Trader Tom Rogers with the help of Vivian Wells foils a plot by an unknown power to foment revolution somewhere in a country on China Seas. (The location is a bit vague.) Ranged against them are agents of the unknown power who are smuggling arms to the rebels. Tom and Vivian sort it out in the end. It's a late Republic serial and it is mildly entertaining.
Harry Lauter as Tom is lively enough but better are Aline Towne as the doughty Vivian and Tom Steele as the creepy Gursan who doesn't say a single word. Victor Sen Yung is not in it much which is a shame. Lyle Talbot is dull as the main villain. Budd Buster plays 'Native in Mail Sack' and does it to perfection.
There seems to be a lot of stock footage from the 1937 serial 'SOS Coast Guard' particularly of big Richard Alexander who is shoehorned into the first four episodes. Although uncredited he is even given a character name, Gorth. In 'SOS Coast Guard' his character name is Thorg which strangely is an anagram of Gorth.
By 1954 the tide was going out for great Republic serials and 'Trader Tom of the China Seas' reflects that waning.
Harry Lauter as Tom is lively enough but better are Aline Towne as the doughty Vivian and Tom Steele as the creepy Gursan who doesn't say a single word. Victor Sen Yung is not in it much which is a shame. Lyle Talbot is dull as the main villain. Budd Buster plays 'Native in Mail Sack' and does it to perfection.
There seems to be a lot of stock footage from the 1937 serial 'SOS Coast Guard' particularly of big Richard Alexander who is shoehorned into the first four episodes. Although uncredited he is even given a character name, Gorth. In 'SOS Coast Guard' his character name is Thorg which strangely is an anagram of Gorth.
By 1954 the tide was going out for great Republic serials and 'Trader Tom of the China Seas' reflects that waning.