Secret Service in Darkest Africa (1943)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Spencer Gordon Bennet

Writers:

Royal K. Cole (original screenplay) and
Ronald Davidson (original screenplay) ...

Release Date:

24 July 1943 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | War

Tagline:

Nazi raiders steal a lost Arab treasure!

Plot:

An American secret agent travels to Africa to infiltrate a Nazi spy ring.

Plot Keywords:

Nazi | Arab | American | Reporter | Spy

Cast

Rod Cameron	...	Rex Bennett
Joan Marsh	...	Janet Blake
Duncan Renaldo	...	Capt. Pierre LaSalle
Lionel Royce	...	Baron von Rommler / Sultan Abou Ben Ali
Kurt Kreuger	...	Ernst Muller
Frederic Brunn	...	Wolfe
Sigurd Tor	...	Luger
Georges Renavent	...	Armand
Kurt Katch	...	Kurt Hauptmann [Ch. 1]
Ralf Harolde	...	Riverboat Captain [Ch. 1]
Wilhelm von Brincken	...	Capt. Boschert [Ch. 7] (as William Vaughn)
William Yetter Sr.	...	Sub Commandant [Ch. 3]
Hans von Morhart	...	Submarine First Officer [Ch. 3]
Erwin Goldi	...	Col. von Raeder [Ch. 1]
Frederick Worlock	...	Sir James Langley [Ch. 15]

Also Known As:

Manhunt in the African Jungles (USA) (reissue title)

Runtime:

100 min (15 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Filming Locations:

Iverson Ranch, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Republic Pictures

Trivia:

When it was reissued with a new title in 1954, the official documentation often called it "Manhunt in the African Jungle". However the actual on-screen title was "Manhunt in the African Jungles" (the plural word "Jungles" was used on-screen).

Quotes:

Wolfe: And now, Miss Blake, we are about to give you a demonstration of German efficiency.
Janet Blake: Atrocity is a better word. Destroying medical supplies intended for suffering soldiers will make a story that will shock the world!
Wolfe: Unfortunately for you, this is one story you will never write. Put a gag in her mouth!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Avalon (1990)

Non Stop Action

This is another action packed cliffhanger from the Thrill Factory. Released in 1943 as Secret Service in Darkest Africa and re-released in 1954 as Manhunt in the African Jungles, this serial hardly leaves the viewer time to catch their breath! Spencer Bennet directs Rod Cameron,Duncan Renaldo , Joan Marsh and a fine supporting cast, to tell a story of Nazi treachery and intrigue.Cameron plays Rex Bennett super spy ,sent to Casablanca to stop the Nazis from taking over in North Africa. Lionel Royce plays a dual role as the Sultan and head Nazi Baron von Rommler.Many familiar actors make up the supporting cast. The pulsating music score by Mort Glickman matches the action on screen. The cliffhangers are, for the most part convincing with the resolutions likewise. Noteworthy is the actions sequences. With an average of three fights per chapter,this serial must set a record.Howard Lydeckers special effects are ,as usual, first rate. A fifteen chapter serial from Republic Pictures and not to be missed !