It is the penultimate 15-chapter serial to be released by the studio. The year 1945, the end of the Golden Age of Serials,[3] was the last in which Republic released any 15-chapter serials, the remainder being either 12 or 13 chapters in length.
In 1966 footage from the serial was edited together into the 100-minute film Captain Mephisto and the Transformation Machine.
A breakthrough scientific device will revolutionize the world's energy usage if the kidnapped creator can be found. To rescue her father, Claire Forrest enlists the help of private detective, Lance Reardon. Clues lead them to a remote Pacific isle known only as Mystery Island, where the two confront sinister and astonishing forces. The descendants of a long-dead pirate, Captain Mephisto are holding the scientist for their own gain. Worst of all, one of the heirs possesses a Transformation Machine with the impossible ability of changing him into the molecular duplicate of his ancestor, Mephisto.[4]
Cast
Richard Bailey as Lance Reardon, a private detective
Linda Stirling as Claire Forrest, daughter of Professor Forrest
Manhunt of Mystery Island was budgeted at $167,912 although the final negative cost was $182,388 (a $14,476, or 8.6%, overspend).[1]
It was filmed between 16 October and 18 November 1944 under the working titlesMystery Island and Manhunt.[1] The serial's production number was 1496.[1]
Release
Theatrical
Manhunt of Mystery Island's official release date is 17 March 1945, although this is actually the date the seventh chapter was made available to film exchanges.[1]
Manhunt of Mystery Island was one of twenty-six Republic serials re-released as a "Century 66" film on television in 1966. The title of the film was changed to Captain Mephisto and the Transformation Machine. This version was cut down to 100 minutes in length.[1]
