Cheap Secret Agent X-9 (1945) (Video) (Ray Taylor, Lewis D. Collins) Price

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Customer Reviews of Secret Agent X-9 (1945)

Former Fattest Baby Becomes A Star!
There's not much connection between the two versions of "Secret Agent X-9" except that they both were inspired by the same comic strip, which actually wasn't very popular. The DVD release by VMI has a commentary which tells you far more about that comic strip than you care to know. It also has an interesting interview with Beau Bridges about the lead, his father Lloyd Bridges (1913-1998). <
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>This was only Bridges' second leading role, the first being the previous year in an unimportant movie, but he had had minor, mostly uncredited roles in at least 52 movies when he starred in this one, so he appears experienced and confident in his role. He also had the advantage of having won a fat baby contest in 1914 in which the judge, former president William Howard Taft, pronounced little Lloyd as fat as HE was! As a Columbia contract player Bridges appeared in B-Westerns and Three Stooges comedies. He is just about perfect here as Secret Agent X-9, probably the best performance I have ever seen in a serial. <
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>But this group is almost an ensemble cast, as the supporting roles are quite important and extremely well done. Mr. Solo, who sits at the end of the bar playing tiddly winks through all 13 chapters, is one of the most memorable serial charcters ever. His appearance in the penultimate shot of the final chapter is an absolute gem! He's played by Samuel S. Hinds, who was Jimmy Stewart's dad in "It's A Wonderful Life" and the corrupt mayor in "Destry Rides Again." <
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>Jan Wiley ("Dick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc."), as a non-accented Australian ostensibly working for the Japanese but actually sending secret messages to the Allies, is also extremely impressive. Two Asian actors each of whom played a son of Charlie Chan are also present, Keye Luke ("Smilin' Jack") as Chinese agent Ah Fong, and Benson Fong as a Japanese scientist. A non-Asian, Victoria Horne, plays the sinister Nabura, and walks around saying "Ah, so" with her eyes closed. Cy Kendall plays bar-owner Lucky Kamber with verve. <
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>This is probably tied with "Smiln' Jack" as Universal's best serials. It has great 1940's atmosphere and more action than is typical of Universal serials. Unfortunately the cliffhangers ARE typical of Universal serials, but the ending of Chapter One is pretty clever with X-9 tricking a Japanese submarine into sinking a German ship. Typically, however, a hail of gunfire simply misses the good guys. The opening title sequence in each chapter is really classy, and the music sets the scene even to the blast from a boat's gun in the background fitting in beautifully with the music. Many of the scenes, especially in Kamber's bar, are redolent of the atmosphere of "Casablanca." <
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>The acting is excellent from all concerned, making this a top-notch serial. <
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" the King of Serials on DVD...VCI Entertainment ~ 1945 Secret Agent X-9"
VCI Entertainment and Universal Pictures present Alex Raymond and Dashiell Hammett comic strip character from King Features Syndicate "Secret Agent X-9" (1945) (Dolby digitally remastered), 13 Chapters of vintage serial loaded with action sequences...the story line opens with Secret Agent X-9 on a destroyer and changing into a Nazi uniform impersonating a German Office, then giving his position over a wireless hoping a German submarine in nearby waters will over hear and blast her out of the water...does Phil Corrigan who is Agent X-9 join forces with Ah Fong and Jan Wiley trying to defeat Nabura who just so happens to be a most sinister Japanese agent around and one of the nastiest villains you'll ever run into...will Hakahima the Japanese scientist use his discovery of aviation fuel and element "722" to good use...Solo is about to do the double cross or is he, and if so will it foil X-9's plans....can "Shadow Island" remain neutral or will she fall into the hands of the evildoers...watch every scene for clues that will lead you right up to the tell tale final episode...the writers once again have been burning the midnight oil, cause it's down to the wire cliffhanger...Universal's high production team and great stunt work from the veterans serial department...there is a great deal of entertainment here for the cliffhanger fans out there. <
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>Under director's Lewis D. Collins and Ray Taylor, producers Morgan B. Cox with original story by Joseph O'Donnell and Harold C. Wire, screenplay by Joseph O'Donnell and Patricia Harper...the cast include Lloyd Bridges (Phil Corrigan - Secret Agent X-9), Keye Luke (Ah Fong), Jan Wiley (Lynn Moore), Victoria Horne (Nabura), Samuel S. Hinds (Solo), Cy Kendall (Lucky Kamber), Jack Overman (Marker), Benson Fong (Dr. Hakahima), Arno Frey (Kapitan Grut), Ferdinand Munier (Papa Pierre Dupray), Ann Codee ('Mama Pierre' Dupray), George Chesebro (Blindfolded man), Edmund Cobb (Bartender), I. Stanford Jolley (Trent - Henchman), John Merton (Parker), Tom Steele (Nazi sailor on 'Lorelei'), Dale Van Sickel (truck driver)....great stunt work by Eddie Parker (stunt double for Lloyd Bridges) and John Daheim (stunt double for Benson Fong)...stayed tuned and don't miss each exciting chapter...another great serial provided by Universal Pictures during their heyday in the early '40s...by the way musical score by Milton Rose, Hans J. Salter, Frank Skinner and Paul Sawtell...also must make mention films like this were tremendous morale boosters during WWII with this well written spy story...excellent production with climatic scenes in each episode, especially in "Zero Minute" the final chapter. <
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>CHAPTER TITLES: (Disc One) <
>1. Torpedo Rendezvous <
>2. Ringed by Fire <
>3. Death Curve <
>4. Floodlight Murder <
>5. Doom Downgrade <
>6. Strafed by a Zero <
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>SPECIAL FEATURES: (Disc One) <
>1. Commentary By Max Allan Collins <
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>INTERVIEW: <
>(a telephone interview with Beau Bridges by Max Allan Collins) <
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>BIOS & FILMOGRAPHIES <
>1. Lloyd Bridges <
>Birth Date: Lloyd Vernet Bridges <
>Birth Date: 1/12/1913 - San Leandro, CA <
>Died: 3/10/1998 - Los Angeles, CA <
>2. Keye Luke <
>Birth Date: 6/18/1904 - Canton, China <
>Died: 1/12/1991 - Whittler, CA <
>3. Jan Wiley (known as Harriet Brandon & Harriette Brandon) <
>Birth Date: 2/23/1916 - Marion, Indiana <
>Died: 5/27/1993 - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA <
>4. Victoria Horne <
>Birth Year: 1920 - New York <
>Died: 10/10/2003 - Beverly Hills, CA <
>5. Lewis D. Collins (Director) <
>Birth Date: 1/12/1889 - Baltimore, MD <
>Died: 8/24/1954 - Hollywood, CA <
>6. Ray Taylor (Director) <
>Birth Date: 12/01/1880 - Perham, MN <
>Died: 2/15/1952 - Hollywood, CA <
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>PHOTO GALLERY: (Disc One) <
>(stills from "Secret Agent X-9" (1945) & Lobby Cards) <
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>VCI CLIFFHANGER COLLECTION (Disc One) (now available on DVD from VCI) <
>1. Winners of the West (Dick Foran & Harry Woods) <
>2. The Master Key (Milburn Stone, Jan Wiley, Alfred LaRue & Dennis Moore) <
>3. Mysterious Mr. M (Richard Martin, Pamela Blake, Dennis Moore & Jane Randolph) <
>4. Gang Busters (Kent Taylor, Robert Armstrong & Ralph Morgan) <
>5. Tailspin Tommy (Maurice Murphy, Patricia Farr, Noah Beery Jr, Walter Miller & Grant Withers) <
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>CHAPTER TITLES: (Disc Two) <
>7. High Pressure Deadline <
>8. The Dropping Floor <
>9. The Danger Point <
>10.Japanese Burial <
>11.Fireworks for Deadmen <
>12.Big Gun Fusillade <
>13.Zero Minute <
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>SPECIAL FEATURES: (Disc Two) <
>INTERVIEW: <
>(a telephone interview with Beau Bridges by Max Allan Collins) <
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>BIOS: (Disc Two) <
>(Same as Disc One) <
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>PHOTO GALLERY (Disc Two) <
>(Same as Disc One) <
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>VCI CLIFFHANGER COLLECTION (Disc Two) (now available on DVD from VCI) <
>(Same as Disc One) <
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>Own them now on DVD....if you crave adventure, drama and plenty of action then this is the place for all of the above...also check out another release from VCI Entertainment (King of Serials) and Universal Pictures present Dashiell Hammett, Alex Raymond and Charles Flanders comic strip from King Features Syndicate "Secret Agent X-9 " (1937) (Dolby digitally remastered), 12 cliffhanging chapters that will keep you on the edge of your seat....the story line opens with daily strips in the style of Alex Raymond but drawn by Charles Flanders at the beginning of each episode...ask yourself this question, can good triumph over evil...don't pass this one up you're about to find out the answer. <
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>Great job by VCI Entertainment for releasing "Secret Agent X-9" (1945), the digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage serial era...order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment, stay tuned once again for top notch action mixed with deadly adventure from the "King of Serials" VCI...just the way we like 'em! <
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>Total Time: 252 mins on 2 DVD's ~ VCI Entertainment 8344 ~ (2/25/2003)

