Top of the line serial from Republic. Great cliffhanger endings, flagging only slightly in later chapters. Bailey is an effective (if slightly dorky looking) hero, Linda Stirling is lovely and gets involved in the action (although she does get knocked cold every other chapter), and Duncan is an effective henchman. Roy Barcroft, as Captain Mephisto, steals the show. Barcroft considered this role his best and personal favorite, and it's easy to see why: he obviously relishes his villainy, looks great in the costume, and throws himself into the fights. All around classic from the Republic thrill factory.
15 Reviews
Great "Rainy Day" fare!
judiwegley2 March 2007
One of the main reasons I enjoyed this serial so much is because Linda Stirling seemed to rescue our hero almost as many times as he rescues her! This made her role a little ahead of its time, I think. She was more a team player than just a damsel in distress. Really fun stuff and Linda plays her part to the fullest. It must have been a drag having to wear the same outfit for 15 episodes, but,in true serial fashion, none of the guys lost their hats during the numerous fight scenes. I tend to watch for that - it's kind of a trademark of serials. I thought it was fun to try and figure out which one of the cast was the real Captain Mephisto! This is great "Rainy Day" fare - and relatively family-friendly! I recommend it.
Tops of the Stirling Serials
Harold-1027 February 1999
As far as Linda Stirling's cliffhangers go, this is the best of the bunch. Stirling stars along with Republic staple Roy Barcroft and Richard Bailey in the search for an evil pirate from the past. Lance (Bailey) and Claire (Stirling) head to Mystery Island to search for Claire's father, a scientist being held by the evil Captain Mephisto. Mephisto is a pirate from 200 years earlier, who is transformed into a business man who owns part of the island. The mystery lies in which one of the four owners actually is Mephisto.
Claire is a spitfire of a damsel, able to hold her own against Mephisto and his henchmen. This serial is partially directed by legendary stuntman Yakima Canutt, so the chases, the fights and the explosions are all top notch. Of course, there is a level of kitsch that comes with the territory of chapterplays, but this one has its own charm, and is a example of what a cliffhanger should be.
Claire is a spitfire of a damsel, able to hold her own against Mephisto and his henchmen. This serial is partially directed by legendary stuntman Yakima Canutt, so the chases, the fights and the explosions are all top notch. Of course, there is a level of kitsch that comes with the territory of chapterplays, but this one has its own charm, and is a example of what a cliffhanger should be.
Another Republic Classic.
rudge4910 December 2005
Caught this one on TV in its TV-movie form in 1966, now it is in my collection. Roy Barcroft considered this one his favorite, I can see why, he gets to play a villain who can disappear into a completely different body, how's that for a disguise. Contains one of the all time great villain's quotes. Captain Mephisto explains to the Kenne Duncan character how he transforms from his secret identity into Captain Mephisto. When the latter responds, "Oh I understand" Captain Mephisto says "If I thought you understood I'd kill you!" How's that for villainy? Top stuntman Dale Van Sickel doubling for Roy Barcroft, the usual top notch stunt work by the Lydecker brothers, non stop action, an intriguing if far fetched plot. About the only complaint I have is that I've never seen it on the Big Screen.
Great fun in one of the last Republics made before they all became cookie cutter copies
dbborroughs7 July 2008
Captain Mephisto wanders Mystery Island once more. Mephisto is the secret identity of some on unknown person physically altered by sitting in a special chair and having it completely change him into another actor (the wonderful Roy Barcroft). The real identity of Mephisto is one of his descendants who id using the change into his ancestor as a cover. Battling Mephisto is Linda Sterling who is trying to locate her father who one of several scientists kidnapped by Mephisto in order for him to make super weapons for him. One of the more fun Republic serials. What can I say there is something about Roy Barcroft wandering around in full pirate regalia that just makes you smile no matter how hard you try not to. Add to it the wild weapons and great action and you have a really good time at the movies. (I forgot to mention that this is one of the last Republics that had a sense of being unique from start to finish. It wasn't long after this that the studio began to make serials, that while good, were pretty much interchangeable with each other thanks to an assembly line means of production.) Recommended.
Fine serial
hwg1957-102-2657045 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Six writers! Three directors! And Linda Stirling! 'Manhunt On Mystery Island' is a fast moving and entertaining serial set on the eponymous island and concerns Claire Forrest looking for her kidnapped scientist father, helped by Lance Reardon. The villain of the piece is supposedly long dead Captain Mephisto who is also another character in the serial due to his ability to change his bodily form (in what looks like an electric chair!). In the usual way of serials there are lots of chases, traps, mysteries, fights and ups and downs until everything is resolved. The fist fights are great. Before they start you can guess what will be broken or upset, whether it is a table, cupboard, set of shelves, bookcases, barrels etc. and the participants fight with great gusto.
Linda Stirling as Claire Forrest is splendid as usual, her character is smart, sexy and very handy with a gun. She does rescuing as well as the male lead so is definitely not the helpless female. Roy Barcroft chews the scenery as Captain Mephisto (when not breaking up the scenery in fights) and is a pleasure to watch. Kudos must also go to Dale Van Sickel who plays Barker and Ritter and Lewis and Frazier and Sardon. Talk about versatile! The rest of the cast are adequate.
