Ace Drummond (1936)
About the TV Series:
Ace Drummond is a classic adventure serial that captured the imaginations of audiences with its high-flying action and thrilling cliffhangers. Directed by Ford Beebe and Clifford Smith, this 13-chapter series follows the daring aviator Ace Drummond, played by John 'Dusty' King, as he battles an international villain known only as "The Dragon." Set against the backdrop of Mongolia, where a mysterious force is sabotaging airplanes to prevent the construction of an international airline, Drummond teams up with local allies and uncovers the truth behind the sabotage. The series is based on a comic strip created by Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, a World War I flying ace, adding authenticity to the aerial stunts and military action.
Director:
Ford Beebe, Clifford Smith
Main Actors:
John 'Dusty' King as Ace Drummond
Jean Rogers as Peggy Trainor
Noah Beery Jr. as Jerry
Jackie Morrow as Billy Meredith
Lon Chaney Jr. as Henchman Ivan
Did you know?
Ace Drummond was one of the first adventure serials to feature extensive aerial photography, capturing real airplanes performing death-defying stunts. The series was also notable for featuring a theme song sung by the main character, “Give Me a Ship and a Song,” adding a musical flair to the action-packed episodes. Jean Rogers, who played Peggy Trainor, gained fame later for her role as Dale Arden in Flash Gordon, and Lon Chaney Jr., who played the henchman Ivan, would later become a horror icon in films like The Wolf Man.
Impact on Cinema:
Aviation-themed adventure serials like Ace Drummond were groundbreaking for their time, blending action with cutting-edge special effects and real-world technology. The popularity of the serial helped establish the heroic aviator as a recurring figure in cinema, paving the way for future aviation-centered films and series. The international espionage storyline, mixed with thrilling action sequences, influenced the development of similar adventure genres, including spy films and war movies that followed in its wake.
Cultural Legacy:
Though less well-known than some of its contemporaries, Ace Drummond is cherished by serial enthusiasts for its exciting action scenes, memorable characters, and pioneering use of aerial photography. Its serialized format, with each chapter ending in a thrilling cliffhanger, laid the foundation for future episodic adventures. Fans of early aviation stories and classic adventure serials continue to appreciate Ace Drummond for its contribution to the genre and its daring stunts.
Episode Guide
Episode 1: Where East Meets West
Ace Drummond, an intrepid pilot and member of the U.S. Air Force, arrives in Mongolia to investigate mysterious plane crashes that have been sabotaging the construction of a new international airline. Upon his arrival, he meets Peggy Trainor, a determined young woman searching for her missing father, a key figure in the airline project. Together, they quickly find themselves entangled in a dangerous plot orchestrated by a shadowy villain known only as "The Dragon," who will stop at nothing to prevent the airline's success.
Watch Where East Meets West
Episode 2: The Invisible Enemy
As Ace Drummond digs deeper into the sabotage, "The Dragon" sends his loyal henchmen to eliminate him. In this episode, Ace must outwit his enemies in a tense cat-and-mouse chase through the Mongolian desert. Meanwhile, Peggy uncovers a hidden clue that may lead them closer to her missing father. The episode delivers thrilling aerial stunts, with Drummond taking to the skies in his trusty plane to escape his pursuers and continue his mission.
Watch The Invisible Enemy
Episode 3: The Doorway of Doom
Ace and Peggy discover an ancient Mongolian temple that may hold valuable clues to "The Dragon's" identity and motives. However, the temple is filled with deadly traps, and the pair must navigate its perils while evading the Dragon's men. A shocking betrayal within their ranks forces Ace and Peggy to rethink their alliances, leading to one of the most suspenseful moments of the serial as they narrowly escape with their lives.
Watch The Doorway of Doom
Episode 4: The Radio Riddle
Ace intercepts a strange radio transmission coming from a secret frequency. Using his keen intellect and experience in radio communications, he decodes the message, which leads him to a hidden airfield where the Dragon's next plan is being prepared. As Ace rushes to stop the Dragon’s new attack, he finds himself in a high-speed pursuit, both on land and in the air, to prevent further destruction.
