The Adventures of Smilin Jack (1943)

In comic strip form, Smilin Jacks appearance was modeled on that of barnstormer and air racing star Roscoe Turner, three-time winner of the Thompson Trophy. The movie serial went bland and blond with actor Tom Brown, who would later have a recurring role as a rancher on televisions Gunsmoke. This 1943 serial featured the lovely Marjorie Lord, Keye Luke (better known as Charlie Chans Number One son and for his recurring role in the TV series Kung Fu), Sidney Toler (Charlie Chan), and Turhan Bey (Bey was in several serials; his exotic looks doomed him always to play the heavy). Watch the other chapters of The Adventures of Smilin' Jack at the Internet Archive.Interactive Archive (25:45)