The Phantom Creeps (1939) - Chapter 1: The Menacing Power Starring Bela Lugosi

📖 STORY
The serial opens with Dr. Alex Zorka (Bela Lugosi), a reclusive scientist, discovering a mysterious meteorite with strange properties. When government agents attempt to confiscate his work for national security, Zorka refuses and demonstrates his deadly new invention—a disintegration ray. After a dramatic laboratory confrontation, Zorka fakes his own death in a car explosion and goes into hiding, beginning his war against the authorities. Reporter Jean Drew and agent Bob West start their investigation, ending with Jean being trapped in Zorka's secret underground laboratory.

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⭐ HIGHLIGHTS
• Introduction of Bela Lugosi as the brilliant but mad Dr. Zorka
• First appearance of the meteorite with anti-gravity properties
• Zorka's dramatic "death" and disappearance
• Establishment of the government vs. scientist conflict
• Classic serial cliffhanger: heroine trapped in villain's lair

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👉 Will Jean escape Zorka's laboratory? Find out in Chapter 2!

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