The Master Key (1945 serial)

For other uses, see The Master Key.

The Master Key is a 1945 Universal movie serial, directed by Lewis D. Collins and Ray Taylor. It starred Milburn Stone, Dennis Moore and Byron Foulger. This serial also featured the screen debut of future western film star Lash LaRue.

The Master Key
Directed by	Lewis D. Collins Ray Taylor
Written by	Jack Natteford Dwight V. Babcock Joseph O'Donnell George H. Plympton Ande Lamb
Produced by	Morgan Cox
Starring	Milburn Stone Jan Wiley Dennis Moore Addison Richards Byron Foulger Maris Wrixon
Cinematography	Maury Gertsman William A. Sickner
Edited by	Irving Birnbaum Jack Dolan Ace Herman Alvin Todd Edgar Zane
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date	April 24, 1945 (1945-04-24)
Running time	13 chapters (226 minutes)
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

Nazi spies, led by the mysterious "Master Key", kidnap Professor Henderson in order to acquire his "Orotron machine" which is capable of extracting gold from sea water. FBI agent Tom Brant, aided by reporter Janet Lowe and Detective Lt. Jack Ryan, attempt to rescue him and crack the Nazi spy ring.

Cast

• Milburn Stone as FBI Agent Tom Brant
• Jan Wiley as Janet Lowe, a reporter
• Dennis Moore as Detective Lt. Jack Ryan
• Addison Richards as Gerhard Doenitz, alias Garret Donahue, private investigator and Nazi agent
• Byron Foulger as Professor Elwood Henderson
• Maris Wrixon as Dorothy Newton/The Master Key
• Sarah Padden as Aggie
• George Lynn as Herman, the "Spearpoint Heavy" (chief henchman)
• Russell Hicks as Police Chief Michael J. O'Brien
• Roland Varno as Arnold "Hoff" Hoffman, alias M-3
• Lash LaRue as Migsy, a street urchin. This was La Rue's screen debut.^[1]
• Jerry Shane as Dan, boys' club member
• Neyle Morrow as Spike, boys' club member
• John Eldredge as Walter Stark, alias M-6

Production

Stunts

• Carl Mathews
• David Sharpe
• Tom Steele
• Ken Terrell
• Dale Van Sickel

Chapter titles

1. Trapped by Flames
2. Death Turns the Wheel
3. Ticket to Disaster
4. Drawbridge Danger
5. Runaway Car
6. Shot Down
7. Death on the Dial
8. Bullet Serenade
9. On Stage for Murder
10. Fatal Masquerade
11. Crash Curve
12. Lightning Underground
13. The Last Key

_Source:^[2]

See also

• List of film serials
• List of film serials by studio

References

1. Wollstein, Hans J. "The Master Key > Overview". Allmovie. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
2. Cline, William C. (1984). "Filmography". In the Nick of Time. McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 240. ISBN 0-7864-0471-X.

External links

• The Master Key at IMDb
• The Master Key at AllMovie

Preceded by Jungle Queen (1945)

Universal Serial The Master Key (1945)

Succeeded by Secret Agent X-9 (1945)