U.K. release title of the original serial: Desert Agent. 1954 re-issue title: Manhunt in the African Jungle. 1966 TV feature version: The Baron's African War.
NOTES: Rod Cameron continues his Rex Bennett character from a previous Republic serial G-Men Vs. the Black Dragon (1942). Filming commenced 12 April 1943 and concluded 27 May 1943. The budgeted estimate of $174,536 was considerably over-run in the final negative cost of $210,033, making it the studio's third most expensive serial (after Captain America in 1943 and The Lone Ranger Rides Again in 1938).
COMMENT: The following review is based on The Baron's African War: We could have done without Rod Cameron's closing speech (free peoples of the world unite against Nazi tyranny!) in this serial cut-down which the credit titles say was adapted from Manhunt in the African Jungle, which is actually the 1954 re-issue title of Secret Service in Darkest Africa.
Production values are not bad as serials go, though the heroine is forced to wear the same drab outfit throughout the entire film. Still, she is not a particularly good looker anyway. Rod Cameron and Duncan Renaldo are okay as the male leads, and Lionel Royce makes an excellent job of his dual roles (no attempt is made to bring the two on-screen at the same time, alas!). The rest of the cast is competent.
Some of the sets are quite attractive, though the constant shot of a plaque of the French Legation to the tune of La Marseillaise is a bit wearying.
Fortunately, the serial cuts down well for continuity, as the plot is a developing one, not one that has obviously been padded out with extraneous incidents. The action spots are lively enough (including two Lydecker explosions and a spectacular station wagon plunge over a cliff) though some are abruptly truncated.
Even Bennet's direction has slightly more style than his usual minimal standards.
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