Secret Service in Darkest Africa
Encyclopedia
Secret Service in Darkest Africa (1943) is a Republic
movie serial. It was Republic's thirtieth serial, of the sixty-six produced by the studio.
It was a sequel to G-Men vs the Black Dragon
released earlier in 1943
, again starring Rod Cameron
as American secret agent Rex Bennett. This time Bennet faces the Nazis
rather than the Japanese. As with the earlier installment, Bennet is supported by characters from some of the allied nations in World War II
.
The serial is also known by the titles Manhunt in the African Jungles, changed when it was re-released in 1954, and The Baron's African War, when it was edited into a 100-minute film for television in 1966.
and defeat the Allies
, Nazi
agent Baron von Rommler (Lionel Royce) captures and impersonates Sultan Abou Ben Ali (also Lionel Royce), leader of all the Arab
s. Opposed to him is American Secret Service Agent Rex Bennett (Rod Cameron
), along with reporter Janet Blake (Joan Marsh
) and Chief of Police Captain Pierre LaSalle (Duncan Renaldo
).
(1939
, $213,997) and Captain America
(1944
, $222,906). While Captain America was also the most overbudget (by $40,283 or 22.1%), the second most overbudget Republic serial was another 1944 serial, Haunted Harbor
(by $37,757 or 22.2%).
At forty-five days, the serial's production also shares the title of the second longest shoot of all Republic serials with Jungle Girl
(1941
). The longest was Drums of Fu Manchu
(1940
) at forty-seven days. The serial's production number was 1295.
A car chase from this serial was re-used in Flying Disc Man from Mars.
The serial was re-released on 5 April 1954, under the new title Manhunt in the African Jungles, between the first runs of Trader Tom of the China Seas
and Man with the Steel Whip
.
. He considered as an example of the decline of serials. Spencer Gordon Bennet, the director of this sequel, is blamed for this lapse, giving the serial a style similar to the 1960s Batman television series
. Two scenes are highlighted. In the first, a duel goes into and then out of a wardrobe without stopping. In the second, the meaning of a clue is deduced with the following dialogue:
This style was toned down in future Bennet directed serials.
In the words of Cline, both this serial and its predecessor were "well-made topical drama with highly capable and professional casts." In a departure from the normal formula, the villain's identity is known to the audience.
Source:>
This was the only 15-chapter serial produced by Republic in 1943. The other two productions were both 12-chapter serials. It had been the standard since 1938 for Republic to release two of each (which they did again for the last time in 1944).
Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures was an independent film production-distribution corporation with studio facilities, operating from 1934 through 1959, and was best known for specializing in westerns, movie serials and B films emphasizing mystery and action....
movie serial. It was Republic's thirtieth serial, of the sixty-six produced by the studio.
It was a sequel to G-Men vs the Black Dragon
G-Men vs the Black Dragon
G-Men vs The Black Dragon is a Republic Pictures Movie serial. It is noteworthy among adventure serials as containing an unusually high number of fistfights, all staged by director William Witney and a team of stuntmen....
released earlier in 1943
1943 in film
The year 1943 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 3 - 1st missing persons telecast * February 20 - American film studio executives agree to allow the Office of War Information to censor films....
, again starring Rod Cameron
Rod Cameron
Rod Cameron was a Canadian-born movie actor whose career extended from the 1930s to the 1970s. He appeared in horror, war, action and science fiction movies, but is best remembered for his many Westerns....
as American secret agent Rex Bennett. This time Bennet faces the Nazis
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
rather than the Japanese. As with the earlier installment, Bennet is supported by characters from some of the allied nations in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The serial is also known by the titles Manhunt in the African Jungles, changed when it was re-released in 1954, and The Baron's African War, when it was edited into a 100-minute film for television in 1966.
Plot
In an attempt to control the entire Middle EastMiddle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and defeat the Allies
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
, Nazi
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
agent Baron von Rommler (Lionel Royce) captures and impersonates Sultan Abou Ben Ali (also Lionel Royce), leader of all the Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
s. Opposed to him is American Secret Service Agent Rex Bennett (Rod Cameron
Rod Cameron
Rod Cameron was a Canadian-born movie actor whose career extended from the 1930s to the 1970s. He appeared in horror, war, action and science fiction movies, but is best remembered for his many Westerns....
), along with reporter Janet Blake (Joan Marsh
Joan Marsh
Joan Marsh was an American film actress.Marsh was the daughter of Charles Rosher. She made her first film appearance as an infant in the Universal Pictures film Hearts Aflame , billed as Dorothy Rosher...
