FEDERAL OPERATOR 99
12 CHAPTER SERIAL
1945

Also released in a feature version (retitled FBI 99) this 12 chapter Republic Pictures serial benefitted from fine second-unit direction of action scenes by the legendary Yakima Canutt. Adhering to the long-held tradition of casting a relative unknown in the starring role for obvious economy purposes, associate producer Ronald Davidson chose stunt-man Marten Lamont for the title role, a secret service agent in search of the villains who stole Princess Cornelia's crown jewels. Lorna Gray, who played the evil Vultura in The Perils of Nyoka (1942), again appeared in a less than savory role. This has some of the best fight and actions scenes from any of the Republic serials of the era. It is an excellent example of using sound stages as "warehouses" with almost no props to stage a two and three level fight scene. Both Tom Steele and Dale Van Sickle are at the height of their athletic ability in this serial that stars then unknown, Marten Lamont.

PLOT:
Crime lord Jim Belmont escapes FBI custody and begins a reign of thievery that is thwarted at every turn by Jerry Blake, the FBI's Operator 99.

CAST:
Marten Lamont .... Jerry Blake
Helen Talbot .... Joyce Kingston
George J. Lewis .... Jim Belmont
Lorna Gray .... Rita Parker
Wally Wales .... Matt Farrell (as Hal Taliaferro)
LeRoy Mason .... Morton [Chs. 1, 9-10]
Bill Stevens .... Agent Fred Martin
Maurice Cass .... Signor Giuseppe Morello [Ch. 11]
Kernan Cripps .... Agent Thomas Jeffries [Ch. 1]
Elaine Lange .... Countess Delremy [Ch. 1]
Frank Jaquet .... Warren Hunter [Ch. 2]
Forrest Taylor .... Otto Wolfe [Ch. 7]
Jay Novello .... Heinrick, diamond cutter [Ch. 2]
Tom London .... Prof. Crawford [Chs. 5-6]
Jack Ingram .... Riggs [Ch. 1]

CHAPTERS:
1. The Case of the Crown Jewels
2. The Case of the Stolen Ransom
3. The Case of the Lawful Counterfeit
4. The Case of the Telephone Code
5. The Case of the Missing Expert
6. The Case of the Double Trap
7. The Case of the Golden Car
8. The Case of the Invulnerable Criminal
9. The Case of the Torn Blueprint
10.The Case of the Hidden Witness
11.The Case of the Stradivarius
12.The Case of the Musical Clue

RUNNING TIME: 169 MIN