Watch The Radio Riddle
Episode 5: Bullets of Sand
In this action-packed episode, Ace faces a deadly ambush in the desert, where the Dragon’s forces try to corner him with a barrage of gunfire. The stakes grow even higher as Ace learns more about the Dragon’s plan to disrupt the region’s stability. Meanwhile, Peggy makes a breakthrough in her search for her father, but the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous their journey becomes.
Watch Bullets of Sand
Episode 6: Evil Spirits
Ace and his allies are warned of a supernatural force that is allegedly behind the airline's sabotage. Despite the locals' superstitions, Ace is convinced that "The Dragon" is the real culprit. As Ace investigates, strange events begin to occur, leading him to question whether something otherworldly could be at play after all. This episode blends mystery and suspense as Ace inches closer to uncovering the truth behind the sabotage.
Watch Evil Spirits
Episode 7: The Trackless Trail
Ace embarks on a dangerous mission through uncharted Mongolian territory, following a lead that takes him straight into the heart of the Dragon's operations. As he navigates the rough landscape, Ace faces treacherous weather, bandits, and the Dragon’s men, all while trying to stay one step ahead of his enemies. This episode showcases Ace’s survival skills and determination to see the mission through.
Watch The Trackless Trail
Episode 8: The Sign in the Sky
A mysterious symbol appears in the skies above Mongolia, causing widespread panic. Ace, however, believes the symbol is a signal from the Dragon to his followers, marking the next phase of their sabotage. With Peggy’s help, Ace tracks the symbol’s origin and uncovers a hidden network of spies and saboteurs working for the Dragon. Time is running out as Ace and Peggy race to stop the Dragon’s next move.
Watch The Sign in the Sky
Episode 9: Secret Service
Ace partners with the Mongolian authorities to launch a covert mission against the Dragon’s hidden base. With the stakes higher than ever, Ace must blend his aerial expertise with espionage tactics to outwit the Dragon’s men. However, the Dragon has his own plans and begins countering Ace’s every move, leading to a high-tension showdown between good and evil.
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Episode 10: The Mountain of Jade
In a thrilling twist, Ace and Peggy discover that the Dragon's headquarters is hidden within the Mountain of Jade. The pair must infiltrate the base to rescue Peggy’s father and stop the Dragon’s plan. However, the mountain is heavily guarded, and the terrain is perilous, leading to one of the most nail-biting sequences in the entire serial.
Watch The Mountain of Jade
Episode 11: The Dragon Commands
With his plans nearing completion, "The Dragon" commands his forces to launch their final assault, which could cripple the airline project and destabilize the region. Ace, knowing time is of the essence, confronts the Dragon’s men in a daring raid, but the Dragon still has a few tricks up his sleeve. This episode sets the stage for the thrilling conclusion as Ace prepares for his final battle.
Watch The Dragon Commands
Episode 12: The Squadron of Death
In this intense episode, Ace Drummond faces the deadly Squadron of Death, a group of enemy pilots determined to eliminate anyone standing in their way. As sabotage efforts intensify, Ace must use all his aerial skill and ingenuity to prevent an all-out catastrophe. With the lives of his friends and the success of their mission on the line, this episode highlights a fierce battle both in the skies and on the ground. The stakes have never been higher as Ace fights to bring down the nefarious forces threatening global peace.
Watch The Squadron of Death
Episode 13: The World's Akin
In the thrilling series finale, The World's Akin, Ace Drummond races against time to uncover the mastermind behind the sabotage and bring the villains to justice. As the final confrontation approaches, Ace and his team are faced with one last desperate mission that could decide the fate of their world. The episode ties together the threads of danger, espionage, and heroism that have defined Ace's adventure. With heart-pounding action and a dramatic conclusion, the serial wraps up with Ace proving once again that courage and determination can save the day.