Some people don't like serials because of the repetition of certain things but they were not meant to be watched all at once but at intervals, so each episode had to have things to remind viewers of previous episodes. Anyway, if you like serials this is a good one.
Linda Stirling as Claire Forrest is splendid as usual, her character is smart, sexy and very handy with a gun. She does rescuing as well as the male lead so is definitely not the helpless female. Roy Barcroft chews the scenery as Captain Mephisto (when not breaking up the scenery in fights) and is a pleasure to watch. Kudos must also go to Dale Van Sickel who plays Barker and Ritter and Lewis and Frazier and Sardon. Talk about versatile! The rest of the cast are adequate.
Some people don't like serials because of the repetition of certain things but they were not meant to be watched all at once but at intervals, so each episode had to have things to remind viewers of previous episodes. Anyway, if you like serials this is a good one.
One of the greatest
Mike-7649 January 2001
A scientist working on a remote control invention is kidnapped and brought to an island, by a mysterious Captain Mephisto, who used to be governor of the island in days when it was a penal colony. In reality, Mephisto is one of the four ruling members of the island who uses a transformation chair which changes the enigmatic member into the evil pirate. Investigator Lance Reardon, who along with the scientist's daughter Claire Forrest, searches out the captive scientist in this thrilling chapterplay. In 1945, serials were on the way out, but this easily ranks up with any from the golden age of the genre. Co-director Yakima Canutt adds plenty of action and the far fetched plot surprisingly becomes incredibly intriguing. 15 episodes. In terms of serials, 10 out of 10.
Corny at its best!
deadwhy32414 May 2020
good vs evil as good pursues a greedy partner of an island.
ratwell125 September 2004
Being raised in the golden era of movie serials, this in my opinion ranks as the top of them all, the setting is on an island where there are four partners that are co-owners. One of the partners is is seeking to destroy anything or anyone who is standing in the way of his accomplishing his mission. Linda Sterling the queen of the movie serials puts on another splendid performance as a the daughter of the scientist who spurns every attempt of Captain Mephisto requesting his cooperation. I would be remiss if I omitted The king of of serials Roy Barcroft who once again excels as the prime villain. serials. I would be remiss if I omitted the chief henchman of the villainous Captain Mephisto so aptly portrayed by Kenne Duncan. . Whenever I become a little bored, I can always play one of the many tapes I possess and it will always pick up my spirits.,especially the serials
Thin Plot, Small Cast, But Good Cliff Hangers
Chance2000esl28 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
15 episodes of looking for Linda Stirling's father on a small island? Too bad the plot is so thin, with each chapter having the barest hint of story, merely as a quick prelude to fights, fights and more fights. The cast is so small that almost every chapter has one or two fights between the dork hero, Richard Bailey, and Kenne Duncan, as the main henchman,(here in one of his biggest roles before his Ed Wood days) and frequently a threeway with Roy Barcroft (Captain Mephisto).
Surprisingly, the serial really moves along, with the action scenes (directed by the Great Yak--Yakima Canutt, who finally gets directing credit this time) and cliff hangers exciting and holding your interest. The fun part in watching all the sets getting destroyed during the fights is guessing when any piece of vertical furniture (including filing cabinets, bunk beds or bookcases)is going to get knocked over and smashed. Great leaping and throwing of objects, and total destruction of rooms! Way to go, Yak!
Since this is Republic in the mid forties, we expect a few jump out of the car before it goes over the cliff cheap chapter endings, but we get several interesting variations on Republic's stock of cliff hanger endings. In many of them, Linda Stirling herself saves the hero, and in several chapters shoots a gun! She certainly shows confidence in her athleticism after having done such a good job in "The Tiger Woman" (1944) and "Zorro's Black Whip" (1944). In fact, in the last chapter, she kills Mephisto!
Not too bad, considering what little they had to work with, but still only four stars.
Surprisingly, the serial really moves along, with the action scenes (directed by the Great Yak--Yakima Canutt, who finally gets directing credit this time) and cliff hangers exciting and holding your interest. The fun part in watching all the sets getting destroyed during the fights is guessing when any piece of vertical furniture (including filing cabinets, bunk beds or bookcases)is going to get knocked over and smashed. Great leaping and throwing of objects, and total destruction of rooms! Way to go, Yak!
Since this is Republic in the mid forties, we expect a few jump out of the car before it goes over the cliff cheap chapter endings, but we get several interesting variations on Republic's stock of cliff hanger endings. In many of them, Linda Stirling herself saves the hero, and in several chapters shoots a gun! She certainly shows confidence in her athleticism after having done such a good job in "The Tiger Woman" (1944) and "Zorro's Black Whip" (1944). In fact, in the last chapter, she kills Mephisto!
Not too bad, considering what little they had to work with, but still only four stars.
serial revue
tomwal10 March 2002
Roy Barcroft as one of the overseers of Mystery Island ,can transform himself into Captain Mephisto by the use of a transformation machine.Barcroft only appears as Mephisto,his alter ego is played by another actor.The viewer is left to guess which of the overseers is the villian.Linda Sterling,along with Richard Bailey,is looking for her missing father,who is being forced to work on the machine.Great cast,and production values make this an exciting serial.
