Secret Service in Darkest Africa (1943) | Directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet

"Secret Service in Darkest Africa" is a 1943 Republic serial, serving as the studio's thirtieth serial out of a total of sixty-six. It acts as a sequel to "G-Men vs. the Black Dragon," with Rod Cameron reprising his role as American secret agent Rex Bennett. This time, Bennett faces off against the Nazis in an attempt to control the entire Middle East and defeat the Allies. The narrative involves Bennett, supported by characters from allied nations, opposing Nazi agent Baron von Rommler, who has captured and impersonated Sultan Abou Ben Ali, leader of all the Arabs.

Cast:
- Rod Cameron as Rex Bennett, US agent.
- Joan Marsh as Janet Blake, intrepid reporter and aviatrix.
- Duncan Renaldo as Captain Pierre LaSalle, head of the French police in Casablanca and codebreaker.
- Lionel Royce as Baron von Rommler, a Nazi impersonating Arab leader Sultan Abou Ben Ali.
- Kurt Kreuger as Ernst Muller, Sultan Abou Ben Ali's personal secretary and Nazi agent.
- Frederic Brunn as Wolfe, Nazi agent.

Filming took place between April 12 and May 27, 1943, with a production budget of $174,536. The serial's negative cost rose to $210,033, making it the most expensive Republic serial of 1943 and the third most expensive of all the sixty-six serials Republic produced. Spencer Gordon Bennet directed the film, and it shares the title of the second longest shoot of all Republic serials, lasting forty-five days. The Lydecker brothers, known for their in-house special effects, handled the film's special effects.

"Secret Service in Darkest Africa" received mixed reviews. Some critics compared it unfavorably to its predecessor, "G-Men vs. the Black Dragon," citing a decline in serial quality. The director, Spencer Gordon Bennet, was blamed for a lapse in style resembling the Batman television series of the mid-1960s. However, it was acknowledged as a well-made topical drama with a professional cast. The villain's identity being known to the audience was noted as a departure from the normal serial formula.

Writers: Royal Cole, Ronald Davidson, Basil Dickey, Jesse Duffy, Joseph O'Donnell, Joseph Poland

Producer: William J. O'Sullivan

Starring: Rod Cameron, Joan Marsh, Duncan Renaldo, Lionel Royce, Kurt Kreuger, Frederic Brunn

Cinematography: William Bradford

Music: Mort Glickman

Release Date: July 24, 1943

Running Time: 15 chapters (243 minutes) (serial), 100 minutes (TV)

Country: United States

Language: English

Budget: $174,536 (negative cost: $210,033)