History Film / TheCrimsonGhost

* SuperVillain: Rather than just sell the Cyclotrode to a foreign government, the Crimson Ghost plans to use it to hold cities to ransom.

* ReverseWhodunit: Of a sort. We viewers learn early on in the series that the Crimson Ghost is really one of the other scientists on the committee overseeing Chambers' research, but we don't know which one. Watching each of the committee members' reactions to Duncan's investigations closing in can be a fun RewatchBonus.

Patriotic physicist Dr. Chambers has created the "Cyclotrode," a device capable of generating a powerful Electro-Magnetic Pulse. He intends to hand his invention over to the government as a measure to repel a possible nuclear attack. Unfortunately for Dr. Chambers, another party is interested in his device: one of his fellow faculty members is secretly '''The Crimson Ghost''', a {{Supervillain}} who wants the Cyclotrode for his own nefarious plans. Assisted by the gangster Ashe (Moore) and his array of scientific gadgetry, the Ghost aims to kidnap the scientist and get his hands on the device. Chambers' colleagues, criminologist Duncan Richards (Quigley) and secretary Diana Farnsworth (Stirling), are on the case, to foil the Crimson Ghost and bring him to justice.

A 12-part FilmSerial released by Republic Pictures in 1946. Starring Charles Quigley, Linda Stirling, and Clayton Moore.

The series has attained a minor cult following in popular culture, due to the distinct appearance of the Crimson Ghost's costume. The visage of his skull mask is a recurring image in horror fandom and punk music. Music/TheMisfits adopted the image as a main part of their iconography.

Patriotic physicist Dr. Chambers has created the "Cyclotrode," a device capable of generating a powerful Electro-Magnetic Pulse. He intends to hand his invention over to the government as a measure to repel a possible nuclear attack. Unfortunately for Dr. Chambers, another party is interested in his device: one of his fellow faculty members is secretly '''The Crimson Ghost''', a {{Supervillain}} who wants the Cyclotrode for his own nefarious plans. Assisted by the gangster Ashe (Moore) and his array of scientific gadgetry, the Crimson Ghost aims to kidnap the scientist and get his hands on the device. Chambers' colleagues, criminologist Duncan Richards (Quigley) and secretary Diana Farnsworth (Stirling), are on the case, to foil the Crimson Ghost and bring him to justice.

The series has attained a minor cult following in popular culture, due to the distinct appearance of the Crimson Ghost's costume. The visage of his skull mask is a recurring image in horror film and punk music. Music/TheMisfits adopted the image as a main part of their iconography.

* HeroicSacrifice: Chambers dies in Episode 3, saving Duncan from a trap he set himself to kill the Ghost.

* NebulousEvilOrganization: The Ghost's network of operatives seems to be as large or as small as the plot demands that week. Some are under control with his drugs and explosive collars, while others appear to be working for him of their own free will (including the ''lab cleaning lady'').

* ReverseWhodunit: Of a sort. We viewers learn early on in the series that the Crimson Ghost is really one of the other scientists on the committee overseeing Chambers' research, but we don't know which one. Watching each of the committee members' reactions to Duncan's investigations closing in can be a fun little exercise.

Patriotic physicist Dr. Chambers has created the "Cyclotrode X," a device capable of a generating a powerful Electro-Magnetic Pulse. He intends to hand his invention over to the government as a measure to repel a possible nuclear attack. Unfortunately for Dr. Chambers, another party is interested in his device: one of his fellow faculty members is secretly '''The Crimson Ghost''', a {{Supervillain}} who wants the Cyclotrode for his own nefarious plans. Assisted by the gangster Ashe (Moore) and his array of scientific gadgetry, the Crimson Ghost aims to kidnap the scientist and get his hands on the device. Chambers' colleagues, criminologist Duncan Richards (Quigley) and secretary Diana Farnsworth (Stirling), are on the case, to foil the Crimson Ghost and bring him to justice.

* ActionGirl: Diana, at least compared to most female leads in other film serials of the time. She's a pilot, a stunt driver, and a decent shot with a pistol. Even when she gets captured she gives Ashe a hell of a fight.