The best Roy Barcrot's performances ever.
searchanddestroy-124 May 2014
I am not surprised when I read that the great Roy Barcroft said that his character as Captain Méphisto was his all time favourite. This is a top serial, in serial history book. One of the best Republic ones, if you consider the post William Witney era. What a serial Bill Witney would have done with such material... But this one is awesome, even without Witney. Don't forget that there were three directors in charge, three serial vets: Wallace Grissel, Yakima Canutt - the fabulous stuntman - and the best serial director ever, besides again William Witney: Spencer Gordon Bennett.
A pure gem.
Speaking of the serials, this one illustrates the fact that, in such features, the stuntmen were SO IMPORTANT that they were not chosen because they looked like the lead actor, but on the contrary; the actors were chosen because their resemblance to the stuntmen!!!
And it seems that in some serials, the stuntmen themselves were the heroes. They were both the lead characters and their own doubles during the fights. And what fights!!! I think of Dale Van Sickel, in a serial which I don't remember the title.
Back to this one, what a great moment to see the legendary Linda Stirling and Roy Barcroft together...
Whao !!!
A pure gem.
Speaking of the serials, this one illustrates the fact that, in such features, the stuntmen were SO IMPORTANT that they were not chosen because they looked like the lead actor, but on the contrary; the actors were chosen because their resemblance to the stuntmen!!!
And it seems that in some serials, the stuntmen themselves were the heroes. They were both the lead characters and their own doubles during the fights. And what fights!!! I think of Dale Van Sickel, in a serial which I don't remember the title.
Back to this one, what a great moment to see the legendary Linda Stirling and Roy Barcroft together...
Whao !!!
Great serial.
wkozak22111 June 2021
My dad got me hooked on serials. I am glad. I have a lot on YouTube and put a lot in my library. I don't care what critics say, they are fun. This one is part sci-fi and part mystery. It keeps you involved and guessing. It is one of my favorite serials.
Better than anything Hollywood is putting out recently
zethrid16 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I love these old serials. This one is by far my favorite. It's a unique storyline with (imo) superior acting. Claire is one of my favorite all time female characters, especially from this period as I think I heard her scream three times the entire series. Instead she fights back, manages to shoot someone while tied up then tells the 'hero' untying her to hurry up. The kick to the face she gives the bad guy is the best thing I've seen in movies for a long time. Every five minutes a fight breaks out and yet nobody loses their fedora.. If you're tired of the woke Hollywood preaching and just want to be entertained I recommend binge watching this. It's just a lot of fun.
WW2 serial with only one gimmick, the 'Transformation Chair'.
oscar-354 September 2011
Warning: Spoilers
*Spoiler/plot- 1945, A breakthrough scientific device will revolutionize the world's energy usage if the kidnapped inventor can be found. To rescue her father, Claire Forrest enlists the help of ace sleuth Lance Reardon. Clues lead them to a Pacific isle, where the two confront sinister and astonishing forces. The descendants of a long-dead pirate, Mephisto are holding the scientist for their own nefarious gain. And one of the heirs has a 'transformation chair' that changes him into the molecular duplicate of Captain Mephisto. By the time Claire and Lance learn the truth about the pirate's plot, it maybe too late.
*Special Stars- Richard Bailey, Linda Stirling, Roy Barcroft. Dir: Yakima Canutt, Spencer Gordon Bennet
*Theme- Greed and crime go hand in hand.
*Based on- Comic book themes of the time period.
*Trivia/location/goofs- The ocean chase and beach scenes are shot in Southern California. Nice to see stuntman and stunt arranger, Yakima Canutt, get some screen credit.
*Emotion- A somewhat forgettable Republic post WW2 serial with only one gimmick, the 'Transformation Chair'. Those transformation scenes become tedious and several repetitive flashback scenes near the last episode is confusing to the viewer. Suspense and excitement might build as the lead actors are lowered toward a watery doom nearly squashed like grapes, dropped off a bridge, and much more in this amazing 15 chapters theatrical serial. The pirate costume is something to be seen and only laughed at while on screen.
*Special Stars- Richard Bailey, Linda Stirling, Roy Barcroft. Dir: Yakima Canutt, Spencer Gordon Bennet
*Theme- Greed and crime go hand in hand.
*Based on- Comic book themes of the time period.
*Trivia/location/goofs- The ocean chase and beach scenes are shot in Southern California. Nice to see stuntman and stunt arranger, Yakima Canutt, get some screen credit.
*Emotion- A somewhat forgettable Republic post WW2 serial with only one gimmick, the 'Transformation Chair'. Those transformation scenes become tedious and several repetitive flashback scenes near the last episode is confusing to the viewer. Suspense and excitement might build as the lead actors are lowered toward a watery doom nearly squashed like grapes, dropped off a bridge, and much more in this amazing 15 chapters theatrical serial. The pirate costume is something to be seen and only laughed at while on screen.
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