Each chapter has 2 reels, except the first which has 3. U.S. release: 10 June 1939. SYNOPSIS: After fifteen years in a federal penitentiary, convict #39013 escapes and begins a campaign of vengeance against Granville, his former partner, who is responsible for his conviction. 39013 makes Granville a prisoner, while, by means of a clever disguise, he himself takes Granville's place so successfully that no one knows of the change. The Daredevils of the Red Circle, three college athletes who are working in a sideshow on Granville's amusement pier, are enraged when 39013's plot to burn the pier results in the death of a small brother of one of them. Gene, Burt, and Tiny resolve to bring the perpetrator of this crime to justice, and make it their business to be on hand to stymie every plot 39013 attempts. In this they have an ally in Blanche, the granddaughter of the real Granville. NOTES: Republic's 14th serial commenced shooting on 28 March 1939 and finished on 28 April 1939. It was budgeted at $126,855 but came in well under at $126,118. Real locations included Rincon and Sea Cliff (near Santa Barbara) and the Standard Oil Company's factory in Baldwun Hills. COMMENT: One of Republic's best serials, I'm surprised this one isn't better known. True, it has a preposterous plot and risibly clichéd or stating-the-obvious dialogue — but don't they all? In its favor, it has a particularly top-notch cast. The only dim star among the principals is Charles Quigley, and he's still okay. David Sharpe is at his most personable, and whilst Bruce Bennett and Carole Landis are but half as colorful here as they were soon to become, it's still great to see them in action. Charles Middleton as usual is the perfect villain and has a vivid crew of henchmen including Raymond Bailey. Ridiculous as it is, the plot still manages to introduce a fair amount of atmosphere and wonderfully bizarre effects, what with sliding doors and panels, secret rooms and corridors — including a dungeon — equipped with peep-holes; and more importantly it serves as a peg for some wonderful action spots. Just about each episode contains at least three action highlights. Chapter 3 is a great example. It starts off in fine style with a recap of the stunning factory action which was the cliff-hanger in the previous episode, with the hero getting out of his quandary in a both a logical and action=full manner. We get back to the Granville mansion to look in on the villain at his peep-hole and then do his transformation act in the dungeon — complete with skillful double exposure so that Mander is able to talk to himself — which is quickly followed by a speeding car chase, including a nice bit of stunt-work, and then capped by some excitingly staged fisticuffs. The villain then puts down one of his henchman in spectacular fashion. Our heroes, alerted by the mysterious Red Circle, find themselves trapped in a gas-filled garage for an intriguing fade- out.Direction and technical credits are first-rate.

David Sharpe? Enough said. He was more fun to watch than just about anyone else. His grace and athleticism plus his good looks and charm made him almost perfect.Funny thing: He was mostly a stunt man.But he sure got a chance to shine in this excellent Republic serial -- and when you say "Republic serial" you've said "excitement, fun, thrills, action.""Republic" -- I like the sound of that word -- also means special effects by the Lydecker brothers and direction by Witney and English.Add the excellent stars Charles Quigley and Bruce Bennett, well, as I said, almost perfect.But we're not through: Yakima Canutt, the king of the stuntmen, gets to play, albeit uncredited, a G-Man, a good guy!He and the other stuntmen provide plenty of action, especially lots of fights, at which the Republic stuntmen were surely the best.Carole Landis, really a good actress as she got to show in future excellent performances, is the leading lady, but doesn't really do much.There are genuinely dozens of very good actors, too many to name here, and who are also un-named in the film credits, but any film with them in it is improved.Finally, add a score by William Lava, with a couple helpers, and you have a movie serial that is, yes, almost perfect."Daredevils of the Red Circle" is available in a truncated version at YouTube -- apparently copyright problems, and it's a wonder even part of it is up -- and of course on DVD. But I do hope you watch this excellent serial, one of the very best ever, and one I highly recommend.

I remember seeing this as an eight year old kid back at the Amo Theater in Detroit. I see it now every six months and it still thrills me to see the best of Republic at work. The principle actors are all most enjoyable. Charles Middleton is supurb once again as the nasty villan. The one episode that has really stuck with me all my 71 years is the outstanding tunnel scenes. Everytime I'm in San Francisco and take the BART under the Bay waters I think of that episode and get a little relived when I reach the other side. Al Guzman Las Vegas, NV

This is a good example of what old movie serials were all about. This had plenty of action, outdoor locations and original storylines. This was better than most "B" movies of it's time. Republic made the best serials and this was one of the best.