Boroff, a munitions expert, has just perfected a disintegrating gas which he plans to sell to any nation that will meet his price. Despite being a wanted man across the world, Boroff smuggles himself aboard the SS Carfax to ship a load of arnotite to Morovania, who plans to use the disintegrating gas. The Carfax is wrecked at sea and is rescued by the Coast Guard led by Lieutenant Terry Kent. Boroff is recognized but manages to escape the Coast Guard, while killing Kent's younger brother Jim. Boroff disguises himself and plans to manufacture the disintegrating gas while evading the watch of Kent and the Coast Guard, who go piece clues together to find Boroff and stop the gas from being made, which also means battling Boroff's lobotomized, hulking servant Thorg. The serial had a great first two chapters and well done ending, but the middle part of the serial was very routine since all of the atmosphere, villainous characterizations, and action packed encounters seemed to be lessened. Richard Alexander must have had a great agent for getting him these memorable serial roles, since Thorg is among his best, where he evokes a lot of sympathy from the audience. Lugosi is fine here as well, but as I said before, he loses his evil touch as the serial progresses. Byrd is somewhat disappointing comparing this to his Dick Tracy roles since his reading of lines doesn't always sound too heroic. Doyle is cute, but no actress, and Ford is annoying as he was in Dick Tracy Returns. Rating, based on serials, 6.
