Secret Agent X-9 (1937)
by Ford I. Beebe
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Henry Hunter, Jean Rogers, Monte Blue, Scott Kolk, William RoyleDirector: Ford I. Beebe
Brand: VDI
Cinematographer: Jerome Ash
Cinematographer: Richard Fryer
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 235 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-01-23
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: VCI Entertainment
Movie Reviews of Secret Agent X-9 (1937)
Movie Review: No-Nonsense Crime-Busting 1930's Universal Serial
Summary: 5 Stars
Secret Agent X-9 is a 13-chapter serial from Universal, released in 1937, based on the newspaper comic strip created by Dashiell Hammett and Alex Raymond, often mentioned in connection with this serial, but credited in the film to Charles Flanders. The film stars Scott Kolk in the title role and was directed by Ford Beebe and Clifford Smith. Universal made another serial with the same title in 1945.
An international jewel thief, Victor Brenda, who recently robbed the National Bank of Belgravia (not to be confused with any real places of that name), is believed to be in the U.S. when his close associate Blackstone (Henry Brandon) is spotted. Secret Agent X-9 (Scott Kolk), who goes by the name "Dexter" in this serial, is assigned to the case, turning over his "routine" task to a young agent. The "routine" task is to accompany shipment of the Crown Jewels of Belgravia, which had been on display in the U.S., back to their home country. While the jewels might seem like a potential target for Brenda, they are being guarded on the ship by a squad of Marines and the Federal agent is considered a formality. But though his door was guarded and the portholes closed, the bad guys drilled a hole from the adjoining cabin, killing the young agent with poison gas. They manage to steal the jewels, which are placed in a safe deposit box by one of Brenda's men, the proprietor of an Art Shop. Through good detective work Blackstone is temporarily captured, and a bag he was carrying is traced to the Art Shop. The proprietor ends up getting killed, and nobody else knows the location of the jewels, other than that the receipt for the safe deposit box was hidden beneath the pigment of an oil painting. The search for the jewels involves not only Brenda's men and the FBI, but also Belgravian Baron Karsten (Monte Blue) and his associate, Shara Graustark (Jean Rogers) who was working in the Art Shop, and they seem unwilling to cooperate with the FBI.
The plot has the usual complexity of those from Universal in the late 1930's, and in this one the object of pursuit, the Crown Jewels, has aesthetic as well as monitary value, so the chase itself provides more interest than is often the case, further enhanced by requiring that the receipt be found first. The antagonistic attitude of Baron Karsten and questionable loyalties of Shara Graustark in the earlier chapters help keep up a sense of mystery. The acting, by serial movie standards, is fine. While Scott Kolk does not make a strong impression, one would hardly expect a "secret" agent to run around dressed and acting like Spy Smasher. He and the rest of the cast tend to underplay their roles, as would be expected of Henry Brandon. Even Monte Blue is fairly reserved, and the "comic relief" is kept within reason by David Oliver as Pidge, a taxi driver who assists X-9. The restraint helps give a feeling of "reality" and the plot moves along very well, with no sense of "padding" anywhere in the twelve chapters. There are a few lapses of logic, such as why known gang hangouts aren't guarded once they have been identified, but nothing unusual for serial movies, which rely on being watched one chapter at a time to help cover such minor issues.
Universal's serials lacked the polished look of what Republic was making, even in 1937. The city in the background of the studio "rooftop" set has obvious seams and some dirt, and grainy stock footage is used for many of the street scenes. But the gang's hideout, the waterfront "pirate ship" attraction is effective, as is the mansion of the "Raymond Estate" with its secret passage to the boat house.
VCI's edition on DVD, # 8341, is supplied on two discs. The image is mostly good, sharp and clear, and while a couple chapters are a bit dark it is never much of a problem. It is easy enough to read even the small print in the credits. The top of the picture bends slightly; this may vary with the TV set used, and appears to be caused by the Macrovision copy-protection. The sound has a little distortion, mostly noticed in the title music of some chapters and not uncommon on transfers from existing prints, but the frequency response is fairly good; there is no problem in understanding the dialogue except when the language is "Belgravian."
This is not a serial to watch when an "over the top" experience is desired, but it is a good example of Universal's serials from the late 1930's; a different feel, not simply better or worse than those from Republic or Columbia, here in an excellent transfer, well worth the price.
Summary of Secret Agent X-9 (1937)
Synopsis:Item Type: DVD Movie
Item Rating: NR
Street Date: 03/25/03
Wide Screen: no
Director Cut: no
Special Edition: no
LanguageENGLISH
Foreign Film: no
Subtitlesno
Dubbed: no
Full Frame: yes
Re-Release: no
Packaging: Sleeve
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