A piece of trivia about the Purple Monster Strikes. The alien girl who comes to Earth to assist the Purple Monster (Roy Barcroft) was played by Mary Moore, who had been married to Clayton Moore, who was playing second leads and stunt man roles at Republic. Moore said in his biography that he and Mary were married 8/19/1940 and only stayed together for about a year. Apparently they were too focused on their careers at that time. At the time of separation, Moore said he had possession of the dog he had given to Mary and she wanted it back. When the dog did not respond to her calls, Moore said he paid her $25, which was what the dog cost when he bought it and she left the apartment. In 1945, she must have still been using her married name judging by the credits. In the fight scene she does with Linda Stirling, she was doubled by stuntwoman Polly Burson. A humorous anecdote about the serial was told by the star Roy Barcroft. Barcroft recalled having to "skinny down" his big frame to fit into the Purple Monster costume. At the time, he was living in the Los Angeles suburb of Jackson Heights. He referred to himself as "The Jerk in Tights from Jackson Heights." Regardless, this serial and Manhunt of Mystery Island (where he played the evil Captain Mephisto) are two of his best known and best loved serials for Republic.
Review of The Purple Monster Strikes
