Manhunt of Mystery Island (1945)

Directors:

Spencer Gordon Bennet
Yakima Canutt

Writers:

Albert DeMond (original screenplay) and
Basil Dickey (original screenplay) ...

Release Date:

17 March 1945 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Sinister Secrets LURKING IN THE SHADOWS OF THE JUNGLE...THREATENING THE LIVES OF FEARLESS MEN WHO DARE CHALLENGE THE UNKNOWN!

Plot:

A young couple journeys to Mystery Island to rescue the girl's father, who is being held prisoner by the evil Captain Mephisto...

Plot Keywords:

Island | Disguise | Pirate | Time Machine | Tied To Chair

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Richard Bailey	...	Lance Reardon
Linda Stirling	...	Claire Forrest
Roy Barcroft	...	Capt. Mephisto and Higgins
Kenne Duncan	...	Sidney Brand
Forrest Taylor	...	Prof. William Forrest
Forbes Murray	...	Prof. Harry Hargraves
Jack Ingram	...	Edward Armstrong [Chs. 1-11]
Harry Strang	...	Frederick "Fred" Braley
Ed Cassidy	...	Paul Melton [Chs. 1-6, 10] (as Edward Cassidy)
Frank Alten	...	John Raymond
Lane Chandler	...	Police Insp. Reed [Chs. 1, 8]
Russ Vincent	...	Ruga
Dale Van Sickel	...	Barker / Ritter / Lewis / Frazier / Sardon [Chs. 1, 3-4, 7-10]
Tom Steele	...	Thug Lyons and Bailey[Chs. 3-4, 10, 13]
Duke Green	...	Spencer Harvey [Ch. 1] / Thug Clark in Wine Cellar [Ch. 5]

Also Known As:

Captain Mephisto and the Transformation Machine (USA) (TV title)

Runtime:

219 min (15 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved

Filming Locations:

George Lewis Mansion - Benedict Canyon Drive, Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Republic Pictures

Trivia:

Roy Barcroft regarded "Captain Mephisto" in this non-western serial as his favorite role.

Quotes:

Sidney Brand: I've often wondered how you change from one person into another.
Capt. Mephisto: No doubt you have. I'll tell you this much. The appearance of human beings' stature, complexion and pigmentation is controlled by the molecular arrangement of the blood corpuscles. I have found a means of altering that arrangment.
Sidney Brand: I understand.
Capt. Mephisto: If I thought you really did, I'd *kill* you!

Movie Connections:

Edited into Captain Mephisto and the Transformation Machine (1966) (TV)

Another Republic Classic.

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.