LIGHTNING HUTCH (1926)--sepiatoned and tinted

Lightning Hutch, also known as The Danger Man, is a 1926 American serial, original genre, directed by Charles Hutchison, in 10 chapters, starring Charles Hutchison, Edith Thornton and Sheldon Lewis.[1] The only serial produced by the Hurricane Film Corporation, it was distributed by the Arrow Film Corporation, shown in American cinemas between April 19 and June 21, 1926. It was the last serial distributed by Arrow Films, which closed its activities in 1926.

On May 20, 1930, it was re-released in a reduced version, by distributor Cosmos Pictures, as a 72-minute long film, under the title The Danger Man.[2] For increased sound effects, Bud Pollard was responsible for the reorganization of the version, through producer Bud Pollard Productions. The characters are renamed for a sound version.
This fast-moving, late-silent serial is a model of the form as former Secret Serviceman "Lightning" Hutch" and his pals attempt baffle a gang of bad guys who are after the super-scientific poison gas -- and Clifford Price, who is after his girl. The cinematography by Leon Shamroy is modeled after the classic serials of Feuillade, particularly LES VAMPIRE and is a thing of beauty. Although stylized, the serial form in LIGHTNING HUTCH is not decadent and it still shows its vigor as a competitor against the feature movie for the longer form of cinema.

PLOT

A scientist invents a poison gas; the villain and his gang will do anything to get the formula; our hero, "Lightning Hutch", is sent to save the scientist, the scientist's beautiful daughter, and the formula.

CAST

Charles Hutchison ...Larry Hutchdale / Lightning Hutch
Edith Thornton ...Diane Winters
Sheldon Lewis ...Boris Kosloff
Eddie Phillips ...Clifford Price
Violet Schram ...Marie Bruseff
Ben Walker ...Henry
Virginia Pearson ...Janet Thornwall
Gordon Sackville ...Hugh Thornwall
LeRoy Mason ...Frank Proctor