Patriotic physicist Dr. Chambers has created the "Cyclotrode X," a device capable of a generating a powerful Electro-Magnetic Pulse. He intends to hand his invention over to the government as a measure to repel a possible nuclear attack. Unfortunately for Dr. Chambers, another party is interested in his device: one of his fellow faculty members is secretly the {{Supervillain}} '''The Crimson Ghost''', and he wants the Cyclotrode for his own nefarious plans. Assisted by the gangster Ashe (Moore) and his array of scientific gadgetry, the Crimson Ghost aims to kidnap the scientist and get his hands on the device. Chambers' colleagues, criminologist Duncan Richards (Quigley) and secretary Diana Farnsworth (Stirling), are on the case, to foil the Crimson Ghost's plans.

* ReverseWhodunit: Of a sort. We viewers learn early on in the series that the Crimson Ghost is really one of the other scientists on the committee overseeing Chambers' research, but we don't know which one. Watching each of the committee members' reactions to Duncan's investigations closing can be a fun little exercise.

* ReverseWhodunit: Of a sort. We learn early on in the series that the Crimson Ghost is really one of the other scientists on the committee overseeing Chambers' research. An audience can have a field day watching each of the committee members' reactions to Duncan's investigations closing in, in the hopes of figuring out which one he is.

* MadeOfIron: As required by a film serial, almost every episode finds Duncan getting into a brutal fistfight, diving from an out-of-control car, or being drugged or otherwise rendered unconscious (if not all three). By the next episode he's perfectly fine.

* ExplosiveLeash: The Crimson Ghost makes use of "control collars" on his henchman that will explode if removed, killing them instantly.

* AccidentalMurder: Duncan accidentally causes the death of two of the Crimson Ghost's operatives by attempting to remove their explosive "control collars" after knocking them out.

Patriotic Physicist Dr. Chambers has created the "Cyclotrode X," a device capable of a generating a powerful Electro-Magnetic Pulse. He intends to hand his invention over to the government as a measure to repel a possible nuclear attack. Unfortunately for Dr. Chambers, another party is interested in his device: one of his fellow faculty members is secretly the {{Supervillain}} '''The Crimson Ghost''', and he wants the Cyclotrode for his own nefarious plans. Assisted by the gangster Ashe (Moore) and his array of scientific gadgetry, the Crimson Ghost aims to kidnap the scientist and get his hands on the device. Chambers' colleagues, criminologist Duncan Richards (Quigley) and secretary Diana Farnsworth (Stirling), are on the case, to foil the Crimson Ghost's plans.

* OffscreenVillainy: kidnapping Dr. Chambers happens off-screen, as do a lot of the Ghost's machinations that actually sound like they'd be exciting to watch.

* OffscreenVillainy: kidnapping Dr Chambers happens off-screen, as do a lot of the Ghost's machinations that actually sound like they'd be exciting to watch.

* ClipShow: Episode 8 is largely a recap of the action so far, with recycled footage from Episodes 1 and 2.

* MadeOfIron: As required by a Film Serial, almost every episode finds Duncan getting into a brutal fistfight, diving from an out-of-control car, or being drugged or otherwise rendered unconscious (if not all three). By the next episode he's perfectly fine.

* HeroicSacrifice: Chambers dies in Episode 3, saving Duncan from a trap he set himself to kill the Crimson Ghost.

* NonActionBigBad: Evil genius the Crimson Ghost may be, but a skilled fighter he is not. The few times Duncan gets his hands on him he tosses him like a ragdoll (the fact that he's really a middle-aged academic may have something to do with that). Clearly this is why he keeps Ashe around.

* HeroicSacrifice: Chambers dies in the 2nd episode, saving Duncan from a trap he set himself to kill the Crimson Ghost.

* MadeOfIron: As required by a Film Serial, almost every episode finds Duncan getting into a brutal fistfight, diving out out an out-of-control car, or being drugged or otherwise rendered unconscious (if not all three). By the next episode he's perfectly fine.