) and Chief of Police Captain Pierre LaSalle (Duncan Renaldo
Duncan Renaldo
Renault Renaldo Duncan , better known as Duncan Renaldo, was an American actor who portrayed The Cisco Kid in films and on the 1950-1956 American TV series, The Cisco Kid.-Early years:...
).
Cast
- Rod CameronRod CameronRod Cameron was a Canadian-born movie actor whose career extended from the 1930s to the 1970s. He appeared in horror, war, action and science fiction movies, but is best remembered for his many Westerns....
as Rex Bennett, USUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
agent. - Joan MarshJoan MarshJoan Marsh was an American film actress.Marsh was the daughter of Charles Rosher. She made her first film appearance as an infant in the Universal Pictures film Hearts Aflame , billed as Dorothy Rosher...
as Janet Blake, intrepid reporter and aviatrix - Duncan RenaldoDuncan RenaldoRenault Renaldo Duncan , better known as Duncan Renaldo, was an American actor who portrayed The Cisco Kid in films and on the 1950-1956 American TV series, The Cisco Kid.-Early years:...
as Captain Pierre LaSalle, head of the French police in CasablancaCasablancaCasablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
and code breakerCryptographyCryptography is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of third parties... - Lionel Royce as Baron von Rommler, a NaziNazismNazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
impersonating Arab leader Sultan Abou Ben Ali - Kurt KreugerKurt KreugerKurt Kreuger was a Swiss-reared German actor. Kreuger once was the third most requested male actor at 20th Century Fox. He starred with, among others, Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart.-Life and career:...
as Ernst Muller, Sultan Abou Ben Ali's personal secretary and NaziNazismNazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
agent - Frederic Brunn as Wolfe, NaziNazismNazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
agent - Sigurd Tor as Luger
- Georges RenaventGeorges RenaventGeorges Renavent was an actor in American classic films, Broadway plays and operator of American Grand Guignol. He was born in Paris, France....
as Armand
Production
Filming on Secret Service in Darkest Africa took place between 12 April and 27 May 1943. The production budget was $174,536 but the negative cost rose to $210,033 ($35,497, or 20.3%, overbudget compared to a studio average of $8,199, or 5.7%, over all its serial production). Not only did this make the serial the most expensive of 1943 it was also the third most expensive and third most over budget of all the sixty-six serials Republic produced. The only serials that were more expensive were The Lone Ranger Rides AgainThe Lone Ranger Rides Again
The Lone Ranger Rides Again is a 1939 American Republic serial. It was a sequel to Republic's earlier 1937 serial The Lone Ranger, which had been highly successful, and the thirteenth of the sixty-six serials produced by Republic....
(1939
1939 in film
The year 1939 in motion pictures can be justified as being called the most outstanding one ever, when it comes to the high quality and high attendance at the large set of the best films that premiered in the year .- Events :Motion picture historians and film often rate...
, $213,997) and Captain America
Captain America (serial)
Captain America is a Republic black-and-white serial film based on the comic book character Captain America. It was the last Republic serial made about a superhero...
(1944
1944 in film
The year 1944 in film involved some significant events, including the wholesome, award-winning Going My Way plus popular murder mysteries such as Double Indemnity, Gaslight and Laura.-Events:*July 20 - Since You Went Away is released....
, $222,906). While Captain America was also the most overbudget (by $40,283 or 22.1%), the second most overbudget Republic serial was another 1944 serial, Haunted Harbor
Haunted Harbor
Haunted Harbor is a Republic Movie serial, based on the novel by Ewart Adamson.-Cast:*Kane Richmond as Jim Marsden*Kay Aldridge as Patricia Harding*Roy Barcroft as Carter *Clancy Cooper as Yank*Marshall J...
(by $37,757 or 22.2%).
At forty-five days, the serial's production also shares the title of the second longest shoot of all Republic serials with Jungle Girl
Jungle Girl (serial)
Jungle Girl is a 15-Chapter Republic Pictures Serial starring Frances Gifford. It was directed by William Witney and John English based on the novel Jungle Girl by Edgar Rice Burroughs...
(1941
1941 in film
The year 1941 in film involved some significant events.-Events:Citizen Kane, consistently rated as one of the greatest films of all time, was released in 1941.-Top grossing films :-Academy Awards:...
). The longest was Drums of Fu Manchu
Drums of Fu Manchu
Drums of Fu Manchu is a 15-chapter Republic movie serial very loosely based on the novel by Sax Rohmer, starring Henry Brandon, William Royle and Robert Kellard...
(1940
1940 in film
The year 1940 in film involved some significant events, including the premieres of the Walt Disney classics Pinocchio and Fantasia.-Events:*February 7 - Walt Disney's animated film Pinocchio is released....
) at forty-seven days. The serial's production number was 1295.
