My review: Speed Gibson of the International Secret Police

This morning makes the first time I have listened to every episode of a serial all the way through - 178 episodes, total: the 1937 juvenile series, Speed Gibson and the International Secret Police.

Howard McNear as Clint Barlow

Speed Gibson (who some say is played by Elliott Lewis - while others say it is unknown who played the part) is a 15 year-old boy who is smart, strong and loves adventure.  His uncle, Clint Barlow (played by Howard McNear in a non-sniveling voice) is a member of the Secret Police - a law enforcement agency that is involved in trying to render useless a character known as the "Octopus" and his ruthless gang of Asian henchmen.  Barlow is a master at disguises and a great believer in the use of make-up - and he and the Secret Police use it often to secrete themselves in the Asian and Arabian populations.

After young Speed konks a member of the Octopus' gang, his uncle swears him into the Secret Police. And though he's only 15, he's a very capable member of the force.  Speed will prove time and time again to be a very valuable addition to the crime-busting organization, despite the fears some have about skills and wisdom of a 15 year-old.

Also helping the Secret Police is Barney Dunlap (veteran radio actor John Gibson) - who is prone to saying, "Suffering wangdoodles!' - unfortunately, this get old after about 10 episodes.  Still, Gibson plays the same part he's played his entire life - the outside wheel that doesn't quite roll straight.

Dunlap and Barlow are both expert pilots and airplanes are used for a lot of the scenes in the radio show.

Gale Gordon in the early 1930's

The Octopus, played by Gale Gordon, is not just out to avoid the Secret Police but to do away with them forever. The Octopus is an investor of sophisticated weaponry and some other-worldy psychological machines and he will stop at nothing in his quest to rule the world.  Violence, kidnapping, smuggling and murder are all on his evil agenda.

There are two different parts of the series.  The first 100 episodes are really pretty good and deal with Speed Gibson in the Pacific -- as I have stated before, I'd put those right behind the Adventures of Superman as far as juvenile radio shows are concerned - but the next 79 episodes pale in comparison. The Secret Police are in the jungles of Africa and I don't know, it's just not the same.

For one thing, John Gibson is missing for an extended period of time (explained in the show that his character was ill in the hospital.)  He does show up again about halfway through the second series, but there is constant changeover in characters taking his place. It's sort of confusing.

Also, the Octopus is not on the show as much in the second series.

Still, a fun show, although after finishing the series now, I would rank it much lower than I have it in my original Top 75 list. Originally I had it at #30 - I'm honestly thinking now that it should go to about #55 or #56 - I'll have a revised list sometime in the future.

Series you may have never heard: Speed Gibson of the International Secret Police

[Note: I had started writing a long piece about this subject but it seems there is already one online and written far better than I could ever do. It's over at the Digital Deli.]

Stuff I'd buy if I was a millionaire [#15]

Speed Gibson of the International Secret Police Stroehmann's Prize Winner button circa 1937