Daredevils of the Red Circle

Longtime Republic stuntman Dave Sharpe finally got to come out of the shadows and star in this likable example of Republic's great cliffhanger serials. Charles "Ming the Merciless" Middleton does his patented villainous thing. The first episode is top-notch, with a brilliant cliffhanger; after that, it starts to fall into a pattern.

More a standard 1930s serial that lacks the gimmickry to give it that campy flavor. Three circus/stunt performers go on to avenge the death of a young boy, tracking down the evil 39013 (Charles Middleton) and on their way make use of their individual strengths to overcome the traps set in their way. At least it gives Charles Quigley and stuntman David Sharpe a chance to shine a little. This was also the last movie Herman Brix did under his own name before transforming himself into Bruce Bennett.