lakana Shan
Gene Stutenroth ... Police Capt. Hammond
Ralph Lewis ... Kurtz
Clarence Lung ... Chief Tonga
CHAPTERS:
1. Himalaya Horror
2. The Death Flood
3. Wave Length for Doom
4. The Pit of Pendrang
5. Fiery Danger
6. Death's Shining Face
7. Speedboat Missing
8. Fire Jet Torture
9. Zalabor Death Watch
10. Booby Trap Rendezvous
11. Pendrang Guillotine
12. Jungle Smash-up
13. Atomic Vengeance
RUNNING TIME: 165 MIN