Government Agents vs Phantom Legion (1951) is a 12-chapter American black-and-white action film serial produced and distributed by Republic Pictures Corporation in 1951. It is an original, studio-commissioned screenplay by Ronald Davidson, produced by Franklin Adreon and directed by Fred C. Brannon.
Government Agents vs. Phantom Legion | |
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Directed by | Fred C. Brannon |
Written by | Ronald Davidson |
Produced by | Franklin Adreon |
Starring | Walter Reed Mary Ellen Kay Dick Curtis John Pickard Fred Coby Pierce Lyden George Meeker |
Cinematography | John L. Russell |
Edited by | Cliff Bell |
Music by | Stanley Wilson |
Distributed by | Republic Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 12 chapters / 167 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $153,083 (negative cost: $153,612)[1] |
Two American government agents, Hal Duncan and Sam Bradley, must prevent agents of a foreign power, led by Regan and Cady, from hijacking trucks and stealing defense materials being transported by truck. They are hired by an interstate trucking association whose constituent truck lines have been principal targets of the hijacking, and it becomes evident that one of the four directors of the association is "the Voice," the secret leader of the gang who provides them with shipment and route information necessary for the gang's success.[2]
Stunts
Government Agents vs. Phantom Legion was budgeted at $153,083 although the final negative cost was $153,612 (a $529, or 0.3%, overspend). It was the cheapest Republic serial of 1951.[1]
It was filmed between May 1 and 23, 1951 under the working title Government Agents vs. Underground Legion.[1] The serial's production number was 1931.[1]
All special effects in Government Agents vs Phantom Legion were produced by Republic's in-house team of the Lydecker brothers.
Government Agents vs. Phantom Legion's official release date was July 4, 1951, although this was actually the date upon which the sixth chapter was made available to film exchanges.[1]
The film was followed by a rerelease of Haunted Harbor, retitled as Pirates' Harbor, instead of a new serial. The next new serial, Radar Men from the Moon, followed in 1952.[1]
Preceded by Don Daredevil Rides Again (1950) |
Republic Serial Government Agents vs Phantom Legion (1951) |
Succeeded by Radar Men from the Moon (1952) |