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Now available in both versions
This is the second version of Secret Agent X-9, released by Universal in 1945 and not directly connected to the same serial from 1937. Max Allan Collins gives an informed, interest-holding commentary that can be played along with the first chapter and parts of the second. Among the details he gives is how King Features developed this strip to compete with Chicago Tribune's Dick Tracy, which he himself ended up writing at one point. <
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>As the serial progresses thru its 13 chapters, we know from the beginning who the primary bad guys are. But among the other characters, we gradually learn who is on whose side. It takes place on Shadow Island off the coast of China. The island is designated neutral territory during WWII. It's pretty big on the map they show: probably about the size of China's Hainan Island although not the same shape. <
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>Ethnic casting is a little off. Keye Luke does play a Chinese good guy, but there are other Chinese actors playing Japanese, and the facial features don't match. And the nefarious Dragon-Lady type arch villain is called Nabura: supposedly Japanese but wearing Chinese garb and apparently of southern European extraction (Victoria Horne). But we can suspend this disbelief. <
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>And here is a chance to see a young Lloyd Bridges and later to hear Collins interview Beau, one of his equally famous sons. <
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>The quality of the print is usually good. Some of the night scenes are hard to make out, and I don't know if that depends on my monitor. Most chapters are about 20 minutes long. But one detail makes me uneasy: Chapter 9 runs under 16 minutes. Are there four missing minutes that they were unable to find and restore? <
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>Serial lovers: Be sure to include this and its 1937 counterpart in your collection.