You would think Universal/Filmcraft with their top Serial Star Larry 'Buster' Crabbe would be a worth while watch, wrong. Based on the RED BARRY comic strip by William Gould I would expect a strong plot and two-fisted action, that does not occur in this Serial.
Two/2 Million Dollar$ from China too buy War-Planes is the MacGuffin. Four/4 parties compete for it and like a game of musical chairs it rotates between the four/4. Not much of a plot device and this Serial is almost as boring as HOLT OF THE SECRET SERVICE (1941) Columbia Pictures. Except 'Buster' Crabbe is far more engaging then Jack Holt and Evelyn Brent.
Fortunately it runs only 13 Chapters rather then the 15 of H.O.T.S.S.
For those with a Historical bent, China's motivation for the War-Planes is too help repulse a invader. Though they are not mentioned it is obviously Imperial Japan. The second Sino-Japanese War having started in 1937 and in Chapter one/1 background news-reel footage clearly shows who the aggressor was. It is worth one/1 watch, but solely if you are a Serial fan.
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