A car chase from this serial was re-used in Flying Disc Man from Mars.
Stunts
- Tom SteeleTom Steele (stuntman)Tom Steele was a stunt man and actor, best remembered for appearing in serials, especially those produced by Republic Pictures, in both capacities.-Early life:...
as Rex Bennett (doubling Rod CameronRod CameronRod Cameron was a Canadian-born movie actor whose career extended from the 1930s to the 1970s. He appeared in horror, war, action and science fiction movies, but is best remembered for his many Westerns....
) - John Daheim
- George DeNormand
- Bud GearyBud GearyBud Geary , was an American film actor. He appeared in 258 films between years 1920 and 1946.He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and died in Hollywood, California, aged 48.-Selected filmography:* Robin Hood...
- Duke Green
- Carey LoftinCarey LoftinCarey Loftin was an American actor and stuntman. One of his most famous roles was as the truck driver in Steven Spielberg's Duel, although his face was never seen...
- Eddie ParkerEddie ParkerEddie Parker was a stuntman and actor who appeared in many classic films, mostly westerns and horror films...
- Ken TerrellKen TerrellKen Terrell was an American western and action film actor and stuntman best known for playing Joe Marcella in the 1956 film The Indestructible Man. He died March 8, 1966 from arteriosclerosis-Partial filmography:...
- Joe Yrigoyen
Special Effects
The special effects in this serial were produced by Republic's in-house effects duo, the Lydecker brothersLydecker brothers
-Partial filmography:*Darkest Africa *Women in War - Oscar nominated*Adventures of Captain Marvel *Flying Tigers - Oscar nominated*Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe...
Theatrical
Secret Service in Darkest Africas official release date is 24 July 1943, although this is actually the date the seventh chapter was made available to film exchanges.The serial was re-released on 5 April 1954, under the new title Manhunt in the African Jungles, between the first runs of Trader Tom of the China Seas
Trader Tom of the China Seas
Trader Tom of the China Seas is a Republic film serial. In 1966 the serial was edited into a 100-minute television film with the new title Target: Sea of China.-Cast:* Harry Lauter as Tom Rogers* Aline Towne as Vivian Wells...
and Man with the Steel Whip
Man with the Steel Whip
Man with the Steel Whip is a Republic Movie serial. It uses considerable stock footage from previous Republic serials "Zorro's Black Whip", "The Painted Stallion" and "Daredevils of the West". As with any serial from the 50s, it is not considered to be one of the best examples of the format...
.
Television
Secret Service in Darkest Africa was one of twenty-six Republic serials re-released as a film on television in 1966. The title of the film was changed to The Baron's African War. This version was cut down to 100-minutes in length.Critical reception
Stedman compares Secret Service in Darkest Africa poorly to the first serial, G-Men vs. the Black Dragon, which was directed by William WitneyWilliam Witney
William Nuelsen Witney was an American film and television director. He is best remembered for the movie serials he co-directed with John English for Republic Pictures such as Daredevils of the Red Circle, Zorro's Fighting Legion and Drums of Fu Manchu.He directed many Westerns during his career,...
. He considered as an example of the decline of serials. Spencer Gordon Bennet, the director of this sequel, is blamed for this lapse, giving the serial a style similar to the 1960s Batman television series
Batman (TV series)
Batman is an American television series, based on the DC comic book character of the same name. It stars Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin — two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City. It aired on the American Broadcasting Company network for three seasons from January 12, 1966 to...
. Two scenes are highlighted. In the first, a duel goes into and then out of a wardrobe without stopping. In the second, the meaning of a clue is deduced with the following dialogue:
This style was toned down in future Bennet directed serials.
In the words of Cline, both this serial and its predecessor were "well-made topical drama with highly capable and professional casts." In a departure from the normal formula, the villain's identity is known to the audience.
Chapter titles
- North African Intrigue (25min 26s)
- The Charred Witness (15min 35s)
- Double Death (15min 33s)
- The Open Grave (15min 34s)
- Cloaked in Flame (15min 36s)
- Dial of Doom (15min 36s)
- Murder Dungeon (15min 35s)
- Funeral Arrangements Completed (15min 35s)
- Invisible Menace (15min 35s)
- Racing Peril (15min 34s)
- Lightning Terror (15min 34s)
- Ceremonial Execution (15min 33s)
- Fatal Leap (15min 33s)
- Victim of Villainy (15min 33s)
- Nazi Treachery Unmasked (15min 33s)
Source:>
This was the only 15-chapter serial produced by Republic in 1943. The other two productions were both 12-chapter serials. It had been the standard since 1938 for Republic to release two of each (which they did again for the last time